Click HERE to access an amazing Teacher’s Guide supporting Tony Abbott’s incredible series, The Secrets of Droon.
Guide creator Donna F. Skolnick passionately believes that encouraging kids to connect with series books is the key to sparking the life-long love of reading. She states on page 3 of her well-written, content-packed guide, “Series books entice young readers to keep reading and that is exactly what the Droon series does. Children love knowing that there is another exciting adventure with Eric, Julie, Neal, and Keeah as soon as they finish the book they are presently reading.”
Donna suggests that an educator view her guide as a sort of ‘menu’ from which to choose what is needed to enhance the child’s reading experience. Be it concepts such as comprehension strategies, author study, word study, Reader’s Theater, or a quality focus on literary elements of craft, this guide is the perfect compliment for any child reading Abbott’s The Secrets of Droon.
Kids love books in a series and one of the most wonderful things about that, is that once children have gotten HOOKED, they’re guaranteed more delightful reads.
Fortunately, there is no shortage of series for the K-5 reader. We’ve included a few recent favorites here, some, perhaps, more familiar than others.
Princess Posey is absolutely one of the best new transitional series to publish in the last year. This second in the series is as charming as the first and brought smiles from the very first pages. It’s that wonderful!
In Book 2, (coming in early March) Posey wants to give the perfect gift to her teacher, Miss Lee. Best friends, Nikki and Eva have each decided on very, very special presents. Posey has, too, and she’s certain that when her teacher, Miss Lee, sees what she’s chosen, she’ll “smile and smile.” Not surprisingly, “In her secret heart, Posey hoped Miss Lee would like her more than anyone.”
Of course, things don’t turn out quite as she’d hoped and the way Posey ultimately solves her problem will endear her all the more to readers’ hearts.
* Learn more about author, Stephanie Greene, in a ReaderKidZ Author-In-Residence post HERE.
Aggie has an appointment at the vet’s and both she and Ben must be brave. Ben has all sorts of worries. “Will Aggie get hurt? What if she gets hungry?” Poor Ben’s none too happy when he learns that Aggie will have her very first sleepover without him. Ben will have to watch tv with an empty lap and go to sleep in an empty bed…
When Ben picks Aggie up the next day, he learns she must walk around with a lampshade on her head. That’s when Ben decides to turn Aggie the Lamp Head into Aggie the Lion!
This series was completely off my radar until a friend led me to it and I’m so glad she did. Three short chapters, marvelously illustrated by Frank Dormer (Socksquatch), make this the perfect book for beginning readers.
I remember reading the first BAD KITTY picture book when it was released over 5 years ago. Students loved that alphabet book, as well as its follow-up POOR PUPPY. More recently, Bad Kitty has found an equally enthusiastic audience for its new chapter book format.
The most recent of these, BAD KITTY VS. UNCLE MURRAY, was a delight to read and Bruel has clearly found a format with the room he needed to fully develop KITTY’s character. In each chapter, not only does Bad Kitty give Uncle Murray a run for his money but, sandwiched between, informational “Uncle Murray’s Fun Facts,” give the reader something extra. Look for next book, BAD KITTY MEETS THE BABY, in June.
A book about a dragon named Danny and an iguana named Wendell who are best friends is wild enough. But in this latest adventure, when a weird-looking, candy-apple red, school cafeteria hot dog bites mild-mannered Wendell, things begin to turn wilder still! Could Wendell be morphing into a were-wiener?
Strange things are happening and with a full moon on the rise, there’s no telling what Wendell might be capable of! Fortunately, Danny Dragonbreath’s on the job, and with any luck, he’ll have the Curse of the Were-Wiener solved before you know it. Look for the newest book in the series, DRAGONBREATH: LAIR OF THE BAT MONSTER, in March.
Big Nate is like Diary of a Wimpy Kid for a slightly younger audience. Text is broken up with comic panels and spot illustrations in a way that is sure to draw in even the most reluctant reader.
This first in the series follows Nate through an ordinary day at school, which, for Nate, usually means trouble. Except, this day, Nate’s fortune cookie fortune reads: “Today you will surpass all others.” And true to form – and fortune – by the end of the day, Nate does manage to set a new school record. He won’t get one of those display case trophies, but he does leave his mark for all posterity. Look for BIG NATE BOREDOM BUSTER in April
Brownie and Pearl are dressing up and they’ve got all the fixings to sparkle and shine. This short (24 page) text by one of my personal favorite authors, Cynthia Rylant, is a series the youngest child will enjoy reading over and over. Look for the newest, BROWNIE AND PEARL TAKE A DIP, in April.
To watch two dramatic, suspenseful, and down-right daring webisodes – Lair of the Bat Monster and Curse of the Were-Wiener – featuring the antics of Ursula Vernon’s Danny Dragonbreath, his best friend Wendell, and cousin Edward click HERE.
A ReaderKidZ note of warning – Viewer discretion advised. After viewing Curse of the Were-Wiener one’s perception of the everyday hot dog lunch may be permanently altered.
If you enjoyed Nick Bruel’s BAD KITTY, then you will love the variety of activities he offers on his interesting website. Such great fun that you’ll want to return to his site over and over again.
To enjoy playing Go Cat Go!, the Bad Kitty Memory Game, and Bad Kitty Mad Dash click HERE.
Imagine finding between the covers of an (inexpensive, colorful) book, not just pages and words but a MYSTERY, plus a bit of the old boardgame, CLUE, and more – graphics, story, illustrations and taped messages.
In this Big Apple adventure, a class of sixth graders fly into NYC for a fieldtrip. Egg and Cat, with friends, Samantha, Anton and Gum, expected to suffer through a couple of boring days, but right off the bat – a robbery is reported at Ports Authority!
As the fieldtrip kids arrive at the Museum of Natural History, creepy people begin to appear – and again at the Hayden Planetarium. Right from the start, the reader’s job is to help solve the mystery. The adventures don’t stop on the last page…further investigations and games, puzzles, heroes, villains and more are but a computer click away at www.capstonekids.com. Just type in the Book ID and, even if you don’t yet have a Private Eye badge, you can continue to snoop, explore, and discover amazing facts!
Learn more about this great selection for reluctant readers, both boys and girls, HERE.
First meet Dyamonde, third grade girl with PLENTY of perky personality, good looks, and a very smart brain. But what she does not have is a friend. She has a Mom who is considerate, strict, and divorced. She has the problem of The New Boy. Worst of all, Dyamonde has the challenge of keeping her cool with the Three T’s: Tameeka, Tanya and Tylisha. The Three T’s have their own rules and definitions of who is IN and who is OUT.
Once a young reader has fun following the trials and tribulations of Dyamonde through a dozen short chapters, she will be on to the next book in this series (RICH), and the next and new: ALMOST ZERO.
Anna Hibiscus lives with her African father, Canadian mother, and her troublesome, rambunctious twin brothers. They live in Africa, in a contemporary city. Unfortunately, exactly where in Africa is never stated. Anna has a very large African family and they all like to visit. This series tells about Anna’s family life. The reader hears many of the same frustrations and funny interactions that are part of family life anywhere, but also aspects of THIS family life – such as the giving of gifts when someone visits, the showing of respect for grandmothers and grandfathers, and the mixing of traditional African ways with modern ways. An important strength of this series is showing how modern life and traditional ways can co-exist in this faraway continent. Anna’s stories bring Africa closer to home. The chapters can be read in sequence or as stand-along stories. The black and white illustrations are a delight. A fun series of early chapter books to be shared with a child curious about being a kid in Africa.
Learn about the other books in the Anna Hibiscus series HERE.
Click HERE to access a Discussion Guide to compliment Nikki Grime’s intriguing Dyamonde Daniel series. Keep the book nearby. You’ll want it to reference the questions asked.
Not only does the guide pose questions regarding characters’ emotional reactions, developing friendships, and various growing pains, it capitalizes on the reader’s own personal experiences, as well. For example, one series of questions ask if “…you have ever been curious about someone or something? Did you find out what you wanted to know?”
Freddie Ramos is a good son, a regular boy, and one especially busy hero!
In Freddie Ramos Takes Off, Freddie’s life suddenly changes when a box arrives at 29 G of the Starwood Park Apartments. Someone has given Freddie a pair of purple sneakers with silver wings. No ordinary shoes, these Zoom! Zoom! Zapato!-powered tennies give Freddie super speed.
In each subsequent book of the series, Freddie’s super powers increase. In book 2, Freddie Ramos Springs Into Action, inventor and Starwood Apartment manager, Mr. Vaslov, develops a wristband with an on/off switch and jumping Boing! power that allows Freddie to expand his superhero abilities.
In book 3, Freddie Ramos Zooms to the Rescue, new silver goggles along with Freddie’s usual dose of smarts help Freddie solve the mystery of the purple squirrel and save a speeding commuter train from imminent disaster.
Jacqueline Jules has created a likable character that kids tackling their very first chapter books are sure to relate to. Freddie’s good heart, and readiness to use his Zapato Power! to help others makes Freddie the best anonymous super-hero Starwood Elementary has ever seen.
Read more about Jacqueline Jules, ReaderKidZ February Author-In-Residence, HERE.
Mission Statement
To provide teachers, librarians, and parents with the resources and inspiration to foster a love of reading in kids, K-5.
