Classroom Recommendations 4th-5th

The Youth Services Librarians from Happy Valley, Milwaukie Ledding, and Oak Lodge Libraries have pulled together some of their favorite books that would be great additions to classroom libraries. Below are single titles, though most are linked to series. They are sorted by suggested grade level, but feel free to "shop" high and low!

You might also be interested in:
Classroom Recommendations K-1st
Classroom Recommendations 2nd-3rd

Updated July 26, 2023
L
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County)Happy Valley Library
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
The wild robot
Brown, Peter
Paper Book
Soon to be a DreamWorks movie, coming to theaters 9/27/24! This #1 New York Times bestselling illustrated middle grade novel from a Caldecott Honor winner tells an extraordinary story full of action and thought-provoking questions as a robot learns to...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

Cat Kid Comic Club
Pilkey, Dav
Paper Book
A pioneering new graphic novel series by Dav Pilkey, the author and illustrator of the internationally bestselling Dog Man and Captain Underpants series. Naomi, Melvin, Pedro, and Poppy are just a few of the twenty-one rambunctious, funny, and talented baby frogs who share their stories in...
The magic misfits
Harris, Neil Patrick
Paper Book
A New York Times and USA Today bestseller! From award-winning actor Neil Patrick Harris comes the magical first book in a series with plenty of tricks up its sleeve. When street magician Carter runs away, he never expects to find friends and magic...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

Sue & Tai-chan. 1
Konami, Kanata
Paper Book
The adorable new odd-couple cat comedy manga from the creator of the beloved Chi's Sweet Home and Chi's Sweet Adventures, in full color and formatted for English readers, just like Chi! Sue is an aging housecat who's looking forward to living out her life in...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

The case of Windy Lake
Hutchinson, Michael
Paper Book
Sam, Otter, Atim, and Chickadee are four inseparable cousins growing up on the Windy Lake First Nation. Nicknamed the Mighty Muskrats for their habit of laughing, fighting, and exploring together, the cousins find that each new adventure adds to their reputation. When a visiting archeologist goes...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

Dragons in a bag
Elliott, Zetta
Paper Book
The dragon's out of the bag in this diverse, young urban fantasy from an award-winning author! When Jaxon is sent to spend the day with a mean old lady his mother calls Ma, he finds out she's not his grandmother--but she is a witch! She needs his help delivering...
Athena : goddess of wisdom and war
Greenberg, Imogen
Paper Book
A spunky, illustrated feminist take on the myth of Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, war, and courage from author Imogen Greenberg and award-winning artist and writer Isabel Greenberg. From the moment she sprung from Zeus's head, Athena was...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

Max & the Midknights
Peirce, Lincoln
Paper Book
Max wants to be a knight! Too bad that dream is about as likely as finding a friendly dragon. But when Max's uncle Budrick is kidnapped by the cruel King Gastley, Max has to act...and fast! Joined by a band of brave adventurers--the Midknights--Max sets out on a thrilling quest- to save Uncle...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

Jasmine Toguchi, peace-maker
Florence, Debbi Michiko
Paper Book
With more than 150,000 copies sold, the award-winning Jasmine Toguchi chapter book series starring a spunky Japanese American heroine returns with four new standalone books set on a family vacation in Japan! Eight-year-old Jasmine and her family travel to...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

Mr. Wolf's class
Steinke, Aron Nels
Paper Book
From Eisner Award-winning creator Aron Nels Steinke, a vibrant, funny new series that charmingly captures the everyday antics of a fourth-grade classroom!Mr. Wolf has just started teaching at Hazelwood Elementary. He wants the first day of school to go well, but he's got his hands full with...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

Max Meow : cat crusader
Gallagher, John
Paper Book
A USA TODAY Bestseller! Meet a secret superhero with CAT-ITUDE--Max Meow, Cat Crusader--in this purr-fectly awesome, hiss-sterically funny graphic novel series just right for fans of Dog Man and InvestiGators! Max is just a regular cat in Kittyopolis, trying to make...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

The Tea Dragon Society
O'Neill, Katie (Cartoonist)
Paper Book
From the award-winning author of Princess Princess Ever After comes The TeaDragon Society, a charming all-ages book that follows the story of Greta, ablacksmith apprentice, and the people she meets as she becomes entwined in theenchanting world of tea dragons. After discovering a...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

The 13-story treehouse
Griffiths, Andy
Paper Book
Andy and Terry live in a treehouse. But it's not just any old treehouse, it's the most amazing treehouse in the world! This treehouse has thirteen stories, a bowling alley, a see-through swimming pool, a secret underground laboratory, and a marshmallow machine that follows you around...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

Gabby gets it together
Fairbairn, Nathan
Paper Book
Are you a fan of Raina Telgemeier or Shannon Hale? Then don't miss PAWS, a new graphic novel series about best friends, cute dogs, and all the fun (and trouble) that comes with them. Perfect for fans of Real Friends, Roller Girl, and Allergic, this funny and heartwarming...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

Aven Green, sleuthing machine
Bowling, Dusti
Paper Book
Third-grader Aven Green has been solving mysteries for a whole month--cracking such cases as The Mystery of the Cranky Mom. But can this perceptive detective solve two cases at the same time? First her teacher's lunch bag disappears. Then Aven's great-grandma's dog goes missing....
I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies, 1967 I Survived Graphic Novel Series, Book 5
Tarshis, Lauren.
Ebook
Shadow Island
Deas, Mike
Paper Book
Key Selling Points Set on a mysterious island, the realistic art and moody setting are sure to appeal to young readers and adults alike. Think The Gooniesmeets Amulet. Sparse text and easy-to-follow narrative make this the perfect graphic novel introduction for readers...
Doodleville
Sell, Chad
Paper Book
For fans of Svetlana Chmakova's Awkward and Raina Telgemeier's Smile comes an inventive new story from Cardboard Kingdom creator Chad Sell about a group of young artists who must work together when one of their own creations becomes a monster. Drew is just a...
Sam Wu is not afraid of zombies
Tsang, Katie
Paper Book
The brilliantly funny fifth book in the SAM WU series, starring the bravest scaredy-cat in the world! Perfect for reluctant readers and fans of Tom Fletcher, Pamela Butchart and Humza Arshad's Badman. There's hardly anything that Sam Wu is afraid of. Unless you count ghosts, sharks, the...
The Secret Explorers and the desert disappearance
King, SJ
Paper Book
Learn all about life in the desert with this nature-themed installment of DK Books' new educational fiction series for children aged 7 to 9 years old. Meet the Secret Explorers - a band of brainiac kids from all around the world, here to take young readers on a series of fact...
Skunk and Badger
Timberlake, Amy
Paper Book
Learn how Skunk and Badger first became roommates before embarking on their latest adventure, Egg Marks the Spot! A Best Book of 2020: People * Kirkus Reviews * Booklist  * School Library Journal * ...
Lights, camera, cook!
Harper, Charise Mericle
Paper Book
A zesty series for fans of kids' cooking competitions! It's "lights, camera, cook!" for four tween contestants--energetic Tate, charming Rae, worldly Caroline, and hyper-competitive Oliver--who are all about to enter a televised cooking competition.      What will...
Real Friends Friends Series, Book 1
Hale, Shannon.
Ebook
"Fresh and funny." --New York Times Book Review Newbery Honor author Shannon Hale and New York Times bestselling illustrator LeUyen Pham join forces in this graphic memoir about how hard it is to find your real friends--and why it's worth the journey. When...
The dragonet prophecy
Sutherland, Tui
Paper Book
A thrilling new series soars above the competition and redefines middle-grade fantasy fiction for a new generation!The seven dragon tribes have been at war for generations, locked in an endless battle over an ancient, lost treasure. A secret movement called the Talons of Peace is determined to bring...
The breakaways
Johnson, Cathy G.
Paper Book
The Breakaways from Cathy G. Johnson is a raw, and beautifully honest graphic novel that looks into the lives of a diverse and defiantly independent group of kids learning to make room for themselves in the world. Quiet, sensitive Faith starts middle school already...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

The Last Kids on Earth The Last Kids on Earth Series, Book 1
Brallier, Max.
Ebook
A Netflix Original series! The first book in the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling series, with over 7 million copies in print! "Terrifyingly fun! Delivers big thrills and even bigger laughs."--Jeff Kinney, author of the #1 ...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

https://alsc-awards-shelf.org/
Award-winning books, recordings, apps, & websites for children from the American Library Association.
https://ola.memberclicks.net/bccca-home

2nd-3rd grade reading level, but excellent ideas for all readers, students can vote on their favorite title each spring

https://oregonreaderschoiceaward.wordpress.com/

3rd-5th category has new selections each year; students can vote on their favorite title each spring

The Nebula Secret Explorer Academy Series, Book 1
Trueit, Trudi Strain.
Paper Book
Adventure, danger, and a thrilling global mission await 12-year-old Cruz Coronado as he joins an elite school for explorers. Cruz leaves his tranquil home in Hawaii to join 23 talented kids from around the globe to train at the Explorer Academy with the world's leading scientists...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*


Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.