Classroom Recommendations 2nd-3rd

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 4th-5th

Updated July 26, 2023
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Battle of the bad-breath bats
Bowles, David
Paper Book
A new silly and spooky highly illustrated series that's perfect for fans of Eerie Elementary and Notebooks of Doom, featuring art on every page and fun activities at the end of each book. It's a Halloween chapter book treat! Cousins Malia, Ivan, and Dante are visiting their aunt Lucy...
Glam Prix racers
Kent, Deanna
Paper Book
It's the start of a new race season on Glittergear Island! Mio the mermaid, her monster truck Mudwick, and their team want to win the magical Glam Prix Cup. But the Vroombot Crew of robots plan to cheat in the race! Can the Racers sparkle across the finish line first? This full-color adventure is...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

Karen's haircut : a graphic novel (baby-sitters little sister #7)
Martin, Ann,M
Paper Book
Another graphic novel in this fun series spin-off of The Baby-sitters Club, featuring Kristy's little stepsister! Karen feels like an ugly duckling. She already has to wear glasses, and now her baby teeth are starting to come out, too. Fortunately, she knows exactly what will make her look...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

The used-to-be best friend
Quigley, Dawn
Paper Book
American Indian Youth Literature Award: Middle Grade Honor Book! Hello/Boozhoo--meet Jo Jo Makoons! Full of pride, joy, and plenty of humor, this first book in an all-new chapter book series by Dawn Quigley celebrates a spunky young Ojibwe girl who loves who she is. Jo Jo...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

Lunch Lady the first helping : the cyborg substitute and the league of librarians
Krosoczka, Jarrett
Paper Book
Fans of Captain Underpants won't want to miss the adventures of a lunch lady who serves justice--now available for the first time as a full-color graphic novel featuring two-books-in-one! Serving justice . . . and lunch! Hector, Terrence, and Dee have always wondered...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

Grace the cove dragon
Mara, Maddy
Paper Book
We are Dragon Girls -- hear us roar! Grace, Zoe, and Sofia share an incredible secret. They can transform into powerful Sea Dragons when they travel to the Magic Forest! Each of the girls has a deep love of the water. Grace is a skilled swimmer, Zoe is an avid surfer, and Sofia is an...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

The mystery of the painted fan
Trinh, Linda
Paper Book
The third book in the early chapter book series The Nguyen Kids features the youngest sibling, Jacob, and continues the series' exploration of social justice themes, specifically gender expression and identity, with a supernatural twist. BOOK 3: THE MYSTERY OF THE PAINTED FAN  ...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

Game over, Super Rabbit Boy!
Flintham, Thomas
Paper Book
Super Rabbit Boy is the strongest, bravest, fastest animal in all the land. . .and he's also the star in a video game! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high...
The Bad Guys in Mission unpluckable
Blabey, Aaron
Paper Book
NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE!"I wish I'd had these books as a kid. Hilarious!" -- Dav Pilkey, creator of Captain Underpants and Dog ManThey may look like Bad Guys, but these wannabe heroes are doing good deeds...whether you like it or not! This New York Times bestselling illustrated...
Lily to the rescue
Cameron, W. Bruce
Ebook
A 2020 National Parenting Product Awards (NAPPA) Winner! An irresistible chapter book series from the New York Times bestselling author of A Dog's Purpose Puppy Tales featuring Lily, a rescue dog who rescues other animals! ...
Stella Daiaz leaps to the future
Dominguez, Angela
Paper Book
Stella is getting ready for her next big step.This year, she's a fifth grader, which means not only is she one of the big kids in her elementary school but she'll also have to start thinking about middle school. GULP!Luckily, Stella can count on having her best friends Jenny and Stanley at her side....
Merhorses and bubbles
Citro, Asia
Audiobook
Mindy Kim and the trip to Korea
Lee, Lyla
Paper Book
Fresh Off the Boat meets Junie B. Jones in the adorable chapter book series following Mindy Kim, a young Asian American girl--in this fifth novel, Mindy goes to South Korea! Mindy is super excited to go to South Korea to visit her grandparents! She has never taken...
Curse of the shadow dragon
West, Tracey
Paper Book
Drake and Worm meet a Shadow Dragon in the latest action-packed installment of this New York Times bestselling series! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text...
Juana & Lucas. Big problemas
Medina, Juana
Paper Book
When her mami meets someone new, Juana worries that everything will change in a humorous, heartwarming follow-up to the Pura Belpré Award-winning Juana & Lucas. Juana's life is just about perfect. She lives in the beautiful city of Bogotá with her two most favorite people...

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

Exploring flight!
Beaty, Andrea
Audiobook

*NEW TITLE TO LIST*

Award-winning books, recordings, apps, & websites for children from the American Library Association.

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

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


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