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
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The wild robot
Brown, Peter
Paper Book
A New York Times BestsellerAn IndieBound BestsellerAn ALA Notable Book for ChildrenA School Library Journal Best of the Year PickA Kirkus Best Children's of the Year PickCan a robot survive in the wilderness? When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is alone on a...

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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...

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The fifth quarter
Dawson, Mike
Paper Book
Get ready to hit the court in this heartfelt, sporty, graphic novel, the first in Mike Dawson's middle-grade duology about a girl who deals with her insecurities through her love of basketball. Lori Block is dedicated to her fourth-grade basketball team, despite being...

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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...

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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...

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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...
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...

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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...

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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...

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The Tea Dragon Society
O'Neill, Katie (Cartoonist)
Paper Book
The Tea Dragon Society is the two-time Eisner Award-winning gentle fantasy that follows the story of a blacksmith apprentice, and the people she meets as she becomes entwined in the enchanting world of tea dragons. Winner of the 2018 Eisner Award for...

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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...

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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...

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The Underground Railroad
Messner, Kate
Paper Book
Myths! Lies! Secrets! Uncover the hidden truth about the Underground Railroad and Black Americans' struggle for freedom. Perfect for fans of I Survived! and Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales. Before the Civil War, there was a crack team of abolitionists who used quilts...
The breakaways
Johnson, Cathy G.
Paper Book
Quiet, sensitive Faith starts middle school already worrying about how she will fit in. To her surprise, Amanda, a popular eighth grader, convinces her to join the school soccer team, the Bloodhounds. Having never played soccer in her life, Faith ends up on the C team, a ragtag group that's way...

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I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies, 1967 I Survived Graphic Novel Series, Book 5
Tarshis, Lauren.
Paper Book
Bestselling author Lauren Tarshis tackles the historic grizzly bear attacks in Glacier National Park in this latest installment of the groundbreaking, New York Times bestselling I Survived series. No grizzly has ever killed a human in Glacier before . . . until tonight....
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...
Sarai and the meaning of awesome
Gonzalez, Sarai.
Paper Book
Fourth grader Saraí Gonzalez can do anything. She can bake, dance, and run her own cupcake business. But when Saraís grandparents are forced to move, even Saraís not sure what to do. So she hatches a super-awesome plan with her younger sisters and cousin to buy back the house. Will Saraí find a way...
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
A Best Book of 2020: People * Kirkus Reviews * Booklist  * School Library Journal * Publishers Weekly * Shelf Awareness for Readers * New York Public Library * Chicago Public Library * Evanston...
Real Friends Friends Series, Book 1
Hale, Shannon.
Paper Book
"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. ...
The dragonet prophecy
Sutherland, Tui
Paper Book
Large Print�s increased font size and wider line spacing maximizes reading legibility, and has been proven to advance comprehension, improve fluency, reduce eye fatigue, and boost engagement in young readers of all abilities, especially struggling, reluctant, and striving readers.<...
Who was the greatest? : Muhammad Ali
Soria, Gabriel
Paper Book
"The Who HQ Graphic Novels series does an excellent job of quickly engaging readers by capturing the drama and immediacy of pivotal historic events." -- Booklist Discover the story behind Muhammad Ali and the boxing match that captivated the world, the Thrilla In Manila,...
Cold War Correspondent: A Korean War Tale Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales Series, Book 11
Hale, Nathan
Paper Book
Discover the Korean War through the eyes of a journalist who covered it in author-illustrator Nathan Hale's Cold War Correspondent, a Hazardous Tale in the New York Times bestselling graphic novel series. In 1950, Marguerite Higgins (1920-1966) was made bureau...
The Last Kids on Earth The Last Kids on Earth Series, Book 1
Brallier, Max.
Paper Book
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 ...

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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.
Ebook
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 to become...

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