Color Our World: Independent Reader

Our 2025 Bookworm Summer Reading Theme is Color Your World. We invite you to explore the world around you through art and books. Here are some to get you started!

Updated January 3, 2025
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Party problems
Reid, C. L.
Paper Book
Emma is excited about Izzie's birthday party. But she's also nervous. Is her dress too fancy? Will she know anyone else at the party? Did she buy the right gift? Will Emma's worries ruin her chance to have fun? Find out how Emma handles her party problems in this early chapter book from the Emma...
Parker dresses up
Curry, Parker
Paper Book
The New York Times bestselling team behind Parker Looks Up returns with this Level 1 Ready-to-Read about the fun of dressing up and dreaming big! Parker is playing dress up with her younger siblings, Ava and Cash. With each costume, Parker imagines what her life...
The Princess in Black and the Prince in Pink
Hale, Shannon
Paper Book
When plans for a ball run a-fowl, Princess Magnolia accepts the help of a valiant new hero to save her secret decorations--and the entire evening! Princess Magnolia is at the Flower Festival prepping for the evening ball when suddenly she hears a commotion. Oh no! She isn...
The princess in black
Hale, Shannon
Paper Book
Who says princesses don't wear black? When trouble raises its blue monster head, Princess Magnolia ditches her flouncy dresses and becomes the Princess in Black! Princess Magnolia is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when . . . Brring! Brring! The...
Monkey-CAM
Palatini, Margie.
Paper Book
Experience the world from a monkey's perspective via the video camera on its head in this fun and exciting Pre-Level 1 Ready-to-Read book in the Critter-Cam series! Through a video camera positioned on the monkey's head, readers can follow along from the monkey's point of view as...
Kitty-cam
Palatini, Margie
Paper Book
See the world from a pet kitty's point of view via the video camera perched on its head in this playful and energetic Pre-Level 1 Ready-to-Read book in the Critter-Cam series! Jump, Kitty. Jump. Jump. Jump. Dunk, Kitty. Dunk. Dunk. Dunk. Dunk.
The adventures of Captain Underpants
Pilkey, Dav
Paper Book
Fourth graders George Beard and Harold Hutchins invent the wedgie-powered superhero Captain Underpants in the first book in this #1 New York Times bestselling series by Dav Pilkey, the author and illustrator of Dog Man!George and Harold are a couple of class clowns. The only thing they...
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...
Children's book of art
Paper Book
Go on an artistic journey around the world in this children's introduction. Discover the power of art and be inspired by cultures from all over the world with this extensive children's guide. This book is the perfect introduction for young readers to the world of art and...
Winged wonders : solving the monarch migration mystery
Pincus, Meeg
Paper Book
2020 Finalist AAAS/Subaru American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru2020 EUREKA Excellence in Nonfiction Awards - HonoreeWinner Best of 2020 Picture Book New Releases - Innovative Nonfiction CategoryThe Original Art 2020 NomineeFor decades, as the monarch butterflies swooped through...
Upstaged
Asher, Diana Harmon
Paper Book
A shy actress steps into the spotlight in this charming middle-grade novel Shira Gordon is painfully shy. She rarely speaks and blushes at everything. And yet, when she's alone in her room, she'll sing and dance, dreaming she were different. So when her best friend forces her...
The last comics on Earth : too many villains!
Brallier, Max
Paper Book
The New York Times and USA Today bestselling series from worldwide phenomenon Max Brallier-- a spin-off based on the mega-bestselling The Last Kids on Earth! Jack, June, Quint, and Dirk face their biggest challenge yet: creating the sequel to their hit graphic novel...
Dream, Annie, dream
Brown, Waka T.
Paper Book
In this empowering deconstruction of the so-called American Dream, a twelve-year-old Japanese American girl grapples with, and ultimately rises above, the racism and trials of middle school she experiences while chasing her dreams. As the daughter of immigrants who came to...
Keep dancing, Lizzie Chu
Chan, Maisie
Paper Book
A girl tries to cheer up her grieving, forgetful grandfather by taking him on a rollicking road-trip adventure in Keep Dancing, Lizzie Chu, a charming and poignant middle-grade novel from award-winning author Maisie Chan.   Twelve-year-old Lizzie Chu has...
Unstuck
Dee, Barbara
Paper Book
"Both relatable and inspiring...an entertaining and heartfelt read." --Janae Marks, New York Times bestselling author of On Air with Zoe Washington From critically acclaimed author Barbara Dee comes a middle grade novel that's "this generation's Dear Mr....
A copycat conundrum
Yee, Lisa
Paper Book
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * When San Francisco is under strange attacks--like earthquakes affecting only two city blocks at a time--who're you gonna call? An elite team of crime-fighting underdogs, that's who! The Misfits are on the case in this hilarious illustrated series! ...
The color of sound
Isler, Emily Barth
Paper Book
"[A] salient celebration of family, music, and neurodiversity." --starred, Publishers Weekly "A top pick for any middle school collection; a perfect book club pick and a reminder to all that patience and understanding can change lives." --starred, School Library Journal Twelve-year...
The swifts : a dictionary of scoundrels
Lincoln, Beth
Paper Book
#1 New York Times bestseller! "Knives Out feel by way of Lemony Snicket...This archly told, never muddled debut whodunit reveals a roster of distinct characters, a labyrinthine setting and plot, and a mystery that is as clever as its heroine." - Publishers Weekly...
Besties : Work It Out
Miller, Kayla
Paper Book
A fun and fresh graphic-novel series spin-off of the New York Times bestselling Click books, featuring aspiring entrepreneurs Beth and Chanda! When the girls land a lucrative dogsitting gig, they're sure that fame, fortune, and popularity can't be far behind, but nothing can prepare them for the...
Picture day
Sax, Sarah
Paper Book
Everyone knows the most stressful day of middle school is picture day! And that's exactly where thisyearbook-worthy graphic novel series opener begins- with reinventing yourself, drama, popularity, and the friends who see you through. Seventh-grader Viv never looks forward...
Art year by year
Bowden, Alice
Paper Book
Travel through time to discover the paintings, sculptures, and decorative objects that enrich our world. Are you seeking a lavishly illustrated timeline that showcases a glorious gallery of art from all around the world? Then SI Art Year By Year may be the book for you!
The drawing lesson : a graphic novel that teaches you how to draw
Crilley, Mark
Paper Book
Read This Comic and Start Drawing Today! Nominated for a 2017 Eisner Award For the first time ever, drawing instructor and graphic novelist Mark Crilley brings his easy-to-follow artistic instruction to aspiring artists in the form of a comic book, providing you with a one-of-a...
Fashionopolis : the secrets behind the clothes we wear
Thomas, Dana
Paper Book
A look at fast fashion and its impact on the environment and social justice, perfect for middle grade classrooms Did you ever think about where your jeans come from? How about the people who made your T-shirt, or what happens to the clothes you grow out of when you're done...
Stephen Biesty's incredible cross-sections
Biesty, Stephen
Paper Book
This children's book explores the innermost workings of some extraordinary buildings and machines. From helicopters to submarines, skyscrapers to coal mines, open up a fascinating world packed with unique and detailed cutaway drawings. Whether it's a Spanish galleon or a medieval...

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