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
Now a DreamWorks movie! 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 survive--and live--in the wilderness....

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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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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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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...

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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 got his hands full with...

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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...
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....
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 /
Tarshis, Lauren.
Paper Book
New York Times bestselling author Lauren Tarshis tackles the historic grizzly bear attacks in Glacier National Park in this latest installment of the groundbreaking I Survived series.No grizzly has ever killed a human in Glacier before . . . until tonight. Eleven-year-old Melody Vega and her...
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...
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...
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
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
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...
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 /
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...
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

Explorer Academy.
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...

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