First Chapter Friday

(Book Recommendations)

Each Friday, staff members share new book recommendations to help get students at Willow Bend excited about books.

Check out our newest videos and book descriptions. What new books will you try?

Catching Cryptids (Kim Long)

Catching Cryptids

by Kim Long

Recommended by

Kim Long

(local author who visited WB on March 3rd)

3rd - 5th grade
Nonfiction
Do you want to know more about cryptids & how people search for these mysterious creatures?
Watch this video to know more about MOTHMAN from the author herself!

Jamison Student - Welcome to Camp Nightmare

Welcome to Camp Nightmare

by R.L. Stine

Recommended by

Jamison (4th grader in Mrs. Greenlimb's class)

3rd - 5th grade
Scary Stories genre
What would you do if your bus driver turned into a scary monster?
Written by one of the best scary story writers for children

A Boy Named Bat - Cisneros

A Boy Called Bat

by Elana Arnold

Recommended by

Ms. Cisneros (3rd Grade Bilingual Teacher)

3rd - 5th grade
Are you looking for a fiction book which characters and situations that could happen in the real world? Try this REALISTIC FICTION book!
Do you know what it's like to live with autism?
Will you figure out what the skunk has to do with bats and the main character of the story?

Insert Coin to Continue - Becca

Insert Coin to Continue

by John David Anderson

Recommended by

Ms. Becca (Emma O.'s mom)

3rd - 5th grade
Fantasy
What would you do if you woke up one morning to find out you're living in a video game?
This book is a great fit for readers who love video games & a good adventure story!

Piece Out

by Alex Willan

Recommended by

Mrs. Schlenbecker (reading specialist)

This book is perfect for those of you who play "family game night" at your house.
This will make you and your family LAUGH OUT LOUD & want to read it over and over again!
How will Red get back to his best friend, Yellow, and back into the game?

Piece Out - Schlenbecker

Blizzard Rescue - Rajan

DISASTER SQUAD

Blizzard Rescue

by Rekha S. Rajan

Recommended by Rekha S. Rajan

(local author visiting WB on Thursday, February 5th!)

This best-selling chapter book series is perfect for Kindy-3rd graders
It's cold outside and the Jackson family are heading to Minnesota to spend time with Gramma. But a blizzard is heading towards them! Can they keep their cool and stay warm?
Oh no! A snow rabbit is stuck in the ice - can the Jackson family help with the rescue?
What is your favorite thing to do when it is cold outside?

Crayons Book - Gaddini

The Day the Crayons Made Friends

by Drew Daywalt

Recommended by Mrs. Gaddini

(PA / Reading Intervention)

Kindy - 2nd
Oh no! The crayons have disappeared again. This time, each crayon sends Duncan a letter about the new friendships they've made.
If you've never read one of Drew Daywalt's books, you're in for a surprise. It's funny and imaginative.
Hope you enjoy Mrs. Gaddini's dog!

Ban This Book

by Alan Gratz

Recommended by Ms. Piento

(Library Clerical Teacher)

4th & 5th Grade
Realistic Fiction
What would you do if your FAVORITE book was banned from our library? This means it can no longer be on the shelf because some people think it isn't appropriate for readers.
This book teaches us the theme of standing up for what you believe in and makes us think about who decides if a book is appropriate enough for readers in an elementary school.

Ban This Book - Piento

Tell My WHY - Rittner

Tell Me Why

by Rebecca Phillips-Bartlett

Recommended by Ms. Rittner

(Library Innovative Teacher)

Kindy - 3rd Grade
NONFICTION
Do you want to know the answers to common questions about ANIMAL, HISTORY, or BUILDINGS? If so, check out this nonfiction series written by Rebecca Phillips - Bartlett

Otto the Ornament

by Troy Cummings

Recommended by Ms. Rittner

(Library Innovative Teacher)

Kindy - 3rd Grade (although all grade levels would enjoy it)
Meet Otto, an ornament who is truly FULL OF HIMSELF! How does this make the other ornaments feel? Why does he think he's better than everyone else?
Read this colorful picture book to find the special message author Troy Cummings teaches us about being humble.
2nd graders who read "Humble Pie" - this book is a great companion book!

Otto the Ornament - Rittner

Ground Zero

by Alan Gratz

Recommended by Mrs. Gardner

(4th Grade Teacher)

4th - 5th Grade
Historical Fiction (911 was a true event in history, but the characters in this book are fictional or made-up by the author)
Be prepared for an intense read with high-level vocabulary, so you might need a grown up to help you process what you are reading.
"In an instant, the world can change forever."
Follow two fictional characters (Brandon and Rashima) as they tell their powerful stories.

Watermelon Seed

by Greg Pizzoli

Recommended by Ms. Pascente

(Pre-K Teacher)

K- 3rd Grade
Have you ever wondered what happens when you eat a watermelon seed or an apple seed?
This book teaches us how to manage our fears and overcome worry. Our teacher is a friendly crocodile!

Watermelon Seed - Pascente

The Slightly Spooky Tale of Fox and Mole

by Cecilia Heikkila

Recommended by Ms. Rittner

(Library Innovative Teacher)

K- 3rd Grade (beautifully illustrated picture book)
This book takes place in autumn when the days get shorter and the wind gets colder. Come cozy up next to fox and mole as they read a story together.
This book reminds us to treat others kindly and remember to think about what others might be feeling inside.

Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly SPOOKY STORIES

by Jeff Kinney

Recommended by Ms. Rittner

(Library Innovative Teacher)

3rd - 5th Grade (great collection of short stories)
Join the Rowley Jefferson (character from Diary of a Wimpy Kid) as he uses his wild imagination to tell us spooky stories. Don't worry... you'll laugh more than you'll shake in terror!

Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories

Spooky Libraries

by Jessica Rudolph

Recommended by Ms. Piento

(School Library Clerical)

2nd-5th Grade (great NONFICTION book about libraries with haunting tales!)
Do you believe in ghosts? This book takes you across the U.S. to libraries with ghost stories to tell. The question is... will you believe the stories?

Killer Underwear Invasion - Washington

Killer Underwear Invasion!

by Elise Gravel

Recommended by Mr. Washington

(School Head Custodian)

3rd - 5th Grade (great NONFICTION book told in a fun and graphic way!)
Do your teachers tell you not to believe EVERYTHING you see on the internet? This book gives you real FACTS about why fake news exists.
Recommended for kids looking for a nonfiction book that will make you RUN, not WALK to the library to check this book out!

PIG the STAR

by Aaron Blabey

Recommended by Mrs. McFalls

(School Assistant Principal)

K-2nd Grade (great for anyone who wants a book that makes them laugh)
EASY PICTURE BOOK
Read about PIG (who's really a DOG) who dresses up in different costumes to be a STAR
Watch Mrs. McFalls' videos to find out what her dog will be dressing up as for Halloween!

PART 1

Pig the Star -McFalls 1

PART 2

Pig the Star - McFalls 2

Are You a Hungry MONSTER?

by Guilherme Karsten

Recommended by Ms. Rittner

(Library Innovative Teacher)

K-2nd grade (laugh along while you read with your family)
EASY PICTURE BOOK
Would you eat what this monster is suggesting we try!?

Hungry Monster

BRAINS! Not Just a Zombie Snack

by Stacy McAnulty

Recommended by Mr. Harris

(School Principal)

3rd - 5th Graders (learn about your brain in a funny way)
Nonfiction (with some humor, too)
Do you believe that if someone nibbled on your brain, you wouldn't even feel it? Read this book to find out why!

WIN_20250908_09_53_57_Pro.mp4

The Superteacher Project

by Gordon Korman

Recommended by Ms. Rittner

(Library Teacher)

5th Graders (so you can get a glimpse into middle school life)
Science Fiction (with a good amount of mystery, too)
What would you do if you had some serious suspicions about one of your teachers here at Willow Bend?

SuperTeacher Project-8/28/2025, 2:35 PM.mp4

Lena's Shoes are Nervous.webm

Lena's Shoes Are Nervous

by Keith Calabrese and Juana Medina

Recommended by Ms. Rittner

(Library Teacher)

Being nervous for the 1st day of school is SO normal. Do you believe that even teachers get nervous for their first day?!

This book has great tips for 1st day nerves. My favorite line is "Often the best things happen when we're nervous."

All grade levels should read this book with me and remember that it's okay to be nervous!

Capybara is Friends with Everyone

by Maddie Frost Rachel Ignotofsky

Recommended by Mrs. Benedeck

(Kindy Teacher)

Looking for a popular book about the importance of friendship and caring about others just the way they are.

Watch the full video to enjoy a special song composed by Mr. Benedeck!

Mrs. Benedeck - Capybara (1).mp4

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What's Inside a Bird's Nest: and Other Questions About Nature & Life Cycles

by Rachel Ignotofsky

Recommended by Mrs. Fodor

(LD Resource)

It's springtime and the birds are chirping. Pick up this beautifully illustrated picture book to find out more about our friends with wings in the sky! Learn about what happens after they hatch, how they make a nest, and so much more!

Hide and Seek CHICAGO by Erin Guendelsberger

Recommended by Ms. Piento

(Library Clerical)

Check out this book highlighting some of the best places to explore in Chicago! You'll help the Mayor find exciting items that represent these places and learn all about museums, parks, and attractions. And maybe this summer, you will visit them in person!

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The Life-Changing Magic of SKATEBOARDING by Sky Brown

Recommended by Ms. Rittner

(Library Innovative Teacher)

Here's one of our NEW nonfiction books in a really cool series that features different topics from skateboarding to drumming to baking and much more.

Written by Olympic medalist Sky Brown
Great for grades 2-5 (especially those of you who want to learn about skateboarding or get better at some tricks you already are trying on your skateboard)

Weird Kid by Greg Van Eekhout

Recommended by Ms. Rittner

(Library Innovative Teacher)

This book was nominated to win the 2025 Bluestem Award!
Grades 3-5 (especially 5th grade since the main character is about to start middle school, just like you)
Science Fiction (Jake is an alien living on Earth)
199 pages
Author also wrote Cog (a book many of you also read)

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Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends by Kaz Wildness

Recommended by Ms. Rittner

(Library Innovative Teacher)

This is one of our NEW books & it can be found in our GRAPHIC NOVEL section of the library.

Grades K-2 (especially great for readers learning how to read a graphic novel)
Teaches us the message of how we can celebrate the things we have in common with others AND the things that make us different

The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm

Recommended by Mrs. Gardner

(4th Grade Teacher)

The Fourteenth Goldfish is a funny sci-fi mix that is perfect for grades 4 & 5 or above! Go check it out... you might just get HOOKED! :-)

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Lou by Breanna Carzoo

Recommended by Ms. Wrobel & Ms. Gallagher

(1st & 2nd Grade Teachers)

Lou is a story about a community fire hydrant who is seen as the neighborhood toilet. This book is a part of Willow Bend Book Madness! Watch to find out if this might be a good fit book!

Picture book (K-2nd)
Great Message
Monarch award winner 2025

Mis dos pueblos Fronterizos by David Bowles

Recommended by Ms. Schellinger

(1st Grade Teacher)

Me encanta este libro porque tiene dibujos hermosos que me recuerdan de cuando yo vivía en México. ¡Espero que les guste!
There is an English version called "My Two Border Towns" if you are interested in reading it but prefer a book in English!

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Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol: Never a Doll Moment by Andres Miedoso

Recommended by Mrs. Schlenbecker & JD Schlenbecker

(Reading Specialist & her son)

Early chapter book (fiction)
Perfect for all ages but especially for new readers
Some mystery combined with humor and a fabulous friendship!
We love these books and we hope you do too!

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The Leprechaun Is Finally Gone by Dan Gutman

Recommended by Ms. Rittner

(Library Innovative Teacher)

Early Chapter Book (HUMOR FICTION), perfect fit for 2nd & 3rd graders
Includes puzzles & activities at the end of the book
My Weird School series
Will A.J. and his classmates do the research needed to discover the truth about St. Patrick's Day?
How naughty is the leprechaun?

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The Earth Hour: A Lights Out Event For Our Planet by Nanette Heffernan

Recommended by Mrs. Thomas

(2nd Grade Teacher)

Do you like to take care of the earth like me? Then you should listen to me read this book about an event in March when everyone around the world turns off their lights.