Terrific Reads:

Students Say...

Suggestions from Barley Sheaf students

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham Grades 3-7 288 pages

"It is a good mystery book. It makes you want to keep reading."

The Magic Misfits by Neil Patrick Harris Grades 3-7 272 pages

"This is about a boy who runs away and has tricks up his sleeves. He can do everything, even corner a magician. It's a great book!"

Nnewts 3: Battle for Amphibopolis

by Doug TenNapel Grades 3-7 224 pages Graphic Novel

"It has humor and adds some drama."

Dog Diaries: Buddy by Kate Klimo Grades 2-5 160 pages

"I love this book, not only because it was a good book, but because it has 'life.' A puppy from the kennels named Kiss is trained to be a guide dog, and forms a special bond with a man named Morris.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway

by Jeff Kinney Grades 3-7 224 pages

"They try to go to a warm place for vacation, but they don't exactly find paradise. Funny!" Will: "It was one of the worst, yet most extreme vacations!"

Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier

Grades 3-7 256 pages Graphic Novel

"Maya has an illness, and searching for the ghosts help the kids to take their minds off that. Maya wants to see everything because she doesn't know when her life will end."

Dog Man by Dav Pilkey

Grades 2-6 244 pages Graphic Novel

"So exciting!" "So funny!" "It has so much action!" "It makes you want to keep reading."

Wonder by R.J. Palacio Grades 3-7 320 pages

"I love it because it teacher you not to judge people by how they look."

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman Grades 5-8 352 pages

"I love this book because it has a little scare to it, and when you least expect it, there's a little twist."

My Life As a Stunt Boy by Janet Tashjian Grades 4-6 288 pages

"I like it because it is funny. Also, because I like to do my own stunts, this book will teach me more stuff to do."


Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Grades 3-7 224 Pages

"Raina injured her 2 front teeth before her 6th grade year." Penelope: "I love this book! It's also about her adventures at the dentist."

Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

Grades 4-7 368 pages

"Book Scavenger is a suspenseful mystery that will definitely hook you in. Emily moves to San Francisco, the home city of her idol. When he gets attacked in a BART station, Emily and her new friend are caught up in a wild scavenger hunt!"

Bad Guys: Alien vs Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey Grades 2-5 144 pages

"There's a lot of adventure here and a lot of fun!"

Eldest (book 2) by Christopher Paolini

Grades 7-9 704 pages

"Eldest is about a good dragon named Eragon, whose mission it is to defeat Galbatorix and his empire." [Read Eragon, book 1, first]

The Land of Stoies: Worlds Collide (book 6) by Chris Colfer Grades 3-7 464 pages

"It is a good mystery about a lost sister." [Read book 1 first, The Wishing Spell. This action-packed series takes place in the land of fairy tales.]

The Last Olympian (book 5) by Rick Riordan Grades 5-9 432 pages

"This book is about a demigod who needs to stop an immortal titan who is trying to destroy the world. It's full of action-packed adventure." [Read book 1 first, The Lightning Thief.]

Jasmine Toguchi: Mochi Queen by Debbie Michiko Florence Grades 2-4 128 pages

"This book shows that a girl can do anything, no matter what your age is."

Amulet: The Stonekeeper's Curse (book 2) by Kazu Kibuishi grades 3-7 224 pages [Read book 1 first].

"Emily has an amulet that has powers. These powers get her into and out of trouble. She meets creatures along the way, too."

Space Taxi: Water Planet Rescue by Wendy Mass Grades 1-5 128 pages

"This book is about a boy named Archie whose father is a taxi driver for aliens. His father can read space maps to get around."

The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien Grades 7-9 300 pages

"I like this book because it has battles and the people are searching for gold. I especially like Gollum: 'Nasty Hobbitses!'"

The Year In Sports: 2018 by James Buckley Jr. Grades 3-7 192 pages

"I love this book because you can learn so many facts about sports. There is every sport in this book!"

BMX Bully by Jake Maddox Grades 2-4 72 pages

"I love it because there are cool characters!"

The 26-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths Grades 4-6 368 pages

"This book is a funny. Also, if you want an adventure, get The 26-Story Treehouse!"


The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey Grades 2-5 121 pages

"I love it because it is funny and has funny names."

Dark Lord: The Early Years (book 1) by Jamie Thomson Grades 4-8 304 pages

"This is a great book with a lot of unique characters and great story line."

Drama by Raina Telgemeier Grades 4-9 240 pages

"I like drama and this book is all about drama!"

Big Nate Lives It Up by Lincoln Peirce Grades 3-7 224 pages

"It is very humorous. They like to goof off!"

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry Grades 5-7 160 pages

"It keeps you wanting to read throughout the book. We love the tension in Number the Stars."

Lucy and Andy Neanderthal by Jeffrey Brown Grades 2-6 224 pages

"It is so hilarious! Lucy and Andy are such big trouble-makers!"

The Island of Dr. Libris by Chris Grabbenstein Grades 3-7 272 pages

"Whenever Billy opens a book, it seems like it comes to life. He has to find a key and open the bookcase."

  • The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket Grades 5-7 176 pages. "This Story is filled with action and suspense. The kids or orphans are really smart and you want to read more."
  • Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo Grades 4-7 208 pages. "I love this book. It is so cute! It is about a dog and a girl who met at a store. She wants to keep it but her dad might so no."
  • Prisioner of War by Michael P. Spradlin Grades 7-9 272 pages. "It is about World War II. It's a great book."
  • Red Berries, White Clouds, Blue Sky By Sandra Dallas Grades 3-6 216 pages. "There is always something happening. Characters change a lot throughout this World War II story." "I like this book because it shows how people lived their lives in a Japanese internment camp during World War II. Just when you think you have figured out the book, it turns in a whole different direction."
  • I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916 by Lauren Tarshish Grades 2-5 112 pages. "It is scary and exciting. You get a rush of adrenaline!" "I love sharks and I also love how this book is a mystery."
  • 11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass Grades 3-7 272 pages. "I love this book because the message is strong and the characters are funny."
  • 12 Finally by Wendy Mass Grades 3-7 304 pages. "It teaches about responsibility and what is appropriate for 12-year-old kids."
  • Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark by Ridley Pearson Grades 4-8 336 pages. "You would like this fun and scary book, if you ever wonder what happens after dark."
  • Honus and Me: A Baseball Card Adventure by Dan Gutman Grades 4-7 144 pages. "This book is about a kid named Joe Stoshack (Stosh) who has the power to go back in time with old baseball cards. He has funny adventures!"
  • Warriors: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter Grades 3-7 320 pages. "This is such a great book because the adventures never end. After one mystery is solved, another one is always there to take its place! If you enjoy mysteries, animals, and adventure, this is the series for you!"
  • Sisters by Raina Telgemeier Grades 3-7 208 pages. "It is a great book for almost all ages. It is about sisters that have to learn to get along."
  • Who was Frederick Douglas by April Jones Prince Grades 3-6 112 pages. "It is a sad but truthful story about how Frederick Douglas fought his way to freedom. It is very educational and you can really feel like you're there."
  • Bob by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead Grades 3-7 208 pages. "It has cliffhangers and different perspectives."
  • Molly's Story: A Dog's Purpose Puppy Tale by W. Bruce Cameron Grades 4-6 208 pages. "Molly's Story is a very good book about a dog and her owner. I love the dog in it!"
  • Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier Grades 3-7 256 pages. "I like it because it shows that someone's love is stronger than someone's actions."
  • Who Was Walt Disney by Whitney Stewart Grades 2-6 112 pages. "I like this book because I love Disney World, and even though it is a chapter book, I can finish it in one day."
  • Boy At War: A Novel of Pearl Harbor by Harry Mazer Grades 5-9 112 pages. "I love this book because it shows how a kid lives his life until a day that was tragic."
  • Captain Awesome and the Easter Egg Bandit by Stan Kirby Grades 1-4 128 pages. "It's a good book if you like superheroes!"
  • A Mouse Called Wolf by Dick King-Smith Grades 1-4 80 pages. "It's a great book! I love it because it is a story with a singing mouse."
  • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling Grades 3-9 309 pages. "It's a long book, but it's so good!"