"This Pete the Cat book explores feelings, friendship and kindness. Students can identify with the characters in this story and appreciate the power they have within themselves to change a grumpy day into a day filled with happiness gained from helping others."

"This is one of my favorite stories about acceptance and understanding of differences.  I just love the characters and the resolution of the story!"

Mrs. McGill also recommends:

• Wolf, by Becky Bloom

• How Groundhog's Garden Grew, by Lynne Cherry

"Sideways Stories is the first story in a series of humorous books about a 30 story school building with a classroom on each floor. This book is filled with silly characters and laugh out loud moments. My own son loved reading this book aloud to me. I hope you enjoy it just as much!"

Mrs. Stripp also recommends:

• Frindle, by Andrew Clements

"The Egypt Game is exciting, a little spooky, and full of surprises that keep you wanting to read more!"

"This book, through multiple narrators, forces readers to "put themselves in others' shoes". It powerfully teaches vital lessons about empathy, kindness, acceptance, and anti-bullying."

"This book teaches us important lessons about perseverance, friendship, and believing in yourself. Aven, the main character, faces challenges with courage and humor, showing us that our differences can make us stronger. The story is both inspiring and entertaining, making it a great read for upper elementary students!"

Ms. O'Brien also recommends:

• The Academy, by T.Z. Layton 

• City of Ember, by Jeanne DuPrau

• The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate

"This book is full of humor, unlikely friendships, and meaningful life lessons! This is a great story about not giving up on yourself or others."

"This story shows that kids have different strengths besides academics!"

"This book is a fun story for the summer and a great one to read at the beach or pool!"

Mrs. Hewitt also recommends:

• Frog and Toad Are Friends, by Arnold Lobel

• Bread and Jam for Frances, by Russell Hoban

"I would recommend The Wild Robot books because they are engaging, easy to follow, and full of adventure. Students enjoy reading about Roz, a robot who learns to survive on a wild island and builds friendships with the animals. The story introduces strong themes like empathy, cooperation, and problem-solving, which support meaningful discussion and social-emotional learning. The short chapters, rich vocabulary, and fast-moving plot make the series accessible to many readers and useful for building comprehension skills!"

Mrs. Dougherty also recommends:

• Frindle, by Andrew Clements (grades 3+)

"If you like silly adventures, messy friends, and big surprises, pick up Bowzer and Tofu Go West by Evan Nissenbaum.  This book features funny and relatable characters.  Bowzer and Tofu are hilarious — they get into goofy trouble that will make you laugh out loud.  It also includes a big adventure: they travel to new places and learn cool lessons about friendship and teamwork.  It's also interactive!  Grab a blanket, find a shady spot, and let Bowzer and Tofu take you on a wild, funny ride this summer!"