"The Puppy Place books by Ellen Miles were so fun to read with my children when they were young. They enjoyed reading about the puppies that the main characters, Charles and Lizzie Peterson, got to foster. These books got my kids to enjoy chapter books."

Mrs. DiPalo also recommends: 

• Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder (Grades 4-5)- "I loved reading Laura Ingalls Wilder books in elementary school. They are so descriptive and helped me learn about an important period in American history."

"Swimmy won a Caldecott Honor for its wonderful illustrations. It has a clever and curious main character that teaches the reader a wise lesson."

Meet the Chicken Squad: Dirt, Sugar, Poppy, and Sweetie. These chicks are not your typical barnyard puffs of fluff, and they are not about to spend their days pecking chicken feed and chasing bugs. No sir, they’re too busy solving mysteries and fighting crime (Amazon).

"This is a fun series for young readers. Doreen Cronin is a wonderful author!  Her books are funny! Fun fact: I went to high school with her!"

"The One and Only Ivan is a beautiful story about a gorilla named Ivan who lived in a shopping mall!  You may be surprised to learn that Ivan was a real gorilla!  His story is a tale of friendship, love, and compassion.  I think you will enjoy getting to know the wonderful characters in this book!"

"Rose Howard is OBSESSED with homonyms. She's thrilled that her own name is a homonym, and she purposely gave her dog Rain a name with two homonyms (Reign, Rein), which, according to Rose's rules of homonyms, is very special. Not everyone understands Rose's obsessions, her rules, and the other things that make her different—not her teachers, not other kids, and not her single father.

When a storm hits their rural town, rivers overflow, the roads are flooded, and Rain goes missing. Rose's father shouldn't have let Rain out. Now Rose has to find her dog, even if it means leaving her routines and safe places to search.

I love reading this story each year with my class because we all find a way to relate to Rose’s story in our own way!"

"Pack of Dorks: Camp Dork" is a very entertaining story about real-life events, written in a very relatable way. "

"If you're into heartwarming adventures, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is a must-read for you! It's all about Edward, a fancy porcelain rabbit, who embarks on an extraordinary journey filled with ups and downs. From the depths of the ocean to the bustling streets, Edward learns about love, loss, and the true meaning of friendship. With captivating storytelling and unforgettable characters, this book will take you on an emotional rollercoaster that you won't want to end. Get ready for an enchanting tale that will stay with you long after you turn the last page!"

"This is an amazing adventure book, for sure! The Good Dog is a great book about a neighborhood dog pack in a Colorado town.  They run free and everyone knows them.  One day and wolf comes into town to recruit some dogs for her pack.  Her pack has been diminished and she is the only one left.  McKinley, the head dog, tries to keep the pack from breaking up.  Lupin, the wolf, makes the dogs question their lives.  Are they truly free?  Could they live a good life without humans?  But when Lupin gets injured by townspeople who are afraid of her, McKinley and the pack do everything to protect Lupin.  Could Lupin be wrong?  Are the town dogs more free than she thought?  Read together as a family, it may make you look at your own dog in a different way."

"Out of My Mind" tells the story of a young girl trying to get people to see beyond her disability."

"It is really funny! It'll make you laugh."

Mrs. Romano also recommends: 

• The Book With No Pictures by B.J.  Novak- "It is funny and allows you to use your imagination!"

"This is one of my favorite books! It reminds us that everyone is different and we all have a special place!"