Summer Reading


Why should students read during the summer? 

The purpose of the PWCS Summer Reading Program is to encourage students to enjoy quality literature and to continue developing their independent reading skills. Students:

  • Build their vocabulary
  • Develop their reading skills
  • Enjoy new stories
  • Learn new information

What are the requirements?

This is a voluntary program. Students who participate complete a minimum number of readings:

Grades K–2, read 5 books
Grades 3–5, read 3 books
Grades 6–12, read 2 books

How do students document their reading?

Summer is a great time for students to read for pleasure and dive deep into their favorite genre or experience something new. Providing students with choice in what they read increases their reading motivation and engagement. You are free to capture your child’s reading log by recording the title, author, and date read.  

OR,
 
Students May Use the Prince William Public Library Summer Reading Programs:

Students who participate in the Prince William Public Library Summer Program – Kids (grades K-5) or the Summer Program – Teens (Middle & High School Students) may use the documentation provided by the library. However students should read the number of books that has been designated for their grade level.

  

Reading Lists

Kindergarten

Author Title Publication Date Annotation Available Online at
Baltazar, Art Sofia Martinez: Lights out / or any book in the Sofia Martinez series 2013 New pals Blue Beetle and Supergirl stop by the Titans Treehouse, only to find most of the Tiny Titans away on a field trip. Good thing a few lesser-known heroes are still at school! Plus: follow Raven and Trigon through a typically crazy morning. Prince William County Public Library
Cabrera, Jane Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star / or any book by Jane Cabrera 2012 A variety of baby animals are lulled to sleep by a version of the familiar lullaby tailored to their environment.
Capucilli, Alyssa Satin  Biscuit Loves the Library / or any Biscuit Series book  2014  On "Read to a Pet Day" at the library, Biscuit plays with story time puppets, visits with friends, and listens to recorded books before a librarian helps him discover his favorite activity of all. (PWC) Prince William County Public Library
Carle, Eric Amigos / or any Eric Carle book  2016 A sweet and heartfelt story about the power of friendship. When a best friend moves away, it can be painful for the child who is left behind. But the spunky boy in this upbeat story makes up his mind to find his missing playmate. Friends tells a story alive with love, perseverance, and hope, all brightened with the vibrant, unmistakable art of Eric Carle.
Dean, Kimberly and James Pete the cat: Snow Daze / or any Pete the cat book 2016 After a heavy snowfall cancels school, Pete enjoys his day off, but when one snow day turns into many, he realizes that you can have too much of a good thing. Prince William County Public Library
Dewdney, Anna Llama Llama Hoppity-hop / or any Llama Llama book 2012 Llama  Llama  TOUCH! Llama Llama TAP!  Llama  Llama  Red  Pajama  CLAP,  CLAP,  CLAP! Can you move like Llama  Llama? Watch  Llama  hop, stretch, touch, and tap. Then you can do it, too!
Dodd, Emma Dog’s 123: a canine counting adventure / or any book by Emma Dodd 2015 Dog starts the day with just one black spot on his ear. But wherever he goes, he runs into different things, all of which leave their mark. By the time he finally arrives home, Dog has ten spots. Then it's bath time.
Ehlert, Lois Planting a Rainbow OR Rain Fish OR any book by Lois Ehlert 2016 Through rhyme and mixed-media collage illustrations, 'rain fish' — the varied, colorful, and unique little collections of materials that float along on streams of rain water during storms — come to life. Prince William County Public Library
Falk, Laine Let’s Talk Soccer / Scholastic News nonfiction reader series 2008 Presents an illustrated introduction to the sport of soccer.
Henkes, Kevin Penny and Her Marble OR When Spring comes / or any Kevin Henkes picture book for young children 2016 Animals and children alike watch as the world transforms from the dark and dead of winter to a full and blooming spring. Prince William County Public Library
Jenkins, Steve Creature Features / or any Steve Jenkins book 2014 Packed with many cool facts and visuals on where certain animals live and what they eat, this book captures twenty-five humorous — and very true —  explanations of why animals look the way they do in order to exist in this world. Prince William County Public Library
Jules, Jacqueline Sofia Martinez: Lights out / or any book in the Sofia Martinez series 2017 When a storm causes a neighborhood blackout, Sofia and her father come up with a plan for the perfect family night without electricity.
Levine, Michelle Giant Pandas / or any book in the Pull Ahead Animal Series 2006 Do you know.... Where emperor penguins live? What emperor penguins use their wings for? How emperor penguin chicks stay warm? Read this book to discover the answers!
 Numeroff, Laura Jaffe If You Give a Mouse a Cookie / or any book Laura Numeroff  1985  Relating the cycle of requests a mouse is likely to make after you give him a cookie takes the reader through a young child's day.
Manushkin, Fran Pedro’s Mystery Club / or any book in the Pedro Series 2017 Pedro forms a new club with his friends dedicated to solving mysteries — and the first two assignments are finding his mother's locket, and his father's cell phone.
Manushkin, Fran The Best Club / or any book in the Katie Woo Series 2017 Katie Woo and her friends would love to be part of Sophie's new club, but Sophie does not think they, or anyone, is good enough, so they form their own club.
Martin, Bill Chicka, Chicka Boom Boom / or any book by Bill Martin 1989 When all the letters of the alphabet race on another up the coconut tree, will there be enough room?
Marzollo, Jean I Spy Numbers / or any I Spy book by Jean Marzollo 2012 I SPY NUMBERS is based on the bestselling I SPY LITTLE NUMBERS. Toddlers and preschoolers can search photos from the original I Spy series for numbers to help them learn counting and basic math skills.
Pinkney, Jerry The Lion & the Mouse / or any book by Jerry Pinkney 2009 In this wordless retelling of an Aesop fable, an adventuresome mouse proves that even small creatures are capable of great deeds when he rescues the King of the Jungle.
Ruddell, Deborah The Popcorn Astronauts: and other bitable rhymes / or any children’s poetry book 2015 Take a bite out of the calendar with this cheerful collection of delicious seasonal poems, each one an ode to a favorite food! The daring popcorn astronauts are brave beyond compare —  they scramble into puffy suits and hurtle through the air. And when they land, we say hooray and crowd around the spot to salt the little astronauts and eat them while they're hot. Stellar team Deborah Ruddell and Joan Rankin deliver a whimsical celebration of the tastiest treats of life in this palatable poetry collection.
Shannon, David No, David / or any David series book 1998 A young boy is depicted doing a variety of naughty things for which he is repeatedly admonished, but finally he gets a hug.
 Shea, Bob  Dinosaur vs. School / or any Dinosaur vs…. book by Bob Shea 2014  Fearless Dinosaur takes on new challenges as he starts preschool, from meeting new friends to pasting glitter and googly eyes, but one task requires assistance from everyone.
Seuss, Dr. What pet should I get? / or any book by Dr. Seuss 2015  A boy wants all of the pets in a pet store, but he and his sister can choose only one, and a story-poem recounts the activities of a host of unusual animals.
Thomas, Jan Rhyming Dust Bunnies / or any book by Jan Thomas 2008 As three dust bunnies, Ed, Ned, and Ted, are demonstrating how much they love to rhyme, a fourth, Bob, is trying to warn them of approaching danger. Prince William County Public Library
Wallace, Karen Big Machines / or any Eyewitness Reader 2000 Big Machines by Karen Wallace shows diggers, dump trucks, and other machines as they transform an old factory site into a park for the community.
Willems, Mo Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! The Good for Nothing Button / or any Elephant and Piggie book 2017 Yellow Bird has a button. It does . . . nothing! It is a good for nothing button. Red Bird and Blue Bird are excited to try the button. But when they press it, they discover that the button makes them happy. Happy is something! A flabbergasted Yellow Bird insists the button does nothing. But it sure does seem to be making him mad. Mad is something! The hilarious debate that follows takes readers on an emotional roller coaster that pokes at the power of imaginative play.
EBOOKS follow:
Bernhardt, Carolyn Magnetism or any other title in the Science Starters series 2019 Magnets are all around us — including the Earth under our feet! That's why compass needles are attracted to the North Pole. Doorbells, refrigerators, and computers are just a few of the other places we use magnets in our daily lives. Prince William County Public Library
Foster, Travis Give Me Back My Book! 2017 In this funny book about the joy of reading Redd and Bloo explore the way a book is made and accidentally build a friendship, too. Prince William County Public Library
Gravel, Elise I am Scary 2020 In this sweet little book, a monster tries to scare a child. However, the child insists the monster is not scary, but actually quite huggable. Prince William County Public Library
Kisloski, Carolyn Planting Seeds 2018 The girl wants to plant seeds with her mother, but the watering can has a hole in it. How will she water her seeds? Prince William County Public Library
Otterman, Joseph Learning About Sharks or any other title in the Smithsonian: Informational Text series 2019 This fun and informative STEAM book about sharks makes it easy to introduce STEAM to young learners. Real world examples are used. A STEAM activity is included that uses the engineering design process. Prince William County Public Library
Pinder, Eric Counting Dinos 2019 Pinder's playful verse will have readers bouncing along with each dino step as Rodrigo Ankylosaurus and his pals learn about their natural world and county one to ten. Readers will also learn more information about their favorite dinosaurs. Prince William County Public Library
Reader, Jack The Story Behind Groundhog Day 2020 Six more weeks of winter! That's what people say when the famous groundhog sees his shadow on February 2nd. People have been predicting the weather many years by consulting animals. Prince William County Public Library
Rosen, Robert Our Snowy Day 2018 The boy and the girl want to play in the snow, but they cannot decide what to do. Will they be able to find something they both enjoy? Prince William County Public Library
Scotton, Rob Splat the Cat and the Quick Cats 2016 When Splat takes the chicks home overnight, they hatch and run loose around his house. Will Splat be able to round them all up? Readers can sound out words in the quick and chick word families. Prince William County Public Library
Stutzman, Jonathan Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug 2019 Tiny T. Rex has a huge problem. His friend Pointy needs cheering up and only a hug will do. Is a hug impossible with his tiny T Rex arms? Prince William County Public Library
Wilson, N.D. Hello, Ninja 2019 Are you longing for adventure? Sandwiches? Tag along with one sneaky ninja who is happy to share his busy day in this rhyming picture book. Prince William County Public Library

First Grade

Author Title Publication Date Annotation Available Online At
Arnold, Tedd Hi! Fly Guy or any book in the Fly Guy series 2005 When Buzz captures a fly to enter in the pet show, his parents and the judges tell him that a fly cannot be a pet, but Fly Guy proves them wrong. Prince William County Public Library
Colandro, Lucille There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat or any book in the There Was an Old Lady series by this author 2002 A simple variation on the traditional cumulative rhyme. Prince William County Public Library
Litwin, Eric  OR Dean, James Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes or any Pete the Cat book 2011 Pete the cat wears his school shoes when visiting the library, the lunchroom, the playground, and more while singing his special song. Prince William County Public Library
Dr. Seuss One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish or any book by Dr. Seuss 1960 An easy-to-read book of amusing rhyming words  
Greene, Stephanie Princess Posey and the First Grade Parade or any book in the Princess Posey series 2010 Posey’s fear of starting first grade is alleviated when her teacher invites the students to wear their most comfortable clothes to school on the first day.  
Holm, Jennifer Babymouse: Our Hero or any book in the Babymouse series 2005 An imaginative young mouse is terrified to face her enemy in dodgeball, but with the help of her friend and support from her mother, she proves herself a hero.  
Labatt, Mary Sam Gets Lost or any book in the Sam series by this author 2004 An easy-to-read series about Sam, the puppy.  
Lobel, Arnold Frog and Toad Are Friends or any book in the Frog and Toad series 1970 Five tales recounting the adventures of two best friends. Prince William County Public Library
London, Jonathan Froggy Goes to Hawaii or any book in the Froggy series 2011 When Froggy goes on vacation to Hawaii, he is too excited to pay much attention to his parents.  
Manushkin, Fran Katie Woo Has the Flu 2012 Katie misses school when she is home with the flu.  
Mayer, Mercer Grandma’s Garden or any book in the Little Critter series 2002 Little Critter and Little Sister help their grandmother plant a vegetable garden.  
Park, Barbara Junie B. Jones Has a Peep in Her Pocket or any book in the Junie B. Jones series 2000 When Junie B. learns that her kindergarten class is going on a field trip to a farm, she worries about being attacked by a rooster.  
Rylant, Cynthia Henry and Mudge in the Sparkle Days or any book in the Henry and Mudge series 1988 In the winter Henry and his big dog Mudge play in the snow, share a family Christmas dinner, and gather around a crackling winter fireplace  
Schuette, Sarah L 3, 2, 1 go! A Transportation Countdown or any children’s book about transportation 2003 Counts backward from 10 to 1, starting with ten toy school buses and ending with one toy city bus.  
Scotton, Rob Splat the Cat Takes the Cake or any book in the Splat the Cat series 2012 Splat enters a cake-baking contest, and has the goal of creating a cake shaped like a superhero. Prince William County Public Library
Watt, Melanie Chester or any book in the Chester series 2007 Melanie Watt is trying to write a story about a mouse, but her pushy cat, Chester, takes his red marker and rewrites the story.  
Willems, Mo Today I Will Fly! or any book in the Elephant and Piggie series 2007 While Piggie is determined to fly, Elephant is skeptical, but when Piggie gets a little help from others, amazing things happen.  
Wood, Audrey The Napping House or any children’s book by this author 1984 In this cumulative tale, a wakeful flea atop a number of sleeping creatures causes a commotion with just one bite. Prince William County Public Library
Yolan, Jane How Do Dinosaurs Say I’m Mad? or any children’s book by this author 2013 Illustrations and rhyming text explore some of the things that dinosaurs might do when they are angry – and how they should control their tempers.  
“Rookie Biography” series Benjamin Franklin or any book in the Rookie Biography series Various A series of biographies about many people, both historical and contemporary  
“Rookie Read-About Science” series Giant Pandas: Gifts from China or any book in the Rookie Read about Science series Various A series about a wide variety of science topics, published by Children’s Press.  
EBOOKS follow:        
         
Duling, Kate Sun Power or any other title in the  My Physical Science Library series 2019 The sun is huge and bright.  We get heat, light, and energy from this star.  Readers will also learn about cause and effect. Prince William County Public Library
Gehl, Laura Delivery Bear 2019 Zogby wants to work for Fluffy Tail Cookies as a delivery animal, but he is a bear and all the other animals are cute bunnies.  Zogby tries to pretend to be a bunny, but he still scares the customers.  Can he find a way to get the job? Prince William County Public Library
Grack, Rachel Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2018 This book describes the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr.  Every January citizens of the U.S. recognize his mission of equality for all on this day. Prince William County Public Library
Heder, Thyra Alfie (The Turtle That Disappeared 2017 Nia loves Alfie, her pet turtle.  However, he is not soft, he doesn't do tricks and he is very quiet.  One night on Nia's 7th birthday Alfie disappears!  Alfie tells his side of the story.  Can he get back in time for the big party? Prince William County Public Library
Higgins, Carter Bikes for Sale 2019 Maurice rides his bike to his shop every day.  Lotta rides her bike to collect sticks every day.  Both go about their day, unaware of the friendship that waits for them.  Coincidence can lead us to new friends. Prince William County Public Library
Matzke, Ann H. Reading Maps 2019 How do you get from one place to the next?  Learn how to read a map.  The purpose and parts of a map are explained. Prince William County Public Library
Murray, Diana Unicorn Day 2019 The most important rule of Unicorn Day is to have fun, fun, fun!  When an imposter is found in their midst, the party comes to a halt.  Will the unicorns welcome the imposter? Prince William County Public Library
Pettiford, Rebecca Matter or any other title in the Science Starters series 2019 Whether solid, liquid or gas, matter is everywhere.  We need all states to live and this book shows how. Prince William County Public Library
Sherman, Jill Animals and Fish or any other title in the Let's Learn About Natural Resources series 2017 We share this Earth with many other species.  They are treasured natural resources used for food, clothing and work.  An activity is included. Prince William County Public Library
Starling, Robert Super Sloth 2019 Super Sloth is not fast.  He cannot fly.  But he is very good at moving slowly and looking like a tree. He vows to save the day when his enemy Anteater makes off with some prize mangoes. Prince William County Public Library
Thong, Roseanne Greenfield One is a Pinata 2019 One is a rainbow, one is a cake, one is a pinata that's ready to break.  Children discover a fiesta of numbers in the world around them.  Many of the objects are Latino in origin. Prince William County Public Library

Second Grade

Author Title Publication Date Annotation Available Online at
Dean, James Pete the Cat and the Bad Banana or any book in the Pete the Cat series 2017 Pete the Cat bites into a bad banana and vows never to eat bananas again, even though he generally likes the fruit. Prince William County Public Library
Elliot, Rebecca Eva’s Treetop Festival or any book in the Owl Diaries series 2015 Having a Bloomtastic Festival at school to celebrate spring is a great idea – but Eva Wingdale, a young owl, discovers that it is also a lot of work, and there is nothing wrong with asking her friends for help.
Gutman, Dan Miss Daisy Is Crazy! or any book in the My Weird School series  2004 Miss Daisy’s unusual teaching methods surprise her second grade students, especially reluctant learner A.J. Prince William County Public Library
Holm, Jennifer Squish: Super Amoeba or any book in the Squish series 2011 Squish, a meek amoeba who loves the comic book exploits of his favorite hero, “Super Amoeba,” tries to emulate him when his best friend is threatened by a bully. 
Jenkins, Steve and Robin Page What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? or any children’s nonfiction animal book 2003 A nonfiction book about animals, in a question and answer format and featuring colorful illustrations.  Prince William County Public Library
Jones, Noah The Three Little Pugs or any book in the Princess Pink and the Land of Fake-Believe series 2015 In the Land of Fake-Believe the Three Little Pugs’ used car business has sold Scaredy-Pants Wolf a lemon (literally) instead of a delivery van. Princess Pink gets an opportunity to use her karate moves to get Wolf’s money back – and set the Pugs on the straight-and-narrow path to business success.
Kann, Victoria Pinkalicious: Pinkie Promise or any book in the Pinkalicious series 2011 After Pinkalicious uses all of Alison’s pink paint in class, she wonders how she can repay her best friend. Prince William County Public Library
Lobel, Arnold Frog and Toad Are Friends or any book in the Frog and Toad series 1970 Five tales recounting the adventures of two best friends – Frog and Toad. Prince William County Public Library
Manushkin, Fran Cartwheel Katie or any book in the Katie Woo series 2015 Katie is enrolled in a gymnastics class, but when she has trouble doing some of the moves she gets discouraged and considers dropping out.
Osborne, Mary Pope Dinosaurs Before Dark or any book in the Magic Tree House series 1992 Eight-year-old Jack and his younger sister Annie find a magic treehouse, which whisks them back to an ancient time zone where they see live dinosaurs.
Park, Barbara Junie B. Jones Is Captain Field Day or any book in the Junie B. Jones series 2009 As captain of Room Nine’s field day team, Junie B. Jones tries to rally her troops after they lose several events. 
Rylant, Cynthia Henry and Mudge and the Big Sleepover or any book in the Henry and Mudge series  2006 Henry and his dog Mudge are invited to a sleepover in Patrick’s attic, where they watch monster movies, eat pizza, and enjoy a contest to determine whose dog is the best popcorn catcher. 
Schachner, Judy Skippyjon Jones or any book in the Skippyjon Jones series 2005 Skippyjon Jones is a Siamese cat with an overactive imagination who would rather be El Skippito, his Zorro-like alter ego.
Seeger, Laura Vaccaro Dog and Bear: Two Friends, Three Stories or any book in the Dog and Bear series 2017 Three easy-to-read stories reveal the close friendship between Dog and Bear.
Silverstein, Shel Where the Sidewalk Ends or any children’s poetry book by this author 1974 A boy who turns into a TV set and a girl who eats a whale are only two of the characters in a collection of humorous poetry illustrated with the author’s own drawings. Prince William County Public Library
Wheeler, Lisa Dino-Football or any book in the Dino- series 2012 Plant-eating dinosaurs face meat-eating dinosaurs in a football game at the Lava Dome on Mega Bowl Sunday. Prince William County Public Library
Willems, Mo My Friend Is Sad or any other Elephant & Piggie book 2007 When Gerald the Elephant is sad, Piggie is determined to cheer him up, but finds after many tries that it only takes the simplest thing to change Gerald’s mood.
EBOOKS follow:
Allan, John Fish or any other title in the Amazing Life Cycles series 2019 Meet some amazing animals as you read large life-cycle diagrams showing the stages of their lives.   Prince William County Public Library
Beaty, Andrea  Ada Twist, Scientist 2016 Inspired by Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie, this book champions STEM and women scientists in a celebration of curiosity, perseverance and the importance of asking "Why?" Prince William County Public Library
Eggers, Dave Her Right Foot 2017 This beautiful book about the history of the Statue of Liberty if filled with facts and humor.  She has welcomed many immigrants. Prince William County Public Library
Lia, Simone They Didn't Teach This in Worm School 2017 Marcus is a worm.  A bird named Laurence wants to eat him for breakfast.  Marcus talks his way out of this, but is soon on his way to Kenya with Laurence as a navigator, but he can't read a map!  Will they survive the day? Prince William County Public Library
Regan, Lisa Monster Laughs Joke Book or any other title in the Sidesplitting Jokes series 2020 Sure, monsters sound scary, but they also deliver monster-size laughs.  The funniest jokes about monsters will charm any reader. Prince William County Public Library
Rex, Adam Unstoppable 2020 If you could have any superpower, what would it be?  When a bird escapes a cat, he teams up with a crab wishing for claws while the crab wishes he could fly.  The team increases with other animals who desire someone else's traits.  Together the team will be unstoppable! Prince William County Public Library
Richards, Jon Forces or any title in the Science in Infographics series 2020 Physical forces affect us in big and small ways every day.  To ride a bike, one must push pedals.  Through infographics readers learn scientific concepts that make sense in their everyday lives. Prince William County Public Library
Shea, Therese M.  This Book Can Poison! or any title in the Beastly Books for the Brave series 2019 Everyone loves a good dare!  This books dares readers to discover all they can about the most dangerous animals on Earth including snakes, frogs, and jellyfish.  Find out how they evolved such deadly adaptations.  Science concepts are also woven into the text. Prince William County Public Library
Watson, Tom Busted by Breakfast or other titles in the Trouble at Table 5 series 2020 From the author of Stick Dog comes this early chapter book series about three best friends whose plans are sure to shake up their school.  In this title, Simon gets in trouble for jabbering at school and his friends Rosie and Molly plan to keep him from getting grounded at home. Prince William County Public Library
Wittenstein, Barry Boo-boos That Changed the World 2018 Did you know Band-Aids were invented by accident?  In the 1920s Earle Dickson had a klutzy wife who often cut herself.  He invented an easier way to bandage her injuries.  Find out how the Boys Scouts of America were a part of the invention. Prince William County Public Library

Third Grade

Author Title Publication Date Annotation Available Online at
Florian, Douglas  Poem Depot: Aisles of Smiles or any children’s poetry book by this author  2014 An illustrated collection of silly nonsense poems about topics kids care about: talents, avoiding homework, friends and more.  Prince William County Public Library
Gutman, Dan  Miss Daisy is Crazy! or any book in the My Weird School series  2004 Miss Daisy’s unusual teaching methods surprise her second grade students, especially reluctant learner, A.J.  Prince William County Public Library
Harley, Bill  Charlie Bumpers vs. the Teacher of the Year or any book in the Charlie Bumpers series  2013 Charlie Bumpers is sure he does not stand a chance of getting along with his fourth grade teacher and despite his best efforts to be neat and well-behaved, he always seems to be in trouble until he discovers her secret.  Prince William County Public Library
Holm, Jennifer  Squish, Super Amoeba or any book in the Squish series  2011 Squish, a meek amoeba who loves the comic book exploits of his favorite hero, “Super Amoeba,” tries to emulate him when his best friend is threatened by a bully.   
Jones, Noah  Moldylocks and the Three Beards or any book in the Princess Pink and the Land of Fake-Believe series  2014 After falling through the refrigerator into the Land of Fake-Believe, Princess meets a girl named Moldylocks who takes her to the home of the Three Beards for chili – but when the Beards capture her friend, Princess must come up with a plan to save her.   
Kirby, Stan  Captain Awesome to the Rescue! or any book in the Captain Awesome series  2012   When second-grader Eugene and his family move to a new neighborhood and he starts at a new school, he has a chance to bring out his superhero alter ego, Captain Awesome, to find the kidnapped class hamster.   
Krosoczka, Jarrett  Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute or any book in the Lunch Lady series  2009 The school lunch lady is a secret crime fighter who uncovers an evil plot to replace all the popular teachers with robots.   
Marko, Cindy  Let’s Get Cracking or any book in the Kung Pow Chicken series  2014 Gordon Blue and his brother Benny, unlikely superheroes, must save Fowladelphia from Granny Goosebumps, who has filled the city with cookies that cause innocent chickens’ feathers to fall off.    
McDonald, Megan  Judy Moody, Mood Martian or any book in the Judy Moody series  2014 When it is “Backward Day,” Judy must turn her usual sour mood upside down and be happy and nice for a change.  Prince William County Public Library
McMullen, Kate  Have a Hot Time, Hades! or any book in the Myth-o-Mania series  2012 In this story with a modern twist, Hades tells his own version of how he became King of the Underworld and Zeus became King of the Gods.   
Meltzer, Brad  I Am Martin Luther King, Jr. or any book in the Ordinary People Change the World series  2016 A biography of Martin Luther King, Jr. that tells the story of how he used nonviolence to lead the civil rights movement. Prince William County Public Library
Mylnowski, Sarah  Fairest of All or any book in the Whatever After series  2012 After moving to a new house ten-year-old Abby and brother Jonah discover an antique mirror that transports them into the Snow White fairy tale.  Prince William County Public Library
Osborne, Mary Pope  Dinosaurs Before Dark or any book in the Magic Treehouse series  1992 Eight-year-old Jack and his younger sister Annie find a magic treehouse, which whisks them back to an ancient time zone where they see live dinosaurs.  Prince William County Public Library
Park, Barbara  Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus or any book in the Junie B. Jones series  1992 In her own words, a young girl describes her feelings about starting kindergarten and what she does when she decides not to ride the bus home.  Prince William County Public Library
Peirce, Lincoln  Big Nate: In a Class by Himself or any book in the Big Nate series  2010 Supremely confident middle school student Nate Wright manages to make getting detention from every one of his teachers in the same day seem like an achievement.   Hyperlink is for Big Nate Goes Bananas Prince William County Public Library
Pennypacker, Sara  Clementine’s Letter or any book in the Clementine series  2009 While finding new vegetable names to call her little brother, eight-year-old Clementine hatches a plan to prevent her beloved teacher from being selected to go on a once-in-a-lifetime research trip to Egypt.   
Silverstein, Shel  Where the Sidewalk Ends or any children’s poetry book by this author  1974 A boy who turns into a TV set and a girl who eats a whale are only two of the characters in a collection of humorous poetry illustrated with the author’s own drawings.  Prince William County Public Library
Smith, Jeff  Out from Boneville or any book in the Bone series  2005 The first book in a graphic series about the adventures of the three Bone cousins.   
Stilton, Geronimo or Thea Stilton  Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye or any book in the Geronimo Stilton series  2004 When Geronimo’s sister, Thea, discovers an old, mysterious map showing a secret treasure hidden on a faraway island, the gang of the “Rodent’s Gazette” is dragged into a treasure hunt.  Prince William County Public Library
Wright, Eric  Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom or any book in the Frankie Pickle series  2009 Fourth-grader Frankie Piccolini has a vivid imagination when it comes to cleaning his disastrously messy room, but eventually even he decides that it is just too dirty.   
STEAM books-Science, technology, engineering, art, and  math        
Waxman, Laura The Solar System 2010 Explore the solar system, describing the Sun, the eight planets, dwarf planets, asteroids, and the history of the study of the solar system. Prince William County Public Library
Poskitt, Kjartan    Baker, Ian Codes   How to Make them and Break Them! 2017 Everything you need to know about creating codes and cracking them! Prince William County Public Library
Shaffer, Jody Jensen Bearded Dragons 2014 Describes the physical characteristics, behavior and environment of the beaded dragons. Prince William County Public Library
Krieg, Katherine Marie Curie: Physics and Chemistry Pioneer 2014 The life and career of the famous scientist; from her work to her two Noble Prize awards. Prince William County Public Library
Sherman, Jill All About Online Gaming 2017 Explores the fascinating world of online gaming with exciting looks at this technology and all it does. Prince William County Public Library
Linde, Barbara Martina Drones for Racing and Sports 2019 Discover how people build and race drones as well as use them in sport events. Prince William County Public Library
Ward, Lesley Electric Vehicles 2018 Discover why people are so excited about the electric car and it's marvelous technology. Prince William County Public Library
Kassebaum, Danica Underwater Training 2018 Did you know that swimming pools are used to train astronauts? Athletes use swimming pools to train when they're injured, and doctors use them to help patients feel better. Learn how swimming pools and aquatic therapy help all kinds of people! Prince William County Public Library
Schwartz, Heather Code Breaker and Mathematician Alan Turing 2018  When Alan Turing was a boy, he was fascinated by math and science. Later, Turing's math skills would help Great Britain win World War II. Prince William County Public Library
Barton, Chris Whoosh! 2016 You know the Super Soaker. It's one of top twenty toys of all time, and it was invented entirely by accident. Read how this toy was invented and is so popular. Prince William County Public Library
Award winning books        
E. B. White Charlotte's Web 1952 Charlotte's spiderweb tells of her feelings for a pig named Wilbur, who just wants a friend.  A tender story of friendship.  Newbery Honor Book Prince William County Public Library
Levine, Gail Carson Ella Enchanted 2004 Ella of Frell receives a foolish fairy gift, the gift of obedience.  Ella must obey any order given to her.  But strong willed Ella does not accept this and is determined to break the curse through fairy tale challenges created by ogres, giants, godmothers, and princes.  Newbery Honor Book Prince William County Public Library
MacLachlian, Patricia Sarah, Plain and Tall 1985 Set in the late 1800s this story is told by Anna, daughter of Papa, Jacob Witting, who lives on the prairie.  Her younger brother, Caleb, and Anna wait for Sarah to arrive from Maine hopefully to stay and be their stepmother.  A dear story of family, love  and adjusting to change.  Newbery Medal, Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, Golden Kite Award Prince William County Public Library
DiCamillo, Kate Because of Winn Dixie 2000 On a hot summer day, ten year old India Opal Buloni goes to the supermarket and returns with a dog, Winn-Dixie.  Because of Winn-Dixie Opal makes friends.  Everything that happens that summer is because of Winnie-Dixie.  Newbery Honor book, Parent's Choice Gold Award Prince William County Public Library
Maclachian, Patricia Dream Within a Dream 2018 When Louisa is sent to stay with her grandparents for the summer on Deer Island, she ends up needing to decide if she'll stay at the end of the summer.  She is just beginning to love the people on Deer Island and now she has to decide if she wants to stay or travel the world with her parents.   Parents' Choice Award 2019, Publishers Weekly Best Book 2019 Prince William County Public Library
Eulberg, Elizabeth The Great Shelby Holmes: Girl Detective 2017 Shelby Holmes, age 9, is the best detective her New York City neighborhood has ever seen.  She uses her mind to solve crimes even before the police have a chance.  When John Watson, age 11, moves into her building, Shelby finds a new friend to help her solve the dog napping case in her neighborhood.  Virginia Readers' Choice nomination 2-18-19 Prince William County Public Library
Brown, Pete The Wild Robot 2016 Roz, a robot, finds itself on an isolated island.  After battling a storm, escaping a bear, she knows she must survive.  Roz becomes friends with the animals which makes the island seem lie home.  Then the robot's past comes to haunt her.   Virginia Reader's Choice nomination 2018-19 Prince William County Public Library
Nobleman, Marc Tyler Thirty Minutes Over Oregon 2018 In this important moving and true story of reconciliation after war, a Japanese pilot who bombed the US continent during WWII, returns twenty years later to apologize.  Elementary Virginia Readers' Choice nomination 2020-21 Prince William County Public Library
Maciano, Johnny  Chenoweth, Emily Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat 2018 Klawde is not your average cat but an emperor from another planet exiled to Earth.  He's cruel.  He's cunning. He's brilliant...and about to become Raja's best friend.   Elementary Virginia Readers' Choice nomination 2020-21 Prince William County Public Library
Miller, Pat        Vincent X. Kirsh The Hole Story of the Doughnut 2016 In 1843, fourteen year old Gregory set sail as a cabin boy on a schooner.  While sailing he helped the cook fry breakfast balls of sweet dough.  His idea to reshape the balls by cutting holes in the middle and then fry them created the doughnut.  Read to find the "hole" story of the doughnut.  Delicious fun! Virginia Readers' Choice Title 2018-19 Prince William County Public Library
Lorenzi, Natalie Long Pitch Home 2016 Bilai, age ten, has to leave his home, Pakistain, to come live in America,  Bilai tries to keep up with his older cousin by joining a baseball team.  Being a cricket player doesn't really help with baseball, but maybe if he proves himself as a pitcher his father just may join the family in America.  Virginia Readers' Choice Title 2018-19 Prince William County Public Library
Elliott, Zetta Dragons in a Bag 2018 Jaxon was sent to help a mean old lady deliver baby dragons in Brooklyn.  He breaks two important dragon rules and becomes lost.  Read how Jaxon must get these dragons to their magical world.  Elementary Virginia Readers' Choice nomination 2020-21 Prince William County Public Library

Fourth Grade

Author Title Publication Date Annotation Available Online at
Holm, Jennifer Babymouse: Queen of the World! or any book in the Babymouse series 2005 An imaginative mouse dreams of being queen of the world but will settle for an invitation to the most popular girl’s slumber party
Kibuishi, Kazu Amulet Book 1: The Stonekeeper or any book in the Amulet series 2008 Emily and Navin follow their mother into an underground world inhabited by demons, robots, and talking animals
Luper, Eric Key Hunters: The Mysterious Moonstone or any book in the Key Hunters series 2016 Cleo and Evan are curious about where the librarian disappears to at the back of the library, so they follow her into a magical library full of locked books and find a letter which tells them that the previous librarian is trapped between the covers of one of the enchanted books, and that they must find her.
McDonough, Yona Zeldis Who Was Harriet Tubman? or any book in the Who Was…? series 2002 A biography of the nineteenth-century woman who escaped slavery and went back many times to take other slaves north to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
Park, Linda Sue Wing & Claw: Forest of Wonders or any book in the Wing & Claw series 2016 When Raffa makes a cure from a rare crimson vine he finds deep in the forbidden forest, the bat he saves transforms into something much more. Prince William Public Library
Peirce, Lincoln Big Nate Blasts Off or any book in the Big Nate serie 2016 After his fight with Randy Betancourt makes headlines in the school paper, Big Nate has a problem worse than detention on his hands. Prince William Public Library
Riley, James Story Thieves or any book in the Story Thieves series  2015 Except for reading the Kiel Gnomenfoot magic adventure series, Owen’s life is boring until he sees his classmate Bethany climb out of a book in the school library and he learns that Bethany is half-fictional and has been searching every book for her missing father, a fictional character. Prince William Public Library
Rodkey, Geoff The Tapper Twins Go to War (with Each Other) or any book in the Tapper Twins series 2015 An oral history that reports, through transcribed recordings, text messages, photographs, illustrations, screenshots, and more, an epic prank war between twelve-year-old twins Reese and Claudia Tapper of New York City.
Sachar, Louis Fuzzy Mud or any children’s book by this author 2015 Fuzzy Mud is the story of two middle-grade kids who take a shortcut home from school and discover what looks like fuzzy mud but is actually a substance with the potential to wreak havoc on the entire world. Prince William Public Library
Stilton, Geronimo Bollywood Burglary or any book in the Geronimo Stilton series  2017 Asked by a Bollywood star for help protecting a valuable ruby, Geronimo Stilton and Hercule Poirat are inadvertently cast in the actress’s film in spite of limited acting skills and are horrified when an anonymous thief makes off with the ruby. Prince William Public Library
Tarshis, Lauren Tornado Terror or any book in the I Survived: True Stories series  2017 Tells the stories of two young people who survived terrifying tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri and includes tornado facts and profiles of the well-respected scientists and storm chasers who study them. Prince William Public Library
Watson, Jude Mission Titanic or any book in the 39 Clues series 2015 Seventeen-year-old Ian Kabra, the head of the powerful Cahill family, hopes he can find Amy and Dan to decipher clues that will help him prevent four of history’s greatest disasters. Prince William Public Library
Nonfiction STEAM Books
Peterson, Coyote Coyote Peterson's Brave Adventures:Wild Animals in Wild World 2017 Read about the wildest encounters Coyote Peterson has had on his worldly travels.   His stories explain his adventures with giant alligators to grizzly bears where you learn about the danger and the need to respect these animals. Prince William Public Library
Sarah, Rachel; Dziezewska- Bajanswska The Girl Who Codes 2019 Mae is a young girl who loves to code.  She joins the school's coding club while trying to help her sick mother. Prince William Public Library
Yi, Andrea Scalzo 100 Easy STEAM Activities: Awesome Hands-On Projects for Aspiring Artists and Engineers 2019 Learn about science, technology, engineering, art and math following incredible activities. Prince William Public Library
Conklin, Wendy STEM Careers: Enhancing Engineering 2017 Imagine riding in a self driving car or taking a trip around the moon.  Read how engineers are woring on these ideas and more to become reality! Prince William Public Library
Jenkins, Steve Animals by Numbers:A Book of Infographics 2016 How many species are there across the globe?  How much do all of the insects in the world collectively weigh?  Read the answers to these questions and more about animals in our world. Prince William Public Library
Goldstein, Margaret Astronaut and Physicist Sally Ride 2018 Sally Ride loved science.  Learn about her career as a NASA astronaut and educator. Prince William Public Library
Gregory, Josh Virtual Reality 2017 Put on a headset, select a computer program and you're in a new world!  Read about the past, present, and future of this technology innovation. Prince William Public Library
Berne, Emma STEM Jobs in Wildlife Conservation 2017 Enjoy reading about working with wildlife while learning about jobs related to science, technology, engineering and math. Prince William Public Library
Nye, Bill   Mone, Gregory Jack and the Geniuses at the Bottom of the World 2017 Meet Jack and his two genious siblings who use their science skills to solve a mystery in Antarctica. Prince William Public Library
Rae, Rowena Rachel Carson and Ecology for Kids 2020 Rachel Carson was an American biologist, scientist, nature writer and a key figure in the beginning of the environmental movement.  She exposed the use of chemical pesticides in the US causing awareness of the environmental problem.  Includes 21 hands on activities kids can do to learn about the environment. Prince William Public Library
Elementary Virginia Readers' Choice Titles 2020-21
Johnson, Terry Lynn Avalanche! (Survivor Diaries) 2018 A high stake adventure leads twelve year old twins, Ashley and Ryan, skiing in Wyoming's Grand Teton Mountains where unstable snow rushes downhill burying them in icy white.  It takes all their skills to survive.   Elementary Virginia Readers' Choice Award nomination 2020-21 Prince William Public Library
Lord, Cynthia Because of the Rabbit 2019 A young girl learns about honesty, integrity and friendship when she finds a lost rabbit and starts school for the first time.  Elementary Virginia Readers' Choice nomination 2020-21 Prince William Public Library
Peirce, Lincoln Max and the Knights 2019 Join Max on a brave adventure with the band of the Midknights to save his uncle and restore the realm of Byjovia to order.  Elementary Virginia Readers' Choice nomination 2020-21 Prince William Public Library
Schmidt, Gary D. Pay Attention, Carter Jones 2019 Carter Jones has to adjust to the new English butler who has come to help the somewhat broken Jones family.  Carter is also adjusting to middle school.  Elementary Virginia Readers' Choice nomination 2020-21 Prince William Public Library
Mass, Wendy  Stead, Rebecca Bob 2018 Clue by clue, Livy and Bob, unravel the mystery of where short, greenish Bob comes from and discover the kind of magic that lasts forever, the power of friendship.  Elementary Virginia Readers' Choice nomination 2020-21 Prince William Public Library
Elliott, Zetta Dragons in a Bag 2018 Jaxon was sent to help a mean old lady deliver baby dragons in Brooklyn.  He breaks two important dragon rules and becomes lost.  Read how Jaxon must get these dragons to their magical world.  Elementary Virginia Readers' Choice nomination 2020-21 Prince William Public Library
Nobleman, Marc Tyler Thirty Minutes Over Oregon 2018 In this important moving and true story of reconciliation after war, a Japanese pilot bombed the US continent during WWII, returns twenty years later to apologize.  Elementary Virginia Readers' Choice nomination 2020-21 Prince William Public Library
Maciano, Johnny  Chenoweth, Emily Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat 2019 KLawde is not your average cat but an emperor from another planet exciled to Earth.  He's cruel.  He's cunning. He's brillant...and about to become Raja's best friend.   Elementary Virginia Readers' Choice nomination 2020-21 Prince William Public Library
Kelly, Lynne Song for a Whale 2019 Iris, is twelve and the only deaf student in her school.  She has a special connection to a whale whose song can't be heard by his species.  Follow Iris on her journey to help him.  Elementary Virginia Readers' Choice nomination 2020-21 Prince William Public Library

Fifth Grade

Author Title Publication Date Annotation Available Online at
Dahl, Roald The BFG or any juvenile fiction book by this author 1982 The BFG is no ordinary giant. Sophie is carried away into his magical world when she catches him blowing dreams into the bedrooms of children. Prince William Public Library
Davies, Jacqueline Lemonade War or any book in the Lemonade War series 2009 Fourth-grader Evan Treski is people-smart. He’s good at talking with people. However, dealing with his younger sister Jessie proves much more difficult. The two go to war with competing lemonade stands. Prince William Public Library
Duprau, Jeanne City of Ember or any book in the Book of Ember series 2003 The city of Ember, built for human survival is slowly breaking down. Soon Ember could be engulfed by darkness. Prince William Public Library
Friedman, Laurie Mallory vs. Max or any book in the Mallory series 2005 When Mallory’s parents agree to get her brother, Max, a dog, Mallory is not happy. It’s even worse when they get a puppy who gets all the attention.  From the series: Back to School Mallory Prince William Public Library
Gallagher, Diana Friends Forever or any book in the Complicated life of Claudia Cristina Cortez series 2008 Claudia and her friends aren’t the cheerleading type, but Monica decides to try out for the squad. Can Claudia support her friend, even if she knows Monica won’t make the team?
Gibbs, Stuart Spy School or any book in the Spy School series. Additional series includes Moon Base Alpha series by this author. 2012 Can an undercover nerd become a superstar agent? Ben Ripley sure hopes so—and his life may depend on it! Ben Ripley may only be in middle school, but he’s already pegged his dream job: C.I.A. or bust. Prince William Public Library
Greenwald, Tommy Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading or any book in the Charlie Joe Jackson series 2012 When his friend Timmy McGibney decides that he's tired of covering for him, Charlie Joe finds himself resorting to desperate measures to keep his perfect record intact. 
Hatke, Ben Zita the Spacegirl or any book in the Zita the Spacegirl series 2011 When her best friend is abducted by aliens, Zita leaps to the rescue and finds herself on a strange planet. On her quest to rescue her friend she takes on the role of intergalactic hero.
Kibushi, Kazu The Stonekeeper or any book in the Amulet series 2013 Man-eating demons, a mechanical rabbit, a talking fox, a giant robot---and two ordinary children on a mission. After the death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather, but the strange house proves dangerous.
Korman, Gordon Swindle or any book in the Swindle series. Other series include Hypnotists, Masterminds, Titanic, Everest and others by this author 2009 The book that started it all. Griffin is cheated out of a million-dollar baseball card by a sleazy collector. And the only way to get it back is to steal it back. Prince William Public Library
Messner, Kate Rescue on the Oregon Trail or any book in the Ranger in Time series 2015 One day, Ranger, a search-and-rescue dog, finds a mysterious first aid kit in the garden and is transported to the year 1850, where he meets a young boy named Sam Abbott traveling the Oregon Trail.
National Geographic Weird but True or any book in the Weird but True series 2009 Weird but True is based on National Geographic Kids’ popular page of quirky, fun facts that many readers turn to first. Why? Well did you know that... Peanut butter can be converted into a diamond? The world’s oldest pet goldfish lived to be 43 years old? The world’s longest soap bubble was 4 school buses long?
Paschkis, Julie Flutter & Hum: Animal Poems = Aleteo y Zumbido: Poemas de Animales or any juvenile poetry book of your choice 2015 All sorts of animals flutter and hum, dance and stretch, and slither and leap their way through this joyful collection of poems in English and Spanish. Prince William Public Library
Patterson, James I Funny or any book in the I Funny series. Other series include House of Robots and Middle School series by this author. 2012 Jamie Grimm is a middle schooler who wants to become the world's greatest standup comedian---even if he doesn't have a lot to laugh about. He's new in town and stuck living with his aunt, uncle, and their evil son Stevie, a bully who doesn't let Jamie's wheelchair stop him from messing with Jamie as much as possible.  Prince William Public Library
Selfors, Suzanne Sasquatch Escape or any book in the Imaginary Veterinary series 2013 Ben Silverstein is prepared for a boring summer. But then his grandpa's cat shows up with what appears to be a wounded baby dragon. Ben and his new friend Pearl take the dragon to Dr. Woo's Worm Hospital, a strange veterinary hospital.
Smith, Jeff Out from Boneville or any book in the Bone series 2005 After being run out of Boneville, Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone, are separated and lost in a vast uncharted desert. One by one they find their way into a deep, forested valley filled with wonderful and terrifying creatures.
Snicket, Lemony Bad Beginning or any book in the Series of Unfortunate Events series 1999 Dear Reader, I'm sorry to say that this book is extremely unpleasant. It tells an unhappy tale about three very unlucky children. Even though they are charming and clever, the Baudelaire siblings lead lives filled with misery and woe. From the first page when they receive terrible news, and on through the entire story, disaster lurks at their heels. One might say they are magnets for misfortune. Prince William Public Library
Tarshis, Lauren I Survived the Bombing of Pearl Harbor, 1941 or any book in the I Survived series 2011 Eleven-year-old Danny Crane is alone on his favorite beach in Hawaii when the world is torn apart and World War II officially hits the United States. Does he have what it takes to find his way home in the midst of the bombs, the smoke, and the destruction of the day that will live in infamy? Prince William Public Library
Tashjian, Janet My Life as a Book or any book in the My Life series 2011 When Derek’s parents decide to send him to Learning Camp, his dreams of a fun summer come to an end. Ever since he’s been labeled a reluctant reader, his mom has pushed him to read “real” books other than Calvin & beloved Hobbes.
Tayleur, Karen Famous! the awesome life of David Mortimer Baxter or any books in the David Mortimer Baxter series 2009 David Mortimore Baxter's web of lies has gotten him into trouble before. Now his parents are threatening to take away his dog, Boris, if he doesn't tell the truth, and only the truth. Woof!
Telgemeier, Raina Kristy's Great Idea or any book in the Babysitter's Club series 2006 Kristy gets an idea for a baby-sitter’s club with her best friends Mary Anne and Claudia, but baby-sitting isn’t the only thing happening. Stacy, their newest friend seems to be hiding a secret
Turnage, Sheila Three Times Lucky or any Mo & Dale mystery 2013 Mo LoBeau washed ashore in a hurricane as a baby. Now, in 6th grade she and her best friend set out to uncover the truth about a murder in the hopes of saving the only family she has ever known. Prince William Public Library
Watson, Jude How to Steal a Fortune or any book in the Loot series 2015 On a foggy night, cat burglar Archibald McQuinn falls from a rooftop into wet pavement. He manages to get out two words to his son, “Find jewels.” But March learns that his father is not talking about loot. He’s talking about his twin sister Jules. Prince William Public Library
Watson, Tom Stick Dog or any book in the Stick Dog series 2013 Follow Stick Dog as he goes on an epic quest for the perfect burger. With hilarious text and stick-figure drawings, reluctant readers will eat this one up! Prince William Public Library
Williams-Garcia, Rita One Crazy Summer or any book in the Gaither Sisters series 2011 Eleven-year-old Delphine has mothered her two younger sisters ever since their mother left them 7 years ago. When they go to spend the summer with her, she is nothing like they imagined. They learn much about their family, country, and themselves during one crazy summer. Prince William Public Library
Winkler, Henry Day of the Iguana or any book in the Hank Zipzer series. Additional series includes Here's Hank 2003 Hank’s science project isn’t going as planned when he decides to take apart the cable box to slow down the scrawl and accidentally gives his sister’s pet iguana a great place to lay eggs. How is Hank going to get out of this one?
  Any book from past or present Virginia Readers' Choice
  Any book from a children’s award winners list
Johnson, Terry Lynn Avalanche! (Survivor Diaries) 2018 A high stake adventure leads twelve year old twins, Ashley and Ryan, skiing in Wyoming's Grand Teton Mountains where unstable snow rushes downhill burying them in icy white.  It takes all their skills to survive.   Elementary Virginia Readers' Choice Award nomination 2020-21 Prince William Public Library
Lord, Cynthia Because of the Rabbit 2019 A young girl learns about honesty, integrity and friendship when she finds a lost rabbit and starts school for the first time.  Elementary Virginia Readers' Choice nomination 2020-21 Prince William Public Library
Peirce, Lincoln Max and the Knights 2019 Join Max on a brave adventure with the band of the Midknights to save his uncle and restore the realm of Byjovia to order.  Elementary Virginia Readers' Choice nomination 2020-21 Prince William Public Library
Schmidt, Gary D. Pay Attention, Carter Jones 2019 Carter Jones has to adjust to the new English butler who has come to help the some what broken Jones family.  Carter is also adjusting to middle school.  Elementary Virginia Readers' Choice nomination 2020-21 Prince William Public Library
Mass, Wendy                    Stead, Rebecca Bob 2018 Clue by clue, Livy and Bob, unravel the mystery of where short, greenish Bob comes from and discover the kind of magic that lasts forever, the power of friendship.  Elementary Virginia Readers' Choice nomination 2020-21 Prince William Public Library
Elliott, Zetta Dragons in a Bag 2018 Jaxon was sent to help a mean old lady deliver baby dragons in Brooklyn.  He breaks two important dragon rules and becomes lost.  Read how Jaxon must get these dragons to their magical world.  Elementary Virginia Readers' Choice nomination 2020-21 Prince William Public Library
Nobleman, Marc Tyler Thirty Minutes Over Oregon 2018 In this important moving and true story of reconciliation after war, a Japanese pilot who bombed the US continent during WWII, returns twenty years later to apologize.  Elementary Virginia Readers' Choice nomination 2020-21 Prince William Public Library
Maciano, Johnny  Chenoweth, Emily Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat 2019 KLawde is not your average cat but an emperor from another planet exiled to Earth.  He's cruel.  He's cunning. He's brilliant...and about to become Raja's best friend.   Elementary Virginia Readers' Choice nomination 2020-21 Prince William Public Library
Kelly, Lynne Song for a Whale 2019 Iris, is twelve and the only deaf student in her school.  She has a special connection to a whale whose song can't be heard by his species.  Follow Iris on her journey to help him.  Elementary Virginia Readers' Choice nomination 2020-21 Prince William Public Library
Award Winning Books
Medina, Meg Merci Suarez Changes Gears 2019 Merci is starting 6th grade in a private school with a scholarship.  Through her frustrations of not being liked by the others in her school, she finds her close knit family has everything she needs.  Newbery Medal Award 2019 Prince William Public Library
Hiranandani, Vera The Night Diary 2018 Nisha's country is divided in 1947; Hindus must live in India and Muslims in Pakistan.  Nisha is part of both cultures.  She struggles where she belongs and writes daily in her diary to her deceased mother.  Where will her family find safety as her country changes?  Newbery Honor Book 2019 Prince William Public Library
Murdock, Catherine Gilbert The Book of Boy 2018 Follow a boy who could talk to animals on a journey that encounters monstrous wolves, mysteries and miracles.   Newbery Honor Prince William Public Library
Applegate, Patricia The One and Only Ivan 2012 Iva, a silverback gorilla, has been living in a mall zoo for 27 years.  When he meets Ruby, a baby elephant, he realizes they shouldn't be there.  A true story about friendship and faithfulness.  Newbery Medal award 2013 Prince William Public Library
Craft, Jerry New Kid 2019 Jordan Banks is the new kid in the upscale day school where he is one of the few students of color.  This is an academic focused school but Jordan loves to draw.  He has to learn to balance his new school while keeping his old friends all while being true to himself.  Newbery Medal award 2020,  Coretta Scott King Award Prince William Public Library
Warga, Jasmine Other Words for Home 2019 A young girl, Jude, has to move from her country of Syria leaving her father and brother behind.  Jude learns that her new life in America may become her new home as she learns to be herself.  Newbery Honor book 2020 Prince William Public Library
Woodson, Jacaqueline Brown Girl Dreaming 2014 Woodson uses vivid poems to write about growing up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s.  Even struggling with reading as a child, she loved stories which inspired her to become a gifted writer.  Coretta Scott King Award, National Book Award, Newbery Honor Book Prince William Public Library
Echo Pam Munoz Ryan 2015 Otto meets three mysterious sisters in a forbidden forest and suddenly finds himself in a quest involving a prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica.  Through three stories of three young people in the WWII era, who are all connected by an enchanted harmonic with a fairy tale twist. Newbery Honor Book 2016 Prince William Public Library
STEAM books
Connolly, Sean The Book of Terrifying Awesome Technology: 27 experiments for the young scientist 2019 Teaches you how to build an electric car, create a reusable rocket, make your own solar battery and more.  Learn about space elevators, virtual reality and other tricky topics in technology,   STEAM book-science, technology, engineering, art and math Prince William Public Library
Patterson, James ; Grabenstein, Chris House of Robots, Book 1 2014 An extraordinary robot signs up for an ordinary fifth grade class...elementary school will never be the same.  Sammy Haynes-Rodriguez never fit in but bringing his robot to school may just change that. STEAM-science, technology, engineering, art, math  Prince William Public Library
Pflugfelder, Bob   Steve Hockerman Nick and Tesla's High-Voltage Danger Lab 2013 Meet Nick and Telsa who live with their engineering scientist uncle.  Soon they are using their science skills to solve mysteries and outrageous engineering problems.  Readers are given instructions and blueprints for five projects. Prince William Public Library

Middle School Grades 6-8

Author Title Publication Date Annotation Available Online
Bauer, Joan Soar or any middle school book by Joan Bauer  2016 Jeremiah is the world's biggest baseball fan. He really loves baseball and he knows just about everything there is to know about his favorite sport. When he's told he can't play baseball following an operation on his heart, Jeremiah decides he'll do the next best thing and become a coach.  But Jeremiah finds the town where he has just moved caught up in a scandal and about ready to give up on baseball. It's up to Jeremiah and his can-do spirit to get the town - and the team - back in the game.  
Bodeen, S. A. The Raft or any book in the Shipwrecked Island series by S.A. Bodeen 2013 When her plane goes down between Honolulu and her home, the Midway Atoll, 15-year-old Robie finds herself soaked, exhausted, confused, and sprawled aboard a leaky raft with the surviving copilot, Max. Titles in series - Prince William County Public Library
Bruchac, Joseph Code Talker or any middle school book by Joseph Bruchac 2005 After being taught in a boarding school run by whites that Navajo is a useless language, Ned Begay and other Navajo men are recruited by the Marines to become Code Talkers, sending messages during World War II in their native tongue. Titles in series - Prince William County Public Library
Collins, Suzanne The Hunger Games or any book by Suzanne Collins  2008 Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen accidentally becomes a contender in the annual Hunger Games, a grave competition hosted by the Capitol where young boys and girls are pitted against one another in a televised fight to the death. Prince William County Public Library
Davies, Jacqueline  Nothing but Trouble or any book by Jacqueline Davies  2016 Maggie’s town has always been too small for her big scientific ideas. Between her stuck-in-a-rut mom, her grumpy grandpop, and the lifetime supply of sludgy soda in the fridge, it's hard for Maggie to imagine a change. But when Lena moves in with her creative spirit and outrageous perspective, middle school takes off with a bang. These two smart girls are determined to liven up their town—one epic prank at a time. Titles in series - Prince William County Public Library
Elliott, L. M. Across a War-Tossed Sea or any other book by L.M. Elliott 2014 It's 1943, and World War II is raging. To escape the terror of the Blitz, ten-year-old Wesley and fourteen-year-old Charles are evacuated from England to America. After a few near misses with German U-boats and a treacherous ocean crossing, the brothers arrive in Virginia. The culture shock is intense as the London boys adjust to rural farm life and must learn new sports, customs, and spellings, plus contend with racial segregation and bullying.  
Haddix, Margaret In Over Their Heads or any book by Margaret Haddix  2017 Twins Nick and Eryn learned a shocking secret about the nature of their soon-to-be stepsiblings: they’re robots. Now the twins, their stepsiblings, and both sets of parents are on the run, out in the woods, trying to conceal the fact that almost everyone in the world over the age of 12 is a robot. Titles by author -  Prince William County Public Library
Hale, Shannon Real Friends or any book by Shannon Hale 2017 (nonfiction) Shannon and Adrienne have been best friends ever since they were little. But one day, Adrienne starts hanging out with Jen, the most popular girl in class and the leader of a circle of friends called The Group. Everyone in The Group wants to be Jen's #1, and some girls would do anything to stay on top . . . even if it means bullying others. In this graphic memoir, Shannon Hale reflects on her childhood friendships. Titles by author -  Prince William County Public Library
Hunt, Lynda Mullaly One for the Murphys or any book by Lynda Mullaly Hunt  2012 Carley struggles with being open to love after she suffers a betrayal that forces her to move in with a foster family. ebook -Prince William County Public Library
Lewis, C.S. The Magician's Nephew or any book in The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis  1955 On a daring quest to save a life, two friends are hurled into another world, where an evil sorceress seeks to enslave them. But then the lion Aslan's song weaves itself into the fabric of a new land, a land that will be known as Narnia. And in Narnia, all things are possible. Audio Book - Prince William county Public Library
Lu, Marie Legend or any book in the Legend series by Marie Lu 2011 What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.  
Morpurgo, Michael Half a Man or any book by Michael Morpurgo  2015 From a young age, Michael was both fascinated by and afraid of his grandfather. Grandpa's ship was torpedoed during the Second World War, leaving him with terrible burns. As he grows older, Michael stays with his grandfather during the summer holidays and learns the story behind Grandpa's injuries, finally getting to know the real man behind the solemn figure from his childhood.  Titles by author -  Prince William County Public Library
Pfeffer, Susan Beth Life as We Knew It or any book in the Last Survivors series by Susan Beth Pfeffer 2006 Through journal entries, sixteen-year-old Miranda describes her family's struggle to survive after a meteor hits the moon, causing worldwide tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. ebook - Prince William County Public Library
Reynolds, Jason Ghost or any middle school book by Jason Reynolds 2016 Ghost. Lu. Patina. Sunny. Four kids from wildly different backgrounds with personalities that are explosive when they clash. But they are also four kids chosen for an elite middle school track team—a team that could qualify them for the Junior Olympics if they can get their acts together. They all have a lot to lose, but they also have a lot to prove, not only to each other, but to themselves.  
Seiple, Samantha Ghosts in the Fog: The Untold Story of Alaska’s WWII Invasion or any other middle school nonfiction book by Samantha Seiple 2011 (Nonfiction) This is the riveting story of how the Japanese invaded and occupied the Aleutian Islands in Alaska during World War II. This fascinating little-known piece of American history is told from the point of view of the American civilians who were captured and taken prisoner, along with the American and Japanese soldiers who fought in one of the bloodiest battles of hand-to-hand combat during the war.  
Smith, Sherri L. The Toymaker's Apprentice or any book by Sherri L. Smith  2015 Journeyman toymaker Stefan Drosselmeyer is recruited by his mysterious cousin, Christian, to find a mythical nut that will save Boldavia's princess and his own kidnapped father from a fanatical Mouse Queen and her seven-headed Mouse Prince, who have sworn to destroy the Drosselmeyer family. Based on the original inspiration for the Nutcracker ballet,  
Shusterman, Neal Tesla's Attic or any book in the Accelerati Trilogy by Neal Shusterman 2014 Everything changed after the toaster hit Nick on the head. It fell from an attic full of junk in the ramshackle Victorian house in Colorado Springs that fourteen-year-old Nick, his father, and younger brother have moved into from Tampa. Nick disposes of most of the things in the attic at a garage sale. Nick discovers that the items he sold are the magical inventions of Nikola Tesla. And he must recover them before they fall into the hands of a murderous secret society, the Accelerati. ebook -Prince William County Public Library
Westerfeld, Scott  Uglies or any book in the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld  2005 Tally is faced with a difficult choice when her new friend Shay decides to risk life on the outside rather than submit to the forced operation that turns sixteen-year-old girls into gorgeous beauties, and realizes that there is a whole new side to the pretty world that she doesn't like. Titles in Series - Prince William County Public Library
Woodson, Jacqueline Brown Girl Dreaming or any book by Jacqueline Woodson  2016 (Nonfiction) Raised in South Carolina and New York, Jacqueline Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement.  ebook - Prince William County Public Library

High School Grades 9-12

Author Title Publication Date Annotation Available Online At
Baldacci, David The Innocent or any title by David Baldacci 2012 Will Robie, a freelance hitman working for the government, rescues a teenage girl whose parents' disappearance may be linked to a vast, high-level cover-up. Prince William County Public Library
Brown, Don  The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees 2018 An important, timely, and eye-opening exploration of the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis, exposing the harsh realities of living in, and trying to escape, a war zone.   Graphic Novel format.   Prince William County Public Library
Child, Lee Killing Floor or any title by Lee Child 2006 When Jack Reacher suddenly decides to ask a Greyhound bus driver to let him off near the town of Margrave, Georgia, he thinks it's because his brother once mentioned that the famed blues guitarist Blind Blake died there. But it doesn't take long for the footloose ex-military policeman to discover that there are plenty of strange--and very dangerous--things going on behind Margrave's manicured lawns and clean streets that demand his attention. Prince William County Public Library
Crutcher, Chris Whale Talk or any other title by Chris Crutcher 2001 There's bad news and good news about the Cutter High School swim team. The bad news is that they don't have a pool. The good news is that only one of them can swim anyway. Bestselling author Chris Crutcher's controversial and acclaimed novel follows a group of outcasts as they take on inequality and injustice in their high school. Prince William County Public Library
Follett, Ken Eye of the Needle or any title by Ken Follett 2005 One enemy spy, a ruthless assassin, knows the secret to the Allies' greatest deception, code name: "The Needle" he holds the key to ultimate Nazi victory.  Only one person stands in his way: a lonely Englishwoman on an isolated island, who is beginning to love the killer who has mysteriously entered her life.  All comes to a terrifying conclusion in this unsurpassed and unforgettable masterwork of suspense, intrigue, and the dangerous machinations of the human heart. Prince William County Public Library
Griffin, W.E.B. The Last Heroes or any title by WEB Griffin 1998 June, 1941. Determined that the United States will be prepared for war, Franklin D. Roosevelt and "Wild Bill" Donovan orchestrate the most complex espionage organization in history, the Office of Strategic Services. Young and daring, the OSS assemble under a thin camouflage of diplomacy and then disperse throughout the world to conduct their operations. And no operation is more critical than the one being conducted by hotshot pilot Richard Canidy and his half-German friend Eric Fulmar: to secure the rare ore that will power a top-secret weapon coveted on both sides of the Atlantic--the atomic bomb. Prince William County Public Library
Grisham, John The Firm or any title by John Grisham 1999 Mitch McDeere, a Harvard Law graduate, becomes suspicious of his Memphis tax firm when mysterious deaths, obsessive office security, and the Chicago mob figure into its operations. Prince William County Public Library
Hale, Nathan Hazardous Tales or any title by Nathan Hale 2012 Nathan Hale, America's first spy, a Revolutionary War hero, famously said "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country" before being hanged by the British. In the Hazardous Tales series, Nathan Hale channels his namesake to present history's roughest, toughest, craziest stories in graphic novel format. Prince William County Public Library
Holland, Sara Everless or any title by Sara Holland 2018 In a land where the rich are able to hoard time, Jules Ember returns to the estate where she and her father used to be servants and where the youngest son of an aristocratic family is planning to marry the daughter of the queen.  Prince William County Public Library
Hosseini, Khaled A Thousand Splendid Suns or any title by Khaled Hoesseini 2007 Two women born a generation apart witness the destruction of their home and family in war torn Kabul, losses incurred over the course of thirty years that test the limits of their strength and courage. Prince William County Public Library
Koontz, Dean Odd Thomas or any title by Dean Koontz 2003 Odd Thomas, a short order cook at the Pico Mundo Grill, keeps his ability to speak with ghosts a secret from all but his girlfriend, Stormy, and the local police chief who he occasionally helps solve or prevent crime, but his unusual talent leads him and his fellow citizens into big trouble when a strange man comes to town followed by a horde of borachs--ghostly harbingers of mayhem. Prince William County Public Library
Krakauer, Jon Into Thin Air or any title by Jon Krakauer 1999 When Jon Krakauer reached the summit of Mt. Everest May 10, 1996, he hadn't slept in fifty-seven hours and was reeling from the brain-altering effects of oxygen depletion. As he began the dangerous descent from 29,028 feet, twenty other climbers were still pushing doggedly toward the top.  No one noticing that the sky had filled with clouds. Six hours later and 3,000 feet lower, in 70-knot winds and blinding snow, Krakauer collapsed in his tent, freezing, hallucinating from exhaustion and hypoxia, but safe. The following morning, he learned six of his fellow climbers hadn't made it back to their camp.  Prince William County Public Library
Magoon, Kekla How It Went Down or any title by Kekla Magoon 2014 When sixteen-year-old Tariq Johnson is shot to death, his community is thrown into an uproar because Tariq was black and the shooter, Jack Franklin, is white, and in the aftermath everyone has something to say, but no two accounts of the events agree. 
Medina, Meg Burn Baby Burn or any high school title by Meg Medina 2016 Nora Lopez is seventeen during the summer of 1977, when New York is besieged by arson, a massive blackout, and a serial killer named Son of Sam. Meg Medina transports us to a time when tempers and temperatures ran high to share the story of a young woman who discovers that the greatest dangers are often closer than we like to admit.
Satrapi, Marjane Chicken with Plums or any title by Marjane Satrapi 2006 Tehran in 1958, and Nasser Ali Khan, one of Iran's most revered tar players, discovers that his beloved instrument is irreparably damaged. Though he tries, he cannot find one to replace it, one whose sound speaks to him with the same power and passion with which his music speaks to others. In despair, he takes to his bed, renouncing the world and all its pleasures. Over the course of the week that follows, his family and close friends attempt to change his mind, but Nasser Ali slips further and further into his own reveries: flashbacks and flash-forwards from his own childhood through his children's futures. And as the pieces of his story slowly fall into place, we begin to understand the profundity of his decision to give up life.
Slater, Dashka The 57 Bus or any other high school title by Dashka Slater 2017 One teenager in a skirt. One teenager with a lighter.One moment that changes both of their lives forever. If it weren't for the 57 bus, Sasha and Richard never would have met. Both were high school students from Oakland, California, one of the most diverse cities in the country, but they inhabited different worlds. Sasha, a white teen, lived in the middle-class foothills and attended a small private school. Richard, a black teen, lived in the crime-plagued flatlands and attended a large public one. Each day, their paths overlapped for a mere eight minutes. But one afternoon on the bus ride home from school, a single reckless act left Sasha severely burned, and Richard charged with two hate crimes and facing life imprisonment. The case garnered international attention, thrusting both teenagers into the spotlight.
Stone, Peter The Perfect Candidate 2018 When Cameron Carter goes straight from high school in small-town California to a summer internship with a powerful U.S. Congressman he admires, he soon learns that not everything in Washington, D.C. is as it appears.  Prince William County Public Library
Sullivan, Mark Beneath a Scarlet Sky or any title by Mark Sullivan 2017 In 1940s Italy, teenager Pino Lella joins an underground railroad helping Jews escape over the Alps and falls for a beautiful widow, he also becomes the personal driver of one of the Third Reich's most powerful commanders."--Provided by publisher. 

More Information

Where can students get the books?

The Prince William Public Library
   

Students who choose the option of participating in the Prince William Public Library summer reading program should read the number of books designated for their grade level.

Children's Program

Teen's Program

Schenell Agee, Supervisor, Library Media Programs and Research
ageesx@pwcs.edu