In my former life as a classroom teacher and then a Reading Specialist, I spent a lot of time recommending books to everyone from kindergarten and middle grade students, to teens and adults.  It was actually my favorite part of my job — finding just the right book to hook a reluctant reader or introducing a kid who loves fantasy to C.S. Lewis or Tolkien for the first time.

I believe the right book at the right time can save your life.  Maybe that’s why I love librarians so much.  They’re saving all of us, one book at a time.  But lots of people have trouble finding the right book  or the dreaded “what to read next.”  I still get calls from parents asking for reading lists or book suggestions.  So I thought I’d share some of them with you.

* Keep in mind, these are my opinions and suggestions.  My lists do not include every great book out there, just a few to get you started.  Sometimes I don’t include a book based on reading level (not everyone can read the Harry Potter books independently in third or fourth grade.  The profiles are generalizations based on the children, adults, and teens for whom I have recommended books.

My “reading diagnoses” come in two varieties: books for kids who hate to read and “what to read next” books.  Let’s start with the kid who hates to read (or hasn’t been hooked yet).

Case #1: The Reluctant Reader Who Hasn’t Been Hooked

“John” is a fourth grade boy who loves skateboarding and playing on the yard at school.  His favorite class periods are recess and P.E., and hanging out in the house to read is the last thing he wants to do with his free time.  In fact, when John is inside his activity of choice is playing video games.  He’s never had problems reading, but you would never catch him reading a book for pleasure.

Diagnosis:

On the Halfpipe with Tony Hawk by Matt Christopher

Skateboarding Science by Helaine Becker (Series)

Skateboard Breakdown by Sports Illustrated Kids (Series)

Extreme Sports by Extreme Sports: No Limits (Series)

Charlie Jackson’s Guide to Not Reading by Tommy Greenwald

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney (Series)

The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan (Series)

Ultimate Weird But True by National Geographic Kids

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger (Series)

The Unusual History of Video Games by Thomas James Maltman (Series)

Case #2: The “What Should I Read Next?” Reader

The reader is a fourth grader who likes to read, and reads above grade level.  The last book s/he loved was Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan.  What to read next (aside from the rest of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series):

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan (Series)

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan (Series)

Mythopedia: She’s All That by Scholastic

Mythopedia: Oh My Gods by Scholastic

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer (Series)

Holes by Louis Sachar

The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan (Series)

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger (Series)

*** If you have other reading recommendations, please share them in the comments section. ***