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Here are two more books - perfect for the Middle School classroom!
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Here's a cutie of a book: The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt. The crayons are tired and upset and just can't take it anymore.... so they each pen a letter to their owner to explain their point of view. Creative, funny, a fabulous example of writing with "voice", this book will tickle your funny bone and motivate you to consider what your belongings would say to you.... Attention Middle School Science Teachers:  These great books include all those concepts you are teaching (endangered species, habitat, food chain, environmental impact, invasive species), while also offering fun-filled mystery & adventure. Think of it as vitamins mixed with junk food. Tastes great -- yet packed with all the benefits needed for a growing reader.
Goodreads reviews are clear: This is a series worth reading. Three cheers for these wonderful books. I found them just inside the entrance at Target and immediately recognized them as GOLD! 
A key piece of raising 'readers' is access to reading material... Which means making books part of every part of the day for toddlers. These beauties serve two purposes - book and toy. Get them at a store near you -- before I buy them all up!
While I never considered myself a lover of Greek Mythology, Percy Jackson is doing his very best to change that. With the classic Greek stories told in his voice, I'm allowing myself to suspend disbelief and roll with the action. Hats off to writer Rick Riordan; He hits all the right notes. 
to your drinking straws.
to your broken printer.
to your last box of toothpicks.
to the Lego bricks in your house. Make magazine not only shows the reader how to make certain items - it inspires them to creative new items of their own. It's been great fun to watch our son imagine the possibilities. What would your young creative genius build? When researchers ask reluctant readers why they don't read more often, the response is often: "I have nothing to read." Granted, they may say this while sitting in a library with thousands of books at their disposal, but the truth is still the same. Kids (like adults) want to read something that interests them. It's not about the number of books available for your child - it's the interest level of the books available that really makes the difference. While my oldest son is drawn to a variety of topics and genres (and therefore needs little encouragement), my youngest will limit his reading to LEGO and football books for weeks and weeks and weeks unless I intervene. In fact, when introducing a new book, I often have to read a chapter or two aloud to prove that the new title is worth his effort. That's how I introduced my son to "My Side of the Mountain.' After just one chapter, he slipped the copy out of my hands and retreated to the living room couch. He soon finished the book and requested the sequel. From there - he moved on to the third book in the series... and the movie... and several non-fiction books about falcons, survival, and the outdoors.
Understanding a child's personality and interests can be the key to encouraging reading development. Have an active boy who loves outdoor adventure? Here's the series to fill the gap.
With multiple adventure series, Smith's book have been in our library bag all winter long. One after another, I keep bringing them home and we keep reading them. I would describe his genre as action adventure, with a sprinkle of mystery, a pinch of nature/animals, and a full dose of pre-teen hero. They make a great read for the 5th-7th grade set. Bonus: Many of the characters jump across the novel series, which means (as a reader) you often feel like you've been reacquainted with an old friend while reading a new book.
With Roland Smith continuing his writing, we'll continuing our reading. His website speaks of school visits, which has me thinking... maybe he'll come to our neck of the woods.
These Antoinette Portis are a cute read and have inspired many a teacher to incorporate literature, art, drama, and even music within their children's programs. These books ask the reader to imagine how a simple object (such as a cardboard box or a twig) can be transformed through their imagination.
For example.. a stick is transformed into a fishing pole!
Or.. the weights to be lifted in the competition for a gold medal! After reading the book, children can then try their own hand at 'transforming' the simple to the sublime. Here's a few examples of taking these story one step further...
Looking for a gift idea for the middle school reader you love? Look no further: 
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