High Interest/Low Level Book Series
For Students Reading Below a Third Grade Level
Nate the Great
- Grade Level Equivalent Average: 2.1
- Interest: Detective Character, Pet Dog, Mystery
- Length: about 80 pages
- CCSS Connection: RL3.1: Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understating of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers
- There are over two-dozen Nate the Great books written by Majorie Weinman Sharmat and Mitchell Sharmat. In each book, Nate takes on a new mystery with the help of his dog, Sludge, and familiar characters like Rosamond and Olivia.
Goosebumps Graphix
- Grade Level Equivalent Average: 2.4
- Interest: Graphic Novel, Horror
- Length: about 150 pages
- CCSS Connection: RL3.7: Explain how specific aspects of a text’s illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g., create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting)
- R.L. Stine continues to thrill his readers with a graphic novel version of his popular series, Goosebumps. Goosebumps Graphix contain similar spooky storylines, only in graphic novel form. There are currently 3 books in this series.
Stink
- Grade Level Equivalent Average: 2.5
- Interest: Adventure, Humor
- Length: about 125 pages
- CCSS Connection: RL3.1: Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understating of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers; RL3.5: Refer to parts of stories, dramas, and poems when writing or speaking about a text, using terms such as chapter, scene, and stanza; describe how each successive part builds on earlier sections
- Megan McDonald, author of the Judy Moody series, wrote this series about Judy’s younger brother, Stink. Stink is an adventurous boy who has fun, zany ideas and has a great sense of humor. There are currently 8 books in the Stink series.
Geronimo Stilton
- Grade Level Equivalent Average: 2.5
- Interest: Animal character, Adventure
- Length: about 115 pages
- CCSS Connection: RL3.6: Distinguish their own point of view from that of the narrator or those of the characters
- While Geronimo Stilton claims to be the author of his own series, the books are actually written by Elisabetta Dami. The series originated in Italy, but has been translated into many languages. The main character, a mouse author named Geronimo Stilton, works in New Mouse City and gets involved in adventures with Thea, Trap, and Benjamin, and sometimes Aunt Sweetfur. The books have fun illustrations and word art throughout the text. There are over 50 books in this series.
Magic Tree House
- Grade Level Equivalent Average: 2.7
- Interest: Adventure, Geography
- Length: About 80 pages
- CCSS Connection: RL3.1: Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers
- There are three different Magic Tree House series. The original series involves the main characters, Jack and Annie, traveling back in time (usually) to places like China and Ancient Greece. There are 28 books in this series. The second series is called Magic Tree House "Merlin Missions." In these books, Jack and Annie have quests from the ancient wizard Merlin the Magician. This series contains 22 books. Lastly, there is a nonfiction series called Magic Tree House Research Guides, which contain more information about the historical places and events that Jack and Annie visit in the original Magic Tree House Series. There are 28 of these books.
Bink & Gollie
- Grade Level Equivalent Average: 1.1
- Interest: Friendship, Humor
- Length: about 75 pages
- CCSS Connection: RL3.3: Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events; RL3.7: Explain how specific aspects of a text’s illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g., create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting)
- Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee have teamed up to write about the friendship and adventures of Bink and Gollie. Bink is short, Gollie is tall, but these two girls have fun wherever they go and are great friends. There are currently 3 books in this series.
Ivy and Bean
- Grade Level Equivalent Average: 2.7
- Interest: Friendship
- Length: about 125 pages
- CCSS Connection: RL3.3: Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events
- The Ivy and Bean series is written by Annie Barrows. Ivy and Bean are opposties; Bean is loud and silly while Ivy is quiet and pensive. Despite their differences, the two girls make a great duo as they tackle life’s adventures together. There are currently 9 books in this series.
Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie
- Grade Level Equivalent Average: 2.5
- Interest: Humor, Relatable Character
- Length: about 125 pages
- CCSS Connection: RL3.2: Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text
- Julie Sternberg writes the two books in this series. In them, Eleanor is an only child who learns some things about herself as she faces some of the less-than-fun
aspects of growing up. There is currently only one other book in this series: Like Bug Juice on a Burger. These books are set up well with shorter sentences and repetition without coming across as “babyish.”
Cam Jansen
- Grade Level Equivalent Average: 2.7
- Interest: Mystery
- Length: about 70 pages
- CCSS Connection: RL3.1: Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers; RL3.5: Refer to parts of stories, dramas, and poems when writing or speaking about a text, using terms such as chapter, scene, and stanza; describe how each successive part builds on earlier sections
- David A. Adler writes the Cam Jansen series. There are over 30 books in this series. In each book, 5th grader Jennifer “Cam” Jansen collects clues to solve a mystery by “clicking” images she sees and reviewing them later in her mind. Cam got her nickname because she has a photographic memory and her brain is therefore like a camera.
Babymouse
- Grade Level Equivalent Average: 1.9
- Interest: Graphic Novel, Relatable Topics
- Length: About 100 pages
- CCSS Connection: RL3.7: Explain how specific aspects of a text’s illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g., create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting)
- There are currently 14 books in the Babymouse series written by Jennifer and Matthew Holm. Babymouse is a sassy, funny girl who encounters the same types of things elementary girls do. From science fairs to school musicals, Babymouse goes on many entertaining adventures.
Purchasing High/Low Books
Websites where individual or sets of high/low books can be purchased:
http://www.brainstormlibrary.com/print-books.html?hi_low=51 (Great Nonfiction!)
http://www.hip-books.com/index.php?cPath=0_22
http://www.highnoonbooks.com/index-hnb.tpl?cart=13709994179643641
http://www.chestnutpublishing.com/books_HIP.html
http://www.perfectionlearning.com/browse.php?categoryID=3929