Special Collections
Accelerated Reader Middle Grade Collection
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The Zoo Crew
by Carolyn KeeneThis camp is WILD! Nancy, George, and Bess are attending a three-day overnight camp at the local zoo. They'll get to spend lots of time with all of the animals and learn about them too. The best part is, they will be helping the zookeeper make toys for the animals -- just like real staffers! But when the toys the girls make by day are disappearing at night, it looks like everyone is a suspect! Can Nancy tame this wild case, or will the zoo animals be without anything fun to do?
The Zippity Zinger
by Tim Heitz and Henry Winkler and Lin OliverInspired by the true life experiences of Henry Winkler, whose undiagnosed dyslexia made him a classic childhood underachiever, the Hank Zipzer series is about the high-spirited and funny adventures of a boy with learning differences.
PS 87 is having multicultural week, and Ms. Adolf's class is putting on a "Foods From Around the World" luncheon. Hank makes enchiladas, and at the luncheon, Ms. Adolf piles her plate with lots of food. But after a few bites, her face turns bright red-one of the dishes is super-spicy! Ms. Adolf accuses someone of playing a mean practical joke and punishes the entire class with no recess until the guilty party comes forward.
Hank realizes his trouble with numbers might have caused the problem-what if he accidentally used three cups of peppers instead of 1/3 cup? Will Hank be able to get recess back for everyone without getting detention for the rest of his life? Illustrated by Carol Heyer.
Lexile Level: 730L
Zero Day
by Jan GangseiAddie Webster's kidnapping was the most notorious of the decade - her high-profile parents were forced to go through their grief in the public eye. Mark Webster is now the President of the United States, fighting to keep the oval office after a tumultuous first term when the unthinkable happens: his daughter resurfaces. Addie is brought back into her family's fold, but who is this sixteen-year-old girl with a quiet, burning intelligence now living in the White House? There are those in the president's political circle who find her timely return suspicious.
Young Cam Jansen and the Zoo Note Mystery
by David A. AdlerIt's field trip day in Cam and Eric's class. Only where is Eric's permission slip? He had it on the bus, but now it's gone! Did someone take it? Did it blow away? After a few red herrings, Cam's click-click memory kicks in just in time for Eric to join the class on their field trip to the zoo.
Perfect for new readers, these Young Cam Jansen Easy-to-Read mysteries feature easy-to-follow storylines, brief sentences, and visual clues within the illustrations, and will introduce readers to feisty Cam, whose adventures can be followed in the Cam Jansen series for transitional readers.
Lexile Levels: 210-450
Young Cam Jansen and the Substitute Mystery
by David A. AdlerCam's photographic memory helps a scatterbrained substitute teacher, especially when he discovers that he has misplaced his coat.
Lexile Levels: 210-450
Young Cam Jansen and the Spotted Cat Mystery
by David A. AdlerWhen a cat appears in their classroom one rainy day, Cam and her friend Eric figure out where it came from.
Lexile Levels: 210-450
Young Cam Jansen and the Pizza Shop Mystery
by David A. AdlerCam, her father, and her best friend can't pass up eating at the best pizza place in the world. But they can't leave the mall until they solve the mystery of the missing jacket. Will Cam's photographic memory be enough?
Lexile Levels: 210-450
Young Cam Jansen and the New Girl Mystery
by David A. AdlerThere's a new girl in school! Her name's Jenny, and Cam and Eric are happy to befriend her and help her find her way around. But when it's time for gym class, where's Jenny? Which gym did she go to? Is there more than one gym?
Young readers won't be able to resist looking for clues in the story to help Cam and Eric find their new classmate.
Lexile Levels: 210-450
Young Cam Jansen and the Missing Cookie
by David A. AdlerCam Jansen can find a mystery anywhere--even in the school lunch room! When Jason opens his lunch box and finds only cookie crumbs, Cam's amazing memory clicks into action.
Lexile Levels: 210-450
Young Cam Jansen and the Lost Tooth
by David A. AdlerCan Cam Jansen help her friend Annie find her lost tooth?
Lexile Levels: 210-450
Young Cam Jansen and the Library Mystery
by David A. AdlerCam and her best friend Eric take a trip to the library to check out some books. But instead of finding a new favorite story, they find a mystery to solve. Will Cam's photographic memory come to the rescue once again? The Cam Jansen Adventure series has been a favorite with older readers for years, and now younger readers can join in the fun. When it's time to make the transition to more difficult books, Cam Jansen will be waiting.
Lexile Levels: 210-450
Young Cam Jansen and the Ice Skate Mystery
by David A. AdlerNow even beginning readers can join in the fun of cracking cases with Cam Jansen, the red-headed detective with the photographic memory.
Lexile Levels: 210-450
Young Cam Jansen and the Double Beach Mystery
by David A. AdlerCam Jansen and her best friend Eric have headed to the beach. But after a day of sun and fun, they can't find Cam's mother. Was she abducted by aliens? Is she in disguise? "Click," says Cam, and the hunt is on.
The Cam Jansen Adventure series has been a favorite with older readers for years.
With the addition of the Cam easy-to-reads, now younger readers are able to help solve mysteries meant just for them. When it's time to make the transition to more difficult books, Cam Jansen will be waiting.
Lexile Levels: 210-450
Young Cam Jansen and the Dinosaur Game
by David A. AdlerCam and her friend Eric go to a birthday party where everyone is supposed to guess the number of toy dinosaurs in a jar. Did someone cheat?
Lexile Level: 210-450
Young Cam Jansen and the Baseball Mystery
by David A. AdlerCam Jansen and her friends meet in the park to play baseball, but when their ball gets lost, it looks like the game may be over. Cam has a picture in her head of everything she has seen, and she says "click" whenever she wants to remember something. But does she have the picture she needs to find the baseball? With short sentences, plenty of repetition, and lots of clues, beginning readers will love solving this easy-to-read mystery right along with young Cam.
Lexile Levels: 210-450
Yolonda's Genius
by Carol FennerAfter moving from Chicago to Grand River, Michigan, fifth grader Yolonda, big and strong for her age, determines to prove that her younger brother is not a slow learner but a true musical genius.
Young Andrew creates beautiful music on his harmonica despite his reading difficulties, and when the bullies of his Chicago neighborhood destroy his harmonica, his older sister Yolanda struggles to replace it.
Newbery Honor Book
The Year of Billy Miller
by Kevin HenkesAward-winning, nationally bestselling author Kevin Henkes introduces second-grader Billy Miller in this fast-paced and funny story about friendship, sibling rivalry, and elementary school. The Year of Billy Miller includes black-and-white art by Kevin Henkes and is perfect for fans of the Ramona books; Frindle, by Andrew Clements; and the Clementine series.
When Billy Miller has a mishap at the statue of the Jolly Green Giant at the end of summer vacation, he ends up with a big lump on his head. What a way to start second grade, with a lump on your head!
As the year goes by, though, Billy figures out how to navigate elementary school, how to appreciate his little sister, and how to be a more grown up and responsible member of the family and a help to his busy working mom and stay-at-home dad.
Newbery Honor author and Caldecott Medalist Kevin Henkes delivers a short, satisfying, laugh-out-loud-funny school and family story that features a diorama homework assignment, a school poetry slam, cancelled sleepovers, and epic sibling temper tantrums. This is a perfect short novel for the early elementary grades.
A 2014 Newbery Honor Book
A New York Times Bestseller
A Year Down Yonder
by Richard PeckRichard Peck's Newbery Medal-winning sequel to A Long Way from Chicago
Mary Alice's childhood summers in Grandma Dowdel's sleepy Illinois town were packed with enough drama to fill the double bill of any picture show. But now she is fifteen, and faces a whole long year with Grandma, a woman well known for shaking up her neighbors-and everyone else! All Mary Alice can know for certain is this: when trying to predict how life with Grandma might turn out... better not. This wry, delightful sequel to the Newbery Honor Book A Long Way from Chicago has already taken its place among the classics of children's literature.
A Newbery Medal Winner
A New York Times Bestseller
An ALA Notable Book
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
A Booklist Best Book of the Year
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
The World
by Betty G. BirneyThe first book in the series about everyone's favorite classroom pet!
You can learn a lot about life by observing another species.
That’s what Humphrey was told when he was first brought to Room 26. And boy, is it true!
In addition to having FUN-FUN-FUN in class, each weekend this amazing hamster gets to sleep over with a different student, like Lower-Your-Voice-A.J. and Speak-Up-Sayeh.
Soon Humphrey learns to read, write, and even shoot rubber bands (only in self-defense, of course).
With lots of friends to help, adventures to enjoy, and a cage with a lock-that-doesn’t- lock, Humphrey's life is almost perfect.
If only the teacher, Mrs. Brisbane, wasn’t out to get him!
Boys and girls can't help falling in love with Humphrey!
Wonder
by R. J. PalacioI won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.
August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school.
Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid--but his new classmates can't get past Auggie's extraordinary face.
WONDER, now a New York Times bestseller, begins from Auggie's point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community's struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.
In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope. R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel "a meditation on kindness" --indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship.
Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can't blend in when you were born to stand out.
The Wizard of Ooze
by R. L. StineTake a little Horror home with you!
Marco is a diehard fan of The Ooze, a comic book villain with the power to sludge his enemies. So when he finds a super-rare edition at the Chiller House gift shop, Marco is sure he has found something special for his collection.
Outside of HorrorLand there are a few other people interested in the comic book. The kinds of people you don't want to mess around with. Like a muscular monster of a man dressed as The Ooze. But if he's only wearing a costume, why does he leave an oily mess everywhere he goes? And why is he following Marco?
Winter According to Humphrey
by Betty G. BirneyIt's the HAPPY-HAPPY-HAPPY holidays!
The holidays are coming and Humphrey is unsqueakably excited.
He loves to hear about all the different ways his friends in Room 26 celebrate and to watch them make costumes and learn songs for the Winter Wonderland pageant. (He even squeaks along!)
But with so much to do, will the holidays go according to plan?
Do-It-Now-Daniel is having trouble practicing, Helpful-Holly can't stop worrying about making presents for her friends, and Humphrey still has to find a gift for Og!
Good thing Humphrey is one smart hamster who can help them all fill the season with JOY-JOY-JOY!
The Wild Robot
by Peter BrownCan a robot survive in the wilderness? When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is alone on a remote, wild island.
She has no idea how she got there or what her purpose is--but she knows she needs to survive.
After battling a fierce storm and escaping a vicious bear attack, she realizes that her only hope for survival is to adapt to her surroundings and learn from the island's unwelcoming animal inhabitants.
As Roz slowly befriends the animals, the island starts to feel like home--until, one day, the robot's mysterious past comes back to haunt her.
From bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator Peter Brown comes a heartwarming and action-packed novel about what happens when nature and technology collide.
A New York Times Bestseller
The Wild Kid
by Harry Mazer"Can I go home now?" After his bike gets stolen, twelve-year-old Sammy gets lost in the woods near his home.
He stumbles upon the makeshift hideaway of the "wild kid" named Kevin, who has run away from reform school.
Will this strongly independent tough let Sammy get home to his family? Can they both survive in the unforgiving wilderness?
Why Pick on Me?
by Louis Sachar and Barbara SullivanIllus. in black-and-white. Marvin is shunned by his classmates, best friends, and teacher after he is unfairly fingered as a nose-picker by the class bully.From the Trade Paperback edition.