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Top 3 Book Recommendations by Age

Scholastic isn’t just a leading provider of literary curriculum, professional services and classroom magazines. They’re also the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books. With material in 115,000 schools, Scholastic knows better than anyone which books will engage readers of all ages and build a love of reading. 

We’ve scoured Scholastic’s website to find some of their best book recommendations by age to help ensure your child is not only reading at the appropriate level, but also staying entertained enough to develop a love for books. 

Ages 3-5 

1. “A Friend for Dragon” by Dav Pilkey

Scholastic Description: A lonely little dragon ventures into the world looking for a friend. He is tricked into thinking he has found one after an apple falls on his head. He loves spending time with his new buddy! He enjoys telling scary stories, cracking funny jokes, and fixing a midnight snack for them to share. He becomes grief stricken when he believes the apple is lost to him. Will he have his friend back again?

2. “Unicorn and Yeti #5: Fair and Square” by Heather Ayris Burnell

Scholastic Description: Yeti thinks triangles are the best shape. But which shape is Unicorn’s favorite?
Unicorn paints a beautiful picture. Yeti worries his painting isn’t as nice. Yeti baked a pie to share with his friend. What is the most-fair way to split the pie?

3. “Princess Truly #1: I Am a Super Girl!” by Kelly Greenawalt

Scholastic Description: Meet Princess Truly! With the help of her rocket boots and her magical, sparkly curls, she becomes a super girl and uses her smarts and strength to save the day. But when her friend Lizzie has a rescue mission of her own, Lizzie doesn’t feel so super. Can Truly help her friend believe in herself and find her confidence?

Ages 6-8

1. “Dog Man #10: Mothering Heights” by Dav Pilkey

Scholastic Description: Dog Man is down on his luck, Petey confronts his not so purr-fect past, and Grampa is up to no good. The world is spinning out of control as new villains spill into town. Everything seems dark and full of despair. But hope is not lost. Can the incredible power of love save the day?

2. “Captain Underpants Collection #1-3” by Dav Pilkey

Scholastic Description: Meet George and Harold, two fourth graders with BIG imaginations. The only thing they enjoy more than playing practical jokes is creating their own comic books about a silly superhero named Captain Underpants. But nothing can prepare them for what happens when their comic-book character comes to life!

In their first adventure, George and Harold hypnotize their mean school principal, Mr. Krupp, into thinking he’s Captain Underpants. Next, they face off against a torrent of terrifying talking toilets. Finally, the boys have to save their school when their kooky cafeteria ladies are replaced by aliens from outer space!

3. “Owl Diaries #15: Eva’s New Pet” by Rebecca Elliott

Scholastic Description: Eva can’t wait to get a new pet! But she can’t decide what kind of pet to get. Her pet needs to be cute, cuddly, friendly… and, of course, get along with her bat, Baxter. Eva’s friend Lucy has a great idea: they will pet-sit for all their friends to find out which animal is right for Eva! Chaos breaks out as they look after a bumblebee, a tortoise, a goldfish, and more. Will Baxter be able to help Eva discover which pet is just-right for their family?

Ages 9-12

1. “The Last Kids on Earth #1-3” by Max Brallier

Scholastic Description: Hang out with Jack Sullivan and his friends as they navigate life after the Monster Apocalypse–living in a tricked-out tree house, avoiding zombies, battling evil world-destroying monsters, and generally treating life like it’s the best video game ever!

This boxed set includes the first three books from the New York Times bestselling The Last Kids on Earth series: The Last Kids on Earth, The Last Kids on Earth and the Zombie Parade, and The Last Kids on Earth and the Nightmare King. Full of black-and-white illustrations, cool inventions, and every sort of monster, The Last Kids on Earth Collection is the perfect gift for the kid who doesn’t want the action (or the laughs) to stop!

2. “Wings of Fire #1-4” by Tui T. Sutherland

Scholastic Description: The New York Times bestselling Wings of Fire Graphix series is more collectible than ever in this four-book paperback boxed set! The bestselling Wings of Fire series soars to new heights in these graphic novel adaptations, now in a gift-ready boxed set: The Dragonet Prophecy, The Lost Heir, The Hidden Kingdom, and The Dark Secret

3. “Harry Potter #1-7” by J.K. Rowling

Scholastic Description: Now for the first time ever, J.K. Rowling’s seven bestselling Harry Potter books are available in a stunning paperback boxed set! The Harry Potter series has been hailed as “one for the ages” by Stephen King and “spellbinding saga” by USA Today. And most recently, The New York Times called Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows the “fastest selling book in history.”

Ages 12+

1. “Divergent Series” (Four-Book Box Set) by Veronica Roth

Scholastic Description: Available together for the first time, all three books in the #1 New York Times bestselling Divergent trilogy, plus the companion volume told from the perspective of the immensely popular character Tobias. Perfect for established fans who want to own the full Divergent library, or readers new to the series, this box set includes Divergent, Insurgent, Allegiant, and Four: A Divergent Collection, as well as an exclusive Divergent series poster!

2. “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins

Scholastic Description: In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used to be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, “The Hunger Games.” The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat’s sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place. Without really meaning to, Katniss becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

3. “Hey, Kiddo” by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Scholastic Description: In kindergarten, Jarrett Krosoczka’s teacher asks him to draw his family, with a mommy and a daddy. But Jarrett’s family is much more complicated than that. His mom is an addict, in and out of rehab, and in and out of Jarrett’s life. His father is a mystery. Jarrett doesn’t know where to find him, or even what his name is. Jarrett lives with his grandparents. Two very loud, very loving, very opinionated people who had thought they were through with raising children until Jarrett came along.

Jarrett goes through his childhood trying to make his non normal life as normal as possible, finding a way to express himself through drawing even as so little is being said to him about what’s going on. Only as a teenager can Jarrett begin to piece together the truth of his family, reckoning with his mother and tracking down his father. Hey, Kiddo is a profoundly important memoir about growing up in a family grappling with addiction and finding the art that helps you survive.

Looking to give your student a reading boost? LearningRx offers several programs that can help build the foundational skills needed to excel at reading, writing, and spelling, as well as comprehension and confidence! Learn more about our ReadRx, ComprendRx, and early learning LiftOff programs

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