Elementary Chapter Books
Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hypnotism- Georgia Byng
Synopsis (from Amazon)
Molly Moon's life at Hardwick House for Orphans is terrible. Things seem their darkest when her best friend Rocky is adopted and leaves for America. Molly occasionally hides in the library, and one day she stumbles upon a book of hypnotism and learns that all of the qualities for which her classmates have teased her are actually assets to a hypnotist. Molly cleverly hones her skills and hypnotizes her way to Broadway, fame, and fortune. Evil Professor Nockman knows of the book's powers, and will stop at nothing to use the book and Molly to achieve his evil goals.
Why Teach This
Molly uses her new found hypnotism powers to gain what she has always lacked. From a dull English backdrop to glamorous New York City, she immerses herself in fame and fortune hoping to compensate for her previous life. However, she soon realizes that the materialism does not make her as happy as she originally thought. This can be used to teach students to reconsider the immaterial things in their life and to appreciate what they have.
Appropriate Grade Level/Reading Level
Gr. 4-6
Themes
-friendship
-mind control and power
-adventure
-fame
Molly Moon's life at Hardwick House for Orphans is terrible. Things seem their darkest when her best friend Rocky is adopted and leaves for America. Molly occasionally hides in the library, and one day she stumbles upon a book of hypnotism and learns that all of the qualities for which her classmates have teased her are actually assets to a hypnotist. Molly cleverly hones her skills and hypnotizes her way to Broadway, fame, and fortune. Evil Professor Nockman knows of the book's powers, and will stop at nothing to use the book and Molly to achieve his evil goals.
Why Teach This
Molly uses her new found hypnotism powers to gain what she has always lacked. From a dull English backdrop to glamorous New York City, she immerses herself in fame and fortune hoping to compensate for her previous life. However, she soon realizes that the materialism does not make her as happy as she originally thought. This can be used to teach students to reconsider the immaterial things in their life and to appreciate what they have.
Appropriate Grade Level/Reading Level
Gr. 4-6
Themes
-friendship
-mind control and power
-adventure
-fame
Ramona and Her Mother- Beverly Clearly
Synopsis (from storysnoops)
This installment in the Ramona series focuses on Ramona’s relationship with her mother. Her father, who had been out of work for a while, starts a new job and her mother continues to work full time. Ramona gets into some sticky situations, as usual, including spilling a bottle of bluing all over herself and Howie, expressing her anger by squeezing an entire tube of toothpaste into the sink, experiencing a day where everything seems to go wrong, and threatening to run away. Ramona is looking for some reassurance and special attention from her mother, and gets what she needs just when she needs it the most.
Why Teach ThisThis novel will appeal to young readers because it genuinely captures the spirit of an eight year old while exploring the conflicted relationship between Ramona and her mother. It emphasizes family relationships and how students can look for support in unexpected places.
Appropriate Grade Level/Reading Level
Gr. 3-6
Themes
-mother/daughter relationships
-dealing with conflict with friends
-family life
Links
Discussion Guide
This installment in the Ramona series focuses on Ramona’s relationship with her mother. Her father, who had been out of work for a while, starts a new job and her mother continues to work full time. Ramona gets into some sticky situations, as usual, including spilling a bottle of bluing all over herself and Howie, expressing her anger by squeezing an entire tube of toothpaste into the sink, experiencing a day where everything seems to go wrong, and threatening to run away. Ramona is looking for some reassurance and special attention from her mother, and gets what she needs just when she needs it the most.
Why Teach ThisThis novel will appeal to young readers because it genuinely captures the spirit of an eight year old while exploring the conflicted relationship between Ramona and her mother. It emphasizes family relationships and how students can look for support in unexpected places.
Appropriate Grade Level/Reading Level
Gr. 3-6
Themes
-mother/daughter relationships
-dealing with conflict with friends
-family life
Links
Discussion Guide
Sideway Stories from Wayside School- Louis Sachar
Synopsis (from Barnes & Noble)
You can imagine the confusion at Wayside School when the builder made a terrible mistake. You see, instead of building 30 classrooms side-by-side, he built them one on top of another. Maybe that accounts for the wacky goings-on in Mrs. Jewls' class. Where else will you find children being turned into apples, dead rats wearing raincoats, and little girls who try to sell their toes? If you're confused too, maybe Todd can explain it to you, but just remember, he leaves at noon.
Why Teach This
Incredibly humorous Sachar provides a story that's goofy and fun. It can be used to motivate students to create their own silly stories and everything that can go wrong in the classroom.
Appropriate Grade Level/Reading Level
Gr. 3-6
Themes
-humour
You can imagine the confusion at Wayside School when the builder made a terrible mistake. You see, instead of building 30 classrooms side-by-side, he built them one on top of another. Maybe that accounts for the wacky goings-on in Mrs. Jewls' class. Where else will you find children being turned into apples, dead rats wearing raincoats, and little girls who try to sell their toes? If you're confused too, maybe Todd can explain it to you, but just remember, he leaves at noon.
Why Teach This
Incredibly humorous Sachar provides a story that's goofy and fun. It can be used to motivate students to create their own silly stories and everything that can go wrong in the classroom.
Appropriate Grade Level/Reading Level
Gr. 3-6
Themes
-humour
Tales of Fourth Grade Nothing- Judy Blume
Synopsis (from Random House)
Living with his little brother, Fudge, makes Peter Hatcher feel like a fourth grade nothing. Whether Fudge is throwing a temper tantrum in a shoe store, smearing smashed potatoes on walls at Hamburger Heaven, or scribbling all over Peter's homework, he's never far from trouble. He's a two-year-old terror who gets away with everything—and Peter's had enough. When Fudge walks off with Dribble, Peter's pet turtle, it's the last straw. Peter has put up with Fudge too long. How can he get his parents to pay attention to him for a change?
Why Teach This
Students with younger siblings can relate to Peter and how he feels constantly exasperated by his little, energetic brother. However, the theme of family and sibling relations always wins out, and whatever Fudge does, they are still brothers. This can be used to teach students the importance of preserving those relationships, even if conflict occurs between siblings.
Appropriate Grade Level/Reading Level
Gr. 3-6
Themes
-brother/sibling relationships
-sibling jealousy/rivalry
-dealing with conflict
-family
Links
Worksheets and Activities
Living with his little brother, Fudge, makes Peter Hatcher feel like a fourth grade nothing. Whether Fudge is throwing a temper tantrum in a shoe store, smearing smashed potatoes on walls at Hamburger Heaven, or scribbling all over Peter's homework, he's never far from trouble. He's a two-year-old terror who gets away with everything—and Peter's had enough. When Fudge walks off with Dribble, Peter's pet turtle, it's the last straw. Peter has put up with Fudge too long. How can he get his parents to pay attention to him for a change?
Why Teach This
Students with younger siblings can relate to Peter and how he feels constantly exasperated by his little, energetic brother. However, the theme of family and sibling relations always wins out, and whatever Fudge does, they are still brothers. This can be used to teach students the importance of preserving those relationships, even if conflict occurs between siblings.
Appropriate Grade Level/Reading Level
Gr. 3-6
Themes
-brother/sibling relationships
-sibling jealousy/rivalry
-dealing with conflict
-family
Links
Worksheets and Activities