New Books for Reluctant Readers
By Kristine Gritter
Kristine Gritter, SPU assistant professor of curriculum and instruction, teaches courses in children's and young adult literature at SPU. She recommends these books published during the last several years to engage readers who struggle — as well as those just looking for something new.
“These are books I've read recently and found intriguing and think others might too,” she says.
Picture Books (Grades 1–3)
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A Ball for Daisy
Chris Raschka (Schwartz and Wade, 2011)
The primary colors and fluid lines in this wordless book will compel young readers to create a story line and use their oral language skills.
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A Sick Day for Amos McGee
Philip C. Stead and Erin Stead (Roaring Brook, 2010)
Amos is a zookeeper who loves his animal friends. When he is sick, his animal friends show him the meaning of community.
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Middle-Grade Novels (Grades 4-8)
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Wonderstruck
Brian Selznick (Scholastic, 2011)
Two stories, set 50 years apart, told in words and pictures, merge in New York City. Along the way, readers will learn about deaf culture, wildlife, and museum history. The copious illustrations aid readers struggling with comprehension difficulties, as in Selznick's earlier book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret (also recommended).
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Turtle in Paradise
Jack Gantos (Farrar, Strauss, & Giroux, 2011)
Founded by Eleanor Roosevelt on principles of social justice, the town of Norvelt is dying (literally) in 1962, and it's up to young Jack Gantos to figure out why. Gantos' energetic male characters are especially appealing to boys who tend to struggle with reading.
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Dead End in Norvelt
Jack Gantos (Farrar, Strauss, & Giroux, 2011)
Founded by Eleanor Roosevelt on principles of social justice, the town of Norvelt is dying (literally) in 1962, and it's up to young Jack Gantos to figure out why. Gantos' energetic male characters are especially appealing to boys who tend to struggle with reading.
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Young Adult Novels (Grades 9–12)
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An Abundance of Katherines
John Green (Speak, 2008)
Colin Singleton has been dumped 19 times by girls named Katherine. He formulates the “Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability,” blending mathematical instruction with the story of his road trip.
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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Sherman Alexie (Little, Brown, 2009)
Native American ninth-grader Arnold Spirit leaves his reservation for the best high school within hitchhiking distance, and tells his story through a narrative juxtaposed with cartoons.
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