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Factual information about weather and the water cycle is included in this comic graphic novel. Welcome to the Mad Scientist Academy, where slapstick humor and fast-paced action come together in a silly but engaging romp.

Madeline Finn likes many things but reading aloud is not one of them. That is until she meets a big white dog named Bonnie at the library. Reading to Bonnie helps Madeline to read aloud capably in front of her classroom. Soft pastel illustrations depict a timid reader and a patient dog and how the mild canine boosts Madeline’s confidence and gives her a surprise.

Meet Clementine, a 3^rd grader with enough energy to land her into trouble with great frequency. Her everyday adventures continue in other books.

Robbie Darko loves magic but simply is not good at it. That is, until his grandmother teaches him a few tricks she learned as a professional magician. Filled with pathos and good nature, this novel is sure to resonate with readers.

When he bumps his knee, Ted decides to become a doctor to care for everyone. Though Ted’s diagnoses irritate adults, young Dr. Ted winds up saving the day.

Ted spruces up his home and school and helps another young person by employing his artistic talent and creativity. Simple illustrations accompany an engaging text.

The day Frank went to the shelter, he got Lucky. From that day forward, boy and dog are inseparable. Together they learn science and entomology (Lucky finds burdock and ticks), reading (Lucky listens best), foreign language (Spanish and “quack”) and more. Academic subjects applied to the duo’s explorations are sure to add verve to classroom experiences revealed in detailed illustration and unassuming text. 

Marty would rather spend recess catching frogs in the pond than playing dress-up with the other girls in third grade. So when her teacher casts Marty as the princess in the class play, Marty’s absolutely, positively sure that there’s been a huge mistake! But after a special lesson in the art of improvisation, Marty comes up with her own plan to improve the play. Maybe a princess in muddy sneakers can live happily ever after, after all! This is the first title in the Marty Maguire chapter book series.

Charlie learns that wishes granted by a magic fish do not work as planned. In fact, Charlie learns that it sometimes takes a lot more to confront the most difficult things, including her older sister’s heroin addiction. 

Gianna Zales enjoys lots of things but doing a research project is not one of them. Achieving a balance between school work and family is presented through humorous, recognizable characters in a well-paced plot.

Middle school is stressful for everyone, especially for Ava. When she discovers her pencil can answer questions, Ava learns that there’s more to consider than just being right. Magic allows tough topics to be tackled.

A preschool child imagines that his dad goes to school to learn all the things that dads do — from making awesome snacks to telling silly stories.  But this dad and his child know that the most important job is “being my dad.”

Hopper’s new school, Stately Academy, is more creepy than scholarly as the 12-year-old girl soon learns. But with her new friends, they discover the school’s secrets and address them through computer coding. The adventures of this multicultural cast of kids continue in Paths and Portals (opens in a new window) as the series goes on.  

In this funny, poignant graphic novel memoir, Bell chronicles her hearing loss at a young age and her subsequent experiences with the Phonic Ear, a very powerful — and very awkward — hearing aid. The Phonic Ear gives Cece the ability to hear — sometimes things she shouldn’t — but also isolates her from her classmates. After some trouble, she is finally able to harness the power of the Phonic Ear and become “El Deafo, Listener for All.” And more importantly, declare a place for herself in the world and find the friend she’s longed for.

Readers may never look at a science fair in the same way after reading this alphabetical introduction to one school’s effort. From “Anti-matter” to “Zero gravity” (and of course, an animated z for zucchini) real and imagined inventions (differentiated in an endnote) and science concepts are presented. Cartoon illustrations and speech bubbles are used in this silly romp. 

Three storylines — contemporary and mythic — intersect in this tale of a boy who is not comfortable with his culture or himself. This fresh, sometimes surprising, revealing novel is told in image and text. This graphic novel was the first of its format to win the Printz Award for best work of Young Adult Literature.

The familiar “Wheels on the Bus” has been augmented (e.g., a fire truck goes “woo-oo”), adapted and presented here in Spanish and English. The accompanying illustrations are cheery, adding humor and verve.

Even though she’s a math whiz, sixth grader Ally struggles to make sense of words on a page — that is until she meets Mr. Daniels. Ally discovers that she has dyslexia. Mr. Daniels is studying for a degree in helping children learn to read using different techniques — which open Ally’s world in many ways. Based on the author’s own experiences, Ally’s voice is successfully used to create a realistic and touching novel.

In his old school, everyone knew Miles Murphy as the town’s best prankster, but Miles quickly discovers that Yawnee Valley already has a prankster, and a great one. If Miles is going to take the title from this mystery kid, he is going to have to raise his game. It’s prankster against prankster in an epic war of trickery, until the two finally decide to join forces and pull off the biggest prank ever seen. (Goodreads)

Identical twins Sammie and Charlie are starting out seventh grade at a brand-new school. As they make new friends, and join different clubs, the sisters (and once inseparable best friends) start to grow further and further apart. Told from Sammie’s point of view, this moving yet funny story will be gobbled up by middle-school girls! This is the first book in the Almost Identical series.

Hank is a second-grade kid who doesn’t try to be funny, but he somehow always makes the kids in his class laugh. He’s pretty bad at memorizing stuff, and spelling is his worst subject. (But so are math and reading!) Hank’s class is putting on a play, and Hank wants the lead part: Aqua Fly. But he freezes in his audition and can only buzz like a fly. His teacher creates a special part for Hank, a silent bookmark. This may seem like an insignificant role, but when his enemy, Nick McKelty, freezes during the performance, it’s up to Hank to save the play! This is the first book in the Here’s Hank series.

Maybelle, a cockroach decked out with a pink bow, can’t resist the temptation of a cake and so winds up at a school bake sale. How she escapes unharmed and rescues her flea friend make a very funny school story. Line illustrations add to the humor.

Even though Magnolia assures her teacher that her large, green alligator won’t be any trouble, together girl and reptile prove the opposite. Messy, mischievous Magnolia not only gets her name on the board but three checks beside it and a trip to the principal in this rollicking tale.

The narrator is convinced she’ll never get a star next to her name. She’s not particularly good at anything — that is, until her teacher, Mrs. Benson, discovers Rose’s real talent is art. Almost childlike illustrations are the ideal complement to Rose’s voice in this encouraging tale.