Book Options for Readers in Need of Encouragement

by Amber Miller

April 15, 2025

The following considerations and book examples can help us consider options for our students who need encouragement.

Let's take a minute to highlight books in a series - these are particularly supportive for readers across elementary grades into middle school. Not only are they supportive, but they can also invite students into a 'book club' - where they can discuss stories and characters with each other and make recommendations. Here are some examples:

• Sample series geared for readers just starting out in chapter books that are often first/second grade choices:

  • Pedro by Fran Manushkin, and illustrated by Tammie Lyon - a series geared for readers just starting out in chapter books

  • Yazmin by Saadia Faruqi and illustrated by Hatem Aly - another early chapter book series like Pedro

  • JoJo Makoons by Dawn Quigley and illustrated by Tara Audibert

  • King & Kayla by Dori Hillestad Butler and illustrated by Nancy Meyers

  • Doggo and Pupper, by Katherine Applegate and illustrated by Charlie Adler

• Sample transitional chapter book series that are often popular second/third grade choices:

  • The Alien Nextdoor, by A.I. Newton and illustrated by Anjan Sarkar, is a popular transitional chapter book series

  • Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol by Andres Miedoso and illustrated by Victor Rivas 

  • The Magnificent Makers by Theanne Griffith and illustrated by Reggio Brown

  • Dragons in a Bag by Zeta Elliot and illustrated by Geneva B

  • Mercy Watson by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen

• Sample series for later elementary grades:

  • Legendary Alston Boys Adventure by Lamar Giles and illustrated by Dapo Adeola  

  • Who Would Win by Jerry Palotta

  • The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey

  • The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

  • Merci Suárez by Meg Medina

  • A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold and illustrated by Charles Santoso