Elisa R. wrote into our WeAreTeachers Helpline asking: “As a 5th grade teacher I’m always looking to get my kids hooked on a great book series, especially my reluctant readers. Do you have any recommendations?” Do we ever! Check out these 10 great teacher recommended book series for boys and girls in grades 3-7.
1. Story Treehouse series by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
Teacher review: “My reluctant readers are obsessed with this series! I have a sign-up list on my door that gets filled with mostly boys who read this in about a day. The illustrations definitely help.”
2. Goddess Girls series by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
Parent Review: “My darling daughter doesn’t share my love for reading. It has been a struggle to find a book for her that she finds interesting. These Goddess Girl books have been great! She read them very fast (which is unlike her) and really got into the characters. The book was good for her grade level (4th grade).”
3. Land of Stories series by Chris Colfer
9 year-old boy review: “I really loved this book. In every chapter when you thought something was going well, the ship would sink and everything would be submerged and the story would be shaken. Most who read this book will love it as they’ve loved, in turn, the first, second, third, and fourth books in the series.”
4. Humphrey series by Betty G. Birney
Parent review: “I was hesitant to buy this for my 9 year-old 4th grader, because the bulk of the reviews talk about how great this series is for very young children. I’m a huge proponent of reading to kids, but anyone with an emerging-to-avid reader knows that if you don’t keep their interest up with what’s on the shelf, video games and tv will win the round. (At least they’ll try!)”
5. Series of Unfortunate Events series by Lemony Snicket
Kid review: “I have read a lot in my ten years of life,but out of all those books,A Series Of Unfortunate Events have been the best. Some of it is funny, some of it is scary, and some of it is a little weird. If you mix that all together, you get 13 wonderful books.”
6. Sisters Grimm series by Michael Buckley
Teacher review: “My fifth graders LOVE this book. They can’t wait for number four to come out. I love the characters that were introduced including the Pied Piper and Snow White. We have started a book club and the next book we will be reading is Number 3!”
7. Stick Dog/Stick Cat series by Tom Watson
Kid review: “This book is GREAT! It’s way better than the first one. I am 9 years old and for you mom and dads out there? It is worth the $$$. Your sons or daughters will LOVE this book.”
8.Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz
Grandma review: “These were a gift for my grand-daughter’s thirteenth birthday. Her teacher had begun reading the series at school, and she was so enthralled that she wanted her own set to read ahead. In talking with the teacher, this series seems to be very popular with all of the seventh grade students, so I would recommend it for other young readers.”
9. Dork Diaries series by Rachel Renee Russell
Parent review: “My 10 year old daughter loved these so much that she almost finished the first one the same day she got it! lol and she continued at that pace until she finished all three! Ever couple of chapters she would run out laughing and read me something she thought she JUST HAD to share! lol Highly recommended!”
10. Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage
Parent review: “My son loves this series. He has read all of the books back to back. We just finished this book for the second time. I would definitely recommend this for children who are around 9-12 years of age.”
What are your thoughts teachers? Do you have any favorite series you would add to this list? Please share in the comments!
