Top 10 Read-Aloudsfor Back-to-School

The Thing About Leftovers• Protagonist: Fizzy, preteen

girl• Realistic fiction• Why it’s a great first-read:– Fizzy dealing with divorce,

dad’s remarriage, mom’s new boyfriend—many will relate

• Published July, 2016• Great companion to How to

Steal a Dog, Almost Home

Lost in the Sun• Protagonist: Trent; 6th grader• Realistic fiction• Why it’s a great first-read:– Fast-moving plot– Students will relate to Trent– Realistic middle school voice

• Published May, 2015• Pair with Wonder, Bridge to

Terabithia

The Book Scavenger• Protagonist: 12-year old Emily• Mystery, adventure• Why it’s a great first-read:

– Celebrates books and reading– Puzzle game/mystery– Illustrated

• Published June, 2015• Great companion to Escape

from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, The Gollywhopper Games, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory

Surviving Middle School• Protagonist: Trent; 6th grader• Nonfiction• Why it’s a great first-read:– Nonfiction guide to middle

school– Wimpy Kid-like format– Written by veteran middle

school teacher• Published July, 2016• Pair with Seven Habit for

Highly Effective Teens

Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story• Protagonists: two boys and two

girls from around USA• Realistic, historical fiction• Why it’s a great first-read:

– Great background for 9-11– Huge differences in world before

and after 9-11• Published June, 2016• Many 9-11 books coming out

this year due to 15th anniversary: Towers Falling, All We Have Left, Up From the Sea

Booked• Protagonist: Nick, age 12• Realistic fiction, free verse• Why it’s a great first-read:– Great intro to slam poetry– Fun to perform the passages– The Crossover was a huge hit,

esp. with middle school boys• Published April, 2016• Pair with The Crossover,

Serafina’s Promise, House Arrest

Gone Crazy in Alabama• Protagonists: 3 African-

American sisters (ages 12, 10, 8)• Historical fiction• Why it’s a great first-read:– Funny, touching– Winner of many awards for

children’s fiction• Published April, 2015• Pair with: P.S., Be Eleven, One

Crazy Summer

The Night Gardener• Protagonists: Molly and Kip,

orphaned Irish siblings• Horror, mystery• Better for older readers

(spooky)• Why it’s a great first-read:– Spooky, suspenseful

• Published May, 2014• Pair with Doll Bones, Coraline,

The Riverman

The Fall• Protagonists: Sam, a high

school boy• Realistic fiction, bullying,

suicide; mature readers (grades 8+)

• Why it’s a great first-read:– Deals with bullying head-on– Told in journal format

• Published September, 2015• Pair with: 13 Reasons Why

How It Went Down• Protagonist: Tariq, age 16• Realistic, urban fiction; grades 8+• Better for older readers (contains

mature language)• Why it’s a great first-read:– Gritty, urban fiction about a 16-

year old boy’s murder– Black Lives Matter is huge in

today’s news• Published October, 2014• Pair with X, The Outsiders

All cover images courtesy of Goodreadswww.goodreads.com