Ten books to read on your own

Black and White; by David Macaulay.

Four stories (or one?) about parents, trains, cows…and a burglar–this title will definitely have you reading it more than once.

City of Ember; by Jeanne DuPrau.

Years ago, a city was built underground after a catastrophic event to ensure that humans would continue to exist on Earth.  However, instructions on how and when to get out have long since been lost.  As the power begins to fail and resources begin to dwindle, 12 year old Lina and Doon work furiously to save the city.

Hachiko Waits; by Leslea Newman.

Professor Ueno’s loyal dog waits for him at the train station each day while he is at work.  Even after the Professor suffers a fatal heart attack at work, Hachiko waits for his master to return.  Based on a true story.

Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse; by Marilyn Singer.

A poetry collection that provides two sides to each story–when read down and then read up, the poems give a fresh take on favorite fairy tales.

The Red Blazer Girls: The Ring of Rocamadour; by Michael Beil.

Sophie, Margaret, Rebecca, and Leigh Ann help a neighbor to solve a twenty year old puzzle.

Smile; by Raina Telgemeier.

After an accident that leaves her front teeth in a mess, Raina must cope with a variety of dental problems that affect her appearance and how she feels about herself.

The 13 Clocks; by James Thurber.

A wicked Duke passes the time by creating new and horrible ways to ruin the life of his niece the Princess in a castle where all the clocks have ceased to run.

The True Meaning of Smekday; by Adam Rex.

Eleven year old Gratuity Tucci is assigned to write an essay explaining “The True Meaning of Smekday,” the day that the Boov took over Earth.  Gratuity shares her hilarious story, describing her cross country journey with her cat, Pig, and the renegade Boov alien, J.Lo, as they work together to defeat the Gorg and save Gratuity’s mom.

The Unsinkable Walker Bean; by Aaron Renier.

Walker loves inventing things and spending time with his grandfather.  But, when his grandfather is cursed, Walker must brave a dangerous quest to return a pearl skull to the witches of the sea.

Yotsuba&!; by Kiyohika Azuma.

Follow the hilarious adventures of Yotsuba, a young girl of alien origins who is adopted by a single father.