The Carrollton Public Library recognizes the fact that every child learns to read and develops as a reader at his/her own unique pace. The following list is very general, and is in no way designed to be prescriptive.

Allard, Henry. Miss Nelson is missing!
The kids in room 207 take advantage of their teacher's good nature until she disappears and they are faced with a vile substitute. Rarely has the Golden Rule been so effectively interpreted!

Bridwell, Norman. Clifford's first Valentine's Day.
When he was just a tiny red puppy on Valentine's Day. Part of the popular series on Clifford, the big red dog.

Brown, Arthur. Arthur's eyes.
Although his friends tease him when he gets glasses, Arthur learns to wear them with pride.

Brown, Marcia. Stone soup: an old tale.
First published in 1947 and based on an old French tale, this picture book has remained a classic. Three hungry soldiers manage to cook up a fine soup by cajoling the necessary ingredients from a village of wary French peasants. A Caldecott Honor Book.

Bulla, Clyde Robert. The chalk box kid.
When nine-year-old Gregory experiences several upsets in his life, he responds by creating a fantastic chalk garden on the charred walls of a burned-out factory behind his house. He finds a voice through his art as the chalk garden grows and flourishes.

Cannon, Jannell. Stellaluna.
This is the tender story of a lost young bat who finally finds her way safely home to her mother and friends. An award-winning book, it was on the bestseller list for more than two years.

Fleishman, Paul. Weslandia.
In a dead-pan and hilarious picture book, Wesley invents his own civilization as a summer project in his backyard. Kids young and old love the once-outcast hero Wesley and his Robinson Crusoe-style triumphs.

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Garland, Michael. Circus girl.
With simple text and great illustrations, the daily life of a circus girl is realistically depicted through her eyes.

Kline, Suzy. Horrible Harry in Room 2B.
Horrible Harry is Doug's best friend in Miss Mackle's second grade class, and Doug discovers that being Harry's best friend is often a lot of fun even though it isn't easy. Try more Horrible Harry titles.

LaMarche, Jim. The raft.
Reluctantly, Nicky spends a summer with his Grandma-who doesn't even have a television! She introduces him to the joy of rafting down the river near her home and watching the animals along the banks, and it ends up being a wonderful summer. Exquisite watercolor illustrations.

McCully, Emily. Mirette on the high wire.
Mirette learns tightrope walking from Monsieur Bellini, a guest in her mother's boarding house, not knowing that he is a celebrated tightrope artist who has withdrawn from performing because of fear.

McPhail, David. Edward and the pirates.
When Edward, an avid reader with a vivid imagination, brings home a library book called Lost Pirate Treasure, a group of pirates seeking their lost riches visits him in the night. Illustrated with rich acrylic paintings that really add to the story.

Osborne, Mary Pope. Pirates past noon.
A First stepping stone book. The magic treehouse whisks Jack and Annie back to the days of deserted islands, secret maps, hidden gold, and nasty pirates. Part of the Magic tree house series.

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Pfister, Marcus. Rainbow fish.
The most beautiful fish in the entire ocean discovers the real value of personal beauty and friendship.

Sachar, Louis. Marvin Redpost: kidnapped at birth?
Red-haired Marvin is convinced that the reason he looks different from the rest of his family is that he is really the lost prince of Shampoon. Just one title in the Marvin Redpost series.

Steig, William. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble.
With straightforward text and touching dialogue, multi-award winner William Steig tells the tale of how Sylvester, a little donkey, is eventually reunited with his loving family and restored to his true self. A modern classic beloved by children everywhere.

Thaler, Mike. The principal from the Black Lagoon.
The only thing scarier than having to go the principal's office is finding out that the principal is the former "Teacher from the Black Lagoon!" Try more Black Lagoon titles.

Warner, Gertrude. The Boxcar children.
This is the first story in the classic Boxcar Children series. It features 4 children living in an abandoned boxcar, acting responsibly without adult supervision, and solving mysteries.

Wells, Rosemary. Bunny money.
Sibling rabbits Max and Ruby go shopping together. Ruby has plans to give Grandma a gorgeous birthday gift, but her little brother Max thinks Grandma would like a pair of glow-in-the-dark vampire teeth!

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