We polled our chapters for some of their favorite books. Here are a few good icebreaker books to start the new school year:
The Monster at the End of this Book
By Jon Stone and Michael Smollin
Grover was breaking the fourth wall before it was cool. Whatever you do, don’t turn the page. “There is a monster at the end of this book.” This was an inexpensive grocery store book back when today’s grandparents were in kindergarten. It still delights young and old.
— Ginny Dixon, Upshur County
Rosie Revere, Engineer
By Andrea Beaty and David Roberts.
“This is the story of Rosie Revere, who dreamed of becoming a great engineer.” In rhyming couplets, Rosie secretly works on her wonderful gadgets.
— Amber Myers, Harrison County
Naughty Mabel
By Nathan Lane and Devlin Elliott
From the first page, in a pool before a classical mansion, Mabel sets the tone: “Hello, darlings. Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Mabel. Mabel of the Hamptons. And this is my humble abode.” Witty use of vocabulary, even for middle school.
— Stephanie Burns, Pocahontas County
Room on the Broom
By Julia Donaldson
A witch and her cat are perfectly content on their broom, until the witch starts inviting new friends along.
— Bev Mathias, Hardy County
Guys Write for Guys Read, specifically a short story called “The Follower”
By Jack Gantos
Young Jack is fascinated (and too easily led) by the wild and dangerous kid next door, who, among other things, catapults himself into the next yard and rides his bike off the roof. I like to leave students laughing on the first day and hungry for more next week. This funny but cautionary tale is a discussion starter for the upper grades.
— Dawn Miller, Kanawha County
We Don’t Eat Our Classmates By Ryan T. Higgins
Preschoolers may see themselves in Penelope Rex, who wonders how many teeth her new classmates will have.
— Steph Murphy, Randolph County
It’s a Book
By Lane Smith
“How do you scroll down? Do you blog with it? Can you make characters fight?” A little character peppers his reading friend with questions. Combine that with Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss, with your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet. I like to start with these.
– Casey Willson, Berkeley County
Homer Price
By Robert McCloskey
First published in 1943, the funny, gentle, witty tales can still amuse. Centerburg is a place to return to, again and again. The short stories slot nicely into read aloud sessions around fourth grade.
— Lauren Jarroll, Nicholas County
The Dot
By Peter H. Reynolds
A frustrated student who insists that she cannot draw finds out where just making an attempt can take her, thanks to a wise art teacher. This book speaks to a range of ages.
— Angie Westfall, Upshur County