Middle Readers
There are more titles in this category than the others, because there is more overlap.
A Horn for Louis
During his lifetime, Louis Armstrong offered at least two stories of how he started playing the trumpet. In this version, Kimmel retells how a Russian immigrant family paved the way for Armstrong to become the most famous jazz player in history.
All Mixed Up (Amy Hodgepodge #1)
After years of being home schooled, Amy Hodges is excited to start fourth grade at a a "real" school.
Backyard Animal Show (Ziggy and The Black Dinosaurs)
Ziggy, Rashawn, Jerome, and Rico are excited about watching the heavy machinery at the construction site for a new apartment complex -- until a doe is killed by a dump truck, and the boys rescue her orphaned fawn.
Barack
Winter’s book focuses on Obama’s upbringing, his travels between Hawaii and Indonesia, and how he was shuttled between parents and grandparents.
Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope
A bright child of humble background is encouraged by the adults around him to believe that he is capable of doing anything he wants to do.
Bird
A moving story in spare free verse and clear mixed-media pictures of an African American boy who loves to draw.
Birthday Blues (Nikki and Deja)
Deja can’t wait for her birthday party
Brand New School, Brave New Ruby (Ruby and the Booker Boys)
Ruby is leaving her old school and headed to a new one where nobody knows her--and where her older brothers rule.
Bring Me Some Apples and I'll Make You a Pie: A Story About Edna Lewis
Edna Lewis was an African-American chef in New York City when neither women nor African Americans were generally in such positions.
Brothers of the Knight
A spin-off of the Grimm tale, "The Twelve Dancing Princesses," this is the story of Preacher Knight and his attempts to solve the mystery of the worn-out sneakers he finds in his sons' room each morning.
Circle Unbroken
A book about the origins of the intricate technique and art of basket making as preserved by the Africans who were brought to America
Clean Your Room, Harvey Moon
Harvey Moon is just settling in to watch his favorite Saturday morning cartoon when his mother tells him to clean his room.
Dancing in the Wings
An inspirational story of a hopeful young ballet dancer who complains of her too-big feet and too-long legs.
Deshawn Days
"I'm DeShawn Williams/I'm ten years old/come see who I live with-/who I love!"
Double Dutch
Delia loves Double Dutch jump roping, but she has an embarrassing secret that may jeopardize her place on the team: she can't read.
Flossie and the Fox
When Big Mama sends Flossie to deliver a basket of eggs to a neighbor, she cautions her to be careful of the fox who had been frightening the chickens and stealing their eggs.
From Where I Stand
Rhyming text and energetic illustrations that show the unique perspective of a small boy as he accompanies an adult on her errands along a busy city street.
Gloria Rising
Gloria has a serendipitous encounter with an astronaut, Dr. Grace Street, who gives her this important advice: "-be careful what you tell yourself-because whatever you tell yourself you're very likely to believe."
Happy Birthday to Me (Amy Hodgepodge #2)
Amy's birthday is coming up and she invites her new girl friends Lola, Pia, Maya, and Jesse.
Harvey Moon, Museum Boy
On a day out to the museum, Harvey decides to bring his pet lizard along.
Hip Hop Speaks to Children
Anthology highlights the use of rhythm and vernacular in hip-hop, rap, and African-American poetry.
Hoop Kings
Twelve superstars dominate the pages, each with his own spread featuring photographic images and a poem designed to match the player's unique style.
Hoop Queens
Lyrical rap poetry tributes to 12 WNBA stars.
Hot City
The library is cool, and not just in temperature, when Mimi and her active little brother, Joe, seek refuge there from the "dragon hot" city streets.
Jackie and Me (Baseball Card Adventures)
Young Joe Stoshack has the ability to visit the past via baseball cards.
Jamela's Dress
Jamela's mother purchases a length of costly fabric for a wedding, and after washing it, leaves Jamela in charge of the cloth while it dries. Jamela, however, can't resist playing dress-up with the gorgeous material.
Keena Ford and The Field Trip Mixup
Keena Ford, who lives in Washington, DC, goes on a field trip with her second-grade class to the Capitol.
Keena Ford and The Second Grade Mixup
When her new second-grade teacher, Ms. Campbell, mistakenly thinks it’s her birthday and brings in a huge chocolate cake, Keena realizes that she’s gotten herself into a sticky situation.
Little Sister Is Not My Name (Sassy Series)
Sassy finds her school uniform boring, and she loves shopping at the mall, dressing up, and eating out at fancy places.
Long Shot: Never Too Small To Dream Big
Everybody told Chris that he was too small to play basketball. (Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets.)
Meet Danitra Brown
Danitra is "the most splendiferous girl in town."
Meet President Barack Obama
Scholastic News Nonfiction Readers
Miami Gets It Straight
Miami Jackson can't wait for school to end.
Michelle
This is the story of a girl from Chicago who dared to dream big.
More Stories Julian Tells
Five short stories that sparkle with all of the innocence and experience of childhood.
Mr. Chickee's Funny Money
Mostly mystery with a touch of fantasy, the story introduces Steven, a bright kid, whose adventure begins after he receives a quadrillion dollar bill from Mr. Chickee, a blind neighbor that Steven helps out.
Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters
What happens to each girl along her way depends on her response to the strange people whom she encounters.
Nikki and Deja
Nikki is a budding writer, and Deja wants to be a decorator.
No Mush Today
To get away from her bawling baby brother, Nonie runs next door to Grandma's house, where she thinks she'd like to live
Olu's Dream
"It's time for Olu to lie down in bed, for the little one to sleep, his dad just said."
Piano Starts Here: The Young Art Tatum
Heartfelt portrait of jazz great Tatum.
Please Malese! A Trickster Tale from Haiti
A wily man causes so much trouble that his neighbors would rather set him free than keep him in jail.
Raising Dragons
A young girl tells how an egg she finds on a "Sunday-before-supper walk" helps her discover her true calling - raising dragons.
Ron's Big Mission
This story is based on an incident from the life of astronaut Ron McNair, when nine-year-old Ron walks into his local public library with a mission—to secure a library card.
Ruby Flips For Attention
This cheerleading stuff could be just the thing to bring Ruby a ton of attention.
Slumber Party Payback
Ruby and her crew come up with some hilarious high jinks that are sure to teach Roosevelt a valuable lesson.
Stars and Sparks on a Stage
Ziggy, Jerome, Rashawn, and Rico are sure they're going to win the $200 first prize in the upcoming school talent show.
Stitchin' and Pullin': A Gee's Bend Quilt
The rural Alabama community of Gee's Bend is widely recognized for its unique quilts.
Sweet Music in Harlem
When a famous Harlem jazz musician finds out he's having his picture taken for a magazine, he sends his nephew on a wild chase through the neighborhood looking for his hat.
Thanks a Million
Sixteen thoughtful poems about being thankful for everyday things.
The Birthday Storm (Sassy Series)
Sassy and her family are heading to Florida by airplane to visit Grammy, but weather reports have indicated a possible hurricane is swirling in the Atlantic
The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County
Despite the girl's best efforts, her favorite chicken, Miss Hen, always manages to escape.
The Moon Over Star
A beautiful story of young children who, in watching the Apollo 11 astronauts reach to the stars, desired a bit of that dream themselves.
The Secret's Out (Amy Hodgepodge #5)
Even though she swore not to tell anyone, Amy accidentally lets it slip to Lola.
The Stories Julian Tells
Julian's stories are magnificent, but they aren't always the truth, and they cause him some trouble.
Trivia Queen Third Grade Supreme
A zoologist is coming to visit Ruby's school, and Ruby wants to compete in the animal trivia contest.
Willemena Rules! Rule Book #4: How to (Almost) Ruin Your School Play
Willie's audition goes south and she is cast as a tree.
Yesterday I Had the Blues
"those deep down in my shoes blues, the go away, Mr. Sun, quit smilin' at me blues,"
Yo! Yes!
After the briefest of exchanges, two boys--one black, one white, one shy, one outgoing, one nerdy, one street-smart--decide to take a chance on friendship.
