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Reading Rockets offers a wealth of reading strategies, lessons, and activities designed to help young children learn how to read and read better. Our reading resources assist parents, teachers, and other educators in working with struggling readers who require additional help in reading fundamentals and comprehension skills development.
 

Featured books by

Megan McDonald

Megan McDonald is probably best known for her books about Judy Moody and Judy's little brother, Stink. But have you met the sisters with names that sound like boys'? How about the spunky girl who eats insects? And what shell would you choose — that is, if you were a hermit crab? Read about these and other terrific characters in books by Megan McDonald — a writer whose books are sure to engage readers who like everything from picture books to nonfiction to funny novels — all just right for sharing aloud.

Beetle McGrady Eats Bugs!
Beetle McGrady Eats Bugs!
Illustrated by: Jane Manning
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

When her class celebrates "fun with food" week, Beetle (who yearns for adventure) declares she will eat an entirely new food group: insects. Lively language and zany illustrations combine to present an ultimately gutsy girl with altogether real qualms.

Daisy Jane, Best Ever Flower Girl
Daisy Jane, Best Ever Flower Girl
Illustrated by: Claudine Gevry
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

When Daisy Jane's favorite babysitter gets married, she asks Daisy Jane to be her flower girl, just like they had pretended when Allie babysat. After shopping and lots of practice, the special day comes with ultimately happy results.

Hen Hears Gossip
Hen Hears Gossip
Illustrated by: Joung Un Kim
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

A tale becomes tangled among the farm animals, so Hen sets out to get it straight with humorous results. Language repeats and is predictable with crisp, well-placed illustrations.

Is This a House for a Hermit Crab?
Is This a House for a Hermit Crab?
Illustrated by: S. D. Schindler
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

Attractive, highly realistic illustrations accompany engaging language as readers follow a hermit crab in search of a new home. Along the way, a variety of other sea creatures and their habitats are introduced in this warm and winning book.

Judy Moody Declares Independence
Judy Moody Declares Independence
Illustrated by: Peter Reynolds
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

The family vacation to Boston not only reinforces all that Judy Moody knows about the American Revolution, it sets her off on her course of independence! Humor abounds in this adventure of the likeable 3rd grader and her family.

Judy Moody Goes to College
Judy Moody Goes to College
Illustrated by: Peter Reynolds
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader

When Judy struggles with math, her parents find a tutor at the local college. In typical Judy fashion, she tries to transform her world — and her friends' world– with laugh out loud results for readers.

Saving the Liberty Bell
Saving the Liberty Bell
Illustrated by: Marsha Carrington
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

Eleven-year-old John tells his siblings how he and his father helped hide the Liberty Bell from the British while on a trip from their farm into the Philadelphia. Light-toned illustrations complement this well-told tale. Fact is separated from fiction at book’s end.

Stink and the Great Guinea Pig Express
Stink and the Great Guinea Pig Express
Illustrated by: Peter Reynolds
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader

Judy Moody's little brother, Stink, helps find homes for rescued guinea pigs. Along the way Stink and his friends learn about caring for the critters as well as a bit about responsibility — with loads of laughs for readers along the way.

Stink and the Incredible Super-Galactic Jawbreaker
Stink and the Incredible Super-Galactic Jawbreaker
Illustrated by: Peter Reynolds
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader

Stink gets a huge batch of jawbreakers when he writes a letter of complaint and so is inspired to write other companies. While he receives other things for his letter writing, Judy Moody's little brother comes to realize that there are really more important things in his life.

Stink the Incredible Shrinking Kid
Stink the Incredible Shrinking Kid
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader

Stink's real name is James, just like President James Madison. And like Madison, Stink is short — a notion constantly reinforced by his older sister Judy. Stink, however, learns how to cope with it while along the way learning about U.S. presidents.

Stink-O-Pedia: Super Stink-y Stuff from A to Zzzz
Stink-O-Pedia: Super Stink-y Stuff from A to Zzzz
Illustrated by: Peter Reynolds
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader

Stink, Judy Moody's bright but short little brother presents his version of an encyclopedia. It begins with the Anatomy of Stink and continues through to Z (Zero, ZZZs, until Zee End!). Fun, fact-filled and fully sourced, just right for Stink fans.

The Sisters' Club
The Sisters' Club
Age Level: 9-12
Reading Level: Independent Reader

Three sisters — Joey, Stevie, and Alex (ages 8, 10, and 12) — each contribute to the telling through journal entries and their own narration to reveal a talented, energetic family. Journal entries in child-like writing vary the format and introduce a bubbly dimension.

Interested in wonderful interviews with tween and teen authors? Hop on over to our sister site, AdLit.org, and browse the library.

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