Every Hero Has a Story: Chapter Book Reading List

In my final list for this year's summer reading theme, I have recommendations for those kids in the transitional phase between easy readers and middle grade novels. Kids who love these books will be in luck, because all but one are part of a series.

• Agent Amelia: Ghost Diamond by Michael Broad
  Amelia Kidd, a child secret agent, must fight evil and ego-maniacal villains who want to take over the world. 
• Gloria Rising by Ann Cameron
  When Gloria meets her hero, astronaut Grace Street, at the grocery store, she is thrilled, but when she writes about the experience for a school assignment, she is disappointed to find that her teacher doesn't believe it really happened. 
• Jake Drake, Bully Buster by Andrew Clements
  Jake Drake is frustrated that no one ever seems to be able to curtail bullying at his school, so he decides to find a way to end it himself. 
• Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo
  When Mr. and Mrs. Watson's bed crashes through their bedroom floor in the middle of the night, they assume their pet pig Mercy is going to alert the authorities, but Mercy's heroic mission is interrupted by her intense love for buttered toast. 
• The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale
  When monsters attack, Princess Magnolia becomes the Princess in Black, but she must do her best to keep her alter ego secret from the prim and proper Duchess Wigtower. 
• Superduper Teddy by Johanna Hurwitz
  Teddy is a shy little boy who clings to his superhero cape as a security blanket. As his story unfolds, life experiences slowly bring him out of his shell. 
• Andy Shane, Hero at Last by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
  Andy Shane wants to be a hero, but he isn't sure how to make that happen until he enters a bike parade and sees something wrong that he can fix. 
• Zapato Power: Freddie Ramos Takes Off by Jacqueline Jules
  Freddie Ramos's whole life changes when he comes to own a pair of super-fast shoes that give him Zapato power! 
• Captain Awesome to the Rescue by Stan Kirby
  Eugene McGillicudy, also known as Captain Awesome, uses his superhero alter ego to cope with his move to a new school. 
• Kung Pow Chicken: Let's Get Cracking! by Cyndi Marko
  When trouble strikes in Fowladelphia, Kung Pow Chicken, a second grade superhero, and his sidekick, Benedict, who is only partially hatched, are on the case.  
• Roxie and the Hooligans by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
  Roxie Warbler wishes she could be brave like her adventurous Uncle Dangerfoot, but whenever she comes up against Helvetia's Hooligans, she runs scared. When she and the hooligans are stranded on an island together, however, it is Roxie's resourcefulness that saves the entire group. (Note: This is the only book on this list that is not part of a series.) 
• Calvin Coconut, Hero of Hawaii by Graham Salisbury
  When a tropical storm hits, one of Calvin's friends is swept out to sea, and he must act quickly to save his life. 
• Jinxed, A Topps League Book by Kurtis Scaletta
  In his job as a bat boy for the Pine City Porcupines, Chad meets his hero, Mike Stammer, who is convinced he is jinxed until Chad finds a way to make him feel confident again. 
• The Quirks: Welcome to Normal by Erin Soderberg
  Every member of the Quirks family wants their newest town, Normal, to become their permanent home, but if that means having to control their strange magical quirks, which range from invisibility to bending time,  they’re sure it’s just a matter of time before they’ll be forced to move again. 
• Melvin Beederman, Superhero: The Curse of the Bologna Sandwich by Greg Trine
  Though Melvin Beederman graduated at the top of his class in superhero school, he has some trouble flying and a sensitivity to bologna that keeps him out of delis. He finds himself with a real problem when his superpowers suddenly fade away. 
• Ellray Jakes, the Dragon Slayer by Sally Warner
  EllRay Jakes doesn’t like bullies, so he is naturally very upset when he learns that his little sister Alfie is being bossed around by a friend at her day care center. While he works on a plan to rescue Alfie from her unhappiness, he must also fight off an accusation that he has been bullying one of his own classmates during recess.

Every Hero Has a Story: Middle Grade Reading List

Middle grade literature is filled with heroes of all types. This list includes superheroes, an Army lieutenant, a spy, a babysitter, a lunch lady, and a Jedi in training.

• Fake Mustache by Tom Angleberger
  When Lenny Flem, Jr.'s best friend, Casper, buys a fake mustache and uses it to brainwash the entire country into committing robberies, Lenny teams up with TV star Jodie O’Rodeo to  unmask his friend as the fraud he really is. 
• El Deafo by Cece Bell
  When she starts public school, Cece's Phonic Ear hearing aid makes her stand out as different from her classmates, until she discovers that the device also gives her a superpower - access to the teachers' private conversations.
• Star Wars: Jedi Academy by Jeffrey Brown
  The learning curve is steep for Roan, a native of Tatooine when he is accepted to the Jedi Academy instead of the Pilot Academy.
• Ruby Redfort: Look into My Eyes by Lauren Child
  Ruby Redfort, a precocious middle schooler is recruited into a secret society known as Spectrum, where she finds herself in pursuit of a truth others have died trying to uncover.
• Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary
  In letters addressed to his favorite author - some sent, others saved in diary - Leigh Botts records the details of the events in his life, such as a classmate routinely stealing from his lunchbox, and his struggle to cope with his truck driver dad’s long absences. 
• About Average by Andrew Clements
  Jordan Johnston, a girl who feels terribly average, becomes an unlikely hero when disaster unexpectedly strikes her school. 
• Crunch by Leslie Connor
  When Dewey is left to look after his parents' bike shop, he never imagines that a gas shortage will make their business crucial to the town's survival, or that he will catch a thief stealing parts from the shop.
• Hunter Moran Saves the Universe by Patricia Reilly Giff
  Troublemaker Hunter Moran and his twin brother, Zack, suspect a local dentist is planning to destroy the town with a bomb, and they begin gathering evidence to expose him. 
• Superheroes by Jimmy Gownley
  Disguised as their superhero alter egos, Amelia McBride and her friends wage war against a rival group, the Legion of Steves. This is third of eight books in the Amelia Rules! series. 
• Fashion Kitty by Charise Mericle Harper
  On her birthday, Kiki Kittie makes a wish and suddenly becomes Fashion Kitty, a superhero with the power to solve fashion crises. 
• Babymouse: Our Hero by Jennifer and Matthew Holm
  In this second book of the beloved graphic novel series, Babymouse faces off against her nemesis, Felicia Furrypaws, in a game of dodgeball, which she hates.
• Squish: Super Amoeba by Jennifer and Matthew Holm
  An amoeba named Squish imagines that he is his favorite  superhero, Super Amoeba, as he goes through his regular day-to-day life at school.
• The Problem with Being Slightly Heroic by Uma Krishnaswami
  In this sequel to The Grand Plan to Fix Everything, Dini and her best friend, Maddie, reunite in Washington, DC for a movie premiere starring their favorite Bollywood star, Dolly Singh, whose many bizarre troubles they must try to solve. 
• Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute by Jarrett Krosoczka
  In this first book of a series, Hector, Terrence, and Dee discover that the lady who serves their lunch is actually a superhero with a variety of kitchen-themed gadgets which she uses to defeat enemies such as a robot substitute teacher. 
• Mary Anne Saves the Day by Ann M. Martin
  When Mary Anne's babysitting charge comes down with a very high fever, her quick thinking saves the little girl's life.
• Capture the Flag by Kate Messner
  While stranded in an airport due to snow, Anna, José, and Henry discover that the Star Spangled banner has been stolen from a DC museum, and they take it upon themselves to uncover it from the thieves, who are also snowed in. 
• Postcards from Pismo by Michael Scotto
  In this contemporary epistolary novel inspired by Dear Mr. Henshaw, Felix Maldonado writes to Marcus Greene, an Army lieutenant serving in Afghanistan whose advice helps Felix when his own brother decides to enlist. 

Every Hero Has a Story: Easy Reader Reading List

While there are lots of media tie-in books for beginning readers that suit this summer's theme, many parents (including me!) are not crazy about books that promote TV shows and movies. On this list are a dozen great books featuring community helpers, unlikely heroes, a couple of detectives and regular kids dressed up as superheroes - without a licensed character in sight.

• Extraordinary Warren: A Super Chicken by Sarah Dillard
  This easy reader in graphic format follows the adventures of a chicken named Warren who, in an effort to become Chicken Supreme, hero, nearly becomes Chicken Supreme, dinner! (This book was a 2014 Cybils finalist in the Easy Reader category.)
  
• Wedgieman: A Hero is Born by Charise Mericle Harper, illustrated by Bob Shea
  Veggieman, a superhero who wants kids to eat and enjoy vegetables is given an unfortunate new name by a group of kids who love toilet humor.
  
• When Pigs Fly by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Frank Ansley
  Fitch is nervous about showing up to school on Hero Day dressed as Timberwolf when everyone else in the class is a fan of Hyper Hog. When he and his friend Chip actually become heroes, however, they realize that helping others feels good no matter what they wear.
  
  

• Super Fly Guy! by Tedd Arnold
  This second installment in the Fly Guy series follows Buzz and Fly Guy to the school cafeteria, where Fly Guy saves the day!
  
• The Fire Cat by Esther Averill
  This classic book for beginning readers tells of Pickles the cat, who strives to be a great feline firefighter.
  
• Oliver the Mighty Pig by Jean van Leeuwen, illustrated by Ann Schweninger
  Oliver Pig is thrilled when he receives a Mighty Pig cape, which gives him the power to accomplish all kinds of household missions, from setting the table, to emptying the trash. When his cape goes missing, however, he fears his powers are gone for good.
  
  
  
  
• Sparky and Tidbit by Kathryn O. Galbraith, illustrated by Gerald Kelley
  When Sparky receives a K-9 badge for his birthday, he is excited to become a hero, but has trouble finding a problem to solve. When he finds that Tidbit, a puppy is struggling with learning to read, he decides to take on the challenge of helping him.
  
• Young Cam Jansen and the Dinosaur Game by David A. Adler, illustrated by Susanna Natti
  In this and subsequent titles in the Young Cam Jansen series, Cam uses her photographic memory and deductive reasoning skills to save the day for friends who have mysteries in need of solving.
  
• Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat, illustrated by Marc Simont
  In this beginner's noir story, Nate the Great solves his first of many cases, all of which take place in his neighborhood.
  
  
  
  
• The Best Teacher in Second Grade by Katherine Kenah, illustrated by Abby Carter
  Luna adores her second grade teacher, Mr. Hopper, because he champions her creative idea for family night when no one else in the class likes it.
  
• The Littlest Leaguer by Syd Hoff
  The smallest boy on the little league team, Harold has trouble keeping up during games - until an important game comes along, and Harold proves he can make a big impact.
  
• Molly the Brave and Me by Jane O'Connor, illustrated by Sheila Hamanaka
  Beth idolizes her brave friend Molly, but in a dangerous situation, Beth proves to be the hero that gets them both safely home. 

13 Literacy Activities About Community Helpers

The CSLP Summer Reading theme for this year - Every Hero Has a Story - lends itself so well to story times and other programs focused on community helpers. Here is a collection of rhymes, songs, games, and other literacy activities which focus on the people who work to keep our communities safe, clean, and healthy.

Rhymes

• Helpers (from PreschoolEducation.com)
  In this rhyme, each of five fingers is assigned the identity of a helper who makes our community better by performing a particular service.
• Hats on Everyone (from Perry Public Library)
  Act out the characteristic motions of helpers who wear various hats.
• My Father is a Garbage Man (from Perpetual Preschool)
  This rhyme names the jobs of everyone in a hardworking family, using silly motions to act out what they do.
• Two Brave Firefighters
  I wrote the words for this simple fingerplay based on Two Little Blackbirds. I encourage the kids to pretend to put out a fire, and it is always a huge hit. 

Songs

• Workers and Their Tools
  I wrote this song to be sung to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus", but it could also work as a chant. Preschoolers really like pretending to use the different tools. 
• Hurry, Hurry Drive the Firetruck
  This is one of the least obnoxious children's songs ever to appear on Barney. Kids love pretending to drive the truck, climb the ladder, and put out the fire. 
• Who are the People in Your Neighborhood?
  This Sesame Street favorite has a lot of lyrics, but singing just the chorus and substituting in different helpers' names is usually perfect for toddlers. 

Games and Crafts

• Community Helper badges (from Crayola.com)
  Kids can label themselves as sheriff, state police, or members of the fire department with these badges to color and cut out. 
• People in the Community Mix and Match (from Kizclub.com)
  Match each community helper with the sentence describing his or her job.
• Whose Hat is That? Guessing Game
  Print our clip art pictures of different hats, and ask kids to tell you who wears each one. 

Flannel Boards

• One Brave Firefighter
  This flannel board (which I wrote) tells a simple story of firefighters teaming up to put out a big blaze. 
• Neighborhood Sorting Activity
  On the flannel board, sort various tools according to where they might be used, and by whom.
• Clothesline Clues to Jobs People Do (from Storytiming)
  This picture book makes a perfect flannel board. Cate provides the paper dolls she used to make her flannel board pieces in the linked post. 

Every Hero Has a Story: Picture Book Reading List

This year's summer reading theme is all about heroes! Get your youngest readers into the spirit with these great picture books, organized into four heroic categories.

Superheroes

• Princess Super Kitty by Antoinette Portis
  A little girl named Maggie uses her imagination to transform herself into the feline superhero Princess Super Kitty.
• Question Boy Meets Little Miss Know-It-All by Peter Catalanotto
  A boy who has the ability to ask question after question meets his match in a little girl who seems to have an answer for everything.
• Superhero ABC by Bob McLeod
  A series of silly superheroes illustrates the letters of the alphabet and their sounds.
• Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy by David Soman and Jacky Davis
  Preschooler friends Lulu and Sam become Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy and save the playground from imaginary enemies.
• Super Hair-o and the Barber of Doom by John Rocco
  Rocco is convinced his hair provides him with superpowers, so the prospect of a haircut is worrisome.
  

Heroes in History

• Heroes of the Surf by Elisa Carbone and Nancy Carpenter
  When a steamship runs aground in 1882 New Jersey, two boys and many other passengers are saved by heroic surfmen.
• Bill the Boy Wonder by Marc Tyler Nobleman
  This picture book biography tells the story of Bill Finger, the real creator of Batman, who was never given proper credit during his lifetime.
• This Jazz Man by Karen Ehrhardt and R.G. Roth
  This singable picture book celebrates great men in jazz history.
• John, Paul, George, and Ben by Lane Smith
  A silly and irreverent look at the childhoods of famous Americans John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin. 

Community Heroes

• Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
  Author-illustrator Patricia Polacco pays tribute to the special teacher who helped her discover that she had dyslexia.
   
• The Impossible Patriotism Project by Linda Skeers and Ard Hoyt
  When Caleb is assigned to make something that will demonstrate the meaning of patriotism, he ends up creating a tribute to his father's service in the armed forces.
• This is the Firefighter by Laura Godwin and Julian Hector
  Simple rhyming text describes the work of a firefighter.
• Police Officers on Patrol by Kersten Hamilton and R.W. Alley
  When people need help, male and female police officers are ready to "rock and roll!"
  

Animal Heroes

• Madeline’s Rescue by Ludwig Bemelmans
  Beloved French schoolgirl Madeline is saved from drowning by a dog named Genevieve.
• Swimmy by Leo Lionni
  After watching his own friends get eaten by a larger fish, a little black fish named Swimmy helps a group of red fish escape a similar fate.
• Pretzel by Margret Ray and H.A. Rey
  In this classic picture book, Pretzel, a very long dachsund, rescues a female dachsund who has previously disdained his length.
• Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
  A lively dog named Gloria helps add some excitement to Officer Buckle's otherwise dull safety presentations. 

Flannel Friday: One Brave Firefighter (Every Hero Has a Story)

Coming up on two years ago, I wrote an original rhyming flannel board story about firefighters for a community helpers story time. In my post about the session, I promised to share the flannel board on an upcoming Flannel Friday and then got busy and forgot all about it. When I started thinking about what I could contribute to the summer reading round-up,  I realized that story would be the perfect fit. It's called One Brave Firefighter, and it goes like this. (If you repost the story, please credit me - thanks!)

One brave firefighter putting out the fire.

Swoosh goes the water... 

...but the flames climb higher.

The firefighter calls for a friend with a shout.

“Help me put this fire out!”

Two brave firefighters putting out the fire.

Swoosh, swoosh goes the water...

...but the flames climb even higher!

The firefighters call for a friend with a shout.

“Help us put this fire out!”

Three brave firefighters putting out the fire.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh goes the water...

...but the flames climb even higher!

The firefighters call for a friend with a shout.

“Help us put this fire out!”

Four brave firefighters putting out the fire.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh goes the water...

and the flames stop climbing higher.

The firefighters clap their hands and shout,

“Hooray, we put the fire out!”

Flannel Friday is hosted this week by Miss Meg's Storytime. For more about Flannel Friday, visit the official website.