Wild River by P. J. Petersen

 

How can playing a video game give you the skills to survive a river rafting adventure?  This is what Wild River by P. J. Petersen suggests.

Twelve-year-old Ryan agrees to join his older brother Tanner on a river rafting trip.  When something happens to Tanner, Ryan has to figure out how to survive.

A colleague called this a "Let's get boys to read" book.  I think it just might work.

Here is a free printable summary graphic organizer.  Remind students that sometimes the plot is man vs. nature or man vs. self.

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The Ultimate Top Secret Guide to Taking over the World by Kenn Nesbitt

I was looking for funny poetry books by Kenn Nesbitt, when I came across this title.   If you want to become a villain, Nesbitt lays out the plans.  I know several of my students will enjoy this.

My stepdaughter is into comic books and often talks about character development and plot.  The writer in me wanted to use this book to create a character for a middle grade comic book villain.

I don't know that I would read it aloud to the whole class, but it is one that will be read to pieces in my classroom library.

Here is a link to a related freebie called Heroes and Villains.

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Masters of Disaster by Gary Paulsen

 

 

Masters of Disaster by Gary Paulsen is definitely written for boys ages 8-12 and possibly girls with a sense of adventure.  Henry leads Riley and Reed into several adventures to avoid boredom and impress girls.  Just the scene on the cover gives a future reader a hint of their antics.  I hope the readers in my class do not try these stunts at home.

Here is a printable character sketch form where readers collect words and actions of a particular character that show an attribute.



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Melvin Beederman Superhero Series by Greg Trine

I discovered this series when one of my students began reading book two at school.  Since I am always searching for books for my reluctant readers, I went to the library to read them for myself.  They definitely have a place in my classroom library.

Melvin Beederman is a superhero with a Kryptonite like weakness for bologna.  He meets his sidekick in book one and there are currently eight books in the series.
Here is a link to my Heroes and Villains writing assignment post.  There are free printable worksheets so students can create a protagonist and antagonist for their own superhero story.

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Dragonbreath Series by Ursula Vernon

The Dragonbreath series by Ursula Vernon was not written for me.  The reluctant readers -- typically boys -- love it.  I have very little trouble convincing them to try this series.

Dragonbreath has all sorts of adventures and the books are presented with sections that read more like graphic novels than traditional text.  Since my reluctant readers are often my most reluctant writers, I created a story board for them to plan their stories.  Click here for the free printable story board.

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