These are a few of my favorite books for upper elementary students. Not only have my students thoroughly enjoyed them, but they’ve become some of my favorite reads as well!

The Sisters Grimm | Michael Buckley (Ages 10+)
A new twist on fairy tales through the eyes of young detectives. Sabrina and Daphne are shipped off to live with their grandmother when their parents mysteriously go missing. But their expectations for a boring household are turned upside down when they discover they are descendants of the Brothers Grimm and all the creatures from their favorite stories are real. What’s more…the creatures need their help solving mysteries.

This nine-book series is fun and full of action. Kids will love seeing characters they grew up with in a new light. Snow White is an elementary school teacher, the Queen of Hearts is the town mayor, and Little Red Riding Hood turns out not to be so sweet. There is some violence in regards to the mysteries/crimes the girls solve which increases later on in the series. This might not be the best fit for sensitive groups, but the average reader will love the action, adventure, magic, and mystery this series offers.

Note: I read these books to my fourth grade students as a read-aloud but we didn’t make it through all nine. I became so invested in the series, I ended up finishing the books on my own over the summer.

Fablehaven | Brandon Mull (Ages 9+)
I absolutely ADORE this series! This is a series I rarely recommend as a “children’s book” because it’s loved just as much by adults. I originally read this book because so many of my students were reading it, but then I couldn’t put it down and devoured the whole series!

Fairies, witches, imps, and trolls–Fablehaven has it all. Set on a reserve for creatures, Kendra and Seth’s eyes are opened to a magical word when they’re forced to stay with their grandparents for the summer. They’re warned not to go into the woods, but Seth’s curiosity gets the better of him and he finds himself in the clutches of a witch. Seth continues to push the boundaries of this new and exciting world, unintentionally releasing a monster that threatens them all.

Although this series is recommended for children as young as 8, I have had a few who were frightened of some of the creatures (especially the witch), so recommend with caution.

George’s Marvelous Medicine | Roald Dahl
(Ages 6 – 11) This one is an easy read and is great for struggling readers.

George gives his cranky grandma a dose of her own medicine, quite literally. When she won’t stop giving him a hard time, he replaces her medicine with his own concoction (a hilarious combination of items around the house), and the side-effects are shockingly funny!

This is one of the funniest book written by Roald Dahl. It will have your students laughing and begging for more.