Adventures and escapes abound in books for readers of this age. Some involve school. Some are about family. Some may involve creatures from other worlds! Whatever the case, these titles are sure to keep you interested.

Edgar Allan’s Official Crime Investigation Notebook   by Mary Amato
When someone takes a pet goldfish, then other items from Ms. Herschel's classroom, each time leaving a clue in the form of a poem, student Edgar Allan competes with a classmate to be first to solve the mystery.

A Dog on His Own by Mary Jane Auch
After a daring escape from the animal shelter, Pearl, Peppy, and K-10--so named because he is one step above all the other canines--explore the outside world while moving from one adventure to another. 

The Red Ghost by Marion Bauer
After Jenna gives her little sister an old doll dressed in red velvet as a birthday present, the occurrence of some very disturbing events make Jenna suspect the doll might be possessed. 

Friend or Fiend? By Judy Blume
First-grader Jake "The Pain" and his sister, third-grader Abigail "The Great One" have more adventures, including visiting their cousins in New York and celebrating their cat Fluzzy's birthday. 

Bad Kitty For President  by Nick Bruel
Kitty decides to run for President of the Neighborhood Cat Association.  

Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary
The further adventures of the Quimby family as Ramona enters the third grade. 

Legend of the Worst Boy in the World by Eoin Colfer
Every Saturday, while helping polish the lens of the lighthouse his grandfather tends, nine-year-old Will tells a tale he hopes will top Grandad's, but Grandad always wins until Dad reminds Will of a long-forgotten escapade with his brother. 

No Room For Dessert   by Hallie Durand
Eight-year-old Donahue "Dessert" Schneider is feeling completely ignored and unloved at home, but she is certain that will change when her invention wins the Thomas Edison Contest at school. 

Just Grace and the Flower Girl Power   by Charise Harper
Although disappointed at not being chosen to be the flower girl in her best adult friend's wedding, third-grader Grace plans a special surprise for the big day.      

Captain Awesome and the New Kid   by Stan Kirby  112p. (series)
Eugene McGillicudy stands up for Sally Williams, the new student at Sunnyview Elementary, and then discovers that they both like an orange cat named Mr. Whiskersworth and the comic book super hero, Super Dude.   

Alvin Ho Allergic to Babies, Burglars and Other Bumps in the Night   by Lenore Look
When fearful seven-year-old Alvin Ho learns that his mother is expecting a baby, he develops a sympathetic pregnancy--adding to his worry about the burglar who is targeting Concord, Massachusetts. 

Curse of the Camp-Fire Weenies by David Lubar
Thirty-five creepy stories about pigeons, ancient predators, Girl Scouts, and other terrifying things. Includes author's notes on how he got his ideas for these stories. 

Rainmaker   by Kevin Markey
The Rambletown Rounders want to end their last season together with a fun-filled rafting trip and a championship win, but star pitcher Slingshot Slocum hits a slump, believing the drenching rains that threaten to ruin their adventure are his fault.

Being Teddy Roosevelt by Claudia Mills
When he is assigned Teddy Roosevelt as his biography project in school, fourth-grader Riley finds himself inspired by Roosevelt's tenacity and perseverance and resolves to find a way to get what he most wants--a saxophone and music lessons. 

Mason Dixon: Basketball Disasters   by Claudia Mills
Fourth-grader Mason struggles to enjoy playing basketball after his best friend persuades him to join a team, and learns that the dog-hating lady next door is not so bad after all.  

Lawn Boy Returns  by Gary Paulsen
Having expanded his summer lawn mowing job into an ever-growing business conglomerate, a twelve-year-old boy gets involved in high finance thanks to his hippie stockbroker, takes on sponsorship of a boxer, and becomes a media sensation.   

Big Nate Flips Out   by Lincoln Peirce

In this latest misadventure, Nate, the all-time record-holder for detentions, gets to see how the other half lives as he follows his best friend Francis's example and becomes a total neat freak; has Nate totally flipped out? 

Calvin Coconut: Extra Famous  by Graham Salisbury
Calvin and his friends have the opportunity to earn some money by appearing as extras in a zombie movie being filmed on a nearby beach.      

Third Grade Angels   by Jerry Spinelli
"George 'Suds' Morton competes with his third-grade classmates to earn the first 'halo' of the year for good behavior, but being good turns out to be more stressful than he anticipated" 

My Name is Stilton, Geronimo Stilton   by Geronimo Stilton
Who is Geronimo Stilton? That's me! I run a newspaper, but my true passion is writing tales of adventure. Here in New Mouse City, the capital of Mouse Island, my books are all bestsellers! My stories are full of fun - tastier than Swiss cheese and tangier than extra-sharp cheddar.    

Minn & Jake’s Almost Terrible Summer by Janet Wong
Ten-year-old Jake's summer starts off badly, goes downhill when his family visits Los Angeles, California, and his old friends are too busy for him, then gets even worse after he disagrees with Minn when her family joins his for a trip to Disneyland. 

NON-FICTION

Tsunamis by Judith Fradin  (551.463)
The words and photographs of people who have witnessed tsunamis, along with the science, history, and protection efforts surrounding this watery disaster. 

Earth   by Nick Hunter (J525)  (Astronaut Travel Guides series)
Prepare for landing! -- Third planet from the sun -- Earth's story -- Interview with an astronomer -- Seeing the sights -- Supporting life -- When to go -- People worth meeting -- Interview with an astronaut -- Living on earth.

I Wonder Why the Dinosaurs Died Out and Other Questions About Extinct and Endangered Animals  by Andrew Charman  (J591.52) (I Wonder Why… series)
This highly popular and long-running series has been revamped for a new generation of readers, with a clean, crisp redesign and colorful covers. The series explores questions that young readers ask about the world around them in an unrivalled child-friendly style. The conversational format is perfect for delivering solid information in a natural, amusing and imaginative way. Why did all of the dinosaurs die? Why is a boat bad for a manatee? You'll be surprised when you find out why!   

Reptiles   by Simon Holland   (J597) 
Explores the world of reptiles, discussing lizards, snakes, tortoises, turtles, alligators, crocodiles, and tuataras.

Winter's Tail : How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again by Juliana Hatkoff  (J599.53)
Describes the rescue and rehabilitation of a young Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, named Winter, who received an artificial tail after being badly injured when caught in a crab trap. 

Baseball: How It Works by David Dreier  (J796.357)
"Describes the science behind the sport of baseball, including offense, defense, stadiums, and individual players who have mastered the sport"--Provided by publisher. 

CHAPTER BOOKS

Critter Club by Callie Barkley  
Ivy & Bean (series) by Annie Barrows
Franny K. Stein by Jim Benton
The SOS Files by Betsy Byers
Jake Drake by Andrew Clements
Heidi Heckelbeck by Wanda Coven 
Amber Brown by Paula Danziger
Zigzag Kids by Patricia Giff  
Rosy Cole by Sheila Greenwald
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney 
Horrible Harry by Suzy Kline
Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry
Judy Moody by Megan McDonald
Pirates Drive Buses by Christopher Morgan
Some Good News by Cynthia Rylant
Wayside School by Loius Sachar
Stella Batts by Courtney Sheinmel 
Maybelle in the Soup by Katie Speck

Junior Paperback Series

Secrets of Droon by Tony Abbott
Young Cam Jansen by David Adler
Bella Sara by Felicity Brown
Chet Gecko (series) by Hal Bruce
Keyholders by Debbie Dadey
Mercy Watson (series) by Kate DiC DiCamillo
Clues Brothers by Franklin Dixon
Tiara Club by Vivian French
Ghosthunters  by Comelia Funke
Andrew Lost by J.C Greenburg
My Weird School by Dan Gutman
Babymouse by Jennifer Holm
Nancy Drew Notebooks by Carolyn Keene
Katie Kazoo by Nancy Krulik
Stink by Megan McDonald
Magic Tree House by Mary Osborne
Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park
Clementine’s Letter by Sara Penneypacker
Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
Jigsaw Jones Mysteries by James Preller
A to Z Mysteries by Ron Roy
Time Warp Trio by Jon Scieszka
Horrid Henry by Francesca Simon
Encyclopedia Brown by Donald J. Sobol
Third Grade Detectives by George E. Stanley
Geronimo Stilton by Geronimo Stilton
Boxcar Children by Gertrude Warner