Chapter books from boys' POV + middle grade science fiction
MBH no. 19
Good morning! I hope you’re well and settling into the rhythm of (almost) fall🍁🍂.
Many of you reached out after my last newsletter, and I was so grateful for the communication.
Sometimes (not always, but sometimes) it feels like I’m writing into the void, so I was surprised and happy about all the personal messages and responses to my recommendations for "books for when you just don't fit in.".
Someone asked if I’d return to the topic and recommend even more books in this category, and I certainly will—there’s lots of them!
Because the truth is, our kids are going to feel “less than,” left out, and different sometimes–no matter how kind, smart, likable, or well-adjusted they are.
The key is learning to cope with the tough feelings that arise during those times—and gosh, this is so hard!
Books with characters who experience uncomfortable emotions such as anger, sadness, or loneliness help our kids understand that these feelings are universal and normal—and if you have a child who struggles to express those emotions🙋🏼♀️, reading aloud to them can create the space to talk about their own difficult experiences.
I’ve been so surprised at what comes up after we’ve read aloud together—things that I’m not sure my kids would have shared otherwise.
Today, I just wanted to thank you for being here. Have a wonderful day, and a great weekend ahead.
EllRay Jakes (series), by Sally Warner, (published 2012-2016)
There is a third-grade boys’ war going on at our school, but the three kids in the war—Jared Matthews, Stanley Washington, and me, EllRay Jakes-all act like nothing is wrong.
Our teacher, Ms. Sanchez, doesn’t have a clue.
Ms. Sanchez is smart about what goes on inside her classroom, but she doesn’t know what goes on outside-before school and during nutrition break, lunch, and afternoon recess.
And outside is when school really happens for kids.
In the series opener, EllRay, a likable third grader, is suddenly getting picked on by two other boys in his class. He doesn’t know why the bullying started, but he doesn’t want to tell anyone. Here’s why:
(from EllRay Jakes is NOT a Chicken, by Sally Warner)
Throughout the series, EllRay’s voice is authentic 9-year-old, especially when he articulates the differences between what the adults think happens on the playground and what actually happens.
Though the bullying situation resolves at the end of the first book, it comes up again later in the series, this time with EllRay’s little sister Alfie. EllRay also navigates being the shortest kid in his class, changing friendships, and the lack of racial diversity in his school and town.
EllRay makes relatable–and often funny—mistakes involving an overfed pet goldfish, friend “auditions” in the playground, and sneaking his geologist dad’s crystals to school to impress the class.
EllRay doesn’t always say the right thing, and doesn’t always do the right thing, but this series is a great read aloud with plenty of teachable moments.
Young readers can identify with EllRay, who messes up and tries to set it right.
Recommended for ages 6-8
📚Other great chapter books told from a boy’s perspective:
The Miniature World of Marvin and James (series)
Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid (series)
Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things (series)
Zapato Power (series)
Franklin Endicott and the Missing Key (part of the Tales from Deckawoo Drive Series)
Henry Heckelbeck Gets a Dragon (part of a series)
Encyclopedia Brown and His Best Cases Ever (fifteen of Encyclopedia Brown’s best mysteries!)
The Year of Billy Miller (which I will fully review— because this is a wonderful read-aloud and one of our MOST favorites🥰)
The Missing (series), by Margaret Peterson Haddix, (published 2008–2015)
Thirteen years ago
A plane appeared out of nowhere
No pilot
No crew
The only passengers
36 babies
While thirteen-year-old Jonah had always known he was adopted, he never gave it much thought…until he began receiving mysterious letters. “You are one of the missing” reads the first. “Beware! They’re coming back to get you” warns the second.
When Jonah’s new friend Chip, who has received the same letters, finds out unexpectedly that he’s adopted, the two friends are determined to uncover the mystery of their origins. With the help of Jonah's little sister Katherine, they embark on a dangerous journey that involves the FBI, a massive smuggling operation, and an airplane that appeared out of nowhere thirteen years earlier.
The Missing series tells the story of famous historical children stolen by time-travelers from the future. The travelers’ goal was to sell these children, but they accidentally ended up in the 21st century as babies.
(This sounds ridiculous, but Haddix manages to make it eerie and mysterious–not laughable.)
Jonah, Chip, and Katherine travel through time and space to help return the missing kids to their rightful places in history and “fix time” before it becomes damaged beyond repair.
This suspenseful 8-book book series is packed with action, adventure, and surprising twists–perfect for kids who love science fiction, historical fiction, and reading about ordinary kids in extraordinary circumstances.
The series was popular when the first book came out in 2008 but has understandably lost steam–there’s tons of great new middle grade lit out there—but I love sharing the lesser-known gems.
Ages 10-13
📚If you’re looking for time travel or science fiction book series for younger readers, check these out:
✨Wishing you hours and hours of reading magic,✨
Katie
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EllRay! Thanks, as always, for introducing us to another new series.