As Disney continues to put out new Star Wars shows, Star Wars continues to be popular with kids and adults alike. Here are fantastic Star Wars books for all ages to help interest your kids in both Star Wars and reading!

Even though Star Wars used to be something geared for older kids and adults, now there are even funny books starring Darth Vader for toddlers.

There is something for everyone in the Star Wars canon, and you shouldn’t have to scour the universe to find the ones for you.

Here is a list of some favorite Star Wars books for all ages, preschool and up.

Star Wars Books for Kids

This Is The Way (Star Wars The Mandalorian) illustrated by Shane Ciester
Picture Book, Ages 4 – 8
A Little Golden Book about the Mandalorian? Yup! If you are ready to tell the tale of the Mandalorian to your little one, this is the book for you. There is actually a whole Star Wars series from Little Golden Books that introduces Star Wars to children ages two and up. 

Star Wars: Jedi Academy by Jeffrey Brown
Chapter Book / Lower Middle Grade Graphic Novel, Ages 7 – 10
This series is a really cute way to introduce Star Wars and graphic novels or comic books all at once. Young Roan is recruited to Jedi Academy, where he will meet his teacher Master Yoda. Though this is obviously based in a Star Wars world, there are ordinary and relatable things happening at the academy too. This whole series is a hoot and geared for children seven and up, though the academy is a middle school. 

LEGO Star Wars Visual Dictionary (DK Children Books)
Middle Grade Nonfiction, Ages 7 – 12
This one is credited to being written by Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker, which just adds to the book. A complete compendium of all the LEGO characters, stories, and spacecrafts, all in LEGO form. This is just the right book for any kid that loves the LEGO Star Wars universe, and wants to dive deeper into it. Ages six and up. 

Star Wars Character Encyclopedia by Simon Beecroft, Pablo Hidalgo, Amy Richau, Dan Zehr, and Elizabeth Dowsett
Middle Grade Nonfiction, Ages 7 – 12
This updated and expanded edition is the complete encyclopedia of all the Star Wars characters, including ones from The Mandalorian and The Rise Of Skywalker. At almost 300 pages, this book is chock-full of information that any Star Wars fan will be happy to pour over as they get to know the many, many characters. Best for ages seven and up.

World Of Reading Star Wars Series (Disney Books)
Early Readers, Ages 5 – 7
This Star Wars book series is a fantastic Level 1 reading set meant for pre-or early-readers, ages four and up. This is a great entry-level series as it explains a lot of the Star Wars stories simply and without being too scary. These books are also a fantastic choice for reluctant readers that love Star Wars as they include all their favorite characters and storylines without being too dense or difficult to read. This series can be an introduction or a companion piece for all young Star Wars fans, and you can move on to Level 2 when your Jedi is ready! 

5-Minute Star Wars Stories: (by Lucasfilm Press)
Read Aloud, Ages 4 – 8
Another great series for budding Star Wars fans! Written for preschool and kindergarten-aged children, each one of these books contains short stories with engaging illustrations all about the Star Wars universe and its popular characters. In addition to this one, there are also 5-Minute Stories Strike Back,and 5-Minute Star Wars Villian Stories. 

Star Wars: A Jedi You Will Be by Preeti Chhibber and Mike Deas
Picture Books, Ages 2 – 8
This is the loveliest Star Wars book, hands down. Between the ethereal illustrations and the heartwarming writing, this book is an endearing introduction to Jedi life. Not to be missed! Written for ages five to eight. 

Star Wars The Mandalorian Junior Novel by Joe Schreiber
Middle Grade, Ages 9 – 12
A novelization of the Mandalorian; it even includes pictures from the show. But if you haven’t watched it, this book will give you all the details from the show so you will feel like you didn’t miss a thing. A great choice for any middle grader who loves The Mandalorian is science fiction, transitioning away from Star Wars graphic novels or comic books. 

Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars Battle Tales by Michael Moreci, Derek Charm, Arianna Florean, Megan Levens, and Valentina Pinto
Middle Grade, Ages 8 – 12
A great choice for any Clone Wars fan who loves the battle scenes! This book is not a character study, but five battle-laced stories starring popular Clone Wars characters, all for middle graders. 

The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark by Lou Anders, Tom Angleberger, Preeti Chhibber, Zoraida Cordova, Jason Fry, Rebecca Roanhorse, Anne Ursu, Sarah Durst, Yoon Lee, Greg van Eekhout, and E. Convery
Middle Grade, Ages 8 – 12
Any Clone Wars fan will love this interesting retelling of all the most exciting moments from the series! Each story is written from a different character’s point of view and by a different author, to really explore each adventure with a new perspective. These are retellings, not original stories, so readers can relive the series in written form. Best for middle grades, ages eight and up. 

Star Wars: Women of the Galaxy by Amy Ratcliff with various illustrators
YA, Ages 12+
This hefty book is a gorgeous compilation of all of the women in the Star Wars universe. This is really meant for teenagers that are already entrenched in the Star Wars world, and would make a beautiful gift that is sure to be cherished.

Goodnight Darth Vader by Jeffrey Brown
Read Aloud, All Ages
Though this can be read to young children, it is probably more fun for the adults in their lives! Imagine if Darth Vader was still a Dark Lord, but also just an ordinary dad and you’ve got the premise of this hilarious book! So clever with charming art, this one is sure to delight Star Wars fans with a good sense of humor and a growing family. If you like this one, and the Jedi Academy books, check out Jeffrey Brown’s whole Darth Vader collection, including Darth Vader and Friends and the Darth Vader and Son Series. 

The Star Wars canon is an overwhelming one, and it feels like it contains more books than the universe can hold!

Hopefully, this list of Star Wars books will help you find the best ones for all the Star Wars fans in your life, so you can help keep the fandom alive.

Who is your favorite Star Wars character to read about? 

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Dystopian Books for Tweens

Drawing Books for Kids

Star Wars Gifts

A CUP OF QUIET Writing Prompts for Elementary-Age Writers

In A Cup of Quiet, a girl listens for, and gathers sounds found in the quiet of her grandmother’s garden.  One of the sounds is the wind when it rustles the leaves of a tree. Today, I thought it would be fun to write a tanka poem about the wind.

A tanka is a five-line poem divided into syllables.

Line #1 is five syllables

Line #2 is seven syllables

Line #3 is five syllables

Line #4 is seven syllables

Line #5 is seven syllables

Here’s the tanka poem I wrote about the sound of the wind:

My eardrums bleed from

the cutting sound of sirens.

But the wind whistling

through the branches of a tree

tickles the ear like whispers.

Now, it’s your turn. 

WRITING PROMPT: I compared the sound of sirens and the sound of wind, but you don’t have to. What does the wind make you think of? Write a tanka poem about that.

From Melissa: I love this picture book so much. Not only is it a beautiful story of nature’s wonder but A Cup of Quiet is an impressive mentor text as it models for kids many writing craft moves, including sensory images, figurative language, vivid verbs, and poetic devices. It’s a must-buy, study-and-enjoy picture book that belongs in all classrooms and libraries.

About Nikki Grimes

New York Times bestselling author Nikki Grimes was inducted into the Black Authors Hall of Fame in 2023. Her honors include the CSK Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award, the ALAN Award for significant contributions to young adult literature, the Children’s Literature Legacy Medal, and the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. Author of the Coretta Scott King Award-winner Bronx Masquerade, and five Coretta Scott King Author Honors, she won the Printz Honor and Sibert Honor for her memoir Ordinary Hazards. Her latest titles include Garvey’s Choice: The Graphic Novel, a School Library Journal 2023 Best Book; Lullaby for the King, one of Book Riot’s 25 Best Christmas Books of All Time; and A Walk in the Woods, recipient of 8 starred reviews, and 11 Best Book listings for 2023, including the New York Times, NPR, and Smithsonian Magazine. Ms. Grimes lives in Corona, California.

Since 1970, we have been celebrating Earth Day on April 22. Every year, we continue to educate the next generations about valuing our Earth and its nature, including animals, endangered species, and environmental issues like pollution and recycling.

One of the best ways to educate our kids is to start with children’s books; Earth Day picture books and middle grade books like these!

(You knew I was going to say that, didn’t you?)

Best Children’s Books for Earth Day

Eco Girl by Ken Wilson-Max
Eve loves the baobab trees. She tries to be as patient as the tree. Her parents call her a sprout. On her birthday, they say she’s as big as a sapling, reminding her of her own growth. For her birthday gift, Grandma helps Eve to plant a baobab tree of her own, one that will be part of the forest.

The Earth Book written and illustrated by Todd Parr
Like all of Todd Parr’s books, the concept of environmental actions in kid-friendly language accompanied by bold, graphic illustrations.

Our Planet! There’s No Place Like Earth written by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by David Litchfield
Earth, aka. Planet Awesome narrates the story of our “awesome home”. Learn about Earth’s many features — distance from the Sun, massive ocean, atmosphere, and so forth. Then, Earth explains about climate change so that readers can remember that we must preserve our Earth.

Through the Forest by Steffie Brocoli and Catherine Bidet
Mother Forest narrates this forest choose-your-own adventure story. She describes the scenes and gives you choices and their corresponding page numbers. You’ll love the leafy tab detail on the pages showing the page numbers for easy turning.

My Friend Earth by Patricia MacLachlan, illustrated by Francesca Sanna
A personified Earth is a lovely, dark-skinned girl who wakes up for spring. Captivating, lush, layered illustrations and die-cut out pages plus lyrical text intertwine to create a dazzling reading experience that celebrates the Earth’s seasons and her care for its creatures. “Under the white — the silent seed is cradled in the dark soil. Watching.“

How to Be a Wildflower: A Field Guide by Katie Daisy
Beautifully designed, this book will inspire you and your kids to spend more time in nature. It includes activities, recipes, and quotes.

I Like the Outdoors …what jobs are there? by Carron Bronw, illustrated by Roberto Blefari
Read this useful guide for outdoor-loving children who are wondering about future jobs. Campsite manager, ski instructor, ecologist, beach lifeguard, botanist, and more.

Thank You, Earth: A Love Letter to Our Planet by April Pulley Sayre
Captivating full-color photographs accompany the lyrical prose celebrating the richness of the earth’s offerings — from big mountains to tiny ladybugs, for patterns, and seasons, and more. Use this book to launch an Earth Day celebration and study of conservation.

Stand as Tall as the Trees: How an Amazonian Community Protected the Rain Forest written by Patricia Gualinga and Laura Resau, illustrated by Vanessa Jaramillo
Beautifully crafted with emotional resonance, get inspired by this true story of Patricia Gualinga’s life. Paty is a Kichwa girl who lives deep in the rain forest of Ecuador, a place alive with “trees towering, vines winding, and frogs singing” and the mystical beings who rule the forest — the Amazanga. Paty moves to the noisy city for her education. But when Paty’s forest home is destroyed by a greedy company, she helps her people gather, unite, and protest, making the destructive company leave the forest! 

Everywhere Blue by Joanne Rossmassler Fritz
When Maddie’s older, environmentalist brother walks away from his college campus with only a backpack, her dysfunctional family dynamics are amplified, and she tries to make sense of what happened to her brother. Maddie feels better compulsively counting and playing the oboe while searching for clues — which is how she figures out the answer to what happened to her brother. This genuine novel in verse about family, growing up, environmental issues, and music is an interesting story that readers will zip through. 

Tree of Dreams by Laura Resau
A thought-provoking story for readers ages 8 – 12 that illuminates the ongoing destruction in the Amazon while simultaneously being relatable to readers and showing the hopeful possibilities of people working together for change. After winning a chocolate cooking contest, chocolate expert Coco and her former best friend, Leo, travel with their dear family friend, Gali, and their mothers to cacao farm in a remote area in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The Ceiba Tree who tells them, “Within my roots, treasure awaits.” The friends search for the tree’s treasure gives them the bigger picture of the destructive and dangerous logging for oil, which is destroying the natural resources and villages.

Forest School Adventure Outdoor Skills and Play for Children by Naomi Walmsley & Dan Westall
Parents and teachers, use this book as a resource for camping, survival, and outdoor basics. I like that this book isn’t the same old ideas as all the other outdoor books — it has new ideas and more extensive ideas. Each idea tells the age for which it is appropriate, the time to do it, and the materials you’ll need, plus steps and photos for completing the activity or idea.

If you’re searching for the best middle grade fantasy books for your readers, I’m excited to share my favorite recommendations for kids ages 9 to 12.

I’ve personally read and reviewed every one of these books to help you find the best, age-appropriate, well-written titles. I’m a former teacher with a Master’s in Education, a parent of two, an experienced book reviewer of 15+ years, and an avid reader.

So if you want to hook readers on middle grade fantasy books that will transport them into exciting worlds filled with magical creatures and magic, these are my favorite 15 fantasy books for kids.

Magical Middle Grade Fantasy Books

Find even more fantasy books for kids and tweens here!

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Middle Grade Historical Fiction

Spooky Middle Grade

I love sharing middle grade biographies of ordinary and inspirational people who achieved extraordinary things with middle grade readers who are ages 9 to 12. Introducing children to these real-life heroes captivates kids and teaches them that one person can do big things.

These books are narrative nonfiction and informational fiction, written as captivating stories that draw kids in with factual information and captivating anecdotes and stories.

My background in education, coupled with over 15 years of reviewing books (and being a parent to two children), has helped me create this list.

I’ve carefully picked these books after reading countless middle grade books to find what will resonate with kids.

One of my favorite reading strategies for nonfiction with kids is tapping into their background knowledge. As you go through these biographies—whether they’re picture books for preschoolers or elementary kids, or story collections for older children—encourage your kids to make connections with what they already know. It really helps bring the stories to life.

Middle Grade Biographies

Mia and Friends written by Karlin Gray, illustrated by Micheline Hess

Soccer fans will love reading about Mia Hamm as a child who loved sports. They’ll read about how hard she worked and her humility as an elite athlete who, along with her team, went to the World Cup and the Olympics. Mia broke the 100-point record but always gave credit to her teammates.

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Becoming Muhammad Ali by James Patterson and Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile

Masterfully plotted and beautifully written, Becoming Muhammad Ali, focuses on teenage Cassius with some reflections of his earlier childhood, setting the stage for the man that he will become. When Cassius finds boxing, it becomes a powerful outlet and finally something at which he excels. His personality shines through the pages. He’s a son, friend, and dedicated athlete; he’s cocky but likable…and a gifted master of trash talk. Readers will zip through this page-turning biography; it’s both informative and inviting. I could NOT put it down. 

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Betty Before X by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renee Watson 

I devoured this compelling, well-written fiction story about a year in the teen life of Betty, who later became well known for being the wife of Malcolm X. Betty’s mother seemed to despise her, but Betty had good friends and younger siblings who loved her. Eventually, kind church friends took her in and adopted Betty. During this period of her life, we see the importance of church, counting her blessings, the activist housewives group she belonged to, and how family is what you make it. Reading this account made me want to know more about the rest of her life — it’s excellent.

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The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, a Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity written by Nicholas Day, illustrated by Brett Helquist

You will love the incredible writing, the fun illustrations, the biographical information about the curious, brilliant, and distractable Leonardo Da Vinci, the other art heists from the poorly guarded Louvre (one involving Pablo Picasso), the burgeoning science of fingerprints to replace France’s ear-measuring methodology and the surprising, eventual discovery of the Mona Lisa. Interestingly, the Mona Lisa wasn’t a well-known painting until this art heist in 1911. And the Louvre wasn’t well-attended until after this dramatic theft. The theft was dramatic because the thief simply walked out with the stolen painting tucked under his shirt. Highly recommended!

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Issac The Alchemist Secrets of Issac Newton, Reveal’d by Mary Losure

Newton had a difficult childhood, but his curiosity and genius were always present throughout his life. After living at an apothecary for several years he had a chance to go to the university, and eventually, Newton became one of the world’s most well-known scientists, the father of physics. This is an interesting narrative nonfiction reading choice that kids ages 9 to 12 will find fascinating.

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The Girl Who Fought Back by Joshua M. Greene

This is an excellent biography of a Jewish girl in WWII who helped the Jewish resistance in Poland. Vladka (her code name) leaves the ghetto to pass for a Christian outside the ghetto walls and work for the Jewish resistance. I learned so much about the divided Jewish factions in the ghetto and the Polish resistance, not helping the Jews with weapons. Amazingly, Vladka survived the war and much of what we know about her life, Joshua attributes to her autobiography and many speaking engagements. This is a well-researched, must-read historical biography.

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Wildflower Emily: A Story About Emily Dickinson written and illustrated by Lydia Corry

Lovely artwork accompanies a story about a time when Emily studied flowers at school. Then she and her new dog go wandering to search for flowers, having quite an adventure together. The book is mixed with inspiration for poems and Dickinson’s poems themselves. If your readers are looking for a middle grade biography, this would be a good choice for readers interested in the lives of writers.

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The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien written and illustrated by John Hendrix

Despite the slow start and small text, this is an enlightening history of our century’s two most famous fantasy writers. It’s about male friendship that was supportive and encouraging despite their ups and downs. It starts with their lives as soldiers and continues on when they are professors and writers in the Inklings group. The two main characters are portrayed as a Wizard and a Lion– can you guess why? The book also explores their world-building, the effects of their books on the world, the connection of their faith to their writing, and much more.

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Becoming RBG: Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Journey to Justice written by Debbie Levy, illustrated by Whitney Gardner 

Introduce young readers to the fascinating life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg with this clearly written graphic novel that shows her life from childhood to adulthood, including her family life. Based on her experiences and quest for fairness, Ginsburg became passionate about civil liberties, specifically gender discrimination. Not only was she a lawyer and judge, but she also became a Supreme Court Justice. Readers will see how Ginsburg was true to herself and her goals and persisted despite difficulties and used her career to fight for equal rights. Well-crafted and highly recommended.

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The Making of America: Susan B. Anthony by Teri Kanefield

Susan B. Anthony worked tirelessly to advocate for women’s rights and the rights of African Americans. Anthony was raised as a Quaker and was highly educated, which was rare for girls at the time. She even went to seminary for a short time until her family’s financial situation changed her direction. Because of her, women can own property, vote, divorce abusers, have custody of their children, and are citizens because of the efforts of Susan B. Anthony and others. I hope this book becomes required reading for middle schoolers — both boys and girls. It’s also beneficial for kids to know how much one person can do to make a difference in the world.

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YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

YA Nonfiction Books for Teens

Artist Biographies for Kids

75 Picture Book Biographies for Children

Introduce children to animal rescue with a good rescue story about dogs, cats, and other animals that have been rescued and adopted. (Even elephants, pigs, skunks, and squirrels!)

Our family has rescued three dogs and one cat so far…and for us, it’s very rewarding. (Although it comes with challenges, too.)

These are the dogs that we rescued in the summer of 2021– one is a super mutt, and one is a husky.

Have you ever rescued an animal?

These animal rescue stories aren’t just about dogs and cats. You may be surprised to find an alligator, a tapir, and an elephant animal stories. And what about the animal rescuer characters? You will want to be these heroic characters!

Dog, Cat, and Other Animal Rescue Stories for Kids

Picture Books (Ages 2 – 8)

Stormy: A Story About Finding a Forever Home by Guojing
RESCUE DOG
No words are needed as the illustrations narrate the story of a scared little dog who learns to trust the kind, sensitive woman who notices him. When she first sees the dog, the dog doesn’t trust her. She sits day after day, patiently showing the dog that she’s a safe person. And eventually, they make a connection with a tennis ball.  Ultimately, the dog learns to trust the woman just in time for her to rescue him from a terrible storm. Now they’re a family, living in her apartment.  (Cue sappy music of love, harps, and choirs!) It’s SO SWEET.

Tate’s Wild Rescue written by Jeny Turnbull, illustrated by Izzy Burton
RESCUE DOG
I love this heartwarming book about a kindhearted, animal-loving girl named Tate who worries about all the wild animals. So, she invites one animal after the other to come and live with her instead of in the wild. But they write her informative, hilarious letters telling her that they’re happy where they are and wouldn’t like it with Tate. Tate is about to give up when she gets a letter from someone who doesn’t want to be alone in the wild. Can you guess what animal it is?

Frank and Lucky Get Schooled by Lynne Rae Perkins
RESCUE DOG
Lucky is Frank’s rescue dog and his biggest helper with learning. Together they have fun, educational adventures around the neighborhood. For example, Frank learns about math and puzzles thinking about how much hair Lucky sheds and dividing up sharing the bed with Lucky. The author makes the duo’s learning fun and embedded throughout the day whether it’s geography, science, or math.

 

Stretchy McHandsome by Judy Schachner
RESCUE CAT
If you like sweet stories with happy endings, you’ll love this story of a cat who finds his person and whose brother and sister cats find their people, too. Stretchy sets off on an adventure and discovers a girl who loves him at first sight. Their bond is made even better when her 8 brothers and sisters adopt Stretchy’s brothers and sisters.

Our Wild Tails: The Adventures of Henry & Baloo by Cynthia Bennett
RESCUE CAT & DOG
Bennett’s family adopts Henry and he starts out as a mountain dog who loves to hike and camp. But, he had severe separation anxiety — hyperventilating and refusing water and food. After three years, the family decides to give Henry a companion, a kitten named Baloo. The two become the best of friends, hiking together, sleeping together, and playing together. Baloo often rides on Henry’s back — which is adorable! Gorgeous photographs as well as some quotes and narration, this friendship story is an inspiration.

Mr. Scruff by Simon James
RESCUE DOG
There’s a dog for everyone! In this story about rescue and friendship, we meet lots of dogs and their owners. Minnie belongs to Vinnie. Mick belongs to Rick. But who does old Mr. Scruff belong to? Jim takes Mr. Scruff home from the shelter and even though their names don’t rhyme, it’s all good! And later, Mr. Gruff finds his puppy…a puppy named Tim!

Maya and the Lost Cat by Caroline Magerl
RESCUE CAT
Rich in figurative language and imagery, Maya rescues a cat but then searches for its owners. Finally, she finds where the cat belongs. As a thank you, the cat gives her a gift — a kitten. Gorgeous word choice and illustrations! “Then, sly and gentle, Cat carried something… a small and cloudy gray bundle…and gave her kitten to Maya.” Added to: Favorite Children’s Books About Cats

I Am a Wolf by Kelly Leigh Miller
RESCUE DOG
She barks like a wolf, she’s alone like a wolf, she’s scary like a wolf. We get the sense that this rescue dog just wants to be loved and uses her wolfiness as a defense mechanism. Then, a little girl comes along and sees her, loves her, and names her Wolf. An appealing story with fun illustrations.

This Way, Charlie by Caron Levis and Charles Santoso
GOAT AND HORSE RESCUE
A tender, touching, and inspiring friendship story! Just like the Ranch believes in patience and love, the Ranch’s new goat named Charlie befriends a grumpy, blind horse named Jack through love and patience. Jack helps Charlie find his way around the Ranch. They spend their days together but not their nights because Jack is too afraid of barns. One day, a terrible storm traps Charlie outside and it’s up to Jack to go to get help. And after the Ranch friends rescue Charlie, Charlie is able to help his friend Jack overcome his fear of the barn.

The Elephant’s New Shoe by Laurel Neme, illustrated by Ariel Landy
ELEPHANT RESCUE
Nick Marx of Wildlife Alliance finds a baby elephant who has a foot injury. He builds trust enough to take the little elephant named Chhouk to his rescue center where he and his staff build him a prosthetic shoe. Today, he still lives there and gets a new shoe every six months. It’s a beautiful story of love for an animal.

Polly and Her Duck Costume The True Story of a Little Blind Rescue Goat by Leanne Lauricella, illustrated by Jill Howarth
RESCUE GOAT
Sweet little Polly, a goat, loves snuggling in a blanket on the couch of her new home because she easily feels anxious. But one day, something unexpected soothes her — a fuzzy duck costume. It makes her feel safe and happy. When she grows out of her costume, she gives it to her new goat friend, Pippa. Pippa’s friendship makes Polly feel safe now, too. Check out the photographs in the back of the real-life Polly in her duck costume! This story will help you learn about the rescue animals from Goats of Anarchy as well as acceptance and inclusion.

Chapter and Middle Grade Books (Ages 6 – 12)

Emmet and Jez Adventures in Fosterland by Hannah Shaw, illustrated by Bev Johnson (ages 6 – 9)
Jez, a kitten with three legs, assumes that Emmett is a kitten. Emmett notices that he’s not a very good kitten — and learns that it’s because he’s a pig. They wonder what Foreverland will be like. Emmett’s Foreverland is exactly what he always dreamed of — a friendly farm with other pigs and cows and many new friends. A funny and sweet book about kindness and learning to be yourself.

The Nearly Calamitous Taming of PZ by Martha Ritter, illustrated by Matt Ryan
RESCUE DOG
A mute, nameless foxhound has spent her life in a laboratory cage. She has never seen the sun. When she gets rescued, Dottie, a diva ladybug with a heart as big as her hat, helps the dog understand the world and find a home with Olivia, a restless, solitary girl seeking comfort that her new pet cannot supply.

Good Dog, McTavish by Meg Rosoff, illustrated by Grace Easton
RESCUE DOG
I adore this endearing story about a family in chaos and the dog (and youngest sibling) who fixes everything. The writing is brilliant with subtle, wry humor. When a mom quits “momming”, the youngest daughter, Betty, suggests that the family get a dog. Betty chooses McTavish the dog at a shelter or does McTavish choose them? Right away, he gets to work organizing the family which… takes plans and more plans.

Rainbow Street Shelter: A Dog Called Bear by Wendy Orr
RESCUE DOG
Rainbow Street Shelter books are fantastic stories of mystery and compassion toward animals, great for any animal lover. In this story, Logan’s beloved dog named Bear runs away. Logan will eventually find Bear after Bear finds Hannah first then ends up at the Rainbow Street Shelter.

When Friendship Followed Me Home by Paul Griffin
RESCUE DOG
Tear alert! Ben has been through so many challenges– a foster family, adoption by an amazing woman who dies after a few years, and now a bad new situation with his adopted mother’s sister. But, he has two things that are good, really good — his rescued dog, Flip, and his favorite librarian’s daughter as a good friend. Until his friend’s cancer gets worse . . . and his uncle punches him in the face . . .The story is gripping, the ending bittersweet, and the writing amazing.

Shelter Pet Squad: Jelly Bean by Cynthia Lord
PET SHELTER
Suzannah joins the Shelter Pet Squad because her apartment building doesn’t allow pets. She meets a sad girl who has to leave her guinea pig, Jelly Bean, at the shelter due to moving. Suzannah promises the girl she’ll find Jelly Bean a good home. Only it’s not as easy as she first thought. The Shelter Pet Squad works together to find the perfect home — a kindergarten classroom.

White Fur Flying by Patricia MacLachlan
RESCUE DOGS
Zoe’s family rescues dogs in need. A new family has moved in across the street and Phillip, the boy, has stopped speaking. He doesn’t even want to try. But Zoe’s new rescue dog might just help the boy heal and speak.

Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo
RESCUE SQUIRREL
Quirky and delightful, this is the tale of a girl named Flora who rescues a squirrel and keeps it as a friend. Together they experience the world in a unique, funny, and wonderful way, and straighten it out, too — along with Flora’s mother.

Case File Little Claws Animal Rescue Agency #1 by Eliot Schrefer
POLAR BEAR RESCUE
Esquire Fox, a fox, runs the Animal Rescue Agency with the help of her business manager, a rooster named Mr. Pepper. Despite the prey-predator scenario, the duo travels to the Arctic to save a polar bear cub adrift at sea, separated from his mother, and hunted by a dangerous human who wants to sell him. Entertaining writing, lovable main characters with distinctive personalities, and an exciting adventure make this an excellent start to a new series.

Animal Rescue Friends by Meika Hashimoto, Gina Loveless, and Genevieve Kote
RESCUE ANIMALS
Interconnected stories of children’s lives show how they find solace and purpose through the Animal Rescue Friends shelter. Each child’s character is well-developed and we feel connected to their story and to their life. Kids who love animals will fall in love with this beautiful, appealing graphic novel.

Saucy by Cynthia Kadohata, illustrated by Marianna Raskin
RESCUE PIG
Becca is a triplet who doesn’t feel special until she adopts a stray pig. Because he will grow to be 600 lbs, she can only keep him for a while before he’ll go to an animal rescue. Despite his destructive behavior, Becca falls head over heels in love with her crazy pig, Saucy. Unfortunately, he bites her mom and must leave early for his new home, a devastating event for the entire family including grandma. But, Saucy and her brothers find out about a pig factory with deplorable conditions. They rescue even more pigs which helps them with their sadness.

Almost Home by Joan Bauer
RESCUE DOG
A great teacher, a rescue dog, and a love of poetry help Sugar face the challenges of homelessness.

Dolphin Rescue (Animal Planet Adventures #1) by Catherine Nichols
RESCUE DOLPHIN
Siblings Maddie and Atticus can’t figure out who is dumping trash everywhere. And when they rescue a baby dolphin entangled in trash, they know they must get to the bottom of this mystery. Full-color photographs with information about dolphins, marine life, and more add-in bonus nonfiction information for readers make this an interesting combination of fiction and expository text.

A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold, illustrated by Charles Santoso
RESCUE SKUNK
When Bat’s veterinarian mom brings home an orphaned baby skunk, Bat immediately wants to prove that he can be the best pet caretaker ever in order to keep the kit named Thor. Bat’s life isn’t only about taking care of Thor but going to school and visiting his dad every other weekend. The author skillfully weaves in Bat’s unique perspective on life showing the characteristics of his neurodiversity.

One-Third Nerd by Gennifer Choldenko, illustrated by Eglantine Ceulemans
RESCUE DOG
I love these three unique, wonderful siblings — they stick together and look out for each other. Liam is a responsible, kind big brother in fifth grade. His mom and dad have recently divorced and now their grumpy landlord has given them an ultimatum — they’ll have to give away their German Shepard dog named Cupcake unless her peeing problem gets resolved. This is a beautiful, warm-hearted story that celebrates family, unique personalities and the richness of having a dog. If you like the Penderwicks or the VanderBeekers, you will love this book, too.

Crime Biters: My Dog Is Better Than Your Dog by Tommy Greenwald
RESCUE DOG
This is a funny beginning chapter book about a boy who is convinced (rightly so?!) that his rescue dog is a crime-solving, vampire, genius! A great easy book for older readers.

Sparkle Spa: Purple Nails and Puppy Tails by Jill Santopolo
ANIMAL SHELTER
Surprisingly, I thought this was a delightful new easy chapter book series. Sisters, Aly and Brooke, start their own nail business in the back room of their mother’s nail salon for their soccer friends. To help a local animal shelter, the girls decide to give free pedicures to help support the shelter’s efforts find homes for the animals. And yes, pet-icures are in the story, too!

Gaby, Lost and Found by Angela Cervantes
RESCUE CAT
I picked this book because of the cat pictured on the front cover — and found it to be more meaningful than I had expected. Gaby loves animals and hopes to one day adopt a cat. But that’s not possible since her mom was deported to Honduras. Now Gaby had to live with her neglectful father but she hopes that when her mom returns, everything will be better and she can adopt her favorite shelter cat.

Mango and Bambang The Not-a-Pig by Clara Vulliamy
RESCUE TAPIR
Mango rescues Bambang, an Asian tapir, from a busy street and the two become best friends. Together they find adventures, learn more about each other, and teach people that Bambang Is. Not. A. Pig. Four sweet stories of friendship and fun.

Olga and the Smelly Thing From Nowhere by Elise Gravel
RESCUE ANIMAL
If you LOVE kooky books, this book fits the bill. Olga finds a most unusual, unknown creature whom she names “MEH” after the sound it makes. She uses her deductive reasoning to figure out what it is (something new!) and what it likes to eat (olives)! But what will she do when Meh disappears? Things I love about this book: 1) the illustrations — they rock! 2) the narrator’s voice — it’s believable and funny 3) the plot — especially finding out that the mean girls aren’t so mean after all.

 

 

 

 

 

The Poet’s Dog by Patricia MacLachlan
RESCUE DOG
Short but filled with tenderness! When a grief-stricken dog rescues two lost children in a terrible snowstorm, he takes them to the cabin of his deceased poet friend. Told from the dog’s perspective we watch the kids and dog bond while they try to survive without any adults.

 

Saving H’Non Chang and the Elephant by Trang Nguyen and Jeet Zdung
EPISTOLARY GRAPHIC NOVEL / ANIMAL RESCUE
Written like a graphic novel combined with a scrapbook, this based on a true story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming with a beautiful emotional arc. In first-person narration, Chang describes working at a wildlife rescue center in Vietnam and meeting an abused older elephant named H’Non. She and her boss save him from maltreatment and search for a kind trainer to work with H’Non. As you cheer Chang along, you’ll learn about Vietnam, elephants, and animal rescue work. The illustrations are detailed, gorgeous, and memorable. You won’t want to miss this exceptional middle grade graphic novel with four starred reviews. It belongs in every school library!

Elephant Secret by Eric Walters
RESCUE ELEPHANTS
You’ll zip through this lovely story about a girl named Sam who lives on an elephant sanctuary with her father. A mysterious benefactor has paid for an elephant to become pregnant — but it’s not actually an elephant that she births, it’s a wooly mammoth cloned from DNA. Sam’s connection with the elephants is amazing, especially the baby mammoth whom she names Woolly. Things go very wrong when their benefactor forces her father and her to leave the sanctuary. As she deals with this, Sam must also come to terms with her father’s long-term girlfriend. It’s a great story that will keep animal-lovers enthralled with new knowledge about elephants and their behavior.

The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty
SHELTER DOG
My daughter and I love this book — it was her favorite of 2018 by far! The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl is a thoughtful coming-of-age story about a girl genius with OCD whose grandma wants her to go to public middle school for three reasons: to make one friend, read one non-math book, and join one school activity. Although she’s reluctant to go, Lucy finds friends and connects with a rescue dog for a school project. It’s a well-written, heart-warming story that will change your perspective of mental illness and give you hope for humanity.

 

Wild Survival: Crocodile Rescue! by Melissa Cristina Marquez
ALLIGATOR RESCUE
Adrianna’s parents have an animal sanctuary and host an animal rescue that is moving from YouTube to television. On this trip, which is being filmed for the new show, the family goes to the mangrove forest of Cuba to help an injured crocodile. (The book is interspersed with factual information about all the wildlife they encounter!) Andriana messes up and gets grounded, but besides saving a dog, she realizes something the grown-ups missed– that the rescued crocodile had a nest of eggs. She convinces her brother to help her save the eggs but they have a very close call with poachers, adding in suspense and a touch of danger. Engaging and interesting!

The Elephant in the Room by Holly Goldberg Sloan
ELEPHANT RESCUE
A heartwarming story of family separation, animal rescue, and friendship!
Sila and her dad miss Sila’s mom who has been stuck in Turkey for a year trying to fix her immigration problems. When her dad brings her to a mechanic job, Sila meets Gio, a lonely older man named Gio who had won the lottery. Gio spontaneously uses the money to buy an old circus elephant named Veda. He hires Sila and an autistic boy named Mateo for the summer to help with the elephant, building a close friendship with each other and the animals. When Gio’s mom, a lawyer, learns about Sila’s mom, she gets involved. The story’s beautiful ending made me cry!

 

 

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Truly, what’s old is new in this book list of incredible chapter book and middle grade graphic novel adaptations of popular kids’ books for ages 7 to 12!

Graphic novels are popular with all readers, not just struggling readers, because the visual elements support comprehension.

Each of these graphic novel adaptations brings out slightly different meanings or highlights new elements of the story. Compare the prose book to the graphic novel just like you would compare any book to its movie version, discussing the differences.

Parents, teachers, and librarians, if your readers love graphic novels, why not introduce these books to your readers in a format they’re excited about?

15 Graphic Novel Adaptations of Popular Kids’ Books

Wowza, does April have a lot of excellent picture books! I wanted to stop reviewing books at about ten, but there were too many good picture books this month, so I kept going. You’ll find funny, heartwarming, and lyrical stories that will engage your readers and keep them hooked. Happy reading!

New Picture Books, April 2025

Old Blue Is My Home written and illustrated by Lita Judge
UNHOUSED
A young girl loves her home in Old Blue, her family’s blue bus home. But sometimes, she feels like she is from everywhere and belongs nowhere. It’s hard when school friends don’t want to come over to play. When the girl feels sad, she and Mama cuddle in Old Blue until its walls feel warm again. Maybe one day, they will have a forever home. For now, Old Blue gives her family everything they need, shelter and safety, a bedroom and a library, …a home. Heartfelt writing and impactful illustrations show a loving family experiencing housing insecurity inspired by Lita Judge’s childhood experiences.