List of Level L-W Books for Your Reader

With the school year coming to a close, families may have received their child's reading level. Below is a list of book recommendations sorted by guided reading level. Each book or series is linked to a Black-owned bookstore. If we were unable to find the book or series in one of these bookstores, we linked it to Amazon. Please update us if you have better luck. At PLEASED, we want to be intentional about where we purchase our books and show support for BIPOC communities. Make sure to check this blog for updates, since we are always trying to add new books.

Level L

• Amanda Pig series by Jean Van Leeuwen

• A Piglet Named Mercy (Mercy Watson) by Kate DiCamillo

• B-E-S-T Friends by Patricia Reilly Giff

• Amelia Bedelia series by Peggy Parish

• Cam Jansen series by David A. Adler

• Hot Fudge (Bunnicula and Friends) by James Howe

• Ivy and Bean series by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall

• King and Kayla series by Dori Hillestad Butler

• Mercy Watson series by Kate DiCamillo

• Molly Mac series by Marty Kelley

• Pinky and Rex series by James Howe

• Princess Posey series by Stephanie Greene

• Rainbow Magic series by Daisy Meadows

• Ready Freddy series by Abby Klein

• Second Grade Rules, Amber Brown (A is for Amber) by Paula Danziger

• The Princess in Black series by Shannon Hale

• What a Trip, Amber Brown (A is for Amber) by Paula Danziger

Level M

• Bink and Gollie series by Kate DiCamillo

• Cobble Street Cousins by Cynthia Rylant

• Galaxy Zach series by Ray O'Ryan

• Freckle Juice by Judy Bloom

• Ivy and Bean series by Annie Barrows

• Jigsaw Jones Series by James Preller

• Judy Moody and Friends series by Megan McDonald

• Judy Moody series by Megan McDonald

• Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Park

• Katie Kazoo series by Nancy Krulik

• Little Shaq series by Shaquille O'Neil**

• Lola Levine series by Monica Brown

• Marvin Redpost series by Louis Sachar

• Rabbit-Cadabra (Bunnicula and Friends) by James Howe

• Sadiq series by Siman Nuurali

• Scared Silly (Bunnicula and Friends) by James Howe

• Stink series by Megan McDonald

• Tales from Deckawoo Drive: Leroy Ninker Saddles Up (from Mercy Watson) by Kate DiCamillo

• Tales from Deckawoo Drive: Where Are You Going, Baby Lincoln? (from Mercy Watson) by Kate DiCamillo

• The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne (level M and N)

• The One in the Middle is the Green Kangaroo by Judy Blume

• The Pain and the Great One series by Judy Blume

Level N

• Amber Brown is Not a Crayon by Paula Danziger

• Franny K. Stein series by Jim Benton

• Gooney Bird series by Lois Lowry

• Horrid Henry series by Francesca Simon

• Jada Jones series by Kelly Starling Lyons*

• Melvin Beederman Superhero series by Greg Trine

• My Name is Maria Isabel by Alma Flor Ada

• New Shoes by Susan Lynn Meyer

• Nikki and Deja series by Karen English*

• Piper Reed series by Kimberly Willis Holt

• Ruby and the Booker Boys series by Derrek Barnes

• Stella Batts series by Courtney Sheinmel

• Tales from Deckawoo Drive: Eugenia Lincoln and the Unexpected Package (Mercy Watson) by Kate DiCamillo

• Tales from Deckawoo Drive: Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Racoon (Mercy Watson) by Kate DiCamillo

• Tales from Deckawoo Drive: Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible Poem (Mercy Watson) by Kate DiCamillo

• The Carver Chronicles series by Karen English

• The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling

• The Critter Club series by Callie Barkley and Marsha Riti

• The Zach Files series by Dan Greenberg

• Vampire Bunny (Bunnicula and Friends) by James Howe

• You Can't Eat Your Chicken Pox, Amber Brown by Paula Danziger

Level O

• Amber Brown series by Paula Danziger

• The Boxcar Children series by Gertrude Chandler Warner

• Clementine series (books 1,2,3) by Sara Pennypacker

• Click by Kayla Miller

• Friends for Keeps series by Julie Bowe

• Ellray Jakes series by Sally Warner (Level O and P)

• Geronimo Stilton series by Geronimo Stilton

• Henry and Ribsy by Beverly Cleary

• Henry and the Clubhouse by Beverly Cleary

• Henry Higgins by Beverly Cleary

• Jake Drake series by Andrew Clements

• Jasmine Toguchi series by Debbie Michiko Florence

• Julian series by Ann Cameron

• Just Grace series by Charise Mericle Harper

• Mallory series by Laurie Friedman

• My Weird School Daze series by Dan Gutman

• Mrs. Piggle Wiggle series by Betty MacDonald

• Ramona series by Beverly Cleary

• The Ballpark Mysteries series by David A. Kelly (Level N and O)

• The Golden Glove by Fred Bowen

• The Kid in the Red Jacket by Barbara Park

• The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary

• Ruby Lu series by Lenore Look

• Utterly Me, Clarice Bean by Lauren Child

• West Meadow Detectives series by Liam O'Donnell

Level P

• Ada Lace, on the Case series by Emily Calandrelli

• Alvin Ho series by Lenore Look

• Cheer Challenge (Jake Maddox Girl Sports series) by Jake Maddox

• Clubhouse Mysteries by Sharon M. Draper*

• Dragon Slayer's Academy series by Kate McMullan

• Encyclopedia Brown series by Donald J. Sobol

• Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl

• George's Marvelous Medicine by Roald Dahl

• Howliday Inn (Book 2 of Bunnicula series) by James Howe

• Jake Maddox Sports series by Jake Maddox

• Juana and Lucas by Juana Medina

• Juana and Lucas: Big Problemas by Juana Medina

• Pool Panic (Jake Maddox Girl Sports series) by Jake Maddox

• The Big Idea Gang series by James Preller

• Time Warp Trio series by John Scieszka

• The Best Friend Battle by Lyndsay Eyre

• The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes

• The Kid Coach by Fred Bowen

• The Questioneers series by Andrea Beaty

• The Worst Witch series by Jill Murphy

• Return to Howliday Inn (Book 5 Bunnicula series) by James Howe

• Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar

• Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger by Louis Sachar

• Wayside School is Falling Down by Louis Sachar

Level Q

• Aliens Ate My Homework by Bruce Coville

• Anastasia series by Lois Lowry

• Balance Beam Boss (Jake Maddox Girls Sports Stories) by Jake Maddox

• Bunnicula (Book 1 of Bunnicula series) by James Howe

• Bunnicula Strikes Again! (Book 6 of Bunnicula series) by James Howe

• Catch that Pass by Matt Christopher

• Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now by Lauren Child

• Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary

• Doyle and Fossy, Science Detectives series by Michele Torrey

• Face Off by Matt Christopher

• Fudge-a-Mania by Judy Blume

• Football Double Threat by Matt Christopher

• Football Fugitive by Matt Christopher

• Football Nightmare by Matt Christopher

• Hopeless Heroes series by Stella Tarakson

• I Survived Hurricane Katrine, 2005 by Lauren Tarshis

• I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011 by Lauren Tarshis

• I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 by Lauren Tarshis

• James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

• Museum Mysteries series by Steve Brezenoff

• Nina Soni, Former Best Friend by Kashmira Sheth

• Nina Soni, Sister Fixer by Kashmira Sheth

• Outside Shot by Fred Bowen

• Superfudge by Judy Blume

• Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume

• The Fox Steals Home by Matt Christopher

• There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom by Louis Sachar

• The Sisters Eight series by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

• The Spiderwick Chronicles series by Toni Terlizzi

• Real Hoops by Fred Bowen

• Waiting for the Magic by Patricia MacLachlan

• You Should Meet: Mae Jemison by Laurie Calkhoven

Level R

• A Jar of Dreams by Yoshika Uchida

• A Storm Called Katrina by Myra Uhlberg

• Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

• Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

• Chet Gecko Mysteries series by Bruce Hale

• Clarice Bean Spells Trouble by Lauren Child

• Double Fudge by Judy Blume

• Dream On, Amber by Emma Sheva

• Hank Zipzer series by Henry Winkler

• Fig Pudding by Ralph Fletcher

• Frankie Sparks series by Megan Frazer Blakemore

• Freedom Crossing by Margaret Goff Clark

• Frindle by Andrew Clements

• Iggie's House by Judy Blume

• I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916 by Lauren Tarshis

• Jake Maddox JV Girls series by Jake Maddox

• Liberty's Son: A Spy Story of the American Revolution by Paul B. Thompson

• Little League series by Matt Christopher

• Lost and Found by Andrew Clements

• Lunch Money by Andrew Clements

• Nighty-Nightmare (Book 4 of Bunnicula series) by James Howe

• No Talking by Andrew Clements

• Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great by Judy Blume

• Rules by Cynthia Lord

• Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

• Shredderman: Secret Identity by Wendelin Van Draanen

• Sidekicks by Dan Santat

• Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

• Skylark by Patricia MacLachlan

• Spider Boy by Ralph Fletcher

• Stuart Little by E.B. White

• Suddenly Supernatural series by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

• The Celery Stalks at Midnight (Book 3 of Bunnicula series)by James Howe

• The Good and Bad Things about My Life So Far by Ann M. Martin

• The Homework Machine by Dan Gutman

• The Jacket by Andrew Clements

• The Landry News by Andrew Clements

• The Last Holiday Concert by Andrew Clements

• The Report Card by Andrew Clements

• The School Story by Andrew Clements

• The Witches by Roald Dahl

Level S

• Castle Glower series by Jessica Day George

• Choose Your Own Adventure series by various authors

• Cilla Lee Jenkins: Future Author Extraordinaire by Susan Tan

• Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

• Dog Man series by Dav Pilkey

• Edward's Eyes by Patricia MacLachlan

• Eliza's Freedom Road: An Underground Railroad Diary by Jerdine Nolen

• Flying Solo by Ralph Fletcher

• Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood

• Granny Torrelli Makes Soup by Sharon Creech

• Has Anyone Seen Jessica Jenkins? by Liz Kessler

• Jack: The (Fairly) True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk by Liesl Shurtliff

• Kid Caramel Private Investigator series by Dwayne Ferguson

• Matilda by Roald Dahl

• My Life as a Book by Janet Tashijan

• My Teacher Fried My Brains by Bruce Coville

• My Teacher is an Alien by Bruce Coville

• On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer

• Pinballs by Betsy Byars

• President of the Whole Fifth Grade by Sherri Winston

• Rapunzel: An Interactive Fairy Tale by Michele Jakubowski

• Room One by Andrew Clements

• Salsa Stories by Lulu Delacre

• Taking Sides by Gary Soto

• The Borrowers by Mary Norton

• The Doll People by Ann M. Martin

• The Elsewhere Chronicles series by Nykko

• The Girl Who Dared by Shirin Shamsi

• The Lemonade Crime by Jacqueline Davies

• The Lemonade Wars by Jacqueline Davies

• The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White

Level T

• Are You There God? It's Me Margaret by Judy Blume

• A Summer To Die by Lois Lowry

• A Week in the Woods by Andrew Clements

• A Whole New Ball Game (Rip and Red series) by Phil Bildner

• Blubber by Judy Blume

• Boy: Tales of Childhood by Roald Dahl

• Danny, Champion of the World by Roald Dahl

• Drita, My Homegirl by Jenny Lombard

• Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass

• Going Solo by Roald Dahl

• How to Train Your Dragon series by Cressida Cowell

• Jada Sly, Artist and Spy by Sherri Winston

• Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos

• Joey Pigza Swallowed a Key by Jack Gantos

• Just Add Magic by Cindy Callaghan

• Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin

• Sammy Keyes series by Wendelin Van Draanen

• Segregation is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight For Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiuh

• Taking Care of Terrific by Lois Lowry

• The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis

• The Kid Who Ran for President by Dan Gutman

• The Loser's Club by Andrew Clements

• The Sweetest Sound by Sherri Winston

• The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo

• The Toothpaste Millionaire by Jean Merill

• The Vanderbeekers series by Karina Yan Glaser

• What Would Joey Do? by Jack Gantos

Level U

• 365 Days of Wonder by R.J. Palacio

• A Crooken Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban

• Duke's Den by Becky Citra

• Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

• Heads or Tails: Stories from Sixth Grades by Jack Gantos

• Jack Adrift: Fourth Grade Without a Clue by Jack Gantos

• Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass

• Josh Baxter Levels Up by Gavin Brown

• Knots in My Yo-Yo String by Jerry Spinelli

• Loser by Jerry Spinelli

• Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes

• No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman

• Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

• Regarding the Fountain by Kate Klise

• Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Richard Jacobson

• The BFG by Roald Dahl

• The Graduation of Jake Moon by Barbara Park

• The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo

• The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

• The Sign of the Chrysanthemum by Katherine Paterson

• The Sisters Grimm series by Michael Buckley

• The 39 Clues series by various authors

• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

• The Tapper Twins series by Geoff Rodkey

• The View from Saturday by E.L. Koningsburg

• The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More by Roald Dahl

• Way Down Deep by Ruth White

• Zora and Me by Victoria Bond

Level V

• A Series of Unfortunate Events series by Lemony Snicket

• Autumn Street by Lois Lowry

• Bayou Magic by Jewell Parker Rhodes

• Chew On This: Everything You Don't Want to Know About Fast Food by Charles Wilson and Eric Schlosser

• City of Orphans by Avi

• Clayton Bird Goes Underground by Rita Williams-Garcia

• Crash by Jerry Spinelli

• Darling, Mercy Dog of World War I by Alison Hart

• Doll Bones by Holly Black

• Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

• Fortune Falls by Jenny Goebel

• Gregor series by Suzanne Collins

• Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson

• Love, Star Girl by Jerry Spinelli

• Middle School: The Worst Year of My Life by James Patterson

• Newsprint by Ru Xu

• President of the Whole Sixth Grade by Sherri Winston

• Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

• Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo

• Star Girl by Jerry Spinelli

• The Ballad of Lucy Whipple by Karen Cushman

• The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester

• The Harlem Charade by Natasha Tarpley

• The Fighting Ground by Avi

• The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

• Things Hoped For by Andrew Clements

• Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements

• Yolanda's Genius by Carol Fenner

Level W:

• Green Boy by Susan Cooper

• Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus

• Hour of the Bees by Lindsey Eagar

• Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris

• Pirate Diary: The Journal of Jake Carpenter, Cabin Boy by Richard Platt

• President of the Whole Sixth Grade: Girl Code by Sherri Winston

• Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. Draper

• The Great Wall of Lucy Wu by Wendy Wan-Long Shang

• The Key to Extraordinary by Natalie Lloyd

• The Lightening Thief (Percy Jackson) by Rick Riordan

• The Nest by Kenneth Oppel

• The Secret Keepers by Trenton Lee Stewart

• The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag

• The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Bearde

• Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit

• What We Found in the Sofa and How it Saved the World by Henry Clark

TIP FOR PARENTS: Reading levels within a series can vary. This is not necessarily a drawback. When children read easier books, they can move beyond basic comprehension and delve into deeper, inferential thinking. Additionally, reading material they can handle without any struggle can boost their confidence and the pleasure they derive from reading. Familiarity, such as known characters, settings, and how plots tend to unfold, makes it easier for young readers to manage more difficult texts in a series than they could comfortably handle in a totally new book.

Explore these bookstores for more of your purchasing needs :

• ashaybythebay.com

• thelitbar.com

• loyaltybookstores.com

• semicolonchi.com

• booksandcranniesva.com

• https://brainlairbooks.handseller.com/

I am are eager to share more locally owned bookstores, so if you would like to your favorite in the comments section, we will add them to our list!