Must-Read Books for First Graders

This weekend Barnes and Noble, Inc. is celebrating their One-Millionth Storytime reading with a two-day extravaganza for parents and kids. The festivities begin with a special storytime at stores nationwide on Saturday, September 7th and Sunday, September 8th at 11:00 AM. But, if you or your kids can’t make it out this weekend, Barnes & Noble’s Stephanie Fryling, Vice President of Merchandising, Children’s Books gives Parentology her recommendations from their Kids Bestsellers: Ages 6-8 list.

This Weekend’s Celebration Reads

At this weekend’s One-Millionth Storytime celebration, children will enjoy a new story each day, two of which Barnes and Noble reveal are great reads for all generations: parents, grandparents and caregivers.

Saturday, September 7^th features Dr. Seuss’s Horse Museum, a never before published work from a legendary children’s author that explores art, creativity, and perspective.
Sunday, September 8^th showcases Paul McCartney’s Hey Grandude! Which is especially fitting as Sunday is Grandparent’s Day. The story is about a grandfather who takes his four grandchildren on an exciting expedition around the globe.

Barnes and Noble Best Selling Recommendations

For kids who like to storytimes rolling, Fryling has great recommendations. Whether your child is reading more sophisticated books or age-level appropriate stories, these stories are perfect for keeping growing readers engaged.

The Bad Guys (The Bad Guys Series #1) by Aaron Blabey
They sound like bad guys, they look like bad guys . . . and they even smell like bad guys. But Mr. Wolf, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Snake and Mr. Shark are about to change all of that. Mr. Wolf has a daring plan for the Bad Guys’ first good mission.

Dinosaurs Before Dark (Magic Tree House Series #1) by Mary Pope Osborne
Where did the treehouse come from? Suddenly, Jack and Annie are whisked away to the prehistoric past by the mysterious treehouse. Now they have to figure out how to get home.

Dog Diaries: A Middle School Story by James Patterson
Here’s MIDDLE SCHOOL for young readers—through the eyes of Rafe Khatchadorian’s misbehaving mutt, Junior. As rule-breaking Rafe takes his new dog to obedience school, things get really, er, ruff.

The Dragonet Prophecy (Wings of Fire Graphic Novel Series #1) by Tui Sutherland
Clay has grown up under the mountain alongside four other dragonets to fulfill a mysterious prophecy — end the war between the dragon tribes of Pyrrhia. And, Clay isn’t too sure about the prophecy part. Apart from this, he can’t imagine not living with the other dragonets; they’re his best friends.

Ivy and Bean (Ivy and Bean Series #1) by Annie Barrows
The moment they saw each other, Bean and Ivy knew they wouldn’t be friends. Subsequently, when Bean plays a joke on her sister and has to hide quickly, Ivy comes to the rescue. This proves to Bean that sometimes the best of friends are people never meant to like each other.

Judy Moody (Judy Moody Series #1) by Megan McDonald
To start, Judy Moody doesn’t have high hopes for third grade. Her new desk won’t have an armadillo sticker with her name on it. Her new classroom will not have a porcupine named Roger. Judy has an abundance of individuality and attitude. Luckily, her teacher assigns a very special class project, where Judy really gets a chance to express herself.

Mistakes Were Made (Timmy Failure Series #1) by Stephan Pastis
Take Timmy Failure—the clueless, comically self-confident CEO of the best detective agency in town, perhaps even the nation. Add his impressively lazy business partner, a very large polar bear named Total, and what you have is Total Failure, Inc.

The Scaredy Cat (Purmaids Series #1) by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Coral, Shelly and Angel are best friends. They love exploring their home in Kittentail Cove. On the first day of sea school, their teacher asks everyone to bring in something special to share with the class. Shelly and Angel can’t wait to visit Tortoiseshell Reef. Unfortunately, it’s all the way on the edge of the cove. Coral is scared to swim that far away from home. Can this scaredy-cat learn to be brave?

The Tail of Emily Windsnap (Tail of Emily Windsnap #1) by Liz Kessler
With a sure sense of suspense and richly imaginative details, Liz Kessler lures us into a glorious undersea world where mermaids study shipwrecks at school and Neptune rules with an iron trident — an enchanting fantasy about family secrets, loyal friendship and the convention-defying power of love.

For Whom the Ball Rolls (Dog Man Series #7) by Dav Pilkey
The Supa Buddies have been working hard to help Dog Man overcome his bad habits. Unfortunately, his obsessions turn to fears, Dog Man finds himself the target of an all-new supervillain.