`PS/MS 278
The Paula Hedbavny School
421 West 219th Street
New York, N.Y. 10034
(917) 521-2060 Fax: (212) 942-8177
Lillian Reyes, Principal Charles Reilly, Assistant Principal
Suggested Book/Author Lists Per Grade
Kindergarten
Early Childhood Books/Authors
A house for Hermit Crab- Eric Carle
The Very Hungry Caterpillar– Eric Carle
The Elephant and Piggies series- Mo Willems
Pete the Cat books - Eric Litwin
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom – Bill Martin Jr & John Archambault
-Frank Asch
Known for his picture books featuring Moonbear, this author has published work in almost every category of children’s literature including poetry, concept books, juvenile nonfiction, and children’s novels.
-Sandra Boynton
Her unique sense of humor coupled with personified animal characters, make for a laughing good story time.
-Norman Bridwell
Clifford! You can visit Clifford and his friends in books and then join them online at
-Margaret Wise Brown
This author has the unique ability to see the world through the eyes of children and her books reflect that vision.
-Eric Carle
The famous creator of brilliantly illustrated and innovatively designed picture books for very young children.
-Joy Cowley
Once a struggling reader herself, this author writes not only for early readers, but readers of all ages and levels.
-Lois Ehlert
Collage is how this illustrator and author tells her stories with simple text. The story happens in the pictures.
-Mem Fox
A former professor teaching teachers how to teach student to read, her books are perfect for this age group.
-Allan Fowler
Prolific author of non-fiction books, especially the “Rookie Read” series.
-Kevin Henkes
His loveable characters, enchanting drawing, and well-developed stories, make anything he publishes popular with readers.
-Tana Hoban
Simple text with intriguing photographs, these are often categorized as “concept”books.
-Pat Hutchins
Stories based on her own son, readers can make those important “text to self”connections.
-Jonathan London
Froggy!
-David F. Marx
Non-fiction author perfect for the beginning reader.
-Laura Numeroff
Mice with cookies, pigs and pancakes, moose plus muffins; these “what if” stories help readers develop predicting skills.
-Cynthia Rylant
An author to grow with; from beautiful picture books, early readers,and on to chapter books.
-Maurice Sendak
Where the Wild Things Are; Stories from a child’s perspective, these stories will appeal to all those Max’s in the world.
-David Shannon
The David book series; Who would have thought that saying, “no” would make such a successful series of stories?
-Rosemary Wells
Max and Ruby are two loveable characters everyone wants to read more about.
1st Grade
Chrysantheum by Kevin Henkes
Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
Do onto Otters by Lori Keller
Time for Bed by Mem Fox
Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox
Harriet You’ll Drive me Wild by Mem Fox
Whoever You Are by Mem Fox
Pezzetino by Leo Lionni
Fish is Fish by Leo Lionni
Swimmy by Leo Lionni
It’s Mine by Leo Lionni
Frog and Toad Books by Arnold Lobel
Mouse Soup by Arnold Lobel
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
The Pigeon Series by Mo Willems
Love Monster by Rachel Bright
2nd Grade
Pony Pals: Jeanne Betancourt
Magic Tree House: Mary Pope Osborne
Secret Seven Mystery: Enid Blyton
The Kids in Ms. Coleman’s Class: Ann Martin
Calender Club Mysteries: Nancy Star
Ghostville Elementary: Marcia Thornton
Black Lagoon Adventures: Mike Thaler
A to Z Mysteries: Ron Roy
Animal Park Pack: Ben Baglio
Geronimo Stilton: Geronimo Stilton
Horrible Harry: Suzy Kline
Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo: Nancy Krulik
Ivy + Bean: Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall
Dinosaur Cove: Rex Stone
Ricky Ricotta’s MIGHTY ROBOT: Dav Pilkey
The Puppy Place: Ellen Miles
Peanut Butter and Jelly: Dorothy Haas
The Cul-de-sac Kids: Beverly Lewis
Todd Strasser Books (Ex.: Help! I’m Trapped in My Teacher’s Body): Todd Strasser
The Bailey City Series: Marcia Jones & Debbie Dadey
Class Clown, Etc. : Johanna Hurwitz
Pick of the Litter, Etc.: Bill Wallace
The Berenstain Bears’ Big Chapter Books: Stan & Jan Berenstain
Groovy Girls Sleep Over Club Adventures: Robin Epstein Tornado, Etc.: Betsy Byars
Unicorn School: Linda Chapman
3rd Grade
Bone Series: Jeff Smith
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney
My Sister is a Vampire series: Megan McDonald
I survived series: Lauren Tarshis
Goosebumps series: R.L. Stine
Baby Mouse series: Jennifer L. Holm
Stars Wars:
Dork Diaries series: Rachel Renee Russell
Nuffle Bunny: Mo Williams
Ghoul Friends Forever series: Gitty Daneshvari
Roald Dahl books
Grade 4
Hatchet: Gary Paulsen
Diary of a Wimpy Kid series: Jeff Kinney
Charlotte’s Web : E.B. White
American Girl series
Smile and Sisters: Raina Telgemeier
The Haunted Museum series: Suzanne Weyn
The Magic Tree House series: Mary Pope Osbourne
El Deafo: Cece Bell
Dork Diaries: Rachel Renee Russell
Harry Potter series: J.K. Rowling
Goosebumps series: R.L.Stine
Who Was… series (various authors)
Roald Dahl Books
Grade 5
Wonder:Raquel J. Palacio
Dork Diaries: Rachel Renee Russell
Matilda- Roald Dahl
Harry Potter: JK Rowling
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: Rick Riordan
I Survived series: Lauren Tarshis (Historical Fiction)
Goosebumps series: R.L.Stine
Big Nate
Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney
Judy Blume books
Middle School
Percy Jackson Series: Rick Riordan
Harry Potter Series -J. K. Rowling
Twilight Series - Stephanie Myer
Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney
The Giver - Lois Lowry
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas – John Boyne
Speak – Laurie Halse Anderson
Fever 1793- Laurie Halse Anderson
Divergent – Veronica Roth
The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins
Esperenza Rising – Pam Munoz Ryan
Fahrenheit 451 – Ray Bradbury
We Were Liars: E. Lockhart
When You Reach Me: Rebecca Stead
The Fallout: Todd Strasser
Mazerunner : James Dashner
SOLD : Patricia McCormick
The Fault in our Stars: John Green
Looking for Alaska: John Green
Edgar Allan Poe stories or poems
This One Summer: Jillian Tamki
I'll Give You the Sun: Jandy Nelson
Belzhar:Meg Wolitzer