It’s never too early to start a book club, whether it’s in the classroom, the library, home, or some other setting. I’ve found students in grades 2-5 to be some of the most enthusiastic book club participants. I usually meet with them every week or every other week, and expect them to read the whole book. This list includes books that have reading levels and page counts that make this possible for this age group, but also have stories that will lend themselves to discussion and exploration.

I’ve included whatever information I could find on Follett’s Titlewave about reading levels.

Swimming Into Trouble (Julia on the Go! book 1) by Angela Ahn, illustrated by Julie Kim (Tundra Books, 2024, 176 pages, AR 4.4, LEX 670L). Julia’s passion for swimming has earned her a place on the swim team, the youngest member at nine years old, but an ear infection threatens to sideline her for the team’s big Personal Best Day.

Too Small Tola by Atinuke, illustrated by Onyinye Iwu (Candlewick, 2021, 96 pages, Rd Lvl 3.7, AR 3.6, LEX 610L). Tola is the youngest and smallest member of her family, and works hard to prove that she is capable of more than people give her credit for. Any of three stories in this book, which all take place in Tola’s Lagos, Nigeria neighborhood, would work as a stand-alone if you’re looking for something shorter than a whole book to read with your club.

Henry, Like Always by Jenn Bailey, illustrated by Mika Song (Chronicle Books, 2023, 48 pages, Rd Lvl 1.6, AR 2.7, LEX 490L). Henry, the neurodiverse protagonist featured in the 2019 picture book A Friend for Henry, likes the routine and predictability of his classroom. When an upcoming school parade threatens to upset this Henry finds a way to participate that works for him..

Stella & Marigold by Annie Barrows, illustrated by Sophie Blackall (Chronicle Books, 101 pages, AR 3.9, LEX 580L). Stella and Marigold are sisters, ages 7 and 4, who have been close friends ever since the day Marigold came home from the hospital. Their story is told in seven chapters, each of which could be read on its own. Marigold has a mind of her own, while Stella serves as a sort of go-between, interpreting the world for Marigold and helping the grown-ups understand the perspective of a four-year-old.

Aven Green, Sleuthing Machine by Dusti Bowling, illustrated by Gina Perry (Sterling Children’s Books, 2021, 128 pages, Rd Lvl 4.0, AR 4.4, LEX 690L). Aven Green may have been born with no arms, but she believes that “all of the cells that were supposed to make my arms went into making my brain instead”, which of course makes her a first-class detective. Kids ready to move on to longer chapter books will enjoy Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus and Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus, featuring an older Aven.

The Ember Stone (The Last Firehawk) by Katarina Charman, illustrated by Jeremy Norton (Scholastic, 2017, 89 pages, Rd Lvl 3.1, AR 3.1, LEX560L). A surprisingly complex animal fantasy for the reading level, in which Tag the owl, Skyla the squirrel, and their somewhat mysterious young firehawk friend seek to save their forest home from the evil vulture Thorn. This series is at twelve books and counting. .

J.D. and the Great Barber Battle by J. Dillard, illustrated by Akeem S. Roberts (Kokila, 2021, 128 pages, RD Lvl 4.0, AR 4.8, Lex 760L). When J.D.’s mom gives him an embarrassing haircut, J.D. takes matters into his own hands, with surprisingly good results. Pretty soon he has his own business, which doesn’t make the town barber very happy.

Stella Díaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez (Roaring Brook Press, 2018, 208 pages, Rd Lvl 4.2, AR 4.2, LEX 650L). Third-grader Stella is shy and sometimes stumbles over English words–yet also feels uncertain about her Spanish around her Mexican relatives. But family and friends help Stella, and by the end of the year, she feels much more confident about sharing what she has to say.

Flipping Forward Twisting Backward by Alma Fullerton, illustrated by Sarah Mensinga (Peachtree, 2022, 135 pages, Rd Lvl, 4.3, AR 3.8). Claire can master any skill in gymnastics but reading and writing are an entirely different matter. This novel in verse sympathetically portrays a character with dyslexia and is written in a font designed for beginning readers.

The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow, 2013, 240 pages, Rd Lvl 4.2, AR 4.2, Lex 620L). Kevin Henkes captures the small moments of school and family life in his Newbery honor book The Year of Billy Miller, which covers Billy’s second-grade year and the sequels, Billy Miller Makes a Wish (2021), which is about Billy’s adventures in third grade, and Oh, Sal (2022), starring Billy’s little sister.

Harry vs. the First 100 Days of School by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Pete Oswald (Anne Schwartz Books, 2021, 240 pages, Rd Lvl 3.9, AR 3.9). Harry is super nervous on his first day of first grade: he worries about his too-short haircut, having a guinea pig in the classroom, strict teachers, and making friends.  But by day 100, Harry considers himself a first-grade expert, with these words of wisdom: “Try to make new friends. Keep reading even when the words are hard. Speak up when something’s wrong. And help when someone’s sad.” 

Maybe, Maybe, Marisol Rainey by Erin Entrada Kelly (Greenwillow, 2021, 160 pages, Rd Lvl 4.1, AR 4.1). Marisol’s imagination can be fun, like when it helps her think up names for inanimate objects (e.g. Buster Keaton, the refrigerator), but it also can make her scared, like when she imagines falling out of the tree in her backyard.

The Infamous Ratsos by Kara LaReau, illustrated by Matt Myers (Candlewick, 2016, Rd Lvl 3.5, AR 3.5, Lex 630L). Louie and Ralphie Ratso want to be tough like their dad, but all their plans to be mean backfire and turn out to be good deeds instead. They’re completely frustrated until their dad reveals a softer side and shows them the real meaning of being a Ratso.

Rise of the Green Flame (Kwame’s Magic Quest) by Bernard Mensah, illustrated by Natasha Nayo (Scholastic, 2024, 96 pages, AR 3.8, Lex 600L). Kwame’s excited to be starting Nkonyaa School, a boarding school where he’ll receive his calabash and learn which of the four types of magic he possesses, but he soon discovers that his magic is different from other students’.

The Used-to-Be Best Friend (Jo Jo Makoons) by Dawn Quigley, illustrated by Tara Audibert (Heartdrum, 2021, 80 pages, Rd Lvl 2.3, AR 3.5). The first book in this funny slice-of-life series featuring irrepressible first-grader Jo Jo Makoons, who lives on an Ojibwe reservation.

Troubling Tonsils! (Jasper Rabbit’s Creepy Tales) by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown

Amina Banana and the Formula for Friendship by Shifa Saltagi Safadi, illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel

Princess Cora and the Crocodile by Laura Amy Schlitz, illustrated by Brian Floca

Published by Candlewick, 2017

Princess Cora wishes for a dog to spice up her boring life of lessons, but her fairy godmother gives her a crocodile instead. When Cora and the crocodile switch places, mayhem ensues, but everyone learns an important lesson or two. Rd Lvl 2.2, AR 4.1, LEX 590L, F&P O, 80 pages.

A Long Road on a Short Day by Gary D. Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney, illustrated by Eugene Yelchin

Published by Clarion Books, 2020

A great first historical fiction book about a boy and his father making a series of trades to ultimately get a cow so the new baby can have milk. The boy is involved with all the trades and must help his dad figure out what’s best for their family. Rd Lvl 3.2, AR 4.0, 64 pages.

Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake, illustrated by Jon Klassen

Published by Algonquin Young Readers, 2020

When Skunk shows up on Badger’s doorstep, but animals discover they have a lot to learn about how to be friends and roommates. Book 2 is called Egg Marks the Spot. Rd Lvl 4.3, AR 4.2, 124 pages.

Weekends With Max and His Dad by Linda Urban, illustrated by Katie Kath

Published by HMH Books for Young Readers, 2016

When Max’s parents divorce, both he and his father learn to adjust to their new living arrangements in the three stories collected in this book. Max and his mom have a series of adventures while driving to a family reunion in Road Trip With Max and His Mom (2018). Weekends with Max and His Dad: Rd Lvl 4.1, AR 4.1, LEX 630L, 176 pages; Road Trip with Max and His Mom: Rd Lvl 4.5, AR 3.9, LEX 600L, 160 pages.

Born Naughty: My Childhood in China by Jin Wang with Tony Johnston, illustrated by Anisi Baigude

Published by Anne Schwartz Books, 2024

Imagine Ramona Quimby living in 1980’s Mongolia, and you’ll get the vibe of Jin Wang’s lively childhood memoir. Living in a one-room mud hut with her family, Jin embraces all of her experiences, whether it’s traveling with her father to fetch the family’s precious water supply, beating the boys at tree-climbing, or harvesting mushrooms and potatoes.  Lex 650L; 112 pages.

Ways to Make Sunshine by Renée Watson, illustrated by Nina Mata

Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Book, 2020

Fourth-grader Ryan Hart bravely deals with family changes and the ups and downs of friendships. Book 1 of four. Rd Lvl 4.8, AR 4.5, F&P P, 208 pages.