DK STAR WARS & LEGO series - books at the 4th Grade Reading Level

These little DK STAR WARS books retell the adventures of Hans, Luke, Leia, and the gang.  The fact that the graphics feature the Lego franchise doesn't hurt their appeal one bit.

Note that since the word count is relatively low, they might be these a good choice for struggling or reluctant readers. 

*all ratings from GoodReads
**all links to Amazon.com. Being Affiliate links they help support this site so more lists can be made. (It's amazingly labor intensive.) No cost to you.

Lego Star Wars -- A NEW HOPE
by Emma Grange

3.93 avg rating — 74 ratings

From Tatooine to the Death Star, this DK practice reader introduces (or reminds) readers of the characters and adventures of the first Star Wars movie.

Images use Lego sets and characters.

War in the galaxy
The man in the scary black
suit is Darth Vader.

He commands an army of
soldiers called stormtroopers.

Darth Vader's evil empire has
seized control
of the galaxy.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 606
Page Count:32
Accelerated Reading level: 4.2 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 169372

Lego Star Wars -- RETURN OF THE JEDI
by Emma Grange

4.07 avg rating — 46 ratings 

This Lego Star Wars book covers the characters and adventure of the 2nd movie.

One thing I noticed is that the language and phrasing in this book is more sophisticated than the author's first book.

Word Count: 940
Page Count: 48
Accelerated Reader: 4.4 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 169374

You might also be interested in
------------------------------------------------------------------
The ORIGAMI YODA series which we highly recommend
------------------------------------------------------------------

Lego Star Wars --THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
by Emma Grange

3.80 avg rating — 51 ratings  

The Empire gets it's just desserts in this third book in this series. 

These books are available (as of this date) for under $4 apiece.

Word Count: 940
Page Count: 48
Accelerated Reader: 4.4 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 169374

compiled September 2016

JEFF KINNEY - Books About the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Author

THE DIARY OF A WIMPY KID series has been one of the most popular series for elementary and middle school readers for quite a few years.

I know these books are ones that my son and I enjoyed sharing.  It was great to curl up (he did this even as a middle-schooler) on the couch and just laugh our heads off at Greg's and his family's exploits.  And I created this list because I thought young readers might be interested in this wonderful author.

There are now 3 books at the 4th Grade Reading level, which is the same level as the series.  I also found two others, one much longer book at the 5th Grade reading level and one short book at the 6th Grade level.

Enjoy!

**all ratings from GoodReads 
**all links to Amazon

Jeff Kinney
(Blastoff! Readers Level 4: Children's Storytellers)
by Christina Leaf

I couldn't find any reviews for this BlastOff book.  The description says that there are full color photos and simple language.

Reading Information
Word Count: 848
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reader: 4.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 176585

Jeff Kinney

(Capstone)
by Kelli L. Hicks
Michael Byers (Illustrations)

This short biography talks about Jeff's  childhood, education, and milestones as a best selling children's author.

There are photos, of course, but also information like the fact that the WIMPY KID books have been translated into 41 languages.  (How is that for popular!)

Word Count: 712
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reader: 4.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 160019
Lexile: 770L

Jeff Kinney
Abdo Publishing Company
(Checkerboard Biography)
by Megan M. Gunderson

4.18 avg rating — 94 ratings

This biography covers Jeff Kinney's life beginning with his early life in Maryland.  Interestingly it talks about his middle school memories, his love of reading, and what he is doing now.

Word Count: 1,823
Page Count:  24
Accelerated Reading level: 4.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 147470
--library binding

Who Is Jeff Kinney?
by Patrick Kinney
John Hinderliter (Illustrations)

Publisher's Blurb:

Even as a kid, everyone thought Jeff Kinney was talented. People loved his drawings, and when he went to college, his comic strip Igdoof was so popular that it spread to other universities! Still, Jeff faced challenges. His cartoons were rejected by syndicates that claimed his art was unprofessional. 

Then, an idea struck: Jeff would write a journal from the perspective of a child, illustrated with doodles just like a kid might do. And so, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series was born--and it was a hit! In this biography, Jeff's brother, Patrick Kinney, provides a knowledgeable look at the life of this best-selling author/illustrator. From Jeff's childhood pranks to his job developing online games, kids will love the chance to learn more about the creator of the popular Wimpy Kid books.

Word Count: 7,991
Page Count:  112
Accelerated Reader: 5.5 / points: 1.0
Ar quiz: 176429
Lexile: 830L
--available for Kindle

Jeff Kinney
(Remarkable Writers)
by Christine Webster

4.28 avg rating — 57 ratings

Did you know that Jeff was a computer programmer and that he worked on the wildly popular website Poptropica?  Tis true.  

And did you now he had an older brother who is not named Roderick?

This biography is at the 6th Grade reading level but has the advantage of being only 32 pages long. 

Word Count: 4,636
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reader: 6.1 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 154778


compiled by Pam
updated November 2015 

To find the Diary of a Wimpy Kid list in English, check here.

For the Spanish version, check here.

DISNEY'S FROZEN - reading information

FROZEN is the movie phenomena.  And adults and kids have been swept into the adventure and been awed by the fantastic music.

The following books entertain are based on the movie and give kids a chance to read-it for themselves.  

The BEST part is that these books are very affordable.  In fact, downright cheap, with most of them under $4 dollars.  So there's no reason not to put them on the home shelves where they can be read again and again!

Enjoy the fun!

**all ratings from GoodReads

Big Snowman, Little Snowman
(Step into Reading)
9780385385435

by Tish Rabe

3.97 avg rating — 278 ratings

Perfect for little ones.  This Frozen themed book is all about opposites, like "Happy sister, sad sister" and on/off, in/out.

You can start out using it with toddlers as a learning tool where you can point out objects and things like bird and cup, and name them.  Then later (or now) you can be use the book as a practice reader.  It's at the Kindergarten reading level.

(as of mid-June 2015 it's under $4!)

Reading Information:
Word Count: 138
Page Count:32
Accelerated Reader: 0.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 162307
Lexile: 70L
--amazon

Anna's Best Friends
(Step into Reading)
by Christy Webster

3.88 avg rating — 136 ratings

This adventure is all about Anna's best friends, Kristoff and his reindeer Sven.  The print is still large and the sentences are short; perfect for newer readers. They'll love reading about Anna's search for her sister.

(as of mid-June 2015 it's under $4!)

Word Count: 98
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reader: 1.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 163902
--amazon 

Hello, Olaf!
(Step Into Reading)
by Andrea Posner-Sanchez

Shiny stickers! come with this book where kids get to meet Olaf.

Word Count: 128
Page Count:24
Accelerated Reader: 1.4 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 171449
Lexile: 360L
--amazon

A Tale Of Two Sisters
(Step into Reading)
9780385385442
by Melissa Lagonegro

4.06 avg rating — 432 ratings

A super-short retelling of the story.  This book features colorful pages and short sentences.  Here's sample text from the first 2 pages:

Princess Elsa and Princess Anna are sisters.

Elsa has a secret. She has magic powers. She can create ice.

Word Count: 327
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reader: 1.5 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 162306
Lexile: 260L
--amazon 

A Day In The Sun
(Disney)
by Frank Berrios

3.82 avg rating — 168 ratings

We know Olaf likes warm weather, and in this book kids get to read about all the fun things Olaf dreams of doing under the sun.

Word Count: 119
Page Count:16
Accelerated Reading level: 1.7 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 174203
Lexile: 480L
--amazon

A Sister More Like Me
by Barbara Jean Hicks
Brittney Lee (Illustrator)

4.41 avg rating — 355 ratings

This book is interesting because it covers the missing years in Anna's and Elsa's lives, a period of time that wasn't mentioned in the movie.  

Alternating view points --shown in different colored text -- the sisters talk about their teen years where each sister developed their own interests and way of doing things.  Elsa, for example, liked to read books.  Anna, on the other hand, liked to be outside and she loved horseback riding.

Word Count: 528
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reader: 3.5 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 162305
--amazon 

Anna's Icy Adventure
(Golden First Chapters)
by Elise Allen

4.14 avg rating — 97 ratings 

This book is long at 80 pages, but kids will be really motivated to keep reading as it retells the FROZEN story, only this time from Anna's point of view.

Word Count: 8,638
Page Count: 80
Accelerated Reader: 3.6 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 161831
Lexile: 570L
--amazon

Frozen Fever
(Deluxe Novelization-Disney)
by Victoria Saxon

4.07 avg rating — 27 ratings

It's Anna's birthday and Elsa and Kristoff are working to pull together the best party ever.  The only problem is that Elsa's icy powers are putting the freeze on their best efforts.

Word Count: 10,791
Page Count: 96
Accelerated Reader: 4.0 / points: 2.0
AR quiz: 172718
--amazon

Frozen: Junior Novelization
0736431187
by Sarah Nathan (Adaptor)
Sela Roman (Adaptor)

4.33 avg rating — 1331 ratings

This chapter book is at the 4th Grade reading level but it's got plenty of praise from adoring adults. Follows the movie closely.

Word Count: 19,395
Page Count: 128
Accelerated Reader: 4.1 / points: 3.0
AR quiz: 163218
--amazon
--audio version available
--sample pages available

compiled by Pam
updated June 2015

THE RITHMATIST (Brandon Sanderson) series reading information

Brandon Sanderson is a brilliant writer.  His MISTBORN fantasy series earned him a wide and enthusiastic Adult audience, and now he has turned his hand to the Young Adult market.  

• In this first book there is no profanity nor sexual situations and the violence takes place off-screen, so that this book would also be appropriate for younger teens.

• The overall 'flavor' is steampunk-ish with a 'realistic' sort of magical system.  (Sanderson is known for his world building expertise.)

**all ratings from GoodReads 


THE RITHMATIST
(Rithmatist #1)
by Brandon Sanderson
Ben McSweeney (Illustrator)    

4.25 avg rating — 11,935 ratings

Rithmatists are people who have the ability to bring chalklings--chalk drawings-- to life.

16 year-old Joel attends an exclusive school that trains both Rithmatist and non-Rithmatist students.  Joel isn't a Rithmatist but he has made the art the intensive focus of his studies. When Rithmatist students begin disappearing he and another student, Melody, are assigned to a Rithmatist professor, and together they begin to investigate what is snatching students from their beds.

Word Count: 89,898
Page Count:  378
Accelerated Reader: 4.9 / points: 13.0
AR quiz: 159269
Lexile: HL680L

------------------------------------------------------------------
You might also like the following:
STEELHEART by Brandon Sanderson

Middle Grade on Up
Review: Screaming Staircase
Review: The Burning Sky
Review:The Unwanteds

Young Adult and New Adult on up
Review: Screaming Staircase
Review: California Bones
Review: Shadow and Bone
Review: Sorrow's Knot
------------------------------------------------------------------


 A second book is due out in 2015

compiled by Pam
updated July 2014

UNDER THE NEVER SKY reading information

Mediocre writing doesn't keep this formulaic book from being very popular.  I would suggest it for readers who enjoyed I AM NUMBER FOUR.

**all ratings from GoodReads 
*one short sex scene. Alcohol. Violence

ROAR AND LIV
(Under the Never Sky 0.5)

4.11 avg rating — 4,275 ratings

The dynamics between Vale, Roar, and Liv are explored.  It results in Vale making decisions that change the fate of the Tides forever.

Page Count:  68
no reading information available



UNDER THE NEVER SKY
by Veronica Rossi

4.07 avg rating — 42,911 ratings

This story begins with some teens breaking into a damaged Agricultural dome. The backstory is that some of the survivors on this broken-earth are living a high tech existence where they are holed up in a complex of domes where their food is grown and where they are kept safe from the 'outside'.

'Things happen' though and Aria finds herself outside, where thankfully a boy shows up to save her.

Check out a sample yourself.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 87,078
Page Count: 400
Accelerated Reader: 4.1 / points: 12.0
AR quiz: 148732
-- Spanish  BAJO EL CIELO ETERNO


THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT 
(bk#2 Under the Ever Sky)
by Veronica Rossi

4.30 avg rating — 18,096 ratings 

Threatened by false friends and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?

Word Count: 76,049
Page Count: 352
Accelerated Reading level: 4.3 / points: 11.0
AR quiz: 159991
-- Spanish  BAJO LA NOCHE ETERNA


BROOKE
(Under the Never Sky #2.5)

3.87 avg rating — 830 ratings 

In THE EVER NIGHT the Tides sought selter from the Aether storms.  But the cave they find has memories for Brooke, and events --like her losing Perry-- forces her to consider who she is now.

Page Count:  82
no reading information available

INTO THE STILL BLUE
(bk#3 Under the Ever Sky)

4.35 avg rating — 2,615 ratings

Can Perry and Aria save Cinder?  Can they reach the Still Blue before Sable and Hess?

It's up to Perry and Aria to unit the Outsiders and Dweller to bring order and balance to the world.

Page Count: 400
no reading information currently available 


compiled by Pam
updated February 2014

LEGEND series reading information (Marie Lu)

Marie Lu has become legend for her dystopic series that has earned rave reviews.

**all ratings from GoodReads

LIFE BEFORE LEGEND
(Legend, #0.5) ebook only
 
3.93 avg rating — 2,290 ratings

This ebook has two original stories that give insight into the lives of June and Day.

Reading Information:
Page Count: 38
no reading information currently available
--sample pages and reviews available


LEGEND
(Legend, #1)

**Starred Review** PublishersWeekly
**Starred Review** Kirkus
**Starred Review** ALA Booklist
**Starred Review** VOYA


4.14 avg rating — 74,701 ratings

15-year-old June was born into an elite family and she being groomed to be a member of an elite military circle. Day on the other hand was born and raised in a slum, and he had become the country's most wanted criminal.

June and Day might never have met except that one day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect.  This sets off a search for 'The Truth'.

Word Count: 75,464
Page Count:  320
Accelerated Reading level: 4.8 / points: 11.0
AR quiz: 148251
Lexile: HL710L
--sample pages and reviews available
--read an excerpt


PRODIGY
(Legend, #2)

**Starred Review** PublishersWeekly
**Starred Review** Kirkus
**Starred Review** ALA Booklist
**Starred Review** VOYA

4.30 avg rating — 25,892 ratings

June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the Elector Primo dies.  Anden, the Elector's son fills the political void and with this act  the Republic edges closer to chaos.  The Patriot rebels are eager to help Day rescue his brother, but Day and June have one more mission-- to assassinate the new Elector.

Word Count:  97,881
Page Count: 384
Accelerated Reading level: 5.3 / points: 15.0
AR quiz: 156557
--sample pages available

CHAMPION
(Legend, #3)

**Starred Review** PublishersWeekly
**Starred Review** Kirkus
**Starred Review** ALA Booklist
**Starred Review** VOYA


4.51 avg rating — 5,152 ratings

He is a Legend.
She is a Prodigy.
Who will be Champion? 

 June and Day have found their separate places within the Republic but they are brought back together when a virulent, deadly plague breaks out.

Page Count: 384
no reading information currently available
--sample pages and reviews available

Here is sampler from the Legend Series, featuring excerpts from Legend and Prodigy


compiled by Pam


You might also be interested in:   #1

HOUSE OF SECRETS series reading information

CHRIS COLUMBUS and NED VIZZINI have joined forces to write an action thriller for Middle-Graders.  

**all ratings from GoodReads 

HOUSE OF SECRETS
by Chris Columbus and Ned Vizzini
Illustrated by Greg Call

3.69 avg rating — 2,636 ratings

Brendan, Eleanor, and Cordelia had a great life.  Loving parents, plenty of toys, and a fun life in San Francisco.  Then their dad lost his job.  And they all had to move to creepy Victorian house that used to belong to an occult novelist

If that's not bad enough one of their neighbors has 'plans' for them.  And before they know it, they find themselves in a primeval forest along with medieval warriors and supernatural pirates. 

As they struggle to survive, the kids discover that they are part of a legacy that threatens not only their family... but the entire world. 

Reading Information:
Word Count: 88,600
Page Count: 496
Accelerated Reading level: 4.6 / points: 13.0
AR quiz: 158093
--now in paperback
--sample pages available

BATTLE OF THE BEASTS

Expected publication: March 25th 2014

Page Count: 384
no reading information currently available
--sample pages and reviews available



compiled by Pam

MALICE and HAVOC reading Information

The MALICE series by Chris Wooding is a scary series aiming to please Middle-Graders.  A delightfully creepy set of books.

MALICE
(Malice #1)
Scholastic
by Chris Wooding

4.06 avg rating — 1,505 ratings

Be careful what you ask for. 

You can find my review (pam) here, but to give you an idea in brief of what  MALICE is about:  It's about a comic book by the name of Malice which is the gateway in a world of the same name.

One gets to this world by getting a copy of the comic book, and then performing a small ceremoney which includes the words, "Big Jake" and "take me away".  Kids do it thinking that it's all scary-fun, but in truth it works!  And Big Jake doesn't take you away the way Calgone does.  No, he takes you to a horrid world where your life expectancy is quite short.

Part graphic novel, part novel, MALICE lets us follow the adventures of Seth and Kady and their unfortunate friends.  You can count on tension and violence and not all the characters surviving.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 67,634
Page Count:  384
Accelerated Reading level: 4.5 / points: 10.0
AR quiz: 133618
Lexile: 650L
--in Spanish/Espanole
--get sample pages, reviews, and prices

HAVOC
(Malice #2)

4.15 avg rating — 655 ratings

Seth escapes Malice but unfortunately he's alone.  Kady didn't make it, and consequently she sets out to find the kids of Havoc who are organizing to fight Big Jake.

So what will Seth do?  Will he return?  And will Havoc really be able to take the evil Big Jake down?

Word Count: 74,692
Page Count: 396
Accelerated Reader:  4.3 / points: 11.0
AR quiz: 140705
 Lexile: HL580L
--in Spanish/Espanole
--get sample pages, reviews, and prices


compiled by Pam

ARCANA CHRONICLES series reading information

Kresley Cole used to write adult (very) romance novels, but has branched out into the Young Adult category with the Arcana Chronicles.

*Expect profanity, sexual situations, and violence.
**all ratings from GoodReads

Poison Princess

 4.20 avg rating — 9,271 ratings

With the backdrop of the Apocalypse, Evie discovers that she has lost everyone she loved, and gained horrible hallucinations.  Or at least they seem like hallucinations; because it soon becomes apparent that they are prophesies of the future.

Evie becomes convinced that there are answers out there.  And to find them she discovers that she must engage the help of bad boy/misogynist and bayou boy, Jack Deveaux.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 108,733
Page Count: 360
Accelerated Reader:  4.6 / points: 16.0
AR quiz: 155953
Lexile: HL670L
--get prices and reviews
--get 17 sample chapters

Endless Knight

4.52 avg rating — 1,099 ratings

Evie comes into her powers.  She also meets Death, and is drawn to the dangerous Endless Knight as well as Jack.

Word Count: 91,108
Page Count: 336
Accelerated Reader: 4.5 / points: 13.0
AR quiz: 162364
Lexile: HL620L
--get reviews and prices


compiled by Pam
updated June 2014