Elementary and Middle School Novels

Elementary and Middle School Novels and Storybooks

by Donna Jo Napoli

(ANGELWINGS series is at the end.)

Changing Tunes

Gracie, the Pixie of the Puddle

Jimmy, the Pickpocket of the Palace

Lights on the Nile

Mogo, The Third Warthog

On Guard

Shark Shock

Shelley Shock

Sly the Sleuth and the Code Mysteries

Sly the Sleuth and the Food Mysteries

Sly the Sleuth and the Pet Mysteries

Sly the Sleuth and the Sports Mysteries

Soccer Shock

The Bravest Thing

The Prince of the Pond, Otherwise Known as De Fawg Pin

Three Days

Treasury of Greek Mythology, Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters

Trouble on the Tracks

Ugly

When the Water Closes Over My Head

SOCCER SHOCK (first in the trilogy with SHARK SHOCK and SHELLEY SHOCK)

1991 Dutton (ISBN 0-525-44827-6) (pb 1993 Puffin)

Hall of Fame Sports Books for Kids 1996, Philadelphia Children's Reading Round Table
nominated Nutmeg Book Award
available in cassette through National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
published in Chinese (1999 Academy Press- Xue Yuan ISBN 7-5077-0858-6)

reviews

From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: ... fantastic twist... lighthearted ... genuine characters ...[The characters] are heroic in smaller, more personal ways--sticking to their goals and accomplishing them.

THE PRINCE OF THE POND, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS DE FAWG PIN (first in the trilogy with JIMMY, THE PICKPOCKET OF THE PALACE and GRACIE, THE PIXIE OF THE PUDDLE)

1992 Dutton (ISBN 0-525-44976-0) (pb 1994 Puffin)

New Jersey Reading Association's M. Jerry Weiss Book Award 1997
one of the funniest children's books for the '90's SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
sleeper by SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
nominated for Kansas State Reading Circle
100 Best Children's Books 1992 of New York Public Library
Outstanding Merit, Bank Street Child Study CBC
starred review KIRKUS
starred review BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS
nominated Nutmeg Children’s Book Award
Pennsylvania Young Readers’ Choice Award Program
nominated Colorado Children's Book Award
book of the month Philadelphia Children's Reading Round Table
1995 Jostens Learning biology lesson based on the chapter "Tadpoles"
performed by Book-It Repertory Theatre, Seattle, WA
available in cassette through National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
published in German (1995 Sauerländer DER PRINZ Vom TEICH ISBN 3-7941-3833-3; pb Sansibar ISBN 3-293-21022-8)
published in Dutch (1997 Averbode DE KIKKERPRINS ISBN 90-317-1199-3)
published in Chinese (1999 East & West Book Co. Ltd. ISBN 957-0339-01-2)
published as CD and cassette in Swiss German Dialect (Tudor Recording AG, Zurich DE PRINZ VOM TEICH CD: ISBN 3-03776-215-2; cassette: ISBN 3-03776-216-0)
performed as play at Media Theater, Media, PA, in October, 2004
a read aloud plan is found in CHILDREN'S BOOK CORNER: A READ-ALOUD RESOURCE WITH TIPS, TECHNIQUES, AND PLANS FOR TEACHERS, LIBRARIANS, AND PARENTS, Grades 5-6

reviews reviews

From KIRKUS:...charmingly whimsical....an astonishing amount of in-depth natural history cleverly enmeshed in its endearing, screwball charm

WHEN THE WATER CLOSES OVER MY HEAD (first in the series with ON GUARD)

(originally 1994 Dutton (0-525-45083-1) with pb 1996 Puffin)
reissued and available in pb 2002 Scholastic (0043936800)

Outstanding Merit, Bank Street Child Study CBC
starred review KIRKUS
boxed review BOOKLIST
book of the month Philadelphia Children's Reading Round Table
available in cassette through National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
published in Chinese (1999Academy Press-Xue Yuan ISBN 7-5077-0814-4)

reviews

From KIRKUS:...a genial famly story that, in its succinct handling of real issues, recalls Betsy Byars...

From PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: ...deftly delivers a worthwhile message to youngsters having trouble overcoming a fear

SHARK SHOCK (second in the trilogy with SOCCER SHOCK and SHELLEY SHOCK)

1994 Dutton (ISBN 0-525-45267-2) (pb 1997 Puffin)

Children’s Books 1994, Free Library of Philadelphia
Keystone State Reading Association's Young Adult Book Award Nominee
available in cassette through National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
published in Chinese (1999 Academy Press-Xue Yuan ISBN 7-5077-0878-0)

reviews

From BOOKLIST: ... A lighthearted but realistic look at the fears contemporary children encounter as they grow up...

From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: ...will appeal to children who have an appreciation for the absurd, particularly when it occurs in a warm, supportive environment...

THE BRAVEST THING

(originally 1995 Dutton (ISBN 0-525-45397-0) with pb 1997 Puffin)
reissued and now available in pb 2001 Scholastic (0043936798)

Renaissance Learning recommended list
Published in German (1997 Beltz&Gelberg DAS HASENWUNDER ISBN 3-407-79793-1)
published in Chinese (1999 Academy Press-Xue Yuan ISBN 7-5077-0839-X)

reviews

From PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: ...Characters and situations are drawn so carefully and roundly that Laurel's extraordinary determination seems realistic...

JIMMY, THE PICKPOCKET OF THE PALACE (second in the trilogy with THE PRINCE OF THE POND and GRACIE, THE PIXIE OF THE PUDDLE)

1995 Dutton (ISBN 0-525-45357-1) (pb 1997 Puffin)

Outstanding Merit, Bank Street Child Study CBC
starred review SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
Junior Library Guild
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award Master List, Vermont
book of the month Philadelphia Children's Reading Round Table
performed as play at Media Theater, Media, PA, in October, 2005

reviews

From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: ...As engaging and unpredictable as its predecessor... balances the comic possibilities of Jimmy's struggles with his human form with his deeper feelings of loyalty, courage, and honor...

From KIRKUS: ...enchanting story... it [blends] gentle, offbeat humor... with enough action and suspense to satisfy old fans and win new friends...

ON GUARD (second in the series with WHEN THE WATER CLOSES OVER MY HEAD)

1997 Dutton (ISBN 0-525-45759-3) (pb 1999 Puffin)

Book of the month Philadelphia Children's Reading Round Table
available in braille and in cassette through National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
published in Chinese (1999 Academy Press-Xue Yuan ISBN 7-5077-0815-2)

reviews

From BULLELTIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS: ...deftly drawn, evincing wisdom about the perplexities and pitfalls involved in youthful alliances... lure of an offbeat and glamorous sport...

TROUBLE ON THE TRACKS

1998 Scholastic (ISBN 0-590-13447-7)

available in cassette through National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Published in Dutch (1999 Averbode OP HET SPOOR VAN DE KAKETOE ISBN 90-317-1426-7)

reviews

From BOOKLIST: ...high-spirited contemporary adventure..

From BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS: ...the sibling dialogue is authentic and the characterization...credible...

CHANGING TUNES

1998 Dutton (ISBN 0-525-45861-1) (pb 2000 Puffin)

Book of the month Philadelphia Children's Reading Round Table
Highlights, Free Library of Philadelphia
Renaissance Learning recommended list
available in braille through National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
published in German (2004 Carl Hanser Verlag ALS PAPA DAS KLAVIER mitnahm
ISBN 3-423-62165-6)

reviews

From KIRKUS: ...bittersweet ... a reassuringly bewildered character...

SHELLEY SHOCK (third in the trilogy with SOCCER SHOCK and SHARK SHOCK)

2000 Dutton (ISBN 0-525-46452-2) (pb 2002 Puffin)

reviews

From BOOKLIST: ...humor ...interesting characters...believable portrayal of the complexities of sixth-grade life...

THREE DAYS

2001 Dutton (ISBN 0-525-46790-4) (pb 2003 Puffin)

Junior Library Guild
Bank Street Best Books Master List
starred review SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL Best Books
nominated Florida Sunshine State Young Reader Award
nominated South Dakota Prairie Pasque Award
nominated Kansas William Allen White Award
nominated Pennsylvania Young Readers Award
nominated Iowa Children's Choice Award
Miami Herald Best Children's Book list
audiocassette with Recorded Books (ISBN 1-4025-0939-1)
published in German (2005 Carlsen NUR 3 TAGE ISBN 3-551-58125-8)

reviews reviews

From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: ...nightmarish scenes...a suspenseful reading experience...

From THE HORN BOOK: ...Taut and suspenseful...the present-tense narration gives it a you-are-there immediacy...

GRACIE, THE PIXIE OF THE PUDDLE (third in the trilogy with THE PRINCE OF THE POND and JIMMY, THE PICKPOCKET OF THE PALACE)

2004 Dutton (ISBN 0-525-47264-9)

reviews

From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: ...lighthearted fantasy ... a quick read that juxtaposes biological facts about frogs with conventions of fairy tales...

From BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS: ...froggily eloquent voice... Readaloud-friendly chapters and accessible humor make this a solid classroom addition...

SLY THE SLEUTH AND THE PET MYSTERIES (first in the SLY THE SLEUTH series)

coauthored

2005 Dial Books for Young Readers (ISBN 0-8037-2993-6) (pb Scholastic Book Club 2007)

Junior Library Guild
Best of the Year list, Bank Street College
Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award list
to be published in Korean (Sod Communications Co., Ltd., Seoul)

reviews

From KIRKUS: ...[The sleuth] uses an uncontrived combination of sharp observation, careful reasoning, and the occasional flash of insight ...engaging series opener...

From BOOKLIST: ...Sly's first-person account makes her friendship and bickering with the kids, grownups, and pets on the street as much fun as the mysteries...

UGLY

2006 Hyperion Books for Young Readers (ISBN 0-7868-3753-5) (pb 2008)

Junior Library Guild
Oklahoma Sequoyah Book Award Master List
Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book
starred review KIRKUS

reviews mentioned in a review discussion

From CAPITOL CHOICES: ...this excellent read-aloud introduces young readers to an exotic habitat.

From KIRKUS: ...fabulous coming-of-age story... beautiful lessons about finding oneself, about fitting in (or not), about the implacability of nature and weather and the importance of maternal advice.

SLY THE SLEUTH AND THE SPORTS MYSTERIES (second in the SLY THE SLEUTH series)

coauthored

2006 Dial Books for Young Readers (ISBN 0-8037-2994-4)

Best of the Year list, Bank Street College
to be published in Korean (Sod Communications Co., Ltd., Seoul)

reviews

From KIRKUS: ...a pleasant read and some clues to the mysteries of friendship.

SLY THE SLEUTH AND THE FOOD MYSTERIES (third in the SLY THE SLEUTH series)

coauthored

2007 Dial Books for Young Readers (ISBN 978-0-8037-3119-6)

reviews

From BOOKLIST: ...Sly solves the neighborhood kids' mysteries in these linked, upbeat stories that, like the other titles, are written in short sentences with basic vocabulary targeted toward newly confident readers...

MOGO, THE THIRD WARTHOG

2008 Hyperion Books for Young Readers (ISBN-10: 1-4231-0816-7) (pb 2011)

Junior Library Guild
New York Public Library's 2008 list of 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
Keystone State Reading Association Book Award List for Intermediate Level
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award Master List, Vermont
Tennessee Association of School Librarians list of outstanding books
Sunshine State Young Readers Award List, Florida

reviews For a trailer made by M. Harclerode, a librarian in Lee County, FL, click here.

From KIRKUS: .....the joys and very real dangers of life on the savanna...

From BOOKLIST:...well-told, life-or-death adventure tale...children who love animals, even those as aparently unlovable as the warthog, will be in their element here.

SLY THE SLEUTH AND THE CODE MYSTERIES (fourth in the SLY THE SLEUTH series)

coauthored

2009 Dial Books for Young Readers (ISBN 0-8037-3345-9)

reviews

From SACRAMENTO BOOK REVIEW: ...will hold the attention of young chapter book readers in the mood to decipher some unusual codes.

LIGHTS ON THE NILE

2011 Harper Collins (ISBN 9780061667930)

Junior Library Guild

reviews reviews reviews reviews

From PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: ...mystical coming-of-age tale...saturated with proverbs, details of everyday life at the time, and rich descriptions of the places Kepi visits... absorbing adventure.

From KIRKUS: ...full of detail of setting and culture that should enthrall young fans of historical fiction.

From VOYA: ... a great companion for ancient Egyptian studies and a great read for historical fiction fans, ancient Egyptian mythology buffs, and those searching for strong female protagonists.

TREASURY OF GREEK MYTHOLOGY, CLASSIC STORIES OF GODS, GODDESSES, HEROES & MONSTERS

2011 National Geographic (ISBN 978-1-4263-0844-4)

ALA Notable Book
Eureka! Silver Honor Book of the California Reading Association
Best Books of 2011 list by SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book
starred review KIRKUS
starred review SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
starred review PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

reviews reviews

excerpt read by author

reviewsFrom KIRKUS: ...capturing the nature of each god or mortal with vivid turns of phrase...superb versions for reading alone or for sharing with audiences large or small.

From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:...wise, witty, and thoroughly entrancing...lyrically written... A must-have for most collections.

From PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: ... telling each tale with grace, clarity, and emotion... vivid retellings... sidebars contextualize the stories.

From THE NEW YORK TIMES: ... This is a book meant to dazzle its readers -- and it does.

From SHELF AWARENESS: ... This is a book kids can dip in and out of, but will be most enjoyed cover to cover.

From HORN BOOK: impeccable... animated ...thoughtful...lyrical...gloriously star-spangled ...Lively and authentic, an excellent addition to the canon.

ANGELWINGS Series

Friends Everywhere (Angelwings #1)

Little Creatures (Angelwings #2)

On Her Own (Angelwings #3)

One Leap Forward (Angelwings #4)

Give and Take (Angelwings #5)

No Fair (Angelwings #6)

April Flowers (Angelwings #7)

Playing Games (Angelwings #8)

Lies and Lemons (Angelwings #9)

Running Away (Angelwings #10)

Know-It-All (Angelwings #11)

New Voices (Angelwings #12)

Left Out (Angelwings #13)

Happy Holidays (Angelwings #14)

Partners (Angelwings #15)

Hang In There (Angelwings #16)

From THE HORN BOOK: ...[Readers] witness young people much like themselves improving their characters and their circumstances through the choices they make... promotes good, old-fashioned "values"...