S c h o o l    S t o r i e s

All books located in J Fiction unless otherwise noted.

Adler, David A.

School Trouble for Andy Russell. Illus. Will Hillenbrand. 1999.

When their regular teacher is sick, Andy's fourth-grade class gets a substitute teacher, providing lots of opportunities for Andy and his friends to get in trouble.

Amato, Mary.

Snarf Attack, Underfoodle, and the Secret of Life: The Riot Brothers Tell All. Illus. Ethan Long. 2004.

The Riot brothers capture a crook, find a hidden treasure, and overthrow a king.

The Word Eater. Illus. Christopher Ryniak. 2000.

Lerner Chanse, a new student at Cleveland Park Middle School, finds a worm that magically makes things disappear, and she hopes it will help her fit in, or get revenge, at her hated school.

Asch, Frank.

Battle in a Bottle. Illus. John Kanzler. 2003.

Molly and Jake begin to settle into their new home in Public School Forty-Two behind the nail hole in Miss Clark's room.

Avi.

The Secret School. 2001.

In 1925, fourteen-year-old Ida Bidson secretly takes over as the teacher when the one-room schoolhouse in her remote Colorado area closes unexpectedly.

Barasch, Lynne.

A Country Schoolhouse. 2004. J Picture Book

A grandfather relates to his grandson tales of the small country school he attended in the 1940s.

Bechard, Margaret.

My Mom Married the Principal. 1998.

Eighth-grader Jonah Truman's life gets more complicated after his mom marries his school's principal during summer vacation.

Birney, Betty G.

Friendship According to Humphrey. 2005.

When Humphrey the hamster returns to Mrs. Brisbane's class after the winter break, a new class pet and some other surprises give him an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of friendship. Sequel to: The world according to Humphrey.

The World According to Humphrey. 2004.

Humphrey, pet hamster at Longfellow School, learns that he has an important role to play in helping his classmates and teacher.

Borden, Louise.

The Last Day of School. illus. Adam Gustavson 2006. J Easy Fiction

Matthew Perez, the official timekeeper of Mrs. Mallory's third-grade class, has a special good-bye gift for her on the last day of school.

Brinson, Cynthia L.

Seeing Sugar. 1998.

When she starts fourth grade, Kate loves school, until a new girl is given her front-row seat in class and Kate discovers that she needs glasses.

Clements, Andrew.

Frindle. Illus. Brian Selznick. 1996.

When he decides to turn his fifth grade teacher's love of the dictionary around on her, clever Nick Allen invents a new word and begins a chain of events that quickly moves beyond his control.

The Janitor's Boy. 2000.

Fifth grader Jack finds himself the target of ridicule at school when it becomes known that his father is one of the janitors, and he turns his anger onto his father.

The Landry News. Illus. Salvatore Murdocca. 1999.

A fifth-grader starts a newspaper with an editorial that prompts her burnt-out classroom teacher to really begin teaching again, but he is later threatened with disciplinary action as a result.

The Last Holiday Concert. 2004.

Life is usually easy for popular sixth-grader Hart Evans, but when his music teacher puts him in charge of the holiday concert, Hart must use all of his leadership skills to unite the other students.

Lunch Money. 2005.

Twelve-year-old Greg, who has always been good at moneymaking projects, is surprised to find himself teaming up with his lifelong rival, Maura, to create a series of comic books to sell at school.

The Report Card. 2004.

Fifth-grader Nora Rowley has always hidden the fact that she is a genius from everyone because all she wants is to be normal, but when she comes up with a plan to prove that grades are not important, things begin to get out of control.

Room One: A Mystery or Two. 2006.

A young boy living in rural western Nebraska investigates the connection between a mysterious face in the window of an empty house and the possible closing of the one-room school he attends.

The School Story. Illus. Brian Selznick. 2001.

After twelve-year-old Natalie writes a wonderful novel, her friend Zoe helps her devise a scheme to get it accepted at the publishing house where Natalie's mother works as an editor.

Cox, Judy.

That Crazy Eddie and the Science Project of Doom. 2005.

Best friends Matt and Eddie have a falling out that threatens to ruin their science fair project. Includes instructions for making a model of an erupting volcano. Third-grader Matt is dying to win first place in the school science fair. The prize is a gift certificate for fifty dollars that will buy him the skateboard of his dreams. But when he teams up with his best friend, Eddie, he discovers that working together isn't so easy. Matt finds out what Eddie told the whole class when he was out sick, and he wants to blow his top just like a real volcano. Will Matt lose the science fair competition and his best friend?

Creech, Sharon.

Bloomability. 1998.

When her aunt and uncle take her from New Mexico to Lugano, Switzerland, to attend an international school, thirteen-year-old Dinnie discovers an expanding world and her place within it.

De Groat, Diane.

No More Pencils, No More Books, No More Teacher's Dirty Looks! 2000.

Gilbert and his first-grade classmates are nervous about their performance on the last day of school, curious about the awards they will receive, sad to be leaving their teacher, and excited about summer vacation. Picture Book

DiSalvo, DyAnne.

The Sloppy Copy Slipup. 2000.

Fourth-grader Brian Higman worries about how his teacher Miss Fromme--nicknamed The General--will react when he fails to hand in a writing assignment, but he ends up being able to tell his story, after all.

Dowell, Frances O'Roark.

Phineas L. Macguire --- Erupts! 2006.

Fourth-grade science whiz Phineas MacGuire is forced to team up with the new boy in class on a science fair project, but the boy's quirky personality causes Phineas to wonder if they have any chance of winning. Dowell, Frances O'Roark.

Evans, Douglas.

Math Rashes and Other Classroom Tales. Illus. Larry Di Fiori. 2000.

This collection of nine short stories presents episodes of education gone awry.

Finchler, Judy.

Miss Malarkey Doesn't Live in Room 10. Illus. Kevin O'Malley. 1995. J Picture Book

A first-grade boy is shocked, then pleased, when he discovers that his teacher has a life away from school.

Miss Malarkey Won't Be In Today. Illus. Kevin O'Malley. 1998. J Picture Book

A teacher imagines the chaos that takes place when she stays home one day because she is sick.

Miss Malarkey's Field Trip. Illus. Kevin O'Malley. 2004. J Picture Book

Miss Malarkey takes her class on a field trip to the science museum, where they explore a dinosaur exhibit, watch a 3-D movie, and have many other adventures, both planned and unplanned.

Testing Miss Malarkey. Illus. Kevin O'Malley. 2000. J Picture Book

Although the teachers, the principal, and parents say The Test is not important, their actions tell another story.

You're a Good Sport, Miss Malarkey. Illus. Kevin O'Malley. 2002. J Picture Book

The children on a newly formed soccer team love their coach, Miss Malarky, who doesn't know much about the game except how to make it fun, but the school principal and parents have other ideas.

Fletcher, Ralph J.

Flying Solo. 1998.

Rachel, having chosen to be mute following the sudden death of a classmate, shares responsibility with the other sixth-graders who decide not to report that the substitute teacher failed to show up.

Freeman, Martha.

Fourth-Grade Weirdo. 1999.

Dexter's well-ordered life is disrupted by his uneasy interactions with his spontaneous, even zany, fourth-grade teacher Mr. Ditzwinkle and by his mother's campaign for reelection to the town's school board.

Frost, Helen.

Spinning Through the Universe: A Novel in Poems from Room 214. 2004.

A collection of poems written in the voices of Mrs. Williams of room 214, her students, and a custodian about their interactions with each other, their families, and the world around them. Includes notes on the poetic forms represented.

Gantos, Jack.

Heads or Tails: Stories from the Sixth Grade. 1994.

Jack's diary helps him deal with his problems which include dog-eating alligators, a terror for an older sister, a younger brother who keeps breaking parts of himself, and next-door neighbors who are really weird.

Jack Adrift : Fourth Grade without a Clue. 2003.

When his father rejoins the Navy and moves the family to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, ten-year-old Jack becomes confused by a crush on his teacher, contradictory advice from his parents, and a very strange neighbor.

Jack on the Tracks: Four Seasons of Fifth Grade. 1999.

Moving with his unbearable sister to Miami, Florida, Jack tries to break some of his bad habits but finds himself irresistibly drawn to things disgusting, gross, and weird.

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key. 1998.

To the constant disappointment of his mother and his teachers, Joey has trouble paying attention or controlling his mood swings when his prescription meds wear off and he starts getting worked up and acting wired.

Gauthier, Gail.

A Year with Butch and Spike. 1998.

Upon entering the sixth grade, straight-A student Jasper falls under the spell of the dreaded, irrepressible Cootch cousins.

Gordon, Amy.

Return to Gill Park. 2006.

When thirteen-year-old Willy Wilson returns to Gloria to enroll in Gill Park Gallery School, he finds himself in the middle of a politically backed struggle to save the park and to solve a treasure hunt.

Gorman, Carol.

Dork in Disguise. 1999.

Starting middle school in a new town, brainy Jerry Flack changes his image from "dork" to "cool kid," only to discover that he'd rather be himself.

Greene, Stephanie.

Queen Sophie Hartley. 2005.

A suggestion from her mother leads Sophie to befriend the new girl at school and an elderly, grouchy woman, and helps her overcome the feeling that she is not good at anything.

Greenwald, Sheila.

Rosy Cole's Memoir Explosion: A Heartbreaking Story about Losing Friends, Annoying Family, and Ruining Romance. 2006.

When Rosy writes a memoir about herself and her friends for a school assignment, she is surprised when they are not thrilled with the result.

Grove, Vicki.

Reaching Dustin. 1998.

Fifth-grader Carly's assignment to interview a reclusive, brooding classmate leads her to discover some of the events that have caused his antisocial and abusive family's negative impact on their Missouri farming community, and Carly's family in particular.

Grunwell, Jeanne Marie.

Mind Games. 2003.

Each of the six members of Mr. Ennis's Mad Science Club presents a report of his or her experiences working on a science fair project to investigate ESP, which resulted in their winning the Maryland lottery.

Gutman, Dan.

The Homework Machine. 2006.

Four fifth-grade students--a geek, a class clown, a teacher's pet, and a slacker--as well as their teacher and mothers, each relate events surrounding a computer programmed to complete homework assignments.

Hoffman, Mary.

Encore, Grace! 2003.

Grace and her group of friends, the Famous Five, face a variety of changes, including a new girl in class, taking part in the Christmas play, losing a dear friend, and challenging the grown-ups in their lives. Sequel to: Starring Grace.

Hornik, Laurie Miller.

The Secrets of Ms. Snickle's Class. Illus.Debbie Tilley. 2001.

Every school has its secrets, but in Ms. Snickle's classroom the secrets are extraordinary, and when Lacey sets out to learn and tell them all, she puts Ms. Snickle's job in jeopardy.

Howe, James.

The Misfits. 2001.

Four students who do not fit in at their small-town middle school decide to create a third party for the student council elections to represent all students who have ever been called names.

Hulme, Joy N.

Climbing the Rainbow. 2004.

In this sequel to "Through the Open Door," ten-year-old Dora makes a quilt to record her experiences as she finally starts school and her Mormon family's efforts to secure homestead rights for their farm in New Mexico.

Hurwitz, Johanna.

Fourth-Grade Fuss. 2004.

A yard sale, ice skating, class pictures, and a surprise party are a few of the things that make fourth grade fun for Julio and his friends, but they must get serious about studying as the statewide end-of-year test approaches.

Jones, Jennifer B.

Dear Mrs. Ryan, You're Ruining My Life. 2000.

In an effort to get his mother to stop writing about him in her books, fifth-grader Harvey and his best friend decide to try to make a romantic connection between her and their school principal.

The (Short) Story of My Life. 2004.

With both the help and hindrance of family, his best friend, and the school bully, sixth-grader Michael Jordan copes with romance and the fact that he is, as usual, the shortest one in his class.

Kelly, Katy.

Lucy Rose, Here's the Thing about Me. 2004.

Eight-year-old Lucy Rose keeps a diary of her first year in Washington, D.C., her home since her parents' separation, where she spends time with her grandparents, makes new friends, and longs to convince her teacher to let her take care of the class pet during a holiday.

Kline, Suzy.

Herbie Jones Moves On. 2003.

When his best friend's family plans to move away, Herbie Jones does what he can to cope with the change.

Klise, Kate.

Regarding the Fountain: A Tale, in Letters, of Liars and Leaks. 1998.

When the principal asks a fifth-grader to write a letter regarding the purchase of a new drinking fountain for their school, he finds that all sorts of chaos results.

Regarding the Trees: A Splintered Saga Rooted in Secrets. 2005.

In this story told primarily through letters, Principal Russ wants the middle school trees to be trimmed before his administrative evaluation, but the project is interrupted by a town gender war, dueling chefs, student tree protests, and a surprise wedding.

Korman, Gordon.

The 6th Grade Nickname Game. 1998.

Eleven-year-old best friends Jeff and Wiley, who like to give nicknames to their classmates, try to find the right one for the new girl Cassandra, while adjusting to the football coach who has become their new teacher.

Kurzweil, Allen.

Leon and the Champion Chip. 2005.

Employing scientific methods learned in Mr. Sparks's class, fifth-grader Leon competes in a potato chip tasting contest and takes revenge against Lumpkin the bully.

Leon and the Spitting Image. 1998.

Leon, a fourth grader at The Ethical School, tries to outwit the school bully and learn to sew for fanatical teacher Miss Cronheim, with unexpected help from his final project-- a doll with magical powers.

Laser, Michael.

6-321. 2001.

Sixth grade in a public school in Queens brings many changes into the life of Marc Chaikin, as he falls in love, deals with class bullies, overcomes his fear of school, and faces his parents' divorce.

LeMieux, A. C. (Anne Connelly).

All the Answers. 2000.

Failing algebra and being grounded for talking back to his father are bad enough, but when he faces a beautiful new eighth grader and her bullying twin brother, Jason is forced to take another look at his life.

MacDonald, Amy.

No More Nasty. Illus. Cat Bowman Smith. 2001.

When Simon's Great Aunt Matilda becomes the substitute teacher for his unruly fifth-grade class, her unique way of looking at things gives the students a new perspective on learning.

MacLellan, Erin.

Run from the Nun! 2003.

Hoping to escape from Saint Joan of Arc School and return to her former elementary school, fifth-grader Kara is joined by some new classmates as she devises schemes to get expelled and as they all investigate the suspicious actions of the school janitor.

Maguire, Gregory.

Four Stupid Cupids. Illus. Elaine Clayton. 2000. (Volume 4 of the Hamlet Chronicles.)

The students' scheme to find a love match for their beloved teacher on Valentine's Day turns into a comedy of errors when four stupid cupids from Ancient Greece try to help.

Marsden, Carolyn.

The Quail Club. 2006.

Now in fifth grade, Oy wants to do a Thai dance at the school talent show until Liliandra threatens to kick her out of their club if they do not perform an American-style skit together.

McDonough, Alison.

Do the Hokey Pokey. Illus. Jackie Urbanovic. 2001.

Anxious to fit in at his new school and make friends, fifth grader Brendan tries to avoid his embarrassing mother who loves to make a spectacle of herself.

McKenna, Colleen O'Shaughnessy.

Good Grief... Third Grade. Illus. Richard Williams. 1993.

Marsha Cessano, Collette Murphy's neighbor, is determined to be good in third grade--no messy desk, no temper, no tricks--but Roger Friday is making it difficult.

Live from the Fifth Grade. 1994.

Roger Friday loves to play tricks on Marsha Cessano, but when he investigates a robbery at school, he finds the best man for the job is Marsha.

Third Grade Stinks!Illus. Stephanie Roth. 2001.

Gordie loves his third grade teacher, but sharing a locker with a girl instead of his best friend and trouble with a school bully may ruin his best year ever.

The Truth about Sixth Grade. 1991.

Collette finds herself unexpectedly popular when her fellow students find out her family knows the world's most gorgeous teacher personally.

Mills, Claudia.

Standing Up to Mr. O. 1998.

Twelve-year-old Maggie comes to dread biology class because her favorite teacher is insisting that she dissect a worm, an assignment that makes her feel very squeamish and awakens her to the question of animal rights.

Montes, Marisa.

A Crazy Mixed-Up Spanglish Day. 2003.

In Northern California, Maritza Gabriela Morales Mercado struggles to deal with the third grade bully, to control her temper, and to remember to speak Spanish at home and English at school. (Get ready for Gabi; 1)

Morgenstern, Susie Hoch.

It Happened at School: Two Tales. 2005.

In the first of two school stories set in France, the persistent boyfriend of Julien's teacher becomes a nuisance when he uses the class's new telephone/fax machine to express his love; and in the second, a homework assignment involving autographs has everyone excited in Claudette's class.

Sixth Grade. 2004.

Follows the disappointments and exhilarations of a French girl and her sixth grade classmates as they exhaust their teachers, host a poetry competition, play spin the bottle, and travel to Rome on a class trip.

Myers, Anna.

Confessions from the Principal's Chair. 2006.

After participating in a cruel prank on a classmate, fourteen-year-old Robin and her mother move to Oklahoma, where Robin is mistaken for the substitute principal and receives a new perspective on bullying.

Myers, Laurie.

Surviving Brick Johnson. Illus. Dan Yaccarino. 2000.

Afraid of getting maimed for making fun of Brick, the husky new kid in his fifth-grade class, Nick decides that even his baseball collection will not protect him so he signs up for karate class, despite his little brother's reassurances that Brick is not a bully.

Myracle, Lauren.

Eleven. 2004.

The year between turning eleven and turning twelve brings many changes for Winnie and her friends.

Nixon, Joan Lowery.

Laugh Till You Cry. 2004.

Thirteen years old and a budding comedian, Cody has little to laugh about after he and his mother move from California to Texas to help his sick grandmother and he finds himself framed by his jealous cousin for calling in bomb threats to their school.

O'Keefe, Susan Heyboer.

Death by Eggplant. 2004.

Eighth-grader Bertie Hooks has to keep his dream of becoming a world-class chef a secret, especially from his mortal enemy, Nick Dekker, and when they both get "flour-sack babies" to take care of for a week, things become even more complicated for Bertie.

Paulsen, Gary.

Molly McGinty Has a Really Good Day. 2004.

When supremely organized seventh-grader, Molly McGinty, loses the notebook she relies on to keep her life in order she spends the day in chaos.

Pearsall, Shelley.

All of the Above: A Novel. 2006.

Five urban middle school students, their teacher, and other community members relate how a school project to build the world's largest tetrahedron affects the lives of everyone involved.

Pennypacker, Sara.

Stuart Goes to School. 2003. (Easy Fiction)

In this hilarious sequel to "Stuart's Cape," Stuart is on his way to the first day of school. With his cape, though, Stuart is bound to have a day full of wacky adventures. Illustrations.

Sachar, Louis.

Someday Angeline. Illus. Barbara Samuels. 1983.

As an eight-year-old genius in the sixth grade, Angeline is not too popular, but she tries to adjust to being different.

There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom. 1987.

An unmanageable, but lovable, eleven-year-old misfit learns to believe in himself when he gets to know the new school counselor, who is a sort of misfit too.

Schenker, Dona.

The Secret Circle. 1998.

Sixth grader Jamie enters a new school and must decide if membership in an exclusive clique, The Secret Circle, is worth the price of betraying a friend.

Scott, C. Anne (Cynthia Anne).

Lizard Meets Ivana the Terrible. Illus. Stephanie Roth. 1999.

When third grader Lizzie Gardener must live temporarily with her grandmother, her greatest fears have to do with making friends in her new school.

Smallcomb, Pam.

The Last Burp of Mac McGerp. Illus. Lizzy Bromley. 2003.

Mac McGerp, winner of the Best Burper first prize at the Tri-county Fair, and his good friend, Lido, try to figure out how to deal with the new repressive school principal.

Smith, Janice Lee.

Serious Science: An Adam Joshua Story. Illus. Dick Gackenbach. 1993.

Devastated when his little sister and his dog George demolish his science project on the solar system, Adam Joshua becomes ingenious and inventive in coming up with a last-minute replacement.

Stauffacher, Sue.

Donuthead. 2003.

Franklin Delano Donuthead, a fifth-grader obsessed with hygiene and safety, finds an unlikely friend and protector in Sarah Kervick, the tough new student who lives in a dirty trailer, bonds with his mother, and is as "irregular" as he is.

Van Draanen, Wendelin.

Secret Identity. 2004.

Fifth-grader Nolan Byrd, tired of being called names by the class bully, has a secret identity--Shredderman! (Shredderman; 1)

Wallace, Barbara Brooks.

The Perils of Peppermints. 2003.

Left at a New York boarding school by Aunt and Uncle Twice, eleven-year-old Emily finds horrors even greater than those she faced at Sugar Hill Hall, especially after she gets word that her inheritance is lost. Sequel to: Peppermints in the Parlor.

Warner, Sally.

Not-So-Weird Emma. 2005.

Eight-year-old Emma is just beginning to like her new school when her friend Cynthia starts telling other kids that Emma is, well, a little strange.

Weston, Carol.

Melanie in Manhattan. 2005.

Eleven-year-old Melanie records in her diary how she rediscovers her hometown of Manhattan, copes with competing for her best friend's attention, enjoys a litter of baby mice, and anxiously awaits email from her Spanish friend, Miguel.

Wetter, Bruce.

The Boy with the Lampshade on his Head. 2004.

Shy fifth-grader Stanley Krakow spends his time trying not to be noticed and pretending to be a superhero or a record-breaking athlete, until one day he meets someone who really needs him to be a hero.

Wilson, Jacqueline.

The Worry Web Site. 2003.

Mr. Speed creates a website on which his students can anonymously type their worries and get feedback from their classmates, which helps them sort out everything from pimples to stepfamily problems.

Winerip, Michael.

Adam Canfield of the Slash. 2005.

While serving as co-editors of their school newspaper, middle-schoolers Adam and Jennifer uncover fraud and corruption in their school and in the city's government. When Phoebe's article on Eddie the janitor leads to a much bigger scoop-an eccentric woman's mysterious gift to the school-Adam and Jennifer rise to the challenge, risking their principal's wrath to uncover some shocking secrets.

Wong, Janet S.

Minn and Jake. Illus. Genevieve Cote. 2003.

Fifth-grader Minn, the tallest girl in school, begins a rocky friendship with Jake, a new student who is not only very short, but is also afraid of the worms and lizards that Minn likes to collect.

Zollman, Pam.

Don't Bug Me! 2001.

When Megan must collect twenty-five insects for a school project, her little brother's interference and a classmate's teasing make the task difficult, and reveal that she does not know either of them as well as she thought.

www.webrary.org/Kids/jbibschool.html
First published on the Web: 2/15/2002
Last updated: 12/29/2009