First Chapter Fridays (FCF)
A weekly student engagement strategy that quickly introduces students to high-quality books they will love.
If you are brand new to the practice of First Chapter Fridays, watch the How Do I Do First Chapter Fridays video. If this isn’t your first rodeo with FCFs but you are looking for new and fun way to implement the strategy, check out the 20 Implementation Ideas video.
Then, scroll down to my FCF library that contains book information and read aloud video links for 180 books (and counting!).
Happy reading my friends!
If you are looking for a way to ROUTINELY and REPEATEDLY introduce your students to great books, First Chapter Friday is the perfect way to make bookish magic happen in your classroom. It’s super simple, every Friday (it doesn’t have to be Friday) you tell your students about a great book and then read them the first chapter.
Not sure which books to read? Don’t super love reading out loud? Want to gift yourself a ten minute break at the start of class? Let me do the heavy lifting and utilize my resources.
Brand new to FCF? Start here
Looking for Fresh ways to Implement FCF? Watch this!
Here are a few more resources to get you started:
The Word Nerd’s
First Chapter Friday
Read Aloud Videos
For every book in my FCF collection you will be given the title, author, reading level (ATOS and Lexile), chapter 1 read aloud video link, book purchasing link, book genre, book format and a link to a PDF of the student engagement worksheet.
Books are arranged and indexed alphabetically (by book title) below. If you don’t see a book you are looking for, email me your request at wordnerd@amandazieba.com.
Happy listening and reading!
- Amanda
A
Across the Desert
Dusti Bowling
ATOS: 4.2 Lexile: N/A
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (42:45)
Author Interview
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round
Kathlyn Kirkwood
Age: 10+
Nonfiction
Novel in Verse
Video Link (21:12)
Author Interview
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Alibi Junior High
Greg Logsted
ATOS:3.9 Lexile: N/A
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (25:55)
Author Interview
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Airborn
Kenneth Oppel
ATOS: 5.1 Lexile: 760
Steampunk, Action/Adventure
Prose
Video Link (20:56)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
All is Nat Lost
Maria Scrivan
ATOS: N/A Lexile: 320L
Realist Fiction
Graphic Novel
Video Link (10:08)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
All Thirteen
Christina Soontornvat
ATOS: 7.2 Lexile: 1020
Nonfiction
Prose
Video Link (12:21)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Alone
Megan E. Freeman
ATOS: 4.7 Lexile: 690
Realistic Fiction, Survival Story
Novel in Verse
Video Link (11:22)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Alone Out Here
Riley Redgate
Age: 14+
Science Fiction
Prose
Video Link (32:42)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Amari and the Night Brothers
B.B. Alston
ATOS: 4.9 Lexile: N/A
Fantasy
Prose
Video Link (15:54)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
American Royals
Katharine McGee
ATOS: 6.2 Lexile: 820
Romance
Prose
Video Link (37:31)
Author Interview & Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Assignment
Liza Wiemer
ATOS: N/A Lexile: 720
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (34:34)
Author Interview
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Absolutely Truly
Heather Vogel Frederick
ATOS: 5.4 Lexile: 790
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (6:28)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
B
The Bad Beginning
Lemony Snicket
ATOS: 6.4 Lexile: 1010
Fiction, Humor, Orphan Story
Prose
Video Link (13:11)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Ban This Book
Alan Gratz
ATOS: 4.5 Lexile: 690
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (9:46)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Batter Royale
Leisl Adams
Age: 12+
Realistic Fiction
Graphic Novel
Video Link (16:43)
Author Interview
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Because of Winn Dixie
Kate DiCamillo
ATOS: 3.9 Lexile: 670
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (8:42)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Becoming Muhammad Ali
James Paterson and Kwame Alexander
ATOS: 5.4 Lexile: 1010L
Historical Fiction
Novel in Verse
Video Link (8:57)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Beneath
Roland Smith
ATOS: 3.9 Lexile: 670
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (14:48)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Barbara Robinson
ATOS: 5.1 Lexile: 930
Realistic Fiction, Christmas Story
Prose
Video Link (17:33)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Between Monsters and Marvels
Alysa Wishingrad
Age: 8-12
Historical Fiction
Format
Video Link (27:33)
Author Interview
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Big Rig
Louise Hawes
Age: 8-12
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (17:41)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Big Tree
Brian Selznick
Age: 7+
Environmental Fiction
Illustrated Novel
Video Link (6:15)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Bomb
Steve Sheinkin & Nick Bertozzi
ATOS: N/A Lexile: 640L
Non Fiction
Graphic Novel
Video Link (14:40)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Book Thief
Markus Zusak
ATOS: 5.1 Lexile: 730
Historical Fiction
Prose
Video Link (18:26)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Boxcar Children
Gertrude Chandler Warner
ATOS: 3.9 Lexile: 590L
Historical Fiction
Prose
Video Link (9:51)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Boys Without Names
Kashmira Sheth
ATOS: 4.2 Lexile: 670
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (34:40)
Author Interview & Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Breaking the Surface
Amanda Zieba
Age: 11+
Science Fiction
Prose
Video Link (13:15)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Breakout
Kate Messner
ATOS: 5.4 Lexile: 720
Realistic Fiction
Primary Documents
Video Link (21:32)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Brown Girl Dreaming
Jaqueline Woodson
ATOS: 5.3 Lexile: 990
Memoir
Novel in Verse
Video Link (14:17)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
C
Call of the Klondike
David Meissner
ATOS: 6.8 Lexile: 1100
Nonfiction, Adventure
Prose
Video Link (12:47)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Canyon's Edge
Dusti Bowling
ATOS: 4.8 Lexile: 750
Realistic Fiction
Novel in Verse
Video Link (10:15)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Change the Game
Colin Kaepernick
ATOS: N/A Lexile: 390
Memoir
Graphic Novel
Video Link (11:32)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Chirp
Kate Messner
ATOS: 4.6 Lexile: N/A
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (32:03)
Author Interview & Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Chunky
Yehudi Mercado
Age: 8-12
Realistic Fiction
Graphic Novel
Video Link (19:02)
Author Interview
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Cinder
Marissa Meyer
ATOS: 5.8 Lexile:790
Science Fiction, Fairy Tale Retelling
Prose
Video Link (24:39)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Claudette Colvin: Twice Towards Justice
Phillip Hoose
ATOS: 4.2 Lexile: 690
Narrative Nonfiction
Prose
Video Link (12:38)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Closer to Nowhere
Ellen Hopkins
ATOS: 3.7 Lexile: 490
Realistic Fiction
Novel in Verse
Video Link (12:19)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Concrete Cowboy
G. Neri
ATOS: 4.4 Lexile: 610
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (33:45)
Author Interview & Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Conspiracy 365: January
Gabrielle Lord
ATOS: 4.8 Lexile: 680
Contemporary Fiction, Thriller, Suspense
Prose
Video Link
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Coop Knows the Scoop
Taryn Souders
ATOS: 4.4 Lexile: 610
Realistic Fiction, Mystery
Prose
Video Link (23:19
Author Interview & Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades
of the Sommerset Sisters
Lesley M.M. Blume
ATOS: 5.5 Lexile: 650
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (28:00)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Coyote Lost and Found
Dan Gemeinhart
ATOS: N/A Lexile: N/A
Realistic Fiction
Video Link (26:47)
Author Interview & Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Crossover
Kwame Alexander
ATOS: 4.3 Lexile: 750
Realistic Fiction
Novel in Verse
Video Link (8:25)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Capture the Flag
Kate Messner
ATOS: 4.5 Lexile: 700
Realistic Fiction
Novel in Verse
Video Link (11:22)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
D
Doll Bones
Holly Black
ATOS: 5.4 Lexile: 840
Realistic Fiction, Ghost Story
Prose
Video Link (20:02)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Duel
Jessixa Bagley
ATOS: N/A Lexile: N/A
Realistic Fiction
Graphic Novel
Video Link (12:12)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Dragon Hoops
Gene Luen Yang
ATOS: 3.9 Lexile: 550
Realistic Fiction + Historical Fiction Flashbacks
Graphic Novel
Video Link (6:04)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Drums, Girls + Dangerous Pie
Jordan Sonnenblick
ATOS: NA Lexile: 940
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (32:02)
Author Interview & Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Deep Blue
Jennifer Donnelly
ATOS: 4.4 Lexile: N/A
Fantasy
Prose
Video Link (24:50)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Divergent
Veronica Roth
ATOS: 4.8 Lexile: 700
Dystopian
Prose
Video Link (11:49)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Deadlands: Hunted
Skye Melki-Wegner
ATOS: N/A Lexile: N/A
Prehistoric Fantasy
Prose
Video Link (19:25)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Dear Student
Elly Swartz
ATOS: N/A Lexile: 610
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (9:10)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Eb and Flow
Kelly Baptist
Age: 8-12
Realistic Fiction
Novel in Verse
Video Link (28:56)
Author Interview
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Endangered
Eliot Screfer
ATOS: 6.2 Lexile: 900
Realistic Fiction, Survival Story
Prose
Video Link (15:25)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Ender's Game
Orson Scott Card
ATOS: 5.5 Lexile: 780
Science Fiction
Prose
Video Link (14:22)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Enemies in the Orchard
Dana VanderLugt
Age: 12+
Historical Fiction
Novel in Verse
Video Link (30:10)
Author Interview
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Enemy
Charlie Higson
ATOS: 4.1 Lexile: 590
Horror, Dystopian
Prose
Video Link (24:43)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Eragon
Christopher Paolini
ATOS: 5.8 Lexile: 710
Fantasy
Prose
Video Link (17:26)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret
Trudi Trueit
ATOS: 4.7 Lexile: 660L
Realistic Fiction, Action, Adventure
Prose
Video Link (17:01)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
E
F
The False Prince
Jennifer A. Nielsen
ATOS: 5.1 Lexile: 710
Fantasy
Prose
Video Link (26:35)
Author Interview
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Fighting Words
Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
ATOS: 3.6 Lexile: N/A
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (31:17)
Author Interview
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Finn and the Intergalactic Lunchbox
Michael Buckley
ATOS: 4.6 Lexile: 630
Science Fiction
Prose
Video Link (30:55)
Author Interview
Worksheet Link
Amazon
A First Time for Everything
Dan Santat
Age: 10+
Memoir
Graphic Novel
Video Link (8:43)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The First Rule of Climate Club
Carrie Firestone
ATOS: N/A Lexile: 790
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (13:19)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Found
Margaret Peterson Haddix
ATOS: 5.0 Lexile: 750
Science Fiction
Prose
Video Link (34:11)
Author Interview & Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Fourth Stall
Chris Rylander
ATOS: 5.1 Lexile: 760
Realistic Fiction, Humor
Prose
Video Link (14:39)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Free Throws, Friendship and Other Things We Fouled Up
Jenn Bishop
Age: 10+
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (16:41)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Free Verse
Sarah Dooley
ATOS: 4.7 Lexile: 740L
Realistic Fiction
Prose, Poetry
Video Link (11:23)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
From the Desk of Zoe Washington
Janae Marks
ATOS: 4.4 Lexile: 660
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (21:34)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
E.L. Konigsburg
ATOS: 4.7 Lexile: 700
Realistic Fiction, Mystery
Prose
Video Link (20:00)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Front Desk
Kelly Yang
ATOS: 4.5 Lexile: 640
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (14:02)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
G
Gather
Kenneth M. Cadow
Age: 14+
Realistic Fiction, Survival Story
Prose
Video Link (9:38)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Ghost
Jason Reynolds
ATOS: 4.6 Lexile: 730
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (10:35)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Global
Eoin Colfer & Andrew Donkin
Age: 10-14
Realistic Fiction, Survival Story
Graphic Novel
Video Link (8:52)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Good Different
Meg Eden Kuyatt
ATOS: 5.1 Lexile: N/A
Realistic Fiction
Novel in Verse
Video Link (13:30)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Graveyard Book
Neil Gaiman
ATOS: 5.1 Lexile: 820
Fantasy, Ghost Story
Prose
Video Link (39:14)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Greetings from Witness Protection
Jake Burt
ATOS: 5.1 Lexile: 750
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (33:49)
Author Interview & Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Gregor the Overlander
Suzanne Collins
ATOS:4.8 Lexile: 690
Fantasy
Prose
Video Link (17:25)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Guys Read: Funny Busniness
Edited by Jon Scieszka
ATOS: N/A Lexile: 760L
Humor
Short Stories
Video Link (18:01)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Gamerville
Johnnie Christmas
ATOS: 5.7 Lexile: 760
Realistic Fiction
Graphic Novel
Video Link - COMING SOON! :)
Author Interview
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Giver
Lois Lowry
ATOS: 5.7 Lexile: 760
Dystopian
Prose
Video Link (18:16)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Girl Who Drank the Moon
Kelly Barnhill
ATOS: 4.8 Lexile: 640
High Fantasy
Prose
Video Link (8:37)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
H
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
J.K. Rowling
ATOS: 5.5 Lexile: 880
Fantasy
Prose
Video Link (28:46)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
J.K. Rowling
ATOS: 6.7 Lexile: 940
Fantasy
Prose
Video Link (16:17)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Haunted States of America
Many Authors
ATOS: N/A Lexile: N/A
Horror
Short Story Anthology
Video Link (10:17)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Holes
Louis Sachar
ATOS: 4.6 Lexile: 660
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (12:49)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The House Swap
Yvette Clark
Age: 8-12
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (10:12)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins
ATOS: 5.3 Lexile: 810
Dystopian Fiction
Prose
Video Link (30:49)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Horrible Bag of Terrible Things
Rob Renzetti
ATOS: N/a Lexile: 260
Horror/Humor
Prose
Video Link (22:27)
Drawing Activity
Author Interview
Worksheet Link
Amazon
House Arrest
K.A. Holt
ATOS: 4.0 Lexile: 610
Realistic Fiction
Novel in Verse
Video Link (13:52)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Heist Society
Ally Carter
ATOS: 5.5 Lexile: 800
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (18:09)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Hello, Universe
Erin Entrada Kelly
ATOS: 5.3 Lexile: 800
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (25:00)
Author Interview & Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Hidden
Helen Frost
ATOS: 3.9 Lexile: 670
Realistic Fiction
Novel in Verse
Video Link (42:30)
Author Interview
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Hear Me
Kerry O’Malley Cerra
Age: 10+
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (26:46)
Author Interview & Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Half Minute Horrors
Many Authors
ATOS: N/A Lexile: 7200
Horror
Short Story Anthology
Video Link (6:42)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
I Am Malala
Malala Yousafzai
ATOS: 7.1 Lexile: 1,000
Nonfiction, Memoir
Prose
Video Link (15:19)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
In Defense of Thaddeus A. Ledbetter
John Gosselink
ATOS: N/A Lexile: 790
Realistic Fiction
Prose, Heavily Illustrated
Video Link (14:08)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Inkheart
Cornelia Funke
ATOS: 5.4 Lexile: 780
Realistic Fiction, Mystery
Prose
Video Link (20:40)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Inheritance Games
Jennifer Lynn Barnes
ATOS: 4.7 Lexile: 640
Fantasy, Magical Realism
Prose
Video Link (9:44)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus
Dusti Bowling
ATOS: 4.6 Lexile: 700
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (12:00)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Brian Selznick
ATOS: 5.1 Lexile: 820
Historical Fiction, Mystery
Prose
Video Link (10:35)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Iveliz Explains it All
Andrea Beatriz Arango
ATOS: N/A Lexile: 940
Realistic Fiction
Novel in Verse
Video Link (13:47)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
I
Invisible
Christina Diaz Gonzalez
ATOS: N/A Lexile: 260
Realistic Fiction
Graphic Novel
Video Link (9:47)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
J
Jeffersons' Sons
Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
ATOS: N/A Lexile: 940
Historical Fiction
Prose
Video Link (16:06)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
K
L
A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting
Sophie Irwin
ATOS:N/A Lexile: N/A
Historical Fiction, Romance
Prose
Video Link (17:29)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Last Cuentista
Donna Barba Higuera
ATOS: 5.0 Lexile: N/A
Science Fiction
Prose
Video Link (10:52)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Last Mapmaker
Christina Soontornvat
ATOS: 5.2 Lexile: N/A
Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Prose
Video Link (23:28)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Last Shot
John Feinstein
ATOS: 4.8 Lexile: 760
Realistic Fiction, Mystery
Prose
Video Link (11:41)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Letters from Rifka
Karen Hesse
ATOS: 4.2 Lexile: 660
Historical Fiction
Epistolary
Video Link (23:19)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Lifeboat 12
Susan Hood
ATOS: 4.0 Lexile: 610
Historical Fiction
Novel in Verse
Video Link (24:50)
Author Interview & Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson book 1)
Rick Riordan
ATOS: 4.7 Lexile: 680
Mythology, Fantasy
Prose
Video Link (22:01)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Limit
Kristen Landon
ATOS: 4.4 Lexile: 690
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (16:48)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Lion of Mars
Jennifer L. Holm
ATOS: 4.0 Lexile: 530
Science Fiction
Prose
Video Link (13:29)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
C.S. Lewis
ATOS: 5.7 Lexile: 940
Fantasy
Prose
Video Link (12:02)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Little Blog on the Prairie
Cathleen Davit Bell
ATOS: 5.1 Lexile: 820
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (27:43)
Author Interview
Worksheet Link
Amazon
A Long Walk to Water
Linda Sue Park
ATOS:5.0 Lexile: 720
Historical Fiction
Prose
Video Link (15:35)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Lost Year
Katherine Marsh
Age: 10+
Historical Fiction, Family Saga
Prose
Video Link (18:57)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Louder Than Hunger
John Schu
ATOS: N/A
Lexile: N/A
Age: 10+
Realistic Fiction
Novel in Verse
Video Link (11:05)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Lucky Girl
Jamie Pacton
Age: 14-17
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (38:10)
Author Interview & Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
M
Maniac Magee
Jerry Spinelli
ATOS: 4.7 Lexile: 820
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (14:20)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Matched
Ally Condie
ATOS: 4.8 Lexile: 680
Dystopian
Prose
Video Link (18:35)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment
James Patterson
ATOS: 4.6 Lexile: 700
Science Fiction
Prose
Video Link (14:16)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Maze Runner
James Dashner
ATOS: 5.3 Lexile: 770L700
Dystopian
Prose
Video Link (9:49)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Merci Suarez Changes Gears
Meg Medina
ATOS: 4.8 Lexile: 700
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (18:10)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Mexikid
Pedro Martin
Age: 10-14
Memoir
Graphic Novel
Video Link (12:01)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Millionaires for the Month
Stacy McAnulty
ATOS: 4.1 Lexile: 570
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (27:56)
Author Interview & Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Misfits
James Howe
ATOS: 5.2 Lexile: 960
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (15:22)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Mockingbird
Kathryn Erskine
ATOS: 3.6 Lexile: 630
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (10:54)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Neptune Project
Polly Holyoke
ATOS: 5.9 Lexile: 810
Science Fiction, Action Adventure
Prose
Video Link (29:36)
Author Interview & Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
New Kid
Jerry Craft
ATOS: 2.9 Lexile: 320
Realistic Fiction
Graphic Novel
Video Link (29:21)
Author Interview
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Night Diary
Veera Hiranandani
ATOS: 4.5 Lexile: 700
Historical Fiction
Epistolary
Video Link (22:54)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
A Night Divided
Jennifer A. Nielsen
ATOS: 5.4 Lexile: 810
Historical Fiction
Prose
Video Link (8:22)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Nikki on the Line
Barbara Caroll Roberts
ATOS: 5.0 Lexile: 840
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (20:32)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
N
A Northern Light
Jennifer Donnelly
ATOS: 4.5 Lexile: 700
Historical Fiction
Prose
Video Link (13:00)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Nowhere Boy
Katharine Marsh
ATOS: 5.4 Lexile: 810
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (12:00)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Ode to a Nobody
Caroline Brooks Dubois
Age: 8-12
Realistic Fiction
Novel in Verse
Video Link (12:44)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Okay Witch
Emma Steinkellner
ATOS: 3.1 Lexile: 390
Fantasy
Graphic Novel
Video Link (8:48)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
One for the Murphys
Lynda Mullaly Hunt
ATOS: 3.4 Lexile: 520
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (8:01)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Other Merlin
Robyn Schneider
Age: 14+
Legend, Myth Retelling, Fantasy
Prose
Video Link (23:57)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Other Words for Home
Jasmine Warga
ATOS: 5.3 Lexile: 930
Realistic Fiction
Novel in Verse
Video Link (31:27)
Author Interview & Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Our Teacher is a Vampire and Other Not True Stories
Mary Amato
ATOS: 4.1 Lexile: 620
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (23:30)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon/Bookshop
Out of My Mind
Sharon Draper
ATOS: 4.3 Lexile: 700
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (11:25)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Out of the Dust
Karen Hesse
ATOS: 5.3 Lexile: N/A
Historical Fiction
Novel in Verse
Video Link (14:18)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
O
P
A Place to Hang the Moon
Kate Albus
ATOS: 5.0 Lexile: N/A
Historical Fiction
Prose
Video Link (29:14)
Author Interview & Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Parachute Kids
Betty C. Tang
ATOS: N/A Lexile: 720
Realistic Fiction
Graphic Novel
Video Link (18:27)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Project F
Jeanne DuPrau
ATOS: N/A Lexile: 720
Environmental, Speculative Fiction
Prose
Video Link (12:28)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Q
R
The Rabbit's Gift
Jessica Vitalis
Age: 8-12
Fantasy
Prose
Video Link (36:19)
Author Interview & Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Red Queen
Victoria Aveyard
ATOS: 5.2 Lexile: 740
Fantasy
Prose
Video Link (22:37)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Red, White and Whole
Rajanni LaRocca
ATOS: 3.7 Lexile: N/A
Realistic Fiction
Novel in Verse
Video Link (38:37)
Author Interview
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Refugee
Alan Gratz
ATOS: 5.3 Lexile: 800
Historical & Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (24:11)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise
Dan Gemeinhart
ATOS: 4.7 Lexile: 730
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (20:34)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Restart
Gordon Korman
ATOS: 5.1 Lexile: 730
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (20:09)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
A Rover's Story
Jasmine Warga
ATOS: 4.1 Lexile: Unav.
Science Fiction
Epistolary
Video Link (34:33)
Author Interview & Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Rules
Cynthia Lord
ATOS: 3.9 Lexile: 780
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (12:44)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Running Dream
Wendelin Van Draanen
ATOS: 4.1 Lexile: 650
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (14:18)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
S
The School for Good and Evil
Soman Chanani
ATOS: 5.2 Lexile: 830
Fantasy
Prose
Video Link (27:41)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Scorpio Races
Maggie Stiefvater
ATOS: 5.5 Lexile: 840
Paranormal Fiction, Fantasy
Prose
Video Link (26:07)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Selection (book 1)
Kiera Cass
ATOS: 4.7 Lexile: 680
Fantasy, Dystopian Romance
Prose
Video Link (19:08)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Shadow on the Mountain
Margi Preus
ATOS: 5.0 Lexile: 730
Historical Fiction
Prose
Video Link (40:09)
Author Interview
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Shiver
Maggie Stiefvater
ATOS: 4.9 Lexile: 740
Paranormal Romance
Prose
Video Link (11:18)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (book 1)
Ann Brashares
ATOS: 4.5 Lexile: 600
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (21:35)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Small as an Elephant
Jennifer Richard Jacobson
ATOS: 4.7 Lexile: 690
Survival Story
Prose
Video Link (24:45)
Author Interview & Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Starfish
Lisa Fipps
ATOS: 4.1 Lexile: N/A
Realistic Fiction
Novel in Verse
Video Link (31:31)
Author Interview
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Stealing Home
J. Torres & David Namisato
ATOS: 3.3 Lexile: 430L
Historical Fiction
Graphic Novel
Video Link (11:13)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Stepsister
Jennifer Donnelly
ATOS: 4.7 Lexile: 640
Fantasy, Fairytale Retelling
Prose
Video Link (31:21)
Author Interview & Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Swim Team
Johnnie Christmas
ATOS: 2.6 Lexile: N/A
Realistic Fiction
Graphic Novel
Video Link (11:59)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
T
The Tale of Despereaux
Kate DiCamillo
ATOS: 4.7 Lexile: 670
Fantasy
Prose
Video Link (9:27)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Talk Santa to Me
Linda Urban
ATOS: N/A Lexile: 810
Realistic Fiction, Christmas Story
Prose
Video Link (11:02)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Thief of Always
Clive Barker
ATOS: 4.8 Lexile: 740
Fantasy, Horror
Prose
Video Link (11:56)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer
John Grisham
ATOS: 5.2 Lexile: 840
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (15:13)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Things Not Seen
Andrew Clements
ATOS: 4.5 Lexile: 690
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (20:39)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
To Night Owl From Dogfish
Holly Goldberg Sloan and Meg Wolitzer
ATOS: 5.6 Lexile: 720
Realistic Fiction
Epistolary
Video Link (16:41)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Tryout
Christina Soontornvat
ATOS: N/A Lexile: 380
Memoir
Graphic Novel
Video Link (8:15)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Tuck Everlasting
Natalie Babbitt
ATOS: 5.0 Lexile: 770
Fantasy
Prose
Video Link (12:32)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Twilight
Stephenie Meyer
ATOS: 4.9 Lexile: 720
Fantasy
Prose
Video Link (14:55)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Thirst
Varsha Bajaj
ATOS: 4.4 Lexile: N/A
Realistic Fiction, Mystery
Prose
Video Link (26:48)
Author Interview & Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
U
Uglies
Scott Westerfeld
ATOS: 5.2 Lexile: 770
Dystopian Fiction
Prose
Video Link (13:14)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
V
Vanishing Act
John Feinstein
ATOS: 4.8 Lexile: 760
Realistic Fiction, Mystery
Prose
Video Link (12:55)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
W
The War That Saved My Life
Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
ATOS: 4.1 Lexile: 580
Historical Fiction
Prose
Video Link (10:55)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Westing Game
Ellen Raskin
ATOS: 5.3 Lexile: 750
Mystery, Fiction
Prose
Video Link (9:49)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
What I Carry
Jennifer Longo
ATOS: 4.6 Lexile: 690L
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (15:56)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
When You Reach Me
Rebecca Stead
ATOS: 4.5 Lexile: 750
Mystery, Historical Fiction
Prose
Video Link (8:19)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
When You Trap A Tiger
Tae Keller
ATOS: 4.1 Lexile: 590
Magical Realism
Prose
Video Link (11:18)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Whipping Boy
Sid Fleischman
ATOS: 3.9 Lexile: 570
Humorous Fiction
Prose
Video Link (6:01)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Wild Bird
Wendelin Van Draanen
ATOS: 4.4 Lexile: 680
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (29:47)
Author Interview
Worksheet Link
Amazon
The Wild Robot
Peter Brown
ATOS: 5.1 Lexile: 740
Survival Story, Science Fiction
Prose
Video Link (11:55)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
A Wish in the Dark
Christina Soontornvat
ATOS: 5.2 Lexile: 720
Realism
Prose
Video Link (24:01)
Author Interview & Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Wonder
RJ Palacio
ATOS: 4.8 Lexile: 790
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (9:50)
Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
A Work in Progress
Jarrett Lerner
Age: 10-12
Memoir
Illustrated Novel, Novel in Verse
Video Link (27:38)
Author Interview
Worksheet Link
Amazon
A Wrinkle in Time
Madeline L’Engle
ATOS: 4.7 Lexile: 740
Science Fiction
Prose
Video Link (26:59)
Worksheet Link
Amazon
Wrong Way Home, The
Kate O'Shaughnessy
ATOS: 4.8 Lexile: 690
Realistic Fiction
Prose
Video Link (25:39)
Author Interview & Mystery Quote
Worksheet Link
Amazon
X
Y
Z
Accomplish more than just a time out - you’ll also be building background knowledge and classroom comradery.
Brain Breaks
Everything you need to implement the game changing practice of FCF right here - ready and waiting for your readers!
First Chapter Fridays
Monthly calendars full of pre-planned content. Each quarter, 3 new monthly calendars will be posted.
Pre-planned Calendars
Resources
Here are dozens of interesting writing prompts and resources to implement and support your efforts.
Writing Prompts
Teaching is more fun with friends! Check out ways to connect with fellow educators [and yours truly].
Connect
On this page, you’ll find all sorts of multi-day lesson plans and supplemental activities connected directly to the Common Core State Standards.
Lessons
Fill your teacher toolbox with some new strategies, tips and tools.
Teaching tips
Questions and comments? Click here to access our private FB Group
Private FB Group Access
These are books I have read, highly recommend, and has an accompanying FCF video. Bonus, you can print these 8.5x11 flyers and post them in your classroom!
Reading Recommendations
