There’s nothing more exciting than watching your students transform into strong, confident readers. Their growth and achievement not only pave the way for future success inside and outside the classroom, it’s also a testament to the power and magic of books!

Kelsey Zeilinger, a fourth-grade teacher in Virginia, keeps her eager readers engaged by choosing books with diverse characters, unique settings, and rich vocabulary. “I want the story line to provoke students to make predictions and to read on since sometimes advanced readers have a genre that they prefer,” says Zeilinger. “I also like to expose students to people and places that are different from them, such as reading books about a character with a disability or exploring a new culture through fictional literature.”

One of her go-to books for her advanced readers is Save Me a Seat, a wonderful story of friendship and fitting in. “This book takes on the issue of bullying that my students can relate to while sharing new cultures with them,” says Zeilinger. “This book is also written from multiple perspectives, giving students a wonderful peek into the lives of multiple characters.” If you’re looking for a great read-aloud to challenge your advanced readers, Zeilinger recommends Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, which will introduce your students to the magic of the barber chair.

When it comes to choosing books for her advanced readers, Kristen Pishkin, a second-grade teacher in Massachusetts, always makes sure who students will foster a connection with what they’re reading. “I don’t want the content to be above where they are maturity-wise, so I always make sure that it is appropriate,” says Pishkin. “I also make sure that it is something that is of interest to the individual reader.”

The Mouse and the Motorcycle is one of her favorites and a classic her student’s love. “It’s also a great story to introduce advanced readers to a series as there are many books in these series,” she says. “They love seeing the same character across many different story lines in the different books within the series.” Pishkin is also a fan of the student-favorite historical fiction series I Survived, and Chasing Vermeer, a wonderful mystery filled with suspense and adventure.

Shop all top books and series for advanced readers below. You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store.