Children's Books for Parents and Teachers - book reviews and suggestions for parents and teachers.
Learning Differences
A Brand-New Me! (Hank Zipzer Series #17) - Book Cover

It’s graduation time for Hank and all his friends— time to move on from PS 87 to middle school. Trouble is, there are tests Hank has to pass to get into the same middle schools as his friends, and his learning differences might get in the way. Luckily, a life-altering audition at a performing arts middle school helps him find his true path.


Barfing in the Backseat: How I Survived my Family Roadtrip (#12) - Book Cover

Hank’s dad has decided to enter a crossword-puzzle tournament, and he wants to make a family road trip of it! So the family piles into the car—along with Frankie and Katherine the iguana (Hank and Emily each get to bring a “friend”). When they reach their destination, they’ll get to spend the day at a roller-coaster park during Hank’s dad’s tournament! The only caveat is that Hank has a homework packet to finish before they get there . . . which he somehow manages to lose at a stop along …


Dump Trucks and Dogsleds (Hank Zipzer Series #16) - Book Cover

When Hank first heard that his mom was having a baby boy, he wasn’t so thrilled. And when he finds out that the baby will be sharing his room, Hank is positively outraged! To make things easier, Dad suggests he take Hank and Emily away for some bonding. But on the first day of their trip, a freak snowstorm arrives. And then they get a call that the baby is coming early! Hank, Dad, and Emily know they have to get home—and fast! They hop on a train, hitch a …


My Secret Life as a Ping-Pong Wizard (Hank Zipzer #9) - Book Cover

Hank thought that getting through summer school to get to the fifth grade would be hard enough, but little did he know that it would get worse! Everyone in the fifth grade is starting to focus on a sport-and they’re really good. Everyone, that is, except Hank. When Papa Pete suggests that Hank take up Ping-Pong, he decides to give it a try but keeps it top secret, as he thinks the other kids will tease him about it not being a “real” sport. Hank is so good that he …


Who Ordered This Baby Brother? Definitely Not Me! (#13) - Book Cover

One afternoon, Hank overhears his mom and Frankie’s mom talking about having a baby. Having a baby!? It must be Frankie’s mom that they’re talking about! Frankie will go crazy when he hears about this! Hank worries about how to break the news to his best friend—until he finds out that it’s his own mother who is pregnant! How could she do this to him? One annoying sibling is enough. Hank definitely did not order this baby!


Zippity Zinger (Hank Zipzer Series #4) - Book Cover

Inspired by the true life experiences of Henry Winkler, whose undiagnosed dyslexia made him a classic childhood underachiever, the Hank Zipzer series is about the high-spirited and funny adventures of a boy with learning differences.

PS 87 is having multicultural week, and Ms. Adolf’s class is putting on a “Foods From Around the World” luncheon. Hank makes enchiladas, and at the luncheon, Ms. Adolf piles her plate with lots of food. But after a few bites, her face turns bright red-one of the dishes is super-spicy! Ms. Adolf accuses someone of …