BLOGS > OCTOBER 10, 2024
EL Education recommends these books for a curriculum that helps students master literacy standards while building a deep knowledge of real-world subjects like social studies, STEM, and literature.
View the Top 5 most popular books in the EL Education Book Collection below, and see the full list here:
Shop EL Education Book Collection Get a Quote
By Rick Riordan
Percy, expelled from six schools for being unable to control his temper, learns the truth from his mother that his father is the Greek god Poseidon, and is sent to Camp Half Blood where he is befriended by a satyr and the demigod daughter of Athena who join him in a journey to the Underworld to retrieve Zeus's lightning bolt and prevent a catastrophic war.
“The sardonic tone of the narrator's voice lends a refreshing air of realism to this riotously paced quest tale of heroism that questions the realities of our world, family, friendship and loyalty.” – Kirkus Reviews
2. Refugee
By Alan Gratz
Although separated by continents and decades, Josef, a Jewish boy livng in 1930s Nazi Germany; Isabel, a Cuban girl trying to escape the riots and unrest plaguing her country in 1994; and Mahmoud, a Syrian boy in 2015 whose homeland is torn apart by violence and destruction, embark on harrowing journeys in search of refuge, discovering shocking connections that tie their stories together.
“With this book, Gratz accomplishes a feat that is nothing short of brilliant, offering a skillfully wrought narrative laced with global and intergenerational reverberations that signal hope for the future. Excellent for older middle grade and above in classrooms, book groups, and/or communities looking to increase empathy for new and existing arrivals from afar. Poignant, respectful, and historically accurate while pulsating with emotional turmoil, adventure, and suspense.” – Kirkus Reviews
3. Night
By Elie Wiesel
Presents a true account of the author's experiences as a Jewish boy in a Nazi concentration camp.
“Wiesel’s memoir, first published in English in 1960, has emerged as a classic work of literature from that darkest of eras, and it deserves to be read and reread for decades to come.” – Kirkus Reviews
By Linda Sue Park
"Sandpiper." When the Sudanese civil war reaches his village in 1985, eleven-year-old Salva becomes separated from his family and must walk with other Dinka tribe members through southern Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya in search of safe haven. Based on the life of Salva Dut, who, after emigrating to America in 1996, began a project to dig water wells in Sudan.
“Salva's heroism and the truth that water is a source of both conflict and reconciliation receive equal, crystal-clear emphasis in this heartfelt account.” – Kirkus Reviews
By Jason Reynolds
A Caitlyn Dlouhy book." "Ghost, a naturally talented runner and troublemaker, is recruited for an elite middle school track team. He must stay on track, literally and figuratively, to reach his full potential.
“Very slick, rather tense, sophisticated and amusing.” – Kirkus Reviews
Do you need help with finding books to support your ELA Curricula?
The Follett Content team can help you discover the best collections for core literacy programs, phonics instruction, classroom libraries, and top-selling novels to help your students meet their literacy goals.
Complete the form to contact a rep!
Celebrate holidays with 12 seasonal titles!
October 13, 2025
Motivate students to read with these seasonally themed books from Capstone Publishing! Spark their interest with books focusing on holidays they know and love and give them the chance to discover new ones they’ve never heard of.Three lucky educators will receive these...
Read more
Pippa Park Books Come to Life in New Video Series!
September 19, 2025
Middle graders aren’t reading for pleasure like they used to, and educators, booksellers, and families want a solution to get them excited about reading and sharing stories with their peers again. One part of such a solution is to meet...
Read more
Preview exciting fall 2025 eGalleys from Capstone!
September 15, 2025
We’ve partnered with Capstone and NetGalley* to provide digital access to 15 upcoming nonfiction and fiction titles releasing January 1, 2026. You’ll want to take advantage of this early access so you can then preorder the titles you love on...
Read more
Why the Food Group Series Continues to Take the Cake
September 15, 2025
From The Bad Seed to The Smart Cookie, Jory John and Pete Oswald’s Food Group series has become a staple in classrooms and libraries across the country. With its clever characters, laugh-out-loud humor, heartfelt lessons, and captivating illustrations, the series has helped educators...
Read more
Fall Into Reading with Orca Book Publishers
September 15, 2025
Keep students reading all year long by sprucing up your classroom’s library with these top titles from Orca!All the Things We FoundBy Joanne LevyAudience: Upper ElementaryIn this story about loss, protagonist Ruthie finds herself in a park where she meets an...
Read more
What We're Reading - September 2025 Edition
August 13, 2025
Welcome to another installment of What We’re Reading, a space where we share the titles we’re currently devouring – especially the ones that transport us to magical worlds filled with mythical creatures and daring adventures.This month, we’re diving into Impossible...
Read more