The community program the kids have access to is terrible. The books are way too difficult and not engaging. Most of these kids are below grade-level for reading, but the books that are on their level are too juvenile for them. I'm helping the program build a new collection for the library. I am looking for "easy reads" and want to include a range of genres. I feel like the only books anyone ever suggests for them are stereotypical "hood books" and while all reading is good reading, I want to give them access to other types of stories. I was thinking some James Patterson (I find his writing pretty repetitive and predictable, so that would work for below grade level), some YA (the Unwind series and the Bluford series), some classics (Diary of Anne Frank, Night, Catcher in the Rye), and some biographies. Any suggestions would be very helpful!
by dr_evil_lasersharks