Book picks similar to
Matt Christopher by Matt Christopher


boys
juv_sports
realistic-fiction
children

My Life as a Fifth Grade Comedian


Elizabeth Levy - 1997
    Luckily, Bobby's teacher gives him one last chance: to organize a schoolwide laugh-off and get teachers and students to compete. Bobby knows he's got to make the contest a success. Will he be able to prove to everybody that he's finally got his act together?

One More Tomorrow


Sam Vickery - 2017
    Until she realised she couldn't. Now it's all she can think of. She had everything she could ever want, the fulfilling career, the doting husband, but now he can't stand to touch her and her perfect life is falling to pieces. After five miscarriages her whole existence revolves around just one dream – holding her child in her arms. But Lucas has reached his limit. He won't see her kill herself for a wish that can't come true. Roxy is determined to keep fighting until she can call herself a mother, but when she's dealt a devastating blow, she learns that some things are out of her control. Will she get the family she so desperately craves, or will she lose everything that matters to her?

The Accidental President


Tom McLaughlin - 2018
    Well, I guess he can't be any worse than that guy who had the job before him, right?

The Schwa Was Here


Neal Shusterman - 2004
    They say a lot of things about the Schwa, but one thing’s for sure: no one ever noticed him. Except me. My name is Antsy Bonano—and I can tell you what’s true and what’s not, ’cause I was there. I was the one who realized the Schwa was “functionally invisible” and used him to make some big bucks. But I was also the one who caused him more grief than a friend should. So if you all just shut up and listen, I’ll spill everything. Unless, of course, "the Schwa Effect" wipes him out of my brain before I'm done....

Keeping Safe the Stars


Sheila O'Connor - 2012
    Orphaned and living with their grandfather, Old Finn, in rural Minnesota, the children, like their grandfather, are wary of outsiders. They believe, as Old Finn taught them, in self-reliance.But then Old Finn falls seriously ill and is taken to the hospital all the way in Duluth, leaving the children to fend for themselves. Pride, as oldest, assumes the lead. Though she makes mistakes, she keeps them afloat; they even earn money for the bus trip to Duluth. But when they finally see Old Finn, he can't walk or even say his own name, and Pride knows her days of keeping safe the Stars are drawing to a close. Self-reliance can't make Old Finn well again. But maybe, just maybe, a secret from Old Finn's past might make a way for them to stay together after all.A poignant story about family and love, Sheila O'Connor has delivered another extraordinary and mesmerizing tale.

Something Invisible


Siobhán Parkinson - 2006
    And fish. Although he's not so sure about everything else--especially girls, or little sisters, or stepdads. But an unlikely friendship with eccentric Stella Daly helps him figure out some of it. That is until a tragedy changes everything, even the way he thinks about himself. Something Invisible is a warm and quirky, sharply observed story of family, friendship, loyalty and loss.

The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp


Rick Yancey - 2005
    But after Alfred unwittingly delivers the sword into the hands of a man with enormously evil intentions, he sets off on an unlikely quest to try to right his wrong and save the world from imminent destruction. This gripping, fast-paced, hilarious novel is both a thrilling adventure story and an engaging account of one boy's coming of age.

Amelia's Middle School Survival Guide: Amelia's Most Unforgettable Embarrassing Moments, Amelia's Guide to Gossip


Marissa Moss - 2009
    And no one is better at capturing the middle school experience than Marissa Moss’s Amelia. Now two bestselling classic Amelia books, Amelia’s Most Unforgettable Embarrassing Moments and Amelia’s Guide to Gossip, are available in this special bind-up that comes with a special Amelia eraser key chain!

The Sin Eater


Gary D. Schmidt - 1996
    While living on his grandparents' farm in New Hampshire, Cole hears stories about a mysterious sin-eater; these stories enable Cole to learn forgiveness and to connect with his ancestors.

Athlete vs. Mathlete


W.C. Mack - 2013
    His brother, Russell, rocks the school boards. These twin brothers couldn't be more different. They've long kept the peace by going their separate ways, but all that is about to change. The new basketball coach recruits Russell for the seventh grade team and a jealous Owen has to fight to stay in the game. When someone tries to steal Russell's spot as captain of the mathlete team, will the two be able to put aside their differences in order to save his position? Or will they be sidelined?Perfect for fans of Matt Christopher and Andrew Clements alike, this is a lighthearted and hilarious look at what happens when brains meets brawn meets basketball.

Ramona Collection, (Ramona, #1-#3, #6)


Beverly Cleary - 1999
    Sometimes Beezus doesn't like Ramona much, and that makes her feel guilty. Sisters are supposed to love each other, but pesky little Ramona doesn't seem very lovable to Beezus right now."Ramona the Pest"Ramona is off to kindergarten, and it is the greatest day of her life. She loves her teacher, Miss Binney, and she likes a little boy named Davy so much she wants to kiss him. So why does Ramona get in so much trouble? And how does Ramona manage to disrupt the whole class during rest time? Anyone who knows Ramona knows that she never tries to be a pest."Ramona the Brave"Now that she's six and entering the first grade, Ramona is determined to be brave, but it's not always easy, with a scary new all-by-herself bedroom, her mother's new job, and a new teacher who just doesn't understand how hard Ramona is trying to grow up."Ramona Quimby, Age 8"Ramona feels quite grown up taking the bus by herself, helping big sister Beezus make dinner, and trying hard to be nice to pesky Willa Jean after school. Turning eight years old and entering the third grade can do that to a girl. So how can her teacher call her a nuisance? Being a member of the Quimby family in the third grade is harder than Ramona expected.

The Pranksters Club: The Wimpy Kid Takeover


J.C. Foster - 2014
    And how can that get any worse for this Wimpy Kid? By finding out that you’re getting the meanest teacher in the school this year AND she just moved down the street.Leave it up to Connor, Max and Milo to turn the miserable first week of school into the biggest and most exciting party ever. All while avoiding the bully squad, outsmarting Molly, the teacher’s pet and staying one step ahead of Mr. Mooger, the principal.But everything is not as it seems and the three soon find out that they haven’t been the only one’s pulling pranks.Join Connor, Max and Milo on their new adventures in middle school, watch them out smart the bullies and stay one step ahead of the teachers. This illustrated book is a humorous and fun ride through middle school, never knowing what's just around the corner or under your seat. Connor's Diary of the Wimpy Kids in his prankster's club will keep you guessing and laughing out loud.Also Available: The Pranksters' Club: Ripped - Book 2 of the Series

The Skeleton Tree


Iain Lawrence - 2016
    The only survivors are Chris and a boy named Frank, who hates Chris immediately. Chris and Frank have no radio, no flares, no food. Suddenly, they've got to find a way to forage, fish and scavenge supplies from the shore. Chris likes the company of a curious friendly raven more than he likes the prickly Frank. But the boys have to get along if they want to survive. Because as the days get colder, and the salmon migration ends, survival will take more than sheer force of will. There in the wilderness of Kodiak, they discover a bond they didn't expect, and through it, the compassion and teamwork that might truly be the path to rescue.

Mrs. Dole Is Out of Control!


Dan Gutman - 2008
    and the gang are graduating! But the out-of-control PTA president is turning the whole thing into a huge ceremony complete with fireworks, a petting zoo, and a flyover by the Blue Angels! Is moving up to third grade such a big deal? And what could possibly go wrong?

Sled Dog School


Terry Lynn Johnson - 2017
    But what is he even good at? The only thing he truly loves is his team of dogs, and so Matt’s Sled Dog School is born. Teaching dogsledding should be easy, right? But people, just like dogs, can be unpredictable. And sometimes the bravest thing a person can do is admit they need help.