Judy Blume Books Perfect for Elementary School Library Read Alouds

Make your school library an exciting place to visit by reading humorous Judy Blume books for students in grades three through five. Blume's classic books for kids continue to engage young readers with their laugh-out-loud comical situations and unflinching look at difficult problems in young people's lives. A series perfect for young children is the series that features Peter Hatcher and his bratty little brother Fudge, also known as Farley. These timeless books have appealed to generations of kids.

The first book in the Fudge series is titled, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, first published in the year 1972. Readers are introduced to Peter, a fourth grade boy who is plagued by a mischievous little brother named Fudge. Fudge, also known as Farley, is a two-and-a- half-year-old terror who manages to make Peter's life miserable. Throughout the course of the novel, Fudge manages to ruin Peter's school project, steal attention away from Peter in numerous ways, and eat Peter's beloved pet turtle.

Sheila Tubman is Peter Hatcher's nemesis. They can't stand each other. Sheila is introduced in Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and receives the star treatment in the second book, Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great. Readers get to see a little of Peter and his brother Fudge, but Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great focuses on the trials and triumphs of Sheila's life. Sheila is a girl who is afraid of just about everything. She's afraid of the dark, dogs, spiders, the water, bees, and suspicious noises. Throughout the course of one summer she begins the journey of conquering those fears. Your students will laugh in the library as they watch Sheila struggle to survive a summer of swimming, slumber parties, and slam books.

Judy Blume returns us to the lives of Peter and his brother Fudge in Superfudge. Peter, now a sixth grader, is still struggling to endure living with a bratty little brother. Farley Drexel Hatcher, also known as Fudge, is a four-year-old whirlwind who continues to steal all of the attention from Peter. Now Peter's problems are about to explode because there's another baby on the way. Throughout the book, Peter deals with the typical problems many kids face today. Your students will relate to the embarrassment and frustration Peter experiences as he watches Fudge terrorize the kindergarten teacher, try to sell the new baby, and countless other antics that will keep your students giggling.

The fourth book in the Fudge series is titled, Fudge-a-Mania and features Peter's worse nightmare--a Maine vacation trapped with his brother Fudge and Sheila Tubman. At first, Peter is told that Sheila's family will be staying in a vacation home next to the Hatcher's. Unfortunately, Peter soon learns that the two families will share one home. Now there's no way Peter can avoid daily run-ins with his sworn enemy Sheila Tubman. To make matters worse, Fudge has decided that he's going to marry Sheila "Queen of Cooties" Tubman. The day-to-day problems Peter and other characters face in Fudge-a-Main will delight your students.

Read, Double Fudge to students who come to the school library and they'll follow the further adventures of Peter Hatcher and his irrepressible brother Fudge. When Fudge becomes obsessed with money and begins to manufacture his own "Fudge Bucks," the Hatchers take a trip to Washington D.C. so Fudge and Peter can see how real money is created. Unfortunately, the family meets up with some long-lost relatives who have a three-year-old kid named Howie Hatcher who reminds everyone of Fudge in his toddler days. Of course, chaos and hilarity commence when the two families meet. To make matters worse, the long-lost relatives arrive at the Hatchers' New York home, without receiving an invitation. Unfortunately, Howie Hatcher and his family decide to stay for an extended visit, settling into the tiny New York apartment with Peter's family.

The Fudge series by Judy Blume is a collection of books that have entranced generations of children who relate to the problems of dealing with siblings, parents, friends, and "arch-enemies" in the neighborhood. When you're looking for the perfect humorous read aloud for students in grades three through five, turn to Judy Blume books featuring Peter, Fudge, and their friends. Your elementary school students will love visiting the library to listen to the latest chapter of the Fudge and Peter books.