“Home Run” Reads
Books so good, they feel like a home run.
One gem of a time management idea that I love sharing with busy parents is keeping a short list of backup meals that everyone loves. Sometimes called “brainless crowd pleasers,” these are the dinners you can make without thinking too hard—and that you know will satisfy every hungry soul (or stomach) at the table.
The book equivalent of “brainless crowd pleasers” is what we like to call a “home run” book: a title that appeals to nearly everyone who picks it up. Not only that, but books that are so much fun, so satisfying to read that they give a feeling like you’ve just hit a home run.
At the Tulsa City-County Library, our children’s librarians and staff are all about connecting kids with books that they will love. A large part of that is helping children discover their Kids Read reading identity—in other words, the kinds of stories and reading experiences they’re naturally drawn to. Do they love books that make them laugh, or stories set in fantasy worlds? Fast-paced adventures, or real-world facts?
Here are some of my favorite “home run” books that appeal to numerous Kids Read reading identities:
Dogtown by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko
A three-legged dog, a robot dog and a mouse work together to get out of a shelter and find their forever homes. This incredibly fun story manages to tug at heartstrings while having a robust plot and moments of pure comedy. It’s also the 2026 Sequoyah Award winner, which children in Oklahoma selected as the best book of the year.
Reading identity: Connector, Adventure Time, Class Clown
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
Roz just wants to fulfill her responsibilities as a helper robot to humans! When she finds herself alone and abandoned on a wild island, she must find a way to survive. Wholesome and heartwarming, with plenty of heart-stopping adventure. Note: Peter Brown was the 2013 Books To Treasure illustrator for the Tulsa City-County Library.
Reading identity: Adventure Time, Connector, Serial Reader
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
If you like a little magic and a lot of adventure with your feelings and friendship, this book just might be for you. Follow Minli and her friends (including a dragon that cannot fly) as they go on a quest to help her village restore its river. Note: Grace Lin was the 2011 Books To Treasure illustrator for the Tulsa City-County Library.
Reading identity: Magic, Dragons and Swords, Connector, Adventure Time
Who Would Win? by Jerry Pallotta
This series pits different animals against each other in imaginary battles. The more you read, the more you learn!
Reading identity: Serial Reader, Curious Detective
Narwhal’s Sweet Tooth by Ben Clanton
Our friend Narwhal loves yum yum sweet sweets, but his tusk doesn’t—Jelly (and the dentist) to the rescue! This is just one book in a much longer series that is both funny and heartfelt. Note: Ben Clanton was the 2023 Books To Treasure illustrator for the Tulsa City-County Library.
Reading identity: Class Clown, Connector, Serial Reader
The Misfits by Lisa Yee
A group of scrappy kids get together at a special school and are tapped to fight crime. Full of page-turning action!
Reading identity: Class Clown, Adventure Time
What Kind of Reader Is Your Child?
There are six “Kids Read reading identities” that librarians use to help children discover which one fits them best.
- Adventure Time: action-oriented plots, with mysteries, puzzles and escapes
- Class Clown: funny characters and situations
- Connector: focus on friends, family and feelings; character-based
- Curious Detective: real facts about the real world
- Magic, Dragons and Swords: fantasy worlds and characters
- Serial Reader: following the same characters over several books
Laura Raphael, MA, MLIS, is the children’s services coordinator for the Tulsa City-County Library.
