Don’t forget that by the end of years three and four, our students should be able to read authentic children’s and young adult books independently. To help them reach this goal, we need to offer them interesting and “cool” books that they can’t put down. I can recommend two series that can be used in parallel in the same class: one for advanced readers and one for struggling readers.

39 Clues and the Minecraft Woodsword Chronicles

The 39 Clues series is a riveting adventure series in which the main characters, Amy and Dan Cahill, participate in a worldwide scavenger hunt to find 39 hidden clues tied to famous historical figures. If they uncover these clues, they will gain immense global power and influence. Rival relatives hunting for the same clues threaten their lives at every turn.

The books can be read in any order, so just buy a set of the whole series for your school library and let the kids choose which one they want to read. In the accompanying project tasks the students practice writing detailed diary entries showing Amy and Dan’s life-threatening adventures

Find all the project materials  here.

The 39 Clues series is appropriate for AHS-level students in year 4. Struggling readers in the same class will not enjoy the series. Therefore, I suggest you offer them a more basic but just as interesting series: The Minecraft Woodsword Chronicles series is ideal for students who play Minecraft. 

Find the boxed set of the books here.

The Minecraft Woodsword Chronicles series follows five kids—Ash, Morgan, Harper, Po, and Jodi—who use magical VR goggles at Woodsword Middle School to enter the Minecraft world for real. Transported inside the game, they must survive mobs, craft tools, build shelters, and unravel mysteries like the sinister Evoker King while racing to return home. This illustrated chapter book series by Nick Eliopulos emphasizes teamwork, creativity, and adventure across six books, from Into the Game! to later oceanic and machine-themed quests.

We have adapted the tasks for the 39-Clues series for this project. Download the handout here.

Even struggling readers (enjoyed the books a lot. Here are some of their remarks (in  their authentic language)

“I read the book “Minecraft Deep Dive”. I choose the book because I like to play Minecraft with my friends and the book is easy to read.”

“I am happy that I read the book about the minecraft adventure. I like about the book that it is easy to read and there are many pictures.”

“I like about the book that it is easy to read and that there is much about minecraft.”

“I would recommand this book to Minecraft players who like adventure and someone that want to practice english.”