Start with EllRay Jakes Is Not a Chicken!
Book 1 introduces EllRay's family, classmates, humor, and the bullying problem that first puts his self-control to the test.
Book Series · 9 Books
EllRay Jakes Books
In order from EllRay Jakes Is Not a Chicken to EllRay Jakes Stands Tall.
Nine funny, true-to-life chapter books follow third grader EllRay Jakes as his big personality meets playground politics, family responsibility, and the challenges of being the shortest kid in class.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read the EllRay Jakes Books
Read the nine individual novels in publisher order, from EllRay Jakes Is Not a Chicken! through EllRay Jakes Stands Tall. Most school problems resolve within one book, but friendships and EllRay's confidence grow across the series. The two-books-in-one edition collects existing stories rather than continuing them.
Sources: Penguin Random House's official EllRay Jakes series page.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
The books deal candidly but accessibly with bullying, teasing, lying, jealousy, friendship conflicts, sibling responsibility, and trying to impress classmates. One story directly explores race and what it means to be one of only two Black boys in a class. EllRay makes mistakes, reflects on them, and usually finds a constructive way forward.
Where to start
Where Should My Child Start?
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$759
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 2011
EllRay Jakes Is Not a Chicken
By Sally Warner, Jamie Harper (Illustrator)
An eight-year-old boy navigates the challenges of elementary school and a bully who targets him.
108 pages· 14,791 words· Est. 3 hour read
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: EllRay Jakes faces a tough challenge: avoid trouble for a week to earn a Disneyland trip promised by his dad. But with relentless bullying from Jared Matthews, staying out of trouble is easier said than done. Can EllRay navigate schoolyard conflicts and keep his promise, or will his temper get the best of him? Discover if EllRay can outsmart his bully and secure his dream vacation.
In reading order
EllRay Jakes Series
9 books · Published 2011–2016
#1
Sale price
$759
EllRay Jakes Is Not a Chicken
Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 2011
An eight-year-old boy navigates the challenges of elementary school and a bully who targets him.
#2
Sale price
$674
EllRay Jakes Is a Rock Star
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2011
EllRay's plan to impress classmates with borrowed crystals spirals out of control.
#3
Sale price
$674
EllRay Jakes Walks the Plank
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2012
A young boy struggles to take care of his teacher's goldfish over spring break.
#4
Sale price
$674
EllRay Jakes the Dragon Slayer!
Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 2013
A brother faces a dragon-like bully to protect his sister.
#5
Sale price
$674
EllRay Jakes and the Beanstalk
Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 2013
Can EllRay's skateboard skills save his friendship before the secret skate-off?
#6
Sale price
$674
EllRay Jakes Is Magic!
Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 2014
Can EllRay discover his hidden talent before the school talent show?
#7
Sale price
$1499
EllRay Jakes Rocks the Holidays!
Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 2014
EllRay must choose between saving a friendship or ruining the school assembly.
#8
Sale price
$1398
EllRay Jakes the Recess King!
Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 2015
EllRay seeks a new best friend by becoming the Recess King.
#9
Sale price
$674
EllRay Jakes Stands Tall
Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 2016
An eight-year-old boy navigates the challenges of growing up, friendships, and family dynamics while trying to improve his basketball skills.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the EllRay Jakes series?
There are 9 books in the EllRay Jakes series. It began with EllRay Jakes Is Not a Chicken in 2011, and the newest book, EllRay Jakes Stands Tall, was published in 2016.
What order should you read the EllRay Jakes books in?
Start with EllRay Jakes Is Not a Chicken and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #9.
What ages are the EllRay Jakes books best for?
The series is best for ages 6–9, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
The people
The Creatives Behind the Books
The people who bring EllRay Jakes to life.
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