Charlotte's Web by E.B. White is an absolute classic and should not be missed. I read this book to Eston when he was four and it is the perfect book to transition from picture books to novels.
Years ago I was a substitute in a second grade class. I was covering for a teacher who had major surgery, so I was with the class for over two weeks. During that time the teacher had me read The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane as a read aloud and I just fell in love with the story! Kate DiCamillo is one of my favorite authors and this story is perfect for ages six and up.
Each and every Roald Dahl book should be on this list, but this one is perfect to get you started on his writing. Kids of all ages love this story and it is a great book if you are reading to kids of multiple ages. Suits kids ages four and up. Don't just show them the movie---read this book!!
Esperanza Rising is quite possibly my favorite book of all time. I can recall reading it to my fifth grade classes in Boulder, Colorado and they always fell in love with this story. I tried reading it to Eston when he was quite young and it was a bit much for him, so I would wait until your child is about eight or so before tackling this. This book presents many social issues and your child will have lots of questions, so that is why I think it is best for older children.
This book will make you cry. No joke. I always had most of my students crying by the end of this story, but don't let that keep you from reading Bridge to Terabithia. The characters in this book will stay with you forever and your child will want to read this book again and again. Be prepared for the ending, which is why you might want to wait until your child is age five or so before reading.
Ellen Raskin wrote The Westing Game back in 1978 and the book won the Newberry Medal that same year. I feel like it does not get enough love these days, but I always read this mystery book to my students around Halloween and they loved trying to solve the "who-done-it" story. I actually had to stop them from reading ahead---that is how fantastic this book can be for readers! There are a lot of characters in this book, so kids need to follow closely, which makes it one for slightly older readers.
Kids everywhere relate to this story as the Watson family is so much like their own. The Watson's Go to Birmingham--1963 begins as a hilarious family story and your kids will laugh along with the characters as they find themselves in several humorous situations. However, be prepared for the second half of the story as it deals heavily with the Civil Rights Movement in the USA and the church bombings in Alabama. It is presented through the eyes of a child, but I would be sure your reader can handle this topic and conversations around it. That said, it is a fantastic story with wonderful characters.
Jean Craighead George could do no wrong in my opinion. All of her books are stories you want to lose yourself in and My Side of the Mountain is one of her best. I have clear memories of reading this as a child and my students always loved it. Who doesn't want to read about a young person surviving on their own in the forest? This is a great story and I always found that reluctant male readers always loved this one!
Two kids living in a museum in New York City? How can you not want to read From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler?! Kids of all ages laugh through this story. I think most of them start dreaming up schemes of living in museums or other public spaces, but this is a fantastic story for ages five and up. One of Eston's favorites.
This book was always a favorite with my students over the years. I read it to Eston earlier this year and he loved it as well. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh is simply an amazing story. The characters and dialogue just grab readers and kids love reading or listening to this story. There is a lot to follow in this story, so it is most appropriate for ages seven and up.
This book, Stargirl, should be required reading for those about to enter middle school. I read this to my fifth graders each and every year before they went off to sixth grade because the main character faces so many of the same challenges that come with adolescence. Individuality, conforming to the masses, first love, first kiss...it is all here. Younger kids could certainly read this book, but I think it resonates with an older crowd of 9-10+.
My sixth grade teacher was old and grumpy. She had been in the classroom for over 40 years and she should have called it a day, but she kept going. Sigh. It was pretty much a lost year for me, but I came away with two things by the end of the year. First, I decided then and there to be a teacher in order to prevent other kids from having a horrible experience for an entire school year. Second, she introduced me to this book. For that I thank her, but it ends there. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is a story that will shake you to your core. My students always felt such passion for this story. A few of my students decided to research the author, Mildred Taylor and they were shocked to learn she lived in Boulder, Colorado. They were even more shocked to learn she lived next door to the first grade teacher at our school! However, Ms. Taylor lived on a ranch high in the mountains and the first grade teacher sadly told my students that she rarely left her property. Anyway, this book is a must and I recommend it for children 9+.
I first read this book for one of my classes when I was completing my credential classes and we all just loved the story. I should have prepared myself a bit better for the questions about Al Capone....haha! Imagine a first year teacher standing up in front of 25 fifth graders trying to explain who Al Capone was...slightly uncomfortable. I read this book each year to my students and by the second time around I had my Capone story ready to go. Don't be frightened, this is a fantastic book for readers of all ages!!
Okay, this is my favorite book of all time. Ever. Where to even begin with this story? Well, the characters and setting can be a bit confusing for younger kids, so I would say ages 9-10+ for this book. It could be read to younger children, but they may struggle with the enormity of the plot. This book will stay with you and your reader forever. Lois Lowry is a magician with words and even the most reluctant reader will be silent and still as you read this book. You might need a character map for younger kids to help them keep track of things a bit.
I received this book as a present in fourth grade. I was a ferocious reader, but it somehow sat on my shelf until my fifth grade teacher began reading the story aloud to us one day. I brought in my copy so I could follow along and was immediately reading ahead. Banner in the Sky is full of adventure and the main character is such a complex young fellow. I read this to my class (with my copy from childhood!) each year and they too loved this story. I need to find my copy and read this to Eston!
I know the historical events in Hattie Big Sky are not always completely accurate, but this is a work of fiction, so I can move past that a bit. The main character in this story is incredible and faces so many challenges and my students were immediately drawn to her and her story. Some have said it is more appropriate for female readers, but I don't find that to be true.
I am always surprised when people have not heard of this book. Author Jerry Spinelli brings up racism and homelessness and the main character is an orphan, but this book does not dwell on sadness. It balances the challenges with happiness and kids always enjoy this character and story. Ages seven and up.
This book is not warm and fuzzy. It will not leave you with a feeling of peacefulness or joy. It will, however, introduce young people to the experiences of Jewish and non-Jewish families in Europe during WWII. Number the Stars is another riveting story by Lois Lowry and though children might struggle with the realities of the topic, it is a story for all to read.
This story is always a favorite for kids of all ages. Adventure on the high seas...what could be better?? Avi is a favorite author of many and this story keeps kids on the edge of their seat. I love that it has such a strong female character and this is a page-turner. Your readers will not want to stop reading this story.
Ah, the Mysterious Benedict Society. Get ready, because you will be purchasing this entire series once you read the first book. Kids love these books and are instantly addicted! I think this action-packed story is appropriate for ages 7 and up. Fun plot with fantastic characters make this the perfect summer read for families!
I read this for years to my students and this mystery story is always one they enjoyed. Relatable characters and this book always seems to get kids interested in ancient Egypt, even though the story does not focus solely on that topic. This book makes for a fun read aloud! It is not overly complicated, but sometimes we just need a light-hearted book to read.
I know this book sometimes scares readers a bit...a girl living by herself?! I think that even frightened me a bit the first time I read this book. I know schools have stayed away from it recently because of some have topics--death of a main character, death of Rontu, etc. I don't think that is a reason to stay away from this fantastic story because kids do love reading this book. Appropriate for ages 7+.
Eston and I just finished reading this book a few weeks ago and he loved it! My students always went nuts for it as well. Though the book can be sad, the characters are really what keeps this story going. Readers will instantly fall in love with the people in this town and want to hear all about them. Ages 6+.
I love books and could go on and on with my favorites, but these books are prefect for summer reading!
These titles bring back so many memories! Fantastic list!
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