Children's Books discussion

I start subbing 3rd grade tomorrow and I'm looking for suggestions for a chapter book to read them. Any ideas?

Chandra wrote: "Hi there! I don't have specific recommendations, but one of our members made some GREAT age specific lists that might lead you in the right direction:

Eight year olds:
http://www.goodreads.com..."

Thanks! I was actually thinking of Matilda and I will definitaly check out those lists.

I've just ordered How to Eat Fried Worms off of Ebay. That seems like a good one.

Chandra, I loved the Little Bear series of books by the time I was 6. If you read them to her, your daughter might enjoy them.

Edit: Yes, They say they're ages 4-8 books.

Edit again: I'm not sure if they're considered chapter books; I don't have one handy to check.

For the third grade class, I loved Boxcar Children! I'd also easily recommend anything by Beverly Cleary or Roald Dahl. Maybe Ellen Tebbits, Socks, or Ribsy. I liked Matilda and James and the Giant Peach as well. You could probably do The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. George MacDonald's The Princess and the Goblin is great and I wish I'd read it as a child!

For the kindergartner, I agree with both Little Bear and Frog and Toad. Both are just lovely series. I would also suggest Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle or Amelia Bedelia books. You'll enjoy them too! I still read Amelia Bedelia when I'm in the dentist's waiting room. You could also try the original Winnie The Pooh books by A.A. Milne.

Chandra wrote: "Kelly Jo - do you mind if I pick your brain?

What were some of your favorite/most successful kindergarten chapter book read alouds? Picture books we have covered, but I'm anxious to choose th..."

Chandra:

My son really loved the Moongobble and Me series. They are short chapter books and quite funny and usually with some message...
The Dragon of Doom
The Weeping Werewolf
The Evil Elves
The Mischief Monster

Hope your kids enjoy them too.

For grade 3 (although he is young in it) we have been reading Jules Verne books (sometimes they are abridged) but also mysteries such as those by Enid Blyton and the Hardy Boys. My son has really enjoyed the Mysterious Island and 10,000 leagues under the sea.

I write a chapter book series for 3rd through fifth grade called DOYLE & FOSSEY: SCIENCE DETECTIVES. It was originally published by Dutton, but has been picked up by Sterling. The first four books are already out there; book five will be published in 2010, and I'm just now starting to write book six. They've been well-received by the critics, and children love them. Each book includes four short mysteries, followed by activities and experiments kids can do at home. Check them out!

Michele Torrey
www.micheletorrey.com

Michele, thanks so much for directing us to your books, my son will really gobble these up since he LOVES science and mysteries - his two favourite things int he world. I will stop in at our local bookstore and pick one up (or have them order it).

You're welcome. I hope your son enjoys them. (They can be read in any order.)

Cheers!

I started to read the book THE LEAF. It is about a leaf collector, David, and the journey that he takes to save the land of Bellager. It is very interesting, easy to read and fast paced. My daughter is in second grade and she loved it.

Miss McAdams wrote: "I start subbing 3rd grade tomorrow and I'm looking for suggestions for a chapter book to read them. Any ideas?"

My now first grader loved the Andy McShane series, Humpty Dumpty Jr. Hard-Boiled Detective series, and Daisy Dawson Is On Her Way. They all are lightly humorous, have kids in the 1st-2d grade range. HDJ is particularly egg-cellent and filled with great puns.

Michele wrote: "I write a chapter book series for 3rd through fifth grade called DOYLE & FOSSEY: SCIENCE DETECTIVES. It was originally published by Dutton, but has been picked up by Sterling. The first four books ..."

Hey Michelle, I think these books sound great for my fourth grader. He loves science and this would be a great way to keep him reading over the summer. Do you think they would be appropriate for me to read aloud to my first grade class? They are a group of high achievers and love to do science experiments.

Cathy wrote: "Michele wrote: "I write a chapter book series for 3rd through fifth grade called DOYLE & FOSSEY: SCIENCE DETECTIVES. It was originally published by Dutton, but has been picked up by Sterling. The f..."

Great question! They do make good read-alouds; 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers especially love to use them in the classroom. But I've also had first graders who were savvy enough to understand them. Even if the first-grade kids don't entirely understand the science concepts, the stories are fun and it's a great jump off point for a teacher to take it to the next level. THE CASE OF THE GASPING GARBAGE is a great one for the younger kids. (I think the AR level is 3.8.) Sterling will be releasing a new edition of GASPING GARBAGE on June 9. Let me know how it goes!

My kids loved:

Sideways Stories from Wayside School

Esio Trot, The Twits, James and the Giant Peach

7x9 = Trouble (great for launching into multiplication)

Muggie Maggie (great for launching into cursive writing)

Pippi Longstocking

Cricket in Times Square

My sister likedThe BFG at that age.