Children's Books discussion

Happy Spring-
We are trying to put together a summer reading list for our school. It is a k-5 school. We have a good start, but would love input. Thanks Kyle

I have to second Marta's comments about The Curse of Addy McMahon. We reviewed it in the Reading Tub.

I have a six-year-old (rising first grader) and she is a voracious reader. We just finished Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly by Alan Madison. It's perfect for girls, parents who want stories with girls who like science, and just fun reading.

I also liked Daisy Dawson is On Her Way by Steve Voake. It's an illustrated chapter book ... perfect for "dawdling" students.

Bubba Begonia You'll Be Sorry by Gerry O'Brien is on our site (I haven't loaded it here yet). It's a classic: Mom warns Bubba not to stick his finger in his nose, or else ... yep! It gets stuck. It's perfect for boys and reluctant readers of either gender!

I'd love to see your list when you finish it.

Some titles I have came across that I really like and that are also librarian recommended are:

The House Takes a Vacation by Jacqueline Davies - this is very humorous.

Thank you Bear by Greg Foley - it teaches a valuable lesson and is ever so cute

On Meadowview Street by Henry Cole - a great "green" book

Granddad's Fishing Buddy by Mary Quigley - a wonderful multigenerational book and a wonderful celebration of nature.

Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell - something a little different

Paint the Wind by Pam Munoz Ryan- a book about wild horses

That's just a few. If you need more just holler.

Kyle-
Any 3-5th grade reading list needs some staple authors: Judy Blume, Blue Balliette, Jeanne Birdsall, Patricia Reily Giff, and Rick Riordan. However, there are also some great kids summer series that are light and fun but good books as well-The Dish series and The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes. I know a lot of these are "girl" books, but they are really easy to read and girls love them! I also really like the Alex Rider series for the boys, but only for the 5th graders. Younger boys may also really like the Deltora or Jack Sparrow series. Good luck!

Hey! I am interested in that list also. Please share

1st grade MUST have the Elephant and Piggie Series by Mo Willems. The kids can read these on their own and my 1st graders love them!!

Toys Go Out by Emily Jenkins is GREAT for 2nd grade.
[or for K-2 for reading aloud:]

Are you including read-alouds on your list? At my school this year we got at least one recommendation from EVERY teacher/aide/etc to put on the list, and many of those were read-alouds for K-2.

Don't forget some classics, like Harry the Dirty Dog, Charlotte's Web, and Caddie Woodlawn.

There are also some wonderful award winners, like The Tale of Despereaux [gr. 3-5:], The Penerwicks [gr 3-5:] and Officer Buckle and Gloria [gr 1-3:] that would be great for your list.

My last piece of advice is to make sure the books on your list are available - at the public library and local bookstore - so that kids can easily access them!

GOOD LUCK!
[as a librarian, I love working on these type of lists!:]

:)

Add Barbara O'Connor's How to Steal a Dog to the 5th grade list. It is fantastic.

Hi,

I'm more familiar with the middle grade novels than picture books, but here are a few of my favorites

Al Capone Does My Shirts, Gennifer Chodenko (sp.?)
The Trumpet of the Swan, E.B. White
anything by Lois Lowry (all the Anastasia and Sam books, and the more serious Number the Stars.) Her other books (The Giver, Gathering Blue, etc. are for a slightly older audience)
anything by Madeline L'Engle--A Wrinkle in Time, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, etc.
For the older set in that age group, Hoot and Flush by Karl Hiassen--very relevant for today's going green world, and funny!
Holes and Small Steps by Louis Sachar

and I'll add my own middle grade novel to the list, Playing Dad's Song, about a boy who loses his father on 9/11, and two years later finds grief and healing through music.

CLEMENTINE & its sequel by Sarah Pennypacker is really funny and sweet, for the early chapter book crowd. She's a bit like RAMONA -

so don't forget Beverly Cleary. Or other classic authors, like Roald Dahl... boy that list could go on forever!

You might like to add some fun nonfiction picture books for kids who like that sort of thing - like ALIENS ARE COMING or STRONG MAN by Megan McCarthy, or WHO PUT THE B IN THE BALLYHOO, by Carlyn Beccia.

A fun, action-packed book (great for boys) is The Demonkeeper by Royce Buckingham. Lisa Yee's books (Millicent Min, Girl Genius, Standford Wong Flunks Big Time; and So Totally Emily Ebers) are great 4th & 5th great reads. A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban is great for upper elementary too. Oh, and so is Firegirl by Tony Abbott, as well as Waiting For Normal by Leslie Connor.

For newly independent readers, I second Clementine. I also recommend Just Grace (and Still Just Grace) by Charise Mericle Harper. And Candyfloss by Jacqueline Wilson is great for 2nd & 3rd grade.