Books Every Child Should Know Part II
2007-04-23
By D. E. Herrod, B.Ed.E, M.Div
Today’s installment in the series focuses on elementary school children. There are several books listed on the preschool list are also appropriate as independent reading for children in 1st and 2nd grade. I have included books appropriate for children in 1st through 5th grades in list. The books are listed alphabetically and not divided by grade levels.
BOOKS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN
1 Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. The classic tale of Alice’s adventures in wonderland.
2. Are You There God? It’s Me Margret. by Judy Blume. Margret is a 12 year-old girl who is struggling with growing up. This is great book for fifth and sixth grade girls however it is not advisable for younger children.
3. Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions, by Margaret Musgrove & Diane Dillon; text: The 1977 Caldecott Medal Winner is a unique alphabet book that explains tribes and customs of Africa.
4. Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink. The 1936 winner of the Newberry Medal is similar to the Little House series. Caddie is a mischievous young girl growing up in Wisconsin during 1860’s.
5. Charlotte's Web by E. B. White. This children’s classic about a bashful pig named Wilbur and his friend Charlotte the spider. A 1953 Newberry Honor book.
6. Chronicles of Narina by C.S. Lewis. Chronicles of Narina is a classic fantasy series that every child should read.
7. Encyclopedia Brown by Donald Sobel. Encyclopedia Brown is a fun series that was one of my favorites as a child.
8. Hardy Boys Series by Franklin Dixon. The adventures of teenage detectives are fun and easy read for ages 9-12.
9. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. 13-year-old Brian must to learn to survive in the wilderness for 50 plus after a plane crash. He also learns how to survive his parents divorce. A good book for 5th and 6th graders.
10. Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes. Wanda, a little Polish girl, is teased by her American classmates for always wearing the same dress, until her classmates learn an important lesson.
11. Johnny Appleseed by Stephen Kellogg. Kellogg creates a colorful account of the life of folk hero Johnny Chapman.
12. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Set in 19th century New England Little Women is the story of 4 sisters growing up while their off is off at war.
13. Lon Po Po: A Red Riding Hood Story from China by Ed Young. A tale of three young sisters home alone and their encounter with a wolf disguised as grandmother. 1990 Caldecott Award Winner.
14. Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard and James Marshall. Miss Nelson’s class is incorrigible until one day they have a substitute teacher.
15. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 and the Ramona series by Beverly Cleary. The adventures of Ramona continue in this Newberry Honor Book.
16. Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan. Sarah is a mail order bride from Maine who moves to frontier to become mother of Jacob and Anna. 1986 Newberry Award Winner.
17. Super Fudge by Judy Blume. The sequel to Tales of 4th Grade Nothing Peter Hatchet retells the antics of his 4-year old brother Fudge.
18. The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel with Louis Bleriot by Alice & Martin Provensen. The 1984 Caldecott Medal Winner is the biography of the first man to fly the English Channel.
19. The Little House on the Prairie Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. A classic series for girls based on the life and adventure of Laura Ingalls Wilder
20. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by A. Wolf by John Scieszka. The wolf’s account of his encounter with the three little pigs.
21. The Wall by Eve Bunting. The story of a boy and his father’s trip Vietnam Veteran’s memorial to find his grandfather’s name.
22. Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. Twain’s classic story of the adventures of a young boy growing up in Mississippi.
23. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. Pirates, buried treasure, sailing ships and exotic lands will capture the imagination of the most reluctant reader.
24. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. Billy Coleman and is coonhound pups roam the country-side near their northeastern home in search of an elusive raccoon.
25. Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shell Silverstein. Silverstein’s poetry captures the imagination of children of all ages.
MORE IN THE BOOKS EVERY CHILD SHOULD KNOW SERIES
* Friday, April 20th: Part 1: Books For Preschool Children
* Wednesday, April 25th: Part 3: Books for Teens
* Friday, April 27th: Part 4: Books for Adults and Parent Resources
|
