The Pirate of Kindergarten

The Pirate of Kindergarten

by George Ella Lyon

Summary: Ginny's eyes play tricks on her, making her see everything double, but when she goes to vision screening at school and discovers that not everyone sees this way, she learns that her double vision can be cured.

This story won the prestigious American Library Association (ALA) Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience in the ages 0 to 10 category. This book is presented in an entertaining manner, although its subject is serious. This is a stupendous book to read aloud for celebrating differences, discussing disabilities or discussing teasing.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 2

Learning to Swim 

 by Clare Chambers

Summary: Abigail’s safe, middle-class home life is thrown into dramatic relief as her friendship with Frances’s family gives her a new outlook.

I read this coming of age love story when I was a young teen. My friend returned from Germany with a stopover in the UK. She purchased this book and demanded that we all read her copy. The book is still a little hard to find in the US, but is well worth the effort of ordering online. Though told in decades past, this realistic story is relatable to today’s teens. The romance, drama, and self-reflection in this story are enjoyable and appropriate for young adults.

Interest Level: young adult

Reading Level: young adult

Blackout

 by John Rocco

Summary: When a busy family's activities come to a halt because of a blackout, they find that they enjoy spending time together and not being too busy for once.

This is a super book for children who are afraid of the dark. An adult can discuss with a child that a blackout can be fun! Also, this book lends to a discussion on how a break from technology can be fun, too.

Interest Level: ages 2- grade 3
Reading Level: grade 2

No Fair Science Fair

by Nancy Poydar

As his class science fair approaches, Otis has trouble even thinking of an idea; but once he has built a bird feeder, he is determined to make some good observations, no matter how long it takes.

It is appropriate to read this story to a class before they are assigned a science fair project. This book is great for discussing determination, as well.

Interest Level: grades k-3
Reading Level: grade 2

Muggie Maggie by Beverly Cleary

Summary: Maggie resists learning cursive writing in the third grade, until she discovers that knowing how to read and write cursive promises to open up an entirely new world of knowledge for her.

This is one of the first chapter books I read. I loved Maggie’s character and still remember this book today!

Interest Level: grades k-3
Reading Level: grade 5

Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile

Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile

by Gloria Houston

Summary: Dorothy has always wanted to work in a library like the red brick one of her girlhood, but after moving to rural North Carolina she discovers that the type of library is less important than the books and the people who read them.

This is a nice story most appropriate for older readers. It is wonderful for discussing that some places, such as churches and libraries, are not buildings but gathering places. Also, it is great for discussing that sometimes you do not get what you want, but if you work hard you can find something just as meaningful.

Interest Level: grades K-6
Reading Level: grade 4

The Boy Who Was Raised By Librarians

The Boy Who Was Raised By Librarians

 by Carla Morris

Melvin discovers that the public library is the place where he can find just about anything--including three librarians who help in his quest for knowledge.

This is a fantastic book for celebrating libraries. It is also great for discussing the changing roles of librarians and dispelling stereotypes of cranky librarians.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 4

Freckle Juice by Judy Blume

Summary: Andrew wants freckles so badly that he buys Sharon's freckle recipe for fifty cents.

This was one of the first chapter books I ever read and I loved it! Sometimes freckles make a child stand out and feel self-conscience, but this book celebrates them! I have always liked my few freckles in the summertime, but my shy brother did not like the attention his freckle face gave him when he was young! This is a great book for children who have freckles, for a child desiring to be something they are not, and class discussions about celebrating any differences.

Interest Level: grades k-3
Reading Level: grade 3

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

by E.L. Konigsburg

Summary: A young girl has a plan, not to run away, but to run to someplace. She takes her brother along and they stay in a museum.

This book is an excellent realistic fiction book that largely about sibling relations. As a follow-up activity, a class can experiment with velvet and other materials. A trip to a museum afterwards would also be appropriate.

Interest Level: grades 4-6
Reading  Level: grade 5

Where the Red Fern Grows

by Wilson Rawls

Summary: A young boy saves money to buy two dogs. They become great companions.

I sobbed for at least an hour after reading this book. I do not recommend reading as a class, but if you do, be very cautious if a student has lost a loved one.

Interest Level: grades 4-8
Reading Level: grade 6

Sandy's Incredible Shrinking Footprint

Sandy's Incredible Shrinking Footprint

by Femida Handy and Carole Carpenter

Summary: While visiting the beach, Sandy is horrified by the mess left by other visitors and starts to clean up, and a local environmentalist tells her about limiting her footprint--the effect that how she lives leaves on the environment.

This book is a splendid Earth Day or environmental awareness read-aloud. The use of collage allows for unusual but appealing illustrations

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 3

Chit Lit for Young Teens

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Am I Right or Am I Right?

Am I Right or Am I Right?
by Barry Jonsberg

Summary: Calma Harrison is in love. Not just with herself, but also with a handsome checkout guy at Crazi-Cheep. So stocking shelves at the store seems like a perfect job--until that annoying customer tries to hold up the store. . .

Though considered chick lit, this girl is not your average whiney school girl! She’s tough and arrogant, but also hilarious and entertaining. If you are looking for a comedy, that sense that someone else gets it besides you, or even a romantic comedy, try this book.

Reading Level: YA
Interest Level: YA

Nonna Tell Me a Story

Merry Little Christmas!

 

Nonna Tell Me a Story: Lidia's Christmas Kitchen

 by Lidia Bastianich

Summary: Italian-American chef Lidia Bastianich shares her memories of the Christmases she spent in Italy, where she learned to cook with her Nonna Rosa, and provides holiday recipes and decorating ideas.

This is a superb Christmas story. It is fantastic for discussing holiday traditions across cultures, and the importance of family.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 3

Book of Big Brothers

 

Book of Big Brothers 

by Cary Fagan

Summary: The story of a younger brother's life with his two older brothers as they entertain, protect, and tease him.

This story is somewhat lengthily but a great story celebrating siblings. I would not recommend reading this book aloud to a class or a child with a short attention span. A parent can read this to discuss sibling rivalry and the benefits of having siblings. I think it would be most appropriate for a second or third grader transitioning to chapter books to read.

Interest Level: grades k-3

Reading Level: grade 4

Librarianjk recommends Hero Dad

Hero Dad

by Melinda Hardin

Summary: A child demonstrates that while Dad differs from a traditional superhero, as an American soldier he is a superhero of a different kind.

This simple story is appropriate for young children who ask about their fathers who are in the military. I think it would be a better story if it was about mothers in the military as well.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 4

La Noche Buena: A Christmas Story

La Noche Buena: A Christmas Story

by Antonio Sacre

Summary: While spending Christmas with her Cuban American grandmother in Miami, Florida, young Nina misses her usual New England holiday but enjoys learning about the foods and other traditions her father knew as a child.

This picture book is fantastic for discussing different cultures and Christmas around the world. It is lengthy and most appropriate for older readers.

Interest Level: grades K-3, grades 4-6
Reading Level: grade 3

Librarianjk recommends Make Like a Tree and Leave

Make Like a Tree and Leave

by Paula Danziger

Summary: Sixth-grader Matthew gets into trouble at home and at school, spars with his older sister, and helps save an elderly friend's property from the hands of a developer.

This is an easy to digest comedy. I recommend it to those who enjoy realistic fiction.

Interest Level: grades 4-6
Reading Level: grade 5

Librarianjk recommends Mirette on the High Wired

Mirette on the High Wire

by Emily Arnold McCully

Summary: Mirette learns tightrope walking from Monsieur Bellini, a guest in her mother's boarding house, not knowing that he is a celebrated tightrope artist who has withdrawn from performing because of fear.

This book has gorgeous illustrations and is wonderful for a discussion on overcoming fears.

Interest Level: grades k-3
Reading Level: grade 4

Librarianjk recommends How to Eat Fried Worms

How to Eat Fried Worms

by Thomas Rockwell

Summary: A small boy is challenged by a friend to eat fifteen worms in fifteen days for fifty dollars.

I recommend this book to anyone of any age with a sense of humor! My teacher read this book to my class in third grade. We were all laughing but thoroughly grossed out.

Interest Level: grades 4-6
Reading Level: grade 4