The

Best Books
Booklist

Institute of Reading Development, Inc.

www.readingprograms.org 04161203

Booklist 2C-3A-3B

Program 3 Booklist Cover 1.14.2016.indd 1-3 2/1/16 11:29 AM

Copyright © 2016 Institute of Reading Development, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Table of Contents

Introduction ........................................................................................................... 1
Choosing Books for Independent Reading ............................................. 1
Choosing Books for Reading Aloud ....................................................... 1

Easy Chapter Books ........................................................................................... 3

Chapter Books ..................................................................................................... 7
Chapter Books 1...................................................................................... 8
Chapter Books 2.................................................................................... 12

Children’s Novels ..............................................................................................17

Children’s Novels 1 .............................................................................. 19
Children’s Novels for Reading Aloud ................................................... 29
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Introduction
The Best Books booklist lists and describes excellent books for young readers. It will help you
select books for your child’s independent reading throughout the upcoming year. The booklist also
includes a section of wonderful books for reading aloud to your child.

Choosing Books for Independent Reading

Establishing the habit of independent reading in books at the appropriate level of difficulty is the
cornerstone of a child’s reading development. Reading books at the right level allows children to
develop the fluency they need to successfully read increasingly challenging books. It also instills in
children a lifelong love of reading

The booklist is divided into four levels for independent reading, with each level only slightly more
difficult than the last. The first section, Easy Chapter Books, bridges the gap between the Easy
Readers your child read in the past and more challenging chapter books. The next section contains
two levels of chapter books, which are a step or two up in difficulty from Easy Chapter Books.
The final section contains children’s novels, which are more challenging than chapter books. Begin
at the level where your child seems most comfortable and confident. The introduction to each
section describes each level in more detail to help you decide. Most children this age will begin
reading either Easy Chapter Books or Chapter Books 1.

Once you pick a comfortable starting level, your child should read a number of books from that
section. When your child is comfortable, confident and relatively accurate with those books, he will
be ready to move up to the next level of the booklist. Keep in mind, your child doesn’t need to be
perfect at one level before moving on to the next; he may also enjoy reading books at both the new
and the old levels while making a transition.

Choosing Books for Reading Aloud

The Children’s Novels for Reading Aloud section of this booklist lists over forty classic children’s
novels to read aloud to your child. While most children this age aren’t yet ready to read these
longer and more challenging novels on their own, they benefit tremendously from hearing them
read aloud. Children’s novels have intriguing, exciting stories, and characters who overcome real
challenges and change as a result. When you read a children’s novel aloud, your child becomes
absorbed in the story, identifying with the main character and imaginatively sharing his world.
Listening to children’s novels will build your child’s comprehension and help him develop the
stamina necessary to sustain interest in a story over several reading sessions. By reading to
your child from these books, not only are you providing food for the soul, you are sparking his
motivation to read books like this himself one day.

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Easy Chapter Books

The Easy Chapter Books section of this booklist bridges the gap between the Easy Readers your
child has read in the past and longer chapter books. These books are longer and more difficult than
Easy Readers, with fewer illustrations, text that is arranged in paragraphs, and stories that are often
divided into short chapters. You will also see that books at this level feature an expanded array
of themes. Most children begin reading Easy Chapter Books between mid-second and early third
grade, once they have achieved fluency in Easy Readers.

Supporting your Child’s Reading in Easy Chapter Books

To support your child as he reads Easy Chapter Books, you can read a page or two aloud to get
him started on a new book. Then, simply stay within earshot as he reads and only step in when he
asks for help on a difficult word. You can also support your child by showing interest in what he’s
reading. Try occasionally asking questions about what the book is about, who the characters are,
what your child likes best about the book, etc.

Proceeding to Chapter Books 1

Your child should read eight to ten books at the Easy Chapter Books level before moving on to
the next level, Chapter Books 1. This will take a month or two for him to accomplish. How do
you know if your son or daughter is ready for Chapter Books 1? When your child is comfortable,
confident, and relatively accurate, reads most of the words in Easy Chapter Books by sight, and
doesn’t struggle sounding out the other words, he or she will be ready for Chapter Books 1. In
addition, your child should be moving from reading out loud to silent reading, and should be able
to sustain interest in the same book over more than one reading session. Remember, children don’t
need to read perfectly at one level before proceeding to the next, and they often read from both the
new and the old lists while making a transition.

Coerr, Eleanor. The Big Balloon Race.

Illus. by Carolyn Croll. HarperCollins, 1984, 64 pages.
Ariel’s mom thinks she’s too young to go hot air ballooning, but when
they accidentally take off in a racing balloon together, Ariel proves that
she’s ready for the ups and downs of an aeronaut’s life.

Cohen, Barbara. Molly’s Pilgrim.

Illus. by Daniel Mark Duffy. HarperCollins, 2005, 32 pages.
Molly, a young Russian immigrant living in a small American town,
gives her classmates an entirely new perspective on Thanksgiving, a
holiday they thought they understood.

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Easy Chapter Books
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Easy Chapter Books

Greene, Stephanie. Moose’s Big Idea.

Illus. by Joe Mathieu. Marshall Cavendish, 2005, 51 pages.
After Moose sheds his beloved antlers, both his best friend and a
stranger help him see the other things that make him unique—like his
artistic ability and sense of humor.

Higginson, Hadley. Keeker and the Springtime Surprise.

Illus. by Lisa Perrett. Chronicle Books, 2007, 58 pages.
Keeker wants her parents to focus on a newfound family of
groundhogs at their farm, but getting their attention turns out to be
more difficult than she thought.

Himmelman, John. The Animal Rescue Club.

Illus. by the author. HarperCollins, 1999, 48 pages.
Equipped with bravery, determination, and a whole lot of heart, the
members of the Animal Rescue Club go on three exciting, wildlife-
saving adventures.

Mooser, Stephen. Goofball Malone Ace Detective: Follow That


Flea!
Illus. by Brian Biggs. Grosset & Dunlap, 2005, 48 pages.
Goofball Malone wants more than anything to be an ace detective,
and when Professor Pup goes missing, he finally gets his chance to
solve a case.

Sharmat, Marjorie W. Nate the Great and the Stolen Base.

Illus. by Marc Simont. Yearling, 1994, 80 pages.
Oh no! Second base (otherwise known as Oliver’s toy octopus) has
gone missing. Can Nate the Great follow the clues and solve the case of
the missing base?

Sharmat, Marjorie W. and Mitchell Sharmat. Nate the Great and


the Big Sniff.
Illus. by Martha Weston. Yearling, 2001, 80 pages.
Nate the Great and his dog Sludge make great mystery-solving
partners. But what happens when Sludge goes missing? Can Nate solve
the case without his trusty sidekick? Will he ever see Sludge again?

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Easy Chapter Books
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Easy Chapter Books

Shea, George. First Flight.

HarperCollins, 1997, 48 pages.
Young Tom Tate gets a first class seat to history in the making when the
Wright Brothers visit Kitty Hawk, NC with a flying machine in tow.

Standiford, Natalie. The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of


Balto.
Illus. by Donald Cook. Random House, 1989, 48 pages.
The endurance and bravery of a sled dog, Balto, is put to the test when
he races across the harsh Alaskan landscape to deliver medicine to two
sick children.

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Chapter Books
Chapter books are written for children who have solid decoding skills, are fluent readers, and have
moved (or are moving) from reading out loud to silent reading. Chapter books look different from
Easy Readers and Easy Chapter Books. Instead of a picture on almost every page, you will see
full pages of text with a picture every few pages. Chapter books have expanded sentence structure,
and contain realistic dialogue and descriptive paragraphs. They usually must be read in more than
one sitting. This booklist includes nearly thirty chapter books at two levels, Chapter Books 1 and
Chapter Books 2. Most children begin reading chapter books sometime between mid-second and
mid-third grade.

Supporting Your Child’s Reading in Chapter Books

To support your child as he reads chapter books, you can read a page or two aloud to get him
started on a new book. Then, simply stay within earshot as he reads and only step in when he
asks for help on a difficult word. You can also support your child by showing interest in what he’s
reading. Try occasionally asking questions about what the book is about, who the characters are,
what your child likes best about the book, etc.

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Chapter Books 1
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Chapter Books

Chapter Books 1
Chapter Books 1 are one step more advanced than Easy Chapter Books. They are longer, with
more complex sentences, fewer illustrations, richer characters, and more exciting and complex
plotlines. Chapters Book 1 range from fifty-five to one hundred pages.

Proceeding to Chapter Books 2

Your child should read ten to fifteen Chapter Books 1 before moving on to Chapter Books 2. A
child usually takes anywhere from a few months to half of a year to complete this level. Remember,
children don’t need to read perfectly at one level before moving on to the next, and they often read
from both the new and the old lists while making a transition.

Adler, David. The Mystery of the Dinosaur Bones.

Illus. by Susanna Natti. Puffin, 1991, 58 pages.
Jennifer “The Camera” Jansen, better known as Cam, has a memory
like no one else. She can take one look at a scene and then close
her eyes and remember every detail. Follow along as Cam uses her
photographic memory to help her solve the mystery of several dinosaur
bones missing from the museum.

Bonners, Susan. The Silver Balloon.

Farrar, Straus, and Giroux. 1999. 80 pages.
Gregory has never left the city and Pete is a wheat farmer in the
country, but after a clue-carrying balloon brings them together, they
form a fast friendship that distance cannot break.

Brown, Jeff. Invisible Stanley.

Illus. by Scott Nash. HarperTrophy, 1996, 87 pages.
Meet Stanley Lambchop — if you can see him! One morning, Stanley
wakes up invisible. Stanley quickly discovers that invisible boys can
do all sorts of good deeds, but they can also get awfully lonely. Will
Stanley ever find a way to be visible again?
Note: Jeff Brown has written several other Flat Stanley books, which
are also highly recommended.

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Chapter Books 1
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Chapter Books

Bulla, Clyde Robert. Shoeshine Girl.

Illus. by Jim Burke. HarperTrophy Reprint, 1999, 96 pages.
Ten-year-old Sarah Ida finds a summer job as a shoeshine girl while
visiting her aunt in Palmville. Sarah Ida makes friends with Al, the
shoeshine man, and learns to take on adult responsibility when Al is
suddenly injured in an accident.

Cameron, Ann. Julian’s Glorious Summer.

Illus. by Dora Leder. Random House. 1987. 64 pages.
Julian’s determination to stay off bicycles all summer leads him to
tell his best friend that his dad is making him work non-stop through
school vacation. The not-so-truthful story works perfectly until his dad
makes it a reality.
Note: Ann Cameron has written several other books about Julian and
his friends and family. If your child enjoys this book, consider reading
some of those, as well.

Dagliesh, Alice. Bears on Hemlock Mountain.

Illus. by Helen Sewell. Aladdin. 1992. 64 pages.
When Jonathan’s mother sends him alone over Hemlock Mountain to
borrow a pot from his aunt, she assures him there are no bears on the
mountain. But returning over the mountain after dark, Jonathan learns
that adults don’t always know best.

Erickson, Russell E. A Toad for Tuesday.

Illus. by Lawrence Di Fiori. Houghton Mifflin, 2001, 64 pages.
Can a toad and an owl really be friends? The big-hearted and
resourceful toad Warton sure hopes so! He has five days to escape an
owl’s lair — or convince the owl not to eat him.
Note: A Toad for Tuesday and its wonderful sequels are currently out
of print. However, this excellent book is readily available at many
libraries, as well as from used bookstores.

Fleischman, Sid. McBroom’s Wonderful One-Acre Farm.

Illus. by Quentin Blake. Greenwillow Books. 1997. 64 pages.
McBroom’s wildly successful one-acre farm has the richest soil known
to man, but it isn’t without its troubles. The three tall tales in this book
showcase McBroom’s ingenious solutions for problems with jealous
neighbors, rip-roarin’ prairie winds, and crop-chompin’ grasshoppers.

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Chapter Books

Gardiner, John Reynolds. Stone Fox.

Illus. by Marcia Sewall. HarperTrophy Reissue, 2003, 96 pages.
Little Willy has a plan to get his grandfather out of debt and save the
family farm. Willy risks everything to challenge the legendary Indian
Stone Fox in a dogsled race.

Hooks, William. Pioneer Cat.

Illus. by Charles Robinson. Random House. 1988. 64 pages.
Kate Purdy didn’t want to move to Oregon — especially not without
her best friend — but she didn’t have a choice. Fortunately, the
reluctant pioneer finds a stray cat to keep her company on the hard
journey out west.

Levy, Elizabeth. A Hare-Raising Tail.

Illus. by Mordicai Gerstein. Aladdin, 2002, 72 pages.
Basset hound Fletcher is anything but ordinary. Not only do his
markings make up a map of the world, but his best friend is a flea!
Life is good for Fletcher after he gets rescued from the pound by
Jill — until Jill’s classroom pet goes missing and Fletcher takes the
blame. Can Fletcher and his flea friend Jasper clear his name before
he gets sent back to the pound?

MacLachlan, Patricia. Sarah, Plain and Tall.

HarperTrophy Reprint Edition, 1987, 64 pages.
Papa, Anna, and Caleb hope that Sarah, who has answered Papa’s
advertisement for a wife, will stay and make a home with them on the
prairie. Motherless for several years, young Caleb and Anna hope that
Sarah will stop missing the sea, and wonder if her independent ways
will prevent her from joining their family.

Marshall, James. Rats on the Roof.

Puffin. 1997. 80 pages.
With his humorous animal characters and unexpected endings, James
Marshall proves in seven short stories that some life lessons can be
learned while laughing.

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Chapter Books


Osborne, Mary Pope. The Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs
Before Dark.
Illus. by Sal Murdocca. Random House, 1992, 72 pages.
One day, siblings Jack and Annie stumble across a mysterious tree
house. The tree house is full of books, but who does it belong to?
Before they can figure it out, Jack and Annie suddenly find themselves
transported back to prehistoric times. Can Jack and Annie survive
encounters with Pterandons, Triceratops, and even a T-Rex?
Note: Mary Pope Osborne has written dozens of Magic Tree House
books, including Mummies in the Morning, Midnight on the Moon, and
Polar Bears Past Bedtime.

 cieszka, Jon. The Time Warp Trio: Knights of the Kitchen

S
Table.
Illus. by Lane Smith. Puffin Reprint, 1994, 55 pages.
On his birthday, Joe receives a strange book from his magician uncle,
and soon he and his friends Sam and Fred are traveling backwards in
time. The boys enjoy their time at King Arthur’s court, but will they
ever get back home?
Note: This book is the first in the Time Warp Trio series. Other books
in the series include The Not-So-Jolly Roger, Summer Reading is
Killing Me, and The Good, The Bad, and the Goofy.

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Chapter Books 2
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Chapter Books

Chapter Books 2
Chapter Books 2 are longer and more challenging than Chapter Books 1. They feature stories with
long paragraphs and dialogue, and have longer chapters than Chapter Books 1. Chapter Books 2
range from 80 to 140 pages. Children who are ready for Chapter Books 2 can read accurately and
confidently and are able to read silently for longer stretches of time.

Proceeding to Children’s Novels 1

Chapter Books 2 are followed by children’s novels, the gateway to great children’s literature. Your
child should read between eight and ten Chapter Books 2 before moving on to Children’s Novels 1.
A child usually takes anywhere from a few months to half a year to complete this level. Remember,
children don’t need to read perfectly at one level before moving to the next, and they often read
from both the new and the old lists while making a transition.

Bulla, Clyde Robert. A Lion to Guard Us.

Illus. by Michele Chessare. HarperCollins, 1981, 128 pages.
When her father goes ahead to make a home for his family in
Jamestown, eleven-year-old Amanda is left in charge of getting
the family from England to Virginia. Amanda shows courage and
determination in the face of poverty, the challenge of caring for her
brother and sister, and even a shipwreck.

Clifford, Eth. Help! I’m a Prisoner in the Library!

Illus. by George Hughes. Houghton Mifflin, 1979, 105 pages.
Sisters Mary Rose and Jo-Beth are locked inside a dark, creepy library
during the biggest blizzard Indianapolis has ever seen. Will Mary
Rose’s common sense and Jo-Beth’s imagination help the sisters find a
way out?

Hesse, Karen. Sable.

Illus. by Marcia Sewall. Henry Holt Reprint, 1998, 96 pages.
Tate’s mother does not want her to have a dog, but when a stray
wanders into her life, Tate is determined to prove that she can take full
responsibility for caring for a pet.

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Chapter Books


Howe, Deborah and James. Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of
Mystery.
Illus. by Alan Daniel. Aladdin, 1979, 98 pages.
Harold the dog and Chester the cat live a peaceful life with their
human family, the Monroes. But when the Monroes bring home a tiny
bunny named Bunnicula, odd things start happening. Can Chester and
Harold figure out the truth about Bunnicula before it’s too late?
Note: Deborah and James Howe have written several sequels to
Bunnicula, including Howliday Inn and The Celery Stalks at Midnight.

King-Smith, Dick. Lady Lollipop.

Illus. by Jill Barton. Candlewick Press, 2003, 128 pages.
Princess Penelope is spoiled rotten, so for her eighth birthday she
gets exactly what she wants: a clever pet pig and a boy caretaker to
go with it. Things get complicated when the pig will only respond to
the boy, and the boy and the King conspire to train the pig by training
Penelope to be gentle and kind.

King-Smith, Dick. A Mouse Called Wolf.

Illus. by Jon Goodell. Yearling, 1997, 98 pages.
This book, by the beloved author of Babe: The Gallant Pig is sure
to delight. Wolfgang Amadeus Mouse (Wolf, for short) loves music,
but Wolf’s mother has always told him that mice can’t sing. One day,
however, he discovers just how wrong she has been – Wolf can sing
beautifully! Soon, Wolf and Mrs. Honeybee, the human lady of the
house, are making beautiful music together. But when Mrs. Honeybee
has an accident, everything is at risk. Can Wolf save her?

McMullen, Kate. The New Kid at School (Dragon Slayers

Academy #1).
Illus. by Bill Basso. Grosset & Dunlap, 1997, 110 pages.
Youngest brother Wiglaf gets no respect — until the day he sees an
advertisement for Dragon Slayer’s Academy, where he can learn to slay
dragons and bring their hoards of gold and jewels home. But Wiglaf
soon learns that slaying dragons isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. What
will happen when Wiglaf comes face-to-face with a real dragon?
Note: This is the first in the Dragon Slayer’s Academy books. Other
books in the series include 97 Ways to Train a Dragon and Class Trip
to the Cave of Doom.

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Chapter Books

Pennypacker, Sara. The Talented Clementine.

Illus. by Marla Frazee. Hyperion, 2007, 138 pages.
Clementine thinks she’s got third grade all figured out. But when her
teacher announces a talent show, Clementine panics – she doesn’t have
any talents! As the show gets closer, Clementine tries desperately to
get out of it. As it turns out, though, Clementine has unexpected talent
that surprises everyone, including Clementine herself!
Note: This is the second book in Sara Pennypacker’s Clementine
series. The other books are Clementine, Clementine’s Letter, and
Clementine, Friend of the Week.

Pinkwater, Daniel. The Hoboken Chicken Emergency.

Illus. by Jill Pinkwater. Aladdin Library, 1999, 112 pages.
Arthur’s mother sends him off to get a Thanksgiving turkey,
but he returns home with Henrietta, a 266-pound chicken on a
leash. Henrietta soon becomes Arthur’s pet, leading to hilarious
complications.

Rylant, Cynthia. Gooseberry Park.

Illus. by Arthur Howard. Scholastic, 1998, 133 pages.
Stumpy the squirrel is about to give birth in her home in Gooseberry
Park, where she lives downstairs from Murray the bat. When Stumpy
and Murray’s tree blows down in an ice storm, a menagerie of animal
friends, including a dog, a crab, and even a weasel, come to the rescue.


Smith, Alexander McCall. Max and Maddy and the Chocolate
Money Mystery.
Illus. by Macky Pamintuan. Bloomsbury Children’s Books. 1997, 74 pages.
Max and Maddy Twist’s parents were the best detectives around, until
the wicked Claude Sardine drove them out of business. But when a
Swiss banker asks for their help catching a bank robber, Max and
Maddy decide to follow in their parents footsteps. However, their case
quickly goes to the dogs – literally. Their prime suspects are a gang of
St. Bernards!
Note: Alexander McCall Smith has also written another Max and
Maddy mystery, Max and Maddy and the Bursting Balloons Mystery.

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Chapter Books


Sobol, Donald J. Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the
Secret Pitch.
Illus. by Leonard Shortall. Puffin, 1965, 96 pages.
Who do you call in Idaville if you’ve got a mystery on your hands?
Encyclopedia Brown, of course! Leroy Brown, aka Encyclopedia, is
the best detective Idaville’s ever seen. Join him as he helps his police
chief father solve a kidnapping, rescue’s a classmate’s baseball bat
from a bully, and solves eight other mysteries. Can you figure out the
solution before Encyclopedia does?
Note: Donald J. Sobol has written many other Encyclopedia Brown
books.

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Children’s Novels
Children’s novels are the gateway to great children’s literature. They are longer than chapter books,
with fewer illustrations and more advanced vocabulary and sentence structure. In this booklist,
children’s novels are divided into two sections: Children’s Novels 1 and Children’s Novels for
Reading Aloud.

Children’s Novels 1 lists books for your child’s independent reading. These books have shorter,
simpler sentences, easier vocabulary, and fewer pages of text than Children’s Novels for Reading
Aloud. The Children’s Novels for Reading Aloud section lists longer and more challenging
children’s novels. Your child is not quite ready to read these novels independently, but all children
this age can benefit from listening to them read aloud.

Why Read Children’s Novels?

By Paul Copperman, President, Institute of Reading Development

The development of reading fluency in children’s novels opens the portal to the world of imaginative
children’s literature. The defining experience of reading fluency is absorption; a child identifies
with an author’s main character, and imaginatively participates in the character’s adventures and
experiences. The author’s world comes alive; in the mind of the child it is real, just as the main
character’s experiences are real. There is no sense of duality, no sense that “I am reading,” no
sense of identity outside the identity of the main character. Rather, there is an effortless flow of
experience, the character’s experience in the imaginatively recreated world of the book.

When a child brings this level of reading ability to the classics of children’s literature, the resulting
experiences make a lasting impact. The young reader who identifies with the main characters in
these books will experience those characters’ courage or compassion or perseverance as his own,
and will be changed by the experience.

Classic children’s literature carries the highest values in our civilization, and transmits them to our
children. Whether it’s trust, hope, humility, faith, or any other value, the key is that great children’s
literature makes no attempt to present these values and truths through moralistic lectures. Instead,
they are transmitted through an imaginative representation of human experience that captures a
child’s imagination and engages him emotionally. The child is shaped from the inside out, not from
the top down.

Good children’s literature can help form a child’s soul. These great and good books help us, as
parents and teachers, guide our children to the higher values and truths in life. And we know that
development toward these higher things is not a given, not in our world today, not ever. It’s a joy to
be a parent, to watch our children grow, but it’s always challenging and often hard. We need all the
help we can get.

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Children's Novels

The children’s novels we recommend portray characters, problems, and situations that are
intuitively comprehensible to a young reader, and important. Important because they creatively
depict situations and issues that are of real concern to every young person. Growing up, becoming
independent, facing fear, achieving success, dealing with friends, overcoming adversity—if
discussed directly or realistically, these issues can be a turn-off, but when creatively embedded in
a work of imaginative literature they are reassuring and meaningful. Reading books of this quality
will give young readers a vision of successfully negotiating childhood and coming out okay—
competent, confident, part of a community.

Perhaps even more important to a young reader than these developmental issues are the deeper,
spiritual issues—maintaining personal integrity in the face of challenge and temptation,
connecting to the deepest and highest aspects of one’s self, acknowledging weakness and flaws,
finding and then not straying from the right path through life. The key issue for young people is
meaning—finding real meaning in literature that points to real meaning in life. Children yearn for
real experience, authenticity, significance; the best children’s literature satisfies their hunger while
encouraging children to keep that yearning alive in their souls.

Another way of looking at this aspect of children’s reading experience is to put it in terms of
transcendence. Through great literature children transcend the limitations of their existence—
the child who has never been out of the projects can explore the world, the child who has never
known family security and love can find it in a book, the child filled with fear about dangerous or
challenging circumstances can find courage and hope.

There is another dimension to good children’s literature every bit as important as spiritual depth
and meaningful issues imaginatively represented. That, of course, is literary quality—the level of
imagination and symbolization, richness of detail, sensitivity of characterization, depth of plot,
effectiveness of language, and overall artistic achievement. Children’s literature is an art form, so
in the end we’re also talking about beauty.

There are other valuable, educational benefits experienced by children who read a significant
number of books from our children’s novels booklists. In these books children repeatedly encounter
the reading development challenges they need to master. Long words, new vocabulary, various
sentence structures, different kinds of plots—all these challenges and more become familiar and
manageable through repeated exposure and practice. They also absorb from these works basic
knowledge about how people live in our world. All of these elements—the knowledge, skills, and
values—will help lay the foundation for your child’s future educational development.

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Children’s Novels 1
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Children's Novels

Children’s Novels 1
Children’s Novels 1 are one step more advanced than Chapter Books 2. They are written using the
simplest vocabulary and sentences found in children’s novels, and are typically between 125 and
200 pages long. While the plots in these stories are exciting, they are straightforward, with the
action flowing smoothly in one direction. The main character in these stories is a child or, perhaps,
an animal with whom the reader can easily identify. All of the books on the Children’s Novels 1 list
are excellent works of children’s literature that your child will enjoy reading independently. You
can also choose books from this list to read aloud to your child.

Classic and Near-Classic Children’s Novels 1

Within the Children’s Novels 1 list, you will see several books designated as classics. Classics, such
as Beverly Cleary’s Ramona the Pest or E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web, are masterpieces of children’s
literature written at the same level of challenge as the other books on the Children’s Novels 1 list. To
make them easy to find in the lists, we’ve designated them with the following icon: .

In addition to the classics, you will find several books on the list that are nearly as good as the
classics. These books are designated as near-classics, and children greatly enjoy their compelling
stories and engaging characters. To make these near-classics easy to find, we’ve designated them
with the following icon: .

The Value of Series

As you’ll see in the following list, many children’s novels have one or more sequels. Sequels are
potentially an important source of books for your child. Many children this age get hooked on a
certain character’s saga or on a certain type of story. For these young readers, there is nothing more
rewarding than reading a series of books that follow a predictable pattern. Getting absorbed in a
favorite series makes reading practice pleasurable. The familiarity and repetition of sequels also
provides an important level of support for newly fluent children’s novel readers.

Supporting your Child’s Reading in Children’s Novels 1

To support your child as he reads Children’s Novels 1, simply stay within earshot as he reads and
only step in when he asks for help on a difficult word. You can also support your child by showing
interest in what he’s reading. Try occasionally asking questions about what the book is about, who
the characters are, what he likes best about the book, etc.

Once your child can read children’s novels, the Children’s Novels 1 list will meet his independent
reading needs for the next year. Your son or daughter will not want to miss the classic children’s
literature and outstanding children’s novels available at this level. We encourage every child to read
all of the books marked as a classic or near-classic, as well as any of the sequels or other books they
are interested in.

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Atwater, Richard and Florence. Mr. Popper’s Penguins.

Illus. by Robert Lawson. Little, Brown and Company, 1992, 139 pages.
Mr. Popper, dreamer and armchair traveler, writes a letter to Admiral
Drake, who is leading an expedition to the Antarctic. Soon Popper is
the proud owner of one — no two — no twelve penguins! While the
Popper children delight in a houseful of penguins, the Popper parents
care for the animals and train them to perform. Should Popper’s
penguins become movie stars, or accept the Admiral’s offer to
transport them to the North Pole?

Beals, Frank L. Kit Carson.

Illus. by Jack Merryweather. Row, Peterson and Company, 1960, 188 pages.
Read about the adventures of Kit Carson in the West. Kit traps, saves
a wagon train, and scouts for the government. He rescues Josepha,
a beautiful Spanish girl, helps Lieutenant Frémont defeat Mexican
General Armijo, and marries Josepha. Learn about the many-sided Kit
Carson and his role in fighting the Mexicans in California, escorting
the Navajos on the Long Walk, and working for the welfare of the
Indians.
Note: This book is part of the American Adventure Series. Though
these books are more difficult to obtain, we have included them here
because it is rare to find very easy children’s novels that are also
excellent adventure books. These books are especially appealing to
boys. Look for them in your local library, or order them used online.
Additional books in the series include: Alec Majors Trail Boss by A.M.
Anderson, Buffalo Bill and Davy Crockett by Frank L. Beals, John
Paul Jones by Vinson Brown, and Daniel Boone by Edna McGuire.

Bond, Michael. A Bear Called Paddington.

Illus. by Peggy Fortnum. Houghton Mifflin Co. Revised Edition,
144 pages.
The Brown family decides to look after a young bear when they
discover him at Paddington Station, London. Paddington is a
charming little bear who can turn a shopping expedition or a visit to
the theater upside down. Join Paddington as he learns to bathe, paint
a masterpiece, and float out to sea in a bucket, all in the interest of
becoming civilized. This is the first in a series of many Paddington
Bear books, all of which are charming.
Note: Michael Bond has written many charming sequels to A Bear
Called Paddington, including The Adventures of Paddington and
Paddington at Large. All are excellent.

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Brady, Esther Wood. Toliver’s Secret.

Illus. by Richard Cuffari. Yearling, 1993, 176 pages.
This fast-paced historical novel tells the story of shy, ten-year-old
Ellen Toliver, who becomes a link in a chain of couriers carrying an
important message to George Washington. When Ellen’s father sprains
his ankle, Ellen is called on to disguise herself as a boy and cross the
Bay to Elizabeth-town. Ellen must show courage time and gain while
protecting the precious loaf of bread containing the message, behaving
like a boy, and even traveling with British soldiers.

Brooks, Walter R. Freddy Goes to Florida.

Illus. by Kurt Wiese. Puffin Reprint, 2001, 196 pages.
Freddy the pig and his friends decide to be the first barnyard animals
to migrate, and set off on an exciting adventure. Freddy and friends
face danger from humans and other animals, but will they be able to
outwit the hungry Florida alligators? Join Freddy on this first-of-a-kind
trek from upstate New York to Florida and back.
Note: Walter R. Brooks has also written an excellent sequel to Freddy
Goes to Florida, called Freddy the Pilot.

Byars, Betsy. The Eighteenth Emergency.

Puffin Reissue, 1996, 128 pages.
Benjie disrespects Marv Hammerman, the biggest kid in junior high,
and now Hammerman and his buddies are out to get Benjie. Benjie
tries explaining matters to his parents and his best friend, but a chasm
opens between the everyday world and Benjie’s world of peril. Tired
of running, and tired of being called Mouse, Benjie decides to face his
nemesis.

Byars, Betsy. Trouble River.

Illus. by Rocco Negri. Puffin Reissue, 1989, 106 pages.
Just a few steps ahead of an Indian raid, pioneers Dewey Martin
and his Grandma escape on a homemade raft. Join Dewey and
his Grandma as they travel forty miles downriver, encountering
swift currents, rapids, and wolves. Will they survive the wild and
unpredictable Trouble River?

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Cleary, Beverly. Ramona the Pest.

Illus. by Louis Darling. HarperTrophy Reprint, 1996, 192 pages.
Ramona Quimby is full of spunk and energy, and she can hardly wait to
start kindergarten. Ramona loves show and tell and writing her name,
but her high spirits get her into trouble with her teacher. Will Ramona
become a kindergarten dropout, or will she learn to get along with Miss
Binney?
Note: Beverly Cleary has written several excellent sequels to Ramona
the Pest, including Ramona the Brave and Ramona Quimby, Age 8. All
of the sequels are highly recommended.

Dahl, Roald. James and the Giant Peach.

Illus. by Quentin Blake. Penguin, 1999, 128 pages.
Join James in an original fantasy adventure as he navigates his giant,
magic peach on a perilous voyage, and captains his eccentric crew:
a centipede, a ladybug, a spider, a grasshopper, an earthworm, and a
glowworm. Will James and his quarrelsome crew safely cross land and
sea, and win their battles against the sharks and the Cloudmen?

Dixon, Franklin W. The Tower Treasure.

HarperCollins, 1981, 160 pages.
The Tower Treasure is the first book in Franklin W. Dixon’s series of
Hardy Boy mysteries. Meet Frank and Joe Hardy and their detective
father. Join the Hardy boys as they try to recover friend Chet’s stolen
car, hear the mysterious confession of a dying thief, and search for
hidden jewels. Thrilling plot twists lead to a surprise ending!
Note: Franklin W. Dixon has written 65 Hardy Boys mysteries for a
series that has launched many a child on a lifelong path of reading.

Estes, Eleanor. The Moffats.

Illus. by Louis Slobodkin. Harcourt, Brace, and World, 1969, 261 pages.
Meet the Moffats: Sylvie and Joey, the eldest, Janey in the middle,
and youngest Rufus. They live with their mother in a yellow house on
New Dollar Street in the town of Cranbury, Connecticut. Though their
mother struggles to make ends meet, the four Moffat children lead a
life of adventure enriched by imagination.
Note: This is the first in a series of four books about the Moffats. The
others are: The Middle Moffat, The Moffat Museum, and Rufus M. If
you enjoyed the first book, consider reading these as well.

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Farley, Walter. The Black Stallion.

Random House Books for Young Readers Reissue, 1991, 224 pages.
A boy named Alec tames a wild stallion when the two are shipwrecked
together on a desert island. When boy and horse are rescued, Alec
wants to make a racer of the stallion, but the Black has no pedigree.
Can the Black win a publicity match race against Cyclone and Sun
Raider, the two fastest horses in the country? The Black Stallion is the
first in a series of twenty books, all of which are highly recommended.

Gutman, Dan. Jackie & Me: A Baseball Card Adventure.

HarperTrophy, 2000, 160 pages.
Meet the incredible Jackie Robinson, baseball legend and African
American hero. When Joe Stoshack travels back in time to 1947, he
sees Jackie play in the World Series. Joe also witnesses Jackie perform
with grace under pressure as the first player to integrate major league
baseball. Join Joe on an excursion into history unlike any other.
Note: Dan Gutman has written several other books in the Baseball Card
Adventures series, including Honus and Me and Shoeless Joe and Me.

Henry, Marguerite. Misty of Chincoteague.

Illus. by Wesley Dennis. Aladdin Library, 1991, 176 pages.
Paul and Maureen Beebe work and plan to make the beautiful pony
Phantom their own. On Pony Penning Day Paul succeeds in bringing
in Phantom and her foal Misty. Misty is happy on the little island of
Chincoteague, but the Phantom has a far-away look. Should Paul and
Maureen keep Phantom, or let her rejoin the first families of Virginia:
the wild horses of Assateague?
Note: Marguerite Henry has written several additional children’s
novels, including Stormy: Misty’s Foal. All are highly recommended.

Holbrook, Stewart H. Davy Crockett.

Illus. by Ernest Richardson. Random House, 1955, 173 pages.
When did Davy Crockett really shoot his first bear? Find out about
Davy’s life on the Tennessee frontier, and about how he became
a colonel and a congressman. Read about Davy, champion of the
American Indian and hero of the Alamo.

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Keene, Carolyn. Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock.

HarperCollins, 1991, 160 pages.
Mr. Crowley’s latest will is missing, and it seems his wealth will go
to the unpleasant Topham family. Can Nancy help Crowley’s poor
relatives regain the money he promised them? Join Nancy as she
unravels the secret of the old clock.
Note: This is Carolyn Keene’s first Nancy Drew mystery. There are 56
Nancy Drew mysteries in this series that has been popular since the
1960s.

King-Smith, Dick. The School Mouse.

Illus. by Cynthia Fisher. Disney Press Reprint, 1997, 124 pages.
Flora is a very special sort of mouse, a mouse who wants to learn how
to read. Find out how Flora rescues her parents by learning to read,
finds a home for her siblings, and befriends a white mouse named
Buck, all while moving up from kindergarten to second grade.

Lenski, Lois. Strawberry Girl.

HarperTrophy, 1995, (1945) 208 pages.
Birdie Boyer moves to Florida in the early 1900s with her kindhearted
Ma and clever Pa, and the family plans to raise strawberries. But a
feud with their neighbors leads to the menace of hogs in their fields,
to threat notes and the danger of fire. Will Birdie ever be able to make
friends with Shoestring Slater and his family, or will the Boyers and
the Slaters become sworn enemies?

 ord, Betty Bao. In the Year of the Boar and Jackie

L
Robinson.
Illus. by Marc Simont. HarperTrophy, 1986, 176 pages.
Dubbed Shirley Temple Wong by her grandfather in China, a young
girl travels to New York and a new life as an American. It’s 1947, the
Year of the Boar in China, but in America it’s the year of the great
baseball player, Jackie Robinson. Follow Shirley’s adventures in the
Year of the Boar, and find out what she learns from Jackie Robinson.

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Lowry, Lois. Anastasia Krupnik.

Yearling Books, 1979, 113 pages.
Ten-year-old Anastasia keeps a running list of all the things she loves
and hates, but even so, it’s hard to get a handle on the events of her
funny, exciting life. How will Anastasia cope with parents, teachers, a
grandmother who can’t remember her name – and worst of all, a baby
brother on the way?
Note: This amusing book is not quite as easy to read as most of the
books on this list, so read some other Children’s Novels 1 first.

McSwigan, Marie. Snow Treasure.

Scholastic Reissue, 1997, 156 pages.
Schoolboy Peter Lundstrom wants a chance to help his country, and
soon becomes the leader of twenty-five Norwegian boys and girls who
slip past German sentries, carrying thirteen tons of gold on their sleds
to be loaded onto a ship bound for America. This true story of children
facing danger to keep their country’s treasure from the hands of the
Nazis is full of excitement, adventure, and breathtaking encounters
with the enemy.

Moeri, Louise. The Devil in Ol’ Rosie.

Atheneum, 2001, 208 pages.
It’s up to John, or Wart as his father calls him, to round up a herd of
horses that has escaped from the family’s ranch. Can the boy take care
of himself in the wilderness of 1907 Oregon and bring home the herd?
Join Wart as he faces darkness and hunger, a blizzard, and a cougar
attack to help his father regain his livelihood.

Naylor, Phyllis. Shiloh.

Illus. by Barry Moser. Aladdin Library, 2000, 144 pages.
When Marty meets Shiloh, a mistreated dog, the dog quickly wins
Marty’s heart. Shiloh’s owner Judd is looking for him, but Marty
decides to keep Shiloh safe in a secret place. When Marty’s parents
find out, they tell him he must return the dog. How will Marty manage
to make Shiloh his own.
Note: Phyllis Naylor has written two sequels to Shiloh: Shiloh Season
and Saving Shiloh.

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Parish, Peggy. Clues in the Woods.

Illus. by Paul Frame. Yearling, 1980, 160 pages.
Summer is going by fast, but Liza, Bill, and Jed would like another
mystery to solve. And it isn’t long before they note some mysterious
disappearances—of food, clothing, and even their dog! If the kids are
right and the food has been taken by runaway children, should they
keep on feeding the runaways, or tell Grandpa and Grandma?
Note: Peggy Parish has written several other Liza, Bill, and Jed
mysteries, including The Key to the Treasure and The Ghosts of
Cougar Island. If you enjoyed this book, be sure to check out some of
the sequels.

Paulsen, Gary. Mr. Tucket.

Yearling Books Reprint, 1995, 192 pages.
Fourteen-year-old Francis Tucket is traveling west on the Oregon
Trail with his family when he is captured by Pawnee Indians. The
boy is helped to escape from the Pawnee by mountain man Mr.
Grimes, who teaches him to hunt antelope, trap beaver, and survive
in the wilderness. Called “Mr. Tucket” by the mountain man, the boy
matures and becomes self-reliant.
Note: This book is among the most difficulty on this list, so have
your child read some other Children’s Novels 1 first. Gary Paulsen
has written an engaging sequel to Mr. Tucket, called Call Me Francis
Tucket. There are also many other books in the series that your child
may enjoy.

Robinson, Barbara A. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

Illus. by Judith Gwyn Brown. HarperTrophy, 1988, 96 pages.
The six Herdman kids are the nastiest kids in school, so no one is
happy when they show up at church, hoping for treats. When the
Herdmans manage to get all the main parts in the Christmas Pageant,
the townspeople think they’ve seen everything. But soon the Herdmans
are causing everyone to think about the meaning of a Christmas
Pageant that will never be the same.

Sachar, Louis. Dogs Don’t Tell Jokes.

Yearling, 1992, 224 pages.
Seventh-grader Gary Boone dreams of being a stand-up comedian, but
his immediate goal is to win the $100 prize in the Floyd Hicks Junior
High School Talent Show. As he prepares for his debut, Gary finds out
he still has a lot to learn about comedy, and about himself.

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Sorensen, Virginia. Plain Girl.

Illus. by Charles Geer. Harcourt Young Classics, 2003, 164 pages.
This charmingly illustrated book is a simple but riveting read. The
state of Pennsylvania forces Esther, who is Amish, to attend public
school against her parents’ wishes. Esther feels isolated in her plain
black clothes, but is soon befriended by a girl who is not Amish.
Esther’s new friendship leads to new experiences and to a questioning
of Amish ways. Will Esther want to leave her family and the close-knit
Amish community, as happened with her older brother?

Speare, Elizabeth George. The Sign of the Beaver.

Yearling, 1994, 144 pages.
Matt is only twelve when his father leaves him alone to protect
the family cabin in the Maine wilderness. Rescued from a hive of
swarming bees by an Indian chief, Matt shows his gratitude by teaching
the chief’s grandson, Attean, to read. Matt and Attean learn from each
other and become friends, and Matt is invited to join Attean’s people.
Will Matt join the beaver tribe, or wait for his father’s return?

Sperry, Armstrong. Call it Courage.

Aladdin, 1990, 95 pages.
Despised by his people for his fear of the sea, Mafatu leaves his
Polynesian home to conquer his fear. He discovers a mysterious island,
uninhabited, but with an altar guarded by a huge idol. Mafatu learns to
survive on the island, taking what he needs from the sacred place. Will
Mafatu realize his dream of returning to his people a hero, or will he
be captured when the worshippers of the idol return?

Taylor, Sydney. All-of-a-Kind Family.

Illus. by Helen John. Yearling Reissue, 1984, (1951)189 pages.
Join five lively sisters in their adventures on the lower east side of
New York in the early twentieth century. Whether sneaking candy up
to their room, going to market with Mama, or visiting the library, the
daily lives of these sisters from a Jewish immigrant family are full
of excitement and interest. This book is the first in a series about five
high-spirited girls, their family, and their neighborhood.

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White, E.B. Charlotte’s Web.

Illus. by Garth Williams. HarperTrophy, 1999, 192 pages.
Wilbur the pig, an endearing runt, is rescued by a farm-girl who makes
him into her pet. But it is Charlotte the spider who saves Wilbur’s life
with her ingenious plan, and teaches him about love, sacrifice, and
friendship.

White, E.B. Stuart Little.

Illus. by Garth Williams. HarperCollins, 1999, 144 pages.
Stuart Little may be a two-inch high mouse, but the plucky fellow is
the apple of his mother’s eye. Stuart performs daring tasks around
the house to help his family, and boldly sails a toy boat across a pond.
When the little bird that Stuart befriends flies north, Stuart sets off on
his own to find her.

Wilder, Laura Ingalls. Little House on the Prairie.

Illus. by Garth Williams. HarperCollins, 1994, 352 pages.
As more settlers populate the big woods, Laura’s Pa decides to move
the family west. The family builds a cabin in Indian Territory and soon
makes friends with local characters, including Dr. Tann, a black doctor
to the Indians. Initially frightened by the Indians, Laura soon learns
to see them through the eyes of her Pa, who understands and respects
them. Laura is a feisty, adventurous girl, in contrast to her ladylike
sister Mary. This children’s classic is full of excitement and intriguing
descriptions of pioneer life.

Wilder, Laura Ingalls. Farmer Boy.

Illus. by Garth Williams. Avon, 2003, 304 pages.
Join Almanzo Wilder on a farm in upstate New York, where life is
full of hard work and adventure. Almanzo watches his teacher defend
himself with a blacksnake ox-whip, learns about chores and the
value of money from his father, and has fun sledding with oxen and
celebrating country holidays.
Note: In addition to the two books listed here, Laura Ingalls Wilder has
written several other superb Little House books, including Little House
in the Big Woods, The Long Winter, and Little Town on the Prairie.

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Children’s Novels for Reading Aloud

The following booklist contains almost forty of the very best children’s novels, ranging in length
from 125 to 300 or more pages. Most of these books have fewer illustrations than the books
your child reads independently, but they are wonderful for reading aloud. Any book listed on the
Children’s Novels 1 list is also appropriate for reading aloud.

All children this age can benefit from hearing children’s novels read aloud, and even when
children can read children’s novels independently, many continue to enjoy listening to them read
aloud. When you read a children’s novel aloud, your child identifies with the main character and
imaginatively shares his world. Great children’s novels transmit moral and spiritual values in a way
that captures a child’s imagination. These stories deal with growing up, becoming independent,
facing fear, and being true to oneself in a way that is both creative and accessible to children.
By reading to your child from these books, not only are you providing food for the soul, you are
sparking his motivation to read books like this himself one day.

Pick a quiet time a few times a week to read from a children’s novel—bedtime is a great time to
do this, but any time you and your child want to snuggle up to read is fine. You can read a chapter
or part of a chapter at a time, picking up where you left off in the next reading session. You and
your child may also enjoy stopping occasionally to talk about the ideas and events in the book.
Children’s novels present wonderful opportunities to engage your child’s imagination and talk
about some of the themes of childhood that your own child may be experiencing, such as making
friends, solving problems, and growing up. Of course, it’s often nice for your child just to listen and
become absorbed in the story, without stopping to talk about it. Choose moments to stop and talk
that feel the most natural to you.

Alexander, Lloyd. The Book of Three.

Yearling Reissue, 1978, 224 pages.
Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper of Caer Dalben, longs to go into battle like his hero Prince Gwydion.
Taran gets his chance when the forces of evil threaten the land of Prydain, and it is up to Taran to
outwit an evil enchantress and fight the Horned King. The Book of Three is the first of five books
about Taran and his adventures. Lloyd Alexander has written several excellent sequels to The Book
of Three.

Banks, Lynne Reid. The Indian in the Cupboard.

Illus. by Brock Cole. HarperTrophy Reissue, 1999, 240 pages.
Meet Omri, a boy who gets a plastic Indian figure and an empty cupboard for his birthday. But this
Indian is no toy, and soon Omri discovers he must respect and care for the Indian while deciding
how to use the magic power that has fallen into his hands. This is the first in a series of four books,
all of which are excellent.

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Baum, L. Frank. The Wizard of Oz.

Illus. by W.W. Denslow. Signet Classics, 2006, 240 pages.
A cyclone brings Dorothy and her little dog from Kansas to the Land of Oz. No sooner has Dorothy
slain the Wicked Witch of the East and put on her silver shoes than she is off on an adventure with
her new friends the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion. Will the Wizard in
the Emerald City grant Dorothy and her friends their wishes? This is the first book in a series of
Baum’s thirteen Oz books, many of which are as good as the first.

Butterworth, Oliver. The Enormous Egg.

Illus. by Carl Burger. Little, Brown and Company Reissue, 1993, 160 pages.
When one of his family’s hens lays the biggest egg ever, Nate helps the hen to hatch it out. The
creature in the egg looks like a lizard, but when Nate befriends a scientist, he finds the animal
is something truly marvelous. Nate wants to keep it as a pet, but how can he take care of a cold-
blooded animal that just keeps growing?

Dahl, Roald. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Illus. by Quentin Blake. Puffin, 2002, 155 pages.
Charlie Bucket is so poor he gets only one candy bar a year, on his birthday. By luck, Charlie wins
the golden ticket allowing him inside the factory of Willy Wonka, the chocolate-making genius.
Once Charlie begins the tour with the four other winners—all of them rather unpleasant children—
strange things begin to happen. What will happen to Charlie?

Eager, Edward. Half Magic.

Illus. by N.M. Bodecker. Harcourt, 1999, 208 pages.
Jane finds a coin that’s magic — half magic, that is. When she and her brother and sisters wish
on it, strange things happen! A wish to see a house on fire makes a playhouse burn down; a wish
to go home gets the wisher halfway; and a wish to be on a desert island lands the wisher in a
desert — without the island. Will Jane and her family ever learn to use the coin’s magic to get
something they want? Edward Eager has written several sequels to Half Magic.

Grahame, Kenneth. The Wind in the Willows.

Illus. by Michael Hague. Signet Classics, 2006, 240 pages.
Mole and the Water Rat set off for adventures on the river, and soon they meet up with Badger and
the irrepressible Toad. The four animals’ peaceful life together is upended when Toad steals a car
and gets thrown in jail. Can Mole, Rat, and Badger defend Toad Hall from the wicked Weasels?

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Henry, Marguerite. King of the Wind: the Story of the Godolphin Arabian.
Illus. by Wesley Dennis. Aladdin, 2006, 176 pages.
Read the story of Sham, the Arabian horse born with both a lucky and an unlucky sign. Sham and
the stable boy Agba journey to France and to England, and Agba cares for Sham as the swift horse
is put to work pulling carriages and carts. How will Sham finally prove himself as the great race
horse he is?

Juster, Norman. The Phantom Tollbooth.

Illus. by Jules Feiffer. Bullseye Books, 1998, 272 pages.
Milo is so bored! Or he is, at least, until a magic tollbooth and a map suddenly appear in his
bedroom. The tollbooth whisks Milo off to the magical Kingdom of Wisdom, where he meets an
amazing cast of anything-but-boring characters, including the Mathemagician and King Azaz the
Unabridged. Follow along as Milo goes on a quest to bring Princesses Rhyme and Reason back to
Wisdom and restore order to the land.

Kipling, Rudyard. The Jungle Book.

Illus. by Philip Hays. Doubleday, 1987, 213 pages.
Enjoy these thrilling tales by a master storytelller. Meet Mowgli, the man-cub who is raised by
wolves and battles a tiger, and read about Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, the mongoose who outwits two cobras
and saves a human family. Learn the law of the jungle and hear the jungle songs.

Lewis, C.S. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Illus. by Pauline Baynes. HarperCollins Reprint Edition, 1994, 208 pages.
A wardrobe in an old country house in England opens onto the mysterious land of Narnia where
the White Witch rules her wintry kingdom. When Lucy, Edmond, Susan, and Peter arrive in
Narnia spring breaks through, and it is rumored that Aslan the Lion will soon break the Witch’s
spell. Yet the future of Narnia depends on the courage of the children who arrived through the
wardrobe. The Narnia series consists of six additional books, many of them as good as the first.

Lewis, C.S. The Horse and His Boy.

Illus. by Pauline Baynes. HarperCollins Reprint, 1994, 256 pages.
By chance, the boy Shasta meets Bree, a marvelous talking horse. When he learns that Shasta
has been kidnapped like he has, Bree talks Shasta into escaping together to their native land.
Escaping to the north, Shasta and Bree encounter a talking mare called Hwin and an escaping
girl named Aravis. It’s not long before the four reach Narnia, but will they uncover the secret of
Shasta’s birth?

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Lindgren, Astrid. Pippi Longstocking.

Illus. by Louis S. Glanzman. Puffin Reissue, 1997, 160 pages.
Tommy and Annika have a new neighbor, and their lives will never be the same! Pippi
Longstocking is only nine, but she lives alone at Villa Villekulla with her horse and her pet
monkey. What’s more, Pippi is the strongest girl in the world! She can capture robbers, lead the
police on a merry chase, and outwrestle the man at the circus, but can Pippi learn to behave in a
classroom or at a coffee party? Other books in this series are Pippi Goes on Board and Pippi in the
South Seas.

MacDonald, Betty. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle.

Illus. by Hilary Knight. HarperTrophy, 1985, 128 pages.
The wonderful Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle lives in an upside-down house and is famous for her miracle
cures. She helps parents whose children are Answer-Backers, Never-Want-To-Go-To-Bedders,
Tiny-Bite-Takers and more! But it’s children who love Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle best, for her laughter,
her cookies, and her common sense. Betty MacDonald has written two sequels to Mrs Piggle-
Wiggle: Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s Magic and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s Farm.

MacDonald, George. The Princess and the Goblin.

Puffin Reissue, 1997, 256 pages.
First published in 1870, this children’s classic was one of the first fantasy books for kids. Princess
Irene finds a special room in her castle, meets a wise woman only she can see, and uses a magic
thread to rescue her friend Curdie from the goblins. Kids will enjoy this fairy tale about a most
unusual princess.

McCloskey, Robert. Homer Price.

Illus. by the Author. Puffin, 1976, 149 pages.
Homer Price lives at the junction of route 56 and route 56A, where his parents run a tourist camp.
Here Homer catches a band of robbers with the help of his pet skunk, helps pull Superman out of a
ditch, and witnesses the debut of such marvelous inventions as Murphy’s musical mouse-trap and
Uncle Ulysses’ doughnut machine. Join Homer Price for these and other Centerburg adventures.
Robert McCloskey’s Centerburg Tales is the sequel to Homer Price.

Milne, A.A. Winnie-the-Pooh.

Illus. by Ernest H. Shepard. Penguin, 1992, 161 pages.
Meet Christopher Robin and his beloved bear, Winnie-the-Pooh. Pooh’s adventures include being
stuck in a rabbit hole and being carried away by a balloon. Pooh’s chums Piglet, Eyeore, Tiger, and
others join him in more adventures — all of which make excellent bedtime reading. Further tales
of Winnie-the-Pooh can be found in The House at Pooh Corner.

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Children’s Novels for Reading Aloud
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Children's Novels

Mowat, Farley. Owls in the Family.

Yearling Books, 1996, 96 pages.
Billy has a kind of zoo at his home in Saskatoon, Canada, but it wouldn’t be complete without the
addition of his two owls, Wol and Weeps. Wol and Weeps have very different personalities but they
become good pals and provide Billy with lots of entertainment. Mowat’s funniest story is based on
a real-life adventure.

Nesbit, Edith. Five Children and It.

Illus. by H.R. Millar. Puffin Reissue, 1996, 256 pages.
Enter a world of wishes as five children discover an ancient Sand-Fairy who grants them one wish
a day — a wish that will last for just that day. Wishing for things like beauty, gold, and wings
brings unexpected adventure as the children learn that wishing is a complicated business. Will the
children’s wishes ever turn out as planned? Edith Nesbit has written two sequels to Five Children
and It: The Phoenix in the Carpet and The Story of the Amulet.

Norton, Mary. The Borrowers.

Illus. by Beth Krush. Odyssey Classics, 2003, 192 pages.
Borrowers are very clever, very little people who live in country houses and borrow everything
they need. Meet a family of borrowers, the Clock family, and find out what happens when daughter
Arietty insists on leaving the safety of home, goes borrowing with her father, and makes friends
with a human boy. Mary Norton has written several more books about the Borrowers.

O’Brien, Robert C. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH.

Illus. by Zena Bernstein. Scott Foresman Reprint, 1986, 240 pages.
Mrs. Frisby’s country home is about to be plowed up, but she can’t move her son Timothy, a sick
young mouse. Mother love leads Mrs. Frisby to fly with a crow, seek the counsel of an owl, and
put sleeping powder in the dish of Dragon the cat. Most exciting of all, Mrs. Frisby has won the
help and protection of a colony of highly intelligent, genetically engineered rats. The rats agree to
help save her family, but can Mrs. Frisby help the rats when the federal government sends out an
extermination team? There are several delightful sequels to Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH.

Selden, George. The Cricket in Times Square.

Illus. by Garth Williams. Random House Children’s Books, 1970, 160 pages.
A cricket, a mouse, and a cat conspire to help the Bellini family turn their Broadway newsstand
into the most successful newsstand in town. Chester the Cricket becomes the most famous singer in
New York City, but is success more important than happiness?

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Children’s Novels for Reading Aloud
Table of Contents
Children's Novels

Tolkien, J. R. R. The Hobbit.

Houghton Mifflin, 1960, 304 pages.
Bilbo Baggins thinks adventures are uncomfortable things, but he is in for the adventure of a
lifetime. When Bilbo sets off with a group of dwarves and a wizard to raid the treasure of Smaug
the dragon, he accidentally finds a magic ring that changes his life forever. This tale of good and
evil is followed by Tolkien’s more complex The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Travers, P.L. Mary Poppins.

Illus.by Mary Shepard. Odyssey Classics: Revised Edition, 1997, 224 pages.
Mary Poppins is the most magical nanny a child could have. Whether Mary takes her young
charges to visit Uncle Albert and learn to float, or demonstrates how to go round the world via
magic compass, the children’s adventures with her are simply too incredible for grown-ups to
understand. This is the first of P.L. Travers’ many delightful books about Mary Poppins.

White, E.B. The Trumpet of the Swan.

Illus. by Edward Frascino. HarperTrophy, 1973, 210 pages.
Louis is a trumpeter swan who can’t make a sound, so he learns to read and write by attending
school with Sam, a boy he meets in the Canadian wilderness. Louis’ adventures continue when his
proud father steals a trumpet from a music store so Louis can court Serena, the swan of his dreams.
Louis works as a camp bugler and performs on a swan boat to pay his father’s debt, and feels lucky
to be able to solve his problems with music.

Wilder, Laura Ingalls. Little House in the Big Woods.

Illus. by Garth Williams. HarperCollins, 1971, 238 pages.
Laura lives with her Ma and Pa and her sisters Mary and Carrie in a little house in the Wisconsin
woods of the 1870s. Read about pioneer life and hear Laura’s family stories about Christmas fun,
prowling panthers, sledding downhill with a squealing hog, and more. Girls may especially enjoy
Laura Ingalls Wilder’s classic series, which follows Laura through her growing-up years. Laura
Ingalls Wilder has written several superb sequels to Little House in the Big Woods.

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