We are big believers in reading and think books make great books, and that is true for all ages! This post includes books that both McKenzie and I have loved ourselves or that my son has enjoyed. I also have used several of these to turn some of her tutoring students on to the joys of reading.
A little aside here--growing up across the street from McKenzie and being a few years older, I used to pass down many of my books to her and to another neighbor to read. I LOVED sharing my love of reading back then and I still love sharing my literary interests with others today (can you tell?)!
Anyhow, this post is strictly books for elementary age kids from early elementary to upper elementary age. You'll have to judge by your child's reading skills when selecting books for your children--I strongly suggest choosing a few books that are a little easy, a few that are right on point, and a few that will be a challenge. The easier titles and the ones right on level will help increase your child's confidence while the more challenging titles will bring you together as you read them side by side.
Every book on this list is linked to Amazon for your convenience, and just as you can use early and pre-reader books to create an Advent countdown for your younger kids, you can do the same for your older kids too! Simply wrap a book up for every day from December 1st through Christmas eve. Put them all in a pile or a basket and let your child choose a book per day leading up to Christmas.
For elementary kids of all ranges of ages/abilities/levels:
The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden
A Dog Called Kitty by Bill Wallace
Al Capone Shines My Shoes and Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
A Dog Called Kitty by Bill Wallace
Al Capone Shines My Shoes and Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
The Year of the Dog and The Year of the Rat by Grace Lin (There's a third book in the series, but I haven't read it: Dumpling Days.)
Guys Read: Funny Business by Jon Scieszka (This one is particularly good for....guys! The author has made it his mission to encourage boys to read more.)
The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
The Giver series by Lois Lowry
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (the illustrations alone make Hugo Cabret worthwhile!)
The Thief Lord and the Inkheart series by Cornelia Funke
The Book Thief by Markus ZusakThe Giver series by Lois Lowry
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (the illustrations alone make Hugo Cabret worthwhile!)
The Thief Lord and the Inkheart series by Cornelia Funke
If your kids are interested in history, these works of historical fiction are terrific:
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Corr
Maus and Maus II by Art Speigelman (These are actually graphic novels, but they are truly literary in nature. JP is 18 and still goes back to them!)
We also love these non-fiction books:
Grossology: The Science of Really Gross Things by Sylvia Branzei and Jack Keely
Grossology and You: Really Gross Things About Your Body by Sylvia Branzei and Jack Keely
Animal Grossology: The Science of Creatures Gross and Disgusting by Sylvia Branzei and Jack Keely
If you are concerned about the cost of buying so many books, consider the tips in THIS post from McKenzie, or click on the titles above and see if anyone is selling the books used for a penny plus postage on Amazon!
- Alphabet Scavenger Hunt: A simple activity for pre-readers to practice their ABCs
- Thoughts and tips on building a family of readers
- Family traditions for happy holidays
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