Books

Finding books that James has enjoyed, that is chapter books read outloud and books he enjoys reading, has been a challenge. He loves to be read to and enjoys virtual any picture book, no matter how profound or trivial, if I will just read it. So, I’ve decided to share some of our success, hoping that they will help others. I will be continually updating the list.

Chapter Read Alouds

Wind in The Willows by Kenneth Graham

Peter Panby J.M. Barrie (note: the non-Disnified version is quite violent, be prepared for this is you plan to read it)

The Burgess Bird book for Children by Thorton W. Burgess (what we’re currently reading. Although it’s long, I think it would be good for a younger child. The chapters are quite short and you could pick up and put down at any point without losing a story)

My Father’s Dragonseries by Ruth Stiles Gannett Also good for younger kids, short chapters (10 pages), an adventure without being too scary, there’s 3 books to the series.

Funny Frank by Dick King

The Extraordinary Adventures of an Ordinary Basil Wiley Miller I’ve just discovered that this is the beginning of a series, which I’m enormously excited about. This is one that James actually asked to have read again (multiple times) after we finished it.

Attack of the Volcano Monkeys Wiley Miller The 2nd of the Ordinary Basil series, I didn’t think it was as good as the first, but James still loved it.

The Invention of Hugo Cabretby Brian Selznick James was captivated from the first chapter. In fact, he had me read to the end to be sure it ended o.k. It’s a a chapter book told in pictures, or perhaps, a picture book told in chapters. But to say it’s a chapter book with pictures would not be doing it justice. The chapter leaves off with amazing, pencil drawn pictures (sometimes photos), your imagination takes off, and then the words pick up again where the pictures leave off. The basis of the story is of an orphan in train station in Paris, an automaton, an old man, and how they save each other.

Catwings by Ursula leGuin Cats, born with wings, are able to fly away from a miserable existence. It’s short, would be a good read aloud for younger kids. It’s a series of 4 but we’ve only read the first.

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo This is another book that I had heard many times how wonderful it was. And yet I wondered; ‘a book about a mouse saving a princess, not so sure that’s up James’ alley.’ And yet, this book is so much more than that. It’s a journey into they heart, into darkness and light, and it begs to be read. James loved it so much, that at the end, when my voice was giving out, he decided to finish it himself, despite the fact that it is way above his reading level (it falls into young adult I would say), that he could only read a couple of paragraphs, with much help, before wearing out, and I would pick up again. This is one you should definitely read to make sure it is appropriate for your child; the darkness is dark. And as I know there are parents who have adopted who read my blog, there is a child who is sold in the book, which may raise issues for your child. I am of the face the ugliness of the world with your child camp, but only in a loving way, and when they are ready.

The Sign of the Beaverby Elizabeth George Speare James even read parts of this to me.

Newberry: The Life and Times of a Maine Clam by Vincent Dethier (out of print) If you run across this book, it’s worth picking up. Chronicaling the life of, well, a clam, the author skillfully weaves in information about various animals of the tide flat. The books provides an enjoyable natural history of not just clams, but other shellfish, birds and echinoderms. My only complaint is the last chapter is didactic; chances are, if you’re reading an entire chapter book on clams , you know polluting the ocean is bad.

The Magician’s Nephewby C.S. Lewis Another one that James has read part of to me. His uncle and aunt gave him the entire series for his birthday (6), and I imagine we will be going through it this year. Note: James liked the first two, but we were cool on the third. I’ve blogged on it. We’ve taken a break on the series (11/08)

D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths by D’Aulaire Loved, I imagine this is one we’ll come back to. The myths are interestingly adjusted to be appropriate for kids, without destroying them. For instance, Zeus has many wives as opposed to raping all the maidens in sight. Now, this still may take some explaining, but less so, no?

The Adventures of Odysseus by Hugh Lupton This is violent, no two ways around it. Nicely illustrated, a nice rendition, but less face it, Odysseus had some pretty harrowing adventures, and all that sacrificing, arms being rendered. James loved it.

Dominic by William Steig Amazing author. Everything by him should be read.

Abel’s Island by William Steig. See above.

Ronia, the Robber’s Daughter by Astrid Lindgren aka the author of Pippi Longstockings. While there were portions of Pippi that James loved, he could never get over the death of her mother and apparent death of her father. So much so, that we never finished it. Ronia very much has the Pippi, free child feeling, with loving, albeit edge of society, hunted by the sheriff, parents. Astrid have trouble with authority much? It’s really a wonderful book for all my teasing.

The Book without Words by Avi    A complex book, issues wise, the main message being to live your life well, rather than carefully. James loved it, despite dark themes, often difficult for him. Definitely a good one to pre-read if you have younger ones, but a wonderful message, a wonderful tale, beautifully written.

The Secret of Nimh by Robert O’Brien What’s not to love?

George’s Secret Key to the Universe by Lucy & Stephen Hawking We are doing a whole unit around this book (and there’s a sequel!!). I only wish it had been written when I was a child, but I’ll have to settle for sharing it with my child. When we’re finished, I pan to devote an entire post to the unit, so stay tuned.

Books James has enjoyed reading:

Frog and Toadseries by Arnold Lobel

Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik

Dragonseries by Dav Pilkey

Commander Toad and the Planet of the Grapes by Jane Yolen (this is part of a series; he wants the rest but my library doesn’t have them. I have them on my bookmooch wishlist)

There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold (this is also part of a series, but this is the only one he really loved)

On the Go with Pirate Pete and Pirate Joeby Ann Edwards Cannon Very repetitive, maybe late 1st grade, early 2nd grade (based on nothing but a guess). James loved this enough that he reads it by himself, directly after reading time, again and again; it’s part of a series and I’ll be looking for the others.

Good Night, Good Knightby Shelley Moore Thomas Also very repetitive, probably the same reading level.

Mummies in the Morningby Mary Pope Osborne Part of the Magic Treehouse series, the first real chapter book James has read. Once her got to the climax, he “had to finish it” and he read the last three chapters in one sitting (he’s a reader, squee!). It’s poorly written, but I’m not complaining (too much). Apparently, this series turns a lot of kids on to reading, and there’s a ton of resources on the internet to use for activities. There’s also a “passport” to print, and “stickers,” one per book in the series. James is totally hooked. Note: Since writing this James has read 4 more of the series and is on his 5th. After reading 7, James finally realized that they were all the same, and grew tired of them. Let me take that back, James took a brief break and is back on them.

My Father’s Dragon series (see above): James enjoyed reading these aloud now that his reading level has improved.

Catwings series (see above): I read James the first, he read the last three.

Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown Fun, cute, James liked it.

The Best Halloween Ever by Barbara Robinson James loved this. It was towards the top of his reading level, but had horrid kids, who end up doing the right thing. He worked his way through even though I told him he didn’t have to. Definitely the sign of a good book.

Moongobble and Me:  The Dragon of Doom by Bruce Colville Cute beginning to a series about a boy who helps a bumbling magician. James has requested the others (there’s 5 in the series, one still in pre-release; this one is about a 3rd grade level). 1/09 He’s now read 2 more and is on the 4th.

Robin Hood (a stepping stone book)by Annie Ingle

Julius Caesar (Usborne Young Reader Series 3) by Rachel Firth James is loving true stories right now, so I need to find more books of this sort. It’s not long (he can read about two chapters in 15 minutes) but the vocabulary is pretty challenging, so we’re both happy.

Harry the Poisonous Centipede series by Lynne Reid Banks This has been, to date (May 09) his favorite books he’s read himself.

The Amazing Adventures of Fergus Crane by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell Nicely illustrated, great imagination. Also part of a series.

Disney Fairy Series (various authors): James is devouring these, asking me to read them so we can discuss them. Are they the high literature I hopes would be his first love? No. Am I glad he found books he loved so much he wants to share them with the world, yes.

Geronimo Stilton Wow! Such a huge hit this summer (2009, age 7) He flew through about 25 of the books in 3 weeks before deciding that they got boring.

Ghosthunters series by Cornelia Funke My mom bought 2 of the series for him last year. He checked the first one out of the library, read it, but it didn’t catch one (interestly, last year, he wanted to read series in order, now, he could care less). This year (again, 2009, age 7), he’s loving them and has finished the series in a few days.

Franny K Stein Loves it! Waiting for the series from the library. Has read the one we have multiple times while waiting.

Diary of a Killer Cat Also a quick and well beloved read.

Here is a linkwhere you can look at the grade level of a book, search for similar books, at the same grade level, lower grade level, higher grade level, and on and on. It’s by scholastic, however, they have more than just scholastic books.

I’m open to suggestions for books. I haven’t been able to find a pattern for read alouds that I can grab a book and know he will love it (although maybe I should add a audiobook section, because I’ve had huge success there). For his reading, he loves humor. If it’s funny, he loves it. But I have started many a chapter book that I thought he would love, only to have him start groaning when he sees it. And I never thought he would like Wind in the Willows,