Some of my favorite ( or rather most nostalgia inducing ) children's novels are the ones that my mother read to me and my siblings as we fidgeted and giggled together on the big comfy couch in our bonus room. Starting when I was five years old, reading time was just a normal part of our home school schedule. As we grew a little older, my mother continued to read to us. Not only did this encourage us to strike out on the reading journey for ourselves, it also proved to be a strong and memorable bonding time for me, my mom, and my sisters. I remember reading Laura Ingalls Wilder and Understood Betsy right before bed time. I remember laughing about the stories together, and discussing the themes afterwards. Reading together is such a win win situation. I could probably ramble on about this for another ten paragraphs, but I don't have to. Yesterday I found a babble.com article that summarizes (some) of the benefits of reading aloud to your children. Read it. It may very well help to convince you to carve out an extra sliver of time and start reading to your children. Believe me, as a child who has experienced being read to aloud, I can testify that it both important and extremely enjoyable.
In honor of the above discussion, I have composed a starting list for parents who would like to read aloud to children. I have chosen these simple novels based on the following criteria:
1. They have just the right balance of dialog to description that makes for a fun ( but not overwhelming) read aloud. Too many different characters talking can be an overwhelming task for mother reader, but long paragraphs of description can become very boring very fast to the children fidgeting on the couch.
2. Universal Appeal. These books can be read and enjoyed by all different ages - mom, dad, big sister, little sister, big brother, etc...
Best Family Read-Aloud Books -
1. Charlotte's Web - E.B. White
2. Winnie The Pooh - A.A. Milne
3. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory -Roald Dahl
4. Where the Sidewalk Ends - Shel Silverstein
5. Mr. Poppers Penguins - Richard and Florence Atwater
6. The Twenty-One Balloons - William Pene Du-Bois
7. Ginger Pye - Eleanore Estes
8. The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Graham
9. The Wheel On the School - Mendert De Jong
10. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH - Robert C. Obrien
Note: These are family books. Hopefully everyone will enjoy them. Make sure to cater your read aloud sessions to the children your reading to. If you are reading to your daughters for example, it may be sweeter to try girlier books like The Middle Moffat or The Witch of Blackbird Pond (books you can giggle over and be girls about together). If you are reading to older elementary, reading time may afford a perfect opportunity to begin introducing the wonders of classic literature: Gulliver's Travels, David Copperfield, Huckleberry Finn, etc... Just some things to think about.
Showing posts with label reading list. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reading list. Show all posts
Monday, July 8, 2013
Friday, July 5, 2013
Best Books for Your Sensitive Girls -
We all know middle school is tough. Real tough. Between adolescent drama and wacky hormones, everything is suddenly much more dramatic...and devastating. For me, books were a passage away from the nightmarish mountains of mole hill problems. Not only did I escape my selfish tears and puberty trouble, some of the books I read helped me learn from other young girls and ( cliched as it sounds ) find myself just a little bit. The best books were the ones that took me outside of myself to see a bigger picture about what is important in life, how we change, and why being selfish, self centered, and insecure, stinks. I believe books have a special power to preach and comfort those stubborn adolescents who are shutting everybody out. So without further ado I present:
Books For Sensitive Junior High Girls
The Witch of Blackbird Pond - Elizabeth Speare
Up a Road Slowly - Irene Hunt
Diary of a Young Girl - Anne Frank
Walk Two Moons - Sharon Creech
Esperanza Rising - Pam Runoz Ryan
Jacob Have I Loved - Katherine Patterson
Catherine, Called Birdy - Karen Cushman
Number the Stars - Lois Lowry
Summer of My German Soldier - Bette Greene
Books For Sensitive Junior High Girls
The Witch of Blackbird Pond - Elizabeth Speare
Up a Road Slowly - Irene Hunt
Diary of a Young Girl - Anne Frank
Walk Two Moons - Sharon Creech
Esperanza Rising - Pam Runoz Ryan
Jacob Have I Loved - Katherine Patterson
Catherine, Called Birdy - Karen Cushman
Number the Stars - Lois Lowry
Summer of My German Soldier - Bette Greene
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Growing A Detective -
Today I am super excited to present to you the "growing a detective" reading list. Because deep down inside we all want our lil youngsters to grow into mastermind secret agents - right? No but really,
imagine snuggling up in a cozy nook during a great thunderstorm. You are devouring a classic Sherlock Holmes story or Agatha Christie novel. Your child sits close by, snuggled in a blanket by your knees with his own exciting Nate the Great. It is a beautiful dream, and one I strongly desire to make reality. I've loved detectives stories since I could barely read, thus I truly believe it is a genre that can entertain and fascinate every age and reading level.
So without further ado: Detectives for ever age!
Picture Books:
The Adventures of Underwater Dog - Jan Wahl
Underwater Dog is a noble adventurer dog who never fails to catch the criminal, solve the crime, and save the day. This book is a great introduction to the undercover spy/policeman idea. The illustrations are cute and make the entire story extremely inviting. Although this book is pretty unknown, I believe it is a true hidden gem. It was one of my very favorites when I was first learning to read.
Grandpa's Teeth - Rob Clement
I must admit that I've never read this book. I included it because it received wildly popular reviews on the internet. It is a classic introduction to mystery, with a quirky sense of humor. What better way to get your kids excited about detectives then to send them on a very practical case: grandpa has lost his dentures and he must find them because they are very "shpeccial."
Piggins - Jane Yolens
Perfect detective introduction story with all the elements of a good mystery novel mixed with the simple illustrations and anthropomorphous animals of children's literature.
I Spy Mystery - a book of picture riddles - Jean Marzollo
Before kids are even old enough to read, they can be practicing their problem solving skills with fun I Spy riddle books. I have such sweet memories of snuggling up with one of my honorary grandma's on a rainy day, desperately searching through "I Spy" books together. It is a lovely experience I hope every child and parent can share.
Detective Blue - Steve Metzger
Little boy blue is all grown up and must solve a mystery with the help of all his nursery rhyme friends. A great link between the children's books of childhood and the mystery books of the next stage.
Alphabet Mystery - Audrey Wood
Lower case X is missing and so all the letters must help to find him. Mixing the familiarity of A-Z stories with the exciting genre of mystery makes for an exciting twist on the classic alphabet story.
Beginning Readers:
Nate the Great - Marjorie W. Sharmat
This ( very possibly ) may have been the place where my detective obsession began. There is something awfully intriguing about these books. Although the wording is simple and the stories appropriate for even the most basic of early readers - the characters have unbelievably rich and complex personalities. To this day, I am still not sure I fully understand the strange Rosamond. The humor is also rather sophisticated. It is not silly or crazy, just a little strange. These books possess a subtlety you rarely encounter in beginning readers. I admit, I still find myself sneaking into the children's section to read a Nate the Great every once in a while.
Young Cam Jansen -
Cam Jansen was one of my first childhood heroes. You will hear more about her in the following section on "Elementary" books. I was absolutely thrilled when the author decided to take the same quick-thinking and intelligent young girl and bring her down to a beginner reading level. You can't go wrong with Cam Jansen!
Detective Dinosaur - James Skofield
Although I've technically never read these books, I've heard they are quite lovely. Parents called them "silly" "cute" and "surprisingly funny" on GoodReads. These dinosaur themed detective books are educationally stimulating as well: the author provides a dinosaur pronunciation guide in the back and the content can foster great educational questions. Great for young children reading with parents.
The Private Eyes Club - Crosby Bonsall
This series is cute, inspiring, and pretty funny. Four intelligent friends with a clubhouse go around town solving mysteries and helping out. I love the themes of strong friendships and kids doing great things. I should mention that the series has no official name. Just look for cutely illustrated books by Bill Consby in your local libary - you'll find em.
Elementary
Cam Jansen - David A. Adler
Cam Jansen was one of my earliest role models. She is just a regular girl with an amazing photographic memory. She can actually "take pictures" with her brain and she uses this amazing ability to solve incredible mysteries. These stories are fun and exciting - each adventure is very unique. Cam Jansen is one of the earliest examples of a strong female heroine that every young problem solver should be introduced to.
A to Z Mysteries - Ronald Roy
I loved this series as a kid. Looking back I am unimpressed by a what seems to be a lazy attempt at "interesting" main characters. But hey - I never minded as an eight year old! While this series does not fall under the category of quality literature, the stories are each very unique and interesting. Honestly, that is what matters most to your budding child detective.
Encyclopedia Brown - Donald J. Sobol
These were the first mysteries I ever read where YOU get to be the detective. Using an incredible memory and fascinating facts, Encylopedia Brown invites you to solve his mysteries before giving you the answer. Not only are these books entertaining, they are a ton of fun. I would recommend them to anyone between the ages of 8 and 12.
The Boxcar Children - Gertrude Chandler Warner
Almost every one of my sisters went through a box car children stage. When I say stage I mean checking out multiple boxcar children mysteries from the library every single week for months on end.
There is something very intriguing and sweet about four siblings working together to do great things. The mysteries are simpler then most, and after a while they begin to get a little predictable ( but hey, it took me months to get over them). The first book in the series borders on classic literature. The rest are not of quite the same quality, but they do make for a wholesome entertainment for a month or two.
Nancy Drew - Carolyn Keene
One of my favorite rainy day activities for my entire junior high life was snuggling up on my bunk bed with a glass of milk and a Nancy Drew book. Looking back I see Nancy Drew books as predictable and slightly annoying ( mostly because almost every single book ends with the father or the boyfriend saving the day just in time ) - yet for some reason I LOVED them as twelve year old. I will admit the fun lies in the different kinds of mysteries and the interesting places Nancy visits. It seems like Nancy and her friends are almost always on some type of interesting vacation. I loved entering her world of 50's convertibles, country clubs, and scary adventures with happy endings. Oh and lets not forget to mention the food descriptions - she is always eating something delicious! Make sure to have an exploratory imagination and good snack ready if you want to enjoy these books to their fullest potential. ( Side Note: The first eight are pretty great. Subsequent books are sort of up and down as far as quality goes. Generally it seems like they grew worse and worse with time. Please don't even try the modern spin called "Nancy Drew Case Files".
Hardy Boys - Franklin W. Dixon
Hardy Boys is Nancy Drew for boys. I used to enjoy reading them aloud to my younger brother. After a while I got tired of the same ending in almost every one (bad guy captures good guy. Bad guy laughs evil and tells good guy his entire plot. Good guys start punching and kicking and end up winning the fight. Yaay.) But hey - just as Nancy Drew was unreasonably entertaining for me, these books are ( still don't understand it ) favorites amongst adventurous boys everywhere.
Roman Mysteries - Caroline Lawrence
I introduced these books to my younger siblings when we were studying Roman history together. The setting is intriguing and extremely historically accurate. The richness of the setting testifies that the author really did her homework. Although our school unit on Rome was finished long ago ( in fact we are actually in summer vacation now ), my siblings ( both boy and girl ) cannot stop reading these mysteries. The characters are interesting and a little deeper then in most children's series. I love that they are learning about another culture and another time period, reading high quality literature, exploring intriguing mysteries, and having tons of fun - all at the same time. Win win!
Advanced ( Middle grades- Highschool ):
Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Where do I begin? Sherlock Holmes is one of the most interesting and famous figures in all of literature. His stories and quotes have become a big part of English and American culture - and for good reason. This book is a collection of 12 accessible short stories. They are a great sampling of his work, with a heavy dose of everything that makes Sherlock Holmes so great: intriguing story ideas, unique characters, unbelievable logic, and witty dialog. My theory is that as soon as a child can read an advanced YA novel with no problem, they should immediately be introduced to the joy that is Sherlock Holmes mysteries.
The Hound of the Baskervilles - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Although I have always been partial to Sherlock Holmes in short stories, Doyle also wrote four novels starring the iconic detective. Of all the novels, Hound of the Baskerville's is probably the best place to start. Many critics agree that it portrays Sherlock Holmes at his very finest.
Agatha Christie Novels -
Agatha Christie novels have a very unique charm. They tend to involve a wide cast of disparate characters. Not only does she always include a varied array of characters, through the detective skills of her famous Hercules Poirot, she explores each psychology in depth. It is a fascinating look into human nature for the young detective with a slightly philosophical bent.
Father Brown - G. K. Chesterton
The bumbly priest father Brown is an different sort of addition to the world of detective short stories. You might say he is the perfect mix of Sherlock Holmes and T.V.'s Colombo ( if such a mix is even possible). His stories are much less dramatic then your average whodunit. Warning: there are occasional violent descriptions of wounds or deaths that may disturb the fainter of heart, otherwise they are clean and appropriate for children.
The Westing Game - Ellen Raskin
This is the classic of classic in children's mysteries. One of my favorite books of all time, this book presents a unique cast of characters that are utterly entertaining and unforgettable. Although the plot is complicated ( and sophisticated ) for a children's book, it is certainly accessible to later elementary school and up. Don't worry if a student remains slightly puzzled after the first reading, I've read it three times and am pretty sure I still don't "get it" all the way. Introduce it young, since your reader will certainly be reading it over and over again throughout his/her life.
And there you have it! A perfect way to start training your lil tyke to be the world's next greatest problem solver! Enjoy.
imagine snuggling up in a cozy nook during a great thunderstorm. You are devouring a classic Sherlock Holmes story or Agatha Christie novel. Your child sits close by, snuggled in a blanket by your knees with his own exciting Nate the Great. It is a beautiful dream, and one I strongly desire to make reality. I've loved detectives stories since I could barely read, thus I truly believe it is a genre that can entertain and fascinate every age and reading level.
So without further ado: Detectives for ever age!
Picture Books:
The Adventures of Underwater Dog - Jan Wahl
Underwater Dog is a noble adventurer dog who never fails to catch the criminal, solve the crime, and save the day. This book is a great introduction to the undercover spy/policeman idea. The illustrations are cute and make the entire story extremely inviting. Although this book is pretty unknown, I believe it is a true hidden gem. It was one of my very favorites when I was first learning to read.Grandpa's Teeth - Rob Clement
I must admit that I've never read this book. I included it because it received wildly popular reviews on the internet. It is a classic introduction to mystery, with a quirky sense of humor. What better way to get your kids excited about detectives then to send them on a very practical case: grandpa has lost his dentures and he must find them because they are very "shpeccial."
Piggins - Jane Yolens
Perfect detective introduction story with all the elements of a good mystery novel mixed with the simple illustrations and anthropomorphous animals of children's literature.
I Spy Mystery - a book of picture riddles - Jean Marzollo
Before kids are even old enough to read, they can be practicing their problem solving skills with fun I Spy riddle books. I have such sweet memories of snuggling up with one of my honorary grandma's on a rainy day, desperately searching through "I Spy" books together. It is a lovely experience I hope every child and parent can share.
Detective Blue - Steve Metzger
Little boy blue is all grown up and must solve a mystery with the help of all his nursery rhyme friends. A great link between the children's books of childhood and the mystery books of the next stage.
Alphabet Mystery - Audrey Wood
Lower case X is missing and so all the letters must help to find him. Mixing the familiarity of A-Z stories with the exciting genre of mystery makes for an exciting twist on the classic alphabet story.
Beginning Readers:
Nate the Great - Marjorie W. Sharmat
This ( very possibly ) may have been the place where my detective obsession began. There is something awfully intriguing about these books. Although the wording is simple and the stories appropriate for even the most basic of early readers - the characters have unbelievably rich and complex personalities. To this day, I am still not sure I fully understand the strange Rosamond. The humor is also rather sophisticated. It is not silly or crazy, just a little strange. These books possess a subtlety you rarely encounter in beginning readers. I admit, I still find myself sneaking into the children's section to read a Nate the Great every once in a while.Young Cam Jansen -
Cam Jansen was one of my first childhood heroes. You will hear more about her in the following section on "Elementary" books. I was absolutely thrilled when the author decided to take the same quick-thinking and intelligent young girl and bring her down to a beginner reading level. You can't go wrong with Cam Jansen!
Detective Dinosaur - James Skofield
Although I've technically never read these books, I've heard they are quite lovely. Parents called them "silly" "cute" and "surprisingly funny" on GoodReads. These dinosaur themed detective books are educationally stimulating as well: the author provides a dinosaur pronunciation guide in the back and the content can foster great educational questions. Great for young children reading with parents.
The Private Eyes Club - Crosby Bonsall
This series is cute, inspiring, and pretty funny. Four intelligent friends with a clubhouse go around town solving mysteries and helping out. I love the themes of strong friendships and kids doing great things. I should mention that the series has no official name. Just look for cutely illustrated books by Bill Consby in your local libary - you'll find em.
Elementary
Cam Jansen - David A. Adler
Cam Jansen was one of my earliest role models. She is just a regular girl with an amazing photographic memory. She can actually "take pictures" with her brain and she uses this amazing ability to solve incredible mysteries. These stories are fun and exciting - each adventure is very unique. Cam Jansen is one of the earliest examples of a strong female heroine that every young problem solver should be introduced to.
A to Z Mysteries - Ronald Roy I loved this series as a kid. Looking back I am unimpressed by a what seems to be a lazy attempt at "interesting" main characters. But hey - I never minded as an eight year old! While this series does not fall under the category of quality literature, the stories are each very unique and interesting. Honestly, that is what matters most to your budding child detective.
Encyclopedia Brown - Donald J. Sobol
These were the first mysteries I ever read where YOU get to be the detective. Using an incredible memory and fascinating facts, Encylopedia Brown invites you to solve his mysteries before giving you the answer. Not only are these books entertaining, they are a ton of fun. I would recommend them to anyone between the ages of 8 and 12.
The Boxcar Children - Gertrude Chandler Warner
Almost every one of my sisters went through a box car children stage. When I say stage I mean checking out multiple boxcar children mysteries from the library every single week for months on end.
There is something very intriguing and sweet about four siblings working together to do great things. The mysteries are simpler then most, and after a while they begin to get a little predictable ( but hey, it took me months to get over them). The first book in the series borders on classic literature. The rest are not of quite the same quality, but they do make for a wholesome entertainment for a month or two.
Nancy Drew - Carolyn Keene
Hardy Boys - Franklin W. Dixon
Hardy Boys is Nancy Drew for boys. I used to enjoy reading them aloud to my younger brother. After a while I got tired of the same ending in almost every one (bad guy captures good guy. Bad guy laughs evil and tells good guy his entire plot. Good guys start punching and kicking and end up winning the fight. Yaay.) But hey - just as Nancy Drew was unreasonably entertaining for me, these books are ( still don't understand it ) favorites amongst adventurous boys everywhere.
Roman Mysteries - Caroline Lawrence
I introduced these books to my younger siblings when we were studying Roman history together. The setting is intriguing and extremely historically accurate. The richness of the setting testifies that the author really did her homework. Although our school unit on Rome was finished long ago ( in fact we are actually in summer vacation now ), my siblings ( both boy and girl ) cannot stop reading these mysteries. The characters are interesting and a little deeper then in most children's series. I love that they are learning about another culture and another time period, reading high quality literature, exploring intriguing mysteries, and having tons of fun - all at the same time. Win win!
Advanced ( Middle grades- Highschool ):
Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Where do I begin? Sherlock Holmes is one of the most interesting and famous figures in all of literature. His stories and quotes have become a big part of English and American culture - and for good reason. This book is a collection of 12 accessible short stories. They are a great sampling of his work, with a heavy dose of everything that makes Sherlock Holmes so great: intriguing story ideas, unique characters, unbelievable logic, and witty dialog. My theory is that as soon as a child can read an advanced YA novel with no problem, they should immediately be introduced to the joy that is Sherlock Holmes mysteries.The Hound of the Baskervilles - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Although I have always been partial to Sherlock Holmes in short stories, Doyle also wrote four novels starring the iconic detective. Of all the novels, Hound of the Baskerville's is probably the best place to start. Many critics agree that it portrays Sherlock Holmes at his very finest.
Agatha Christie Novels -
Agatha Christie novels have a very unique charm. They tend to involve a wide cast of disparate characters. Not only does she always include a varied array of characters, through the detective skills of her famous Hercules Poirot, she explores each psychology in depth. It is a fascinating look into human nature for the young detective with a slightly philosophical bent.
Father Brown - G. K. Chesterton
The bumbly priest father Brown is an different sort of addition to the world of detective short stories. You might say he is the perfect mix of Sherlock Holmes and T.V.'s Colombo ( if such a mix is even possible). His stories are much less dramatic then your average whodunit. Warning: there are occasional violent descriptions of wounds or deaths that may disturb the fainter of heart, otherwise they are clean and appropriate for children.
The Westing Game - Ellen Raskin
This is the classic of classic in children's mysteries. One of my favorite books of all time, this book presents a unique cast of characters that are utterly entertaining and unforgettable. Although the plot is complicated ( and sophisticated ) for a children's book, it is certainly accessible to later elementary school and up. Don't worry if a student remains slightly puzzled after the first reading, I've read it three times and am pretty sure I still don't "get it" all the way. Introduce it young, since your reader will certainly be reading it over and over again throughout his/her life.
And there you have it! A perfect way to start training your lil tyke to be the world's next greatest problem solver! Enjoy.
Friday, June 28, 2013
All-Time Favorites:
This is a book list blog. I suppose it would be incomplete without a master list of what I consider the absolute basics. If there are any books in the following list that you have not read ( no matter WHO you are), go to the library and check them out. Right now.
So here it is:
(Sorted by grade/reading level)
Picture Books:
Go Dogs Go - P.D. Eastman
Danny the Dinosaur - Syd Hoff
Miss Nelson Is Missing - Harry G. Allard Jr.
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel - Virginia Lee Burton
Corduroy - Don Freeman
The Cat in the Hat - Dr. Suess
If you Give a Mouse A Cookie - Laura Numeroff
Madeline - Ludwig Bemelmans
Curious George - H.A. Rey
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs - Judi Barret
So here it is:
(Sorted by grade/reading level)
Picture Books:
Go Dogs Go - P.D. Eastman
Danny the Dinosaur - Syd Hoff
Miss Nelson Is Missing - Harry G. Allard Jr.
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel - Virginia Lee Burton
Corduroy - Don Freeman
The Cat in the Hat - Dr. Suess
If you Give a Mouse A Cookie - Laura Numeroff
Madeline - Ludwig Bemelmans
Curious George - H.A. Rey
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs - Judi Barret
Elementary:
The Search for Delicious - Natalie Babbit
Ramona and her Father - Beverly Cleary
Ginger Pye - Eleanore Estes
Ginger Pye - Eleanore Estes
Wind in The Willows - Kenneth Graham
The View From Saturday - E.L. Konigsburg
Pippi Longstocking - Astrid Lingreen
The Trumpet of the Swan - E.B. White
Winnie the Pooh - A.A. Milne
The Phantom Tollbooth - Norton Juster
Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carol
Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carol
Middle School:
Chronicles of Prydain - Lloyd Alexander
The Castaways series - Brian Jacques
The Westing Game - Ellen Raskin
The Ballad of Lucy Whipple - Karen Cushman
Roll of Thunder hear my Cry - Mildred. D. Taylor
Where the Red Fern Grows - Wilson Rawles
Harriet the Spy - Louise Fitzhugh
Bridge to Terabithia - Katherine Paterson
Tom Sawyer - Mark Twain
Number the Stars - Lois Lowry
Harriet the Spy - Louise Fitzhugh
Bridge to Terabithia - Katherine Paterson
Tom Sawyer - Mark Twain
Number the Stars - Lois Lowry
High school:
Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
Hound of the Baskervilles- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Les Miserables- Victor Hugo
To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Mark Twain
Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury
Diary of Anne Frank
Uncle Tom’s Cabin - Harriet Beecher Stowe
The Brothers Karamozov - Fydor Dhostovesky
Friday Book List: Books for Men in Training.
Imagine your daughter is thrilled to read all the lovely books you grew up with: Anne of Green Gables, Jane Austen, Laura Ingalls Wilder... you are raising a perfect literature enthusiast. But then - what about your son? He doesn't like any of the books you loved as a little girl? Not even Johnny Tremain? I'm here to help with a book list written for and strongly approved by my little brother.
Two years ago my little brother didn't like to read. Now he is a nine year old scientist and adventurer who never turns down a chance to visit the library and reads voraciously. I don't know exactly what happened between my lil man at age seven and my lil man at age nine, but I certainly won't complain. Sometimes I like to credit myself just a wee bit - I did find him a pretty great "specially for boys" book list.
These books have suspense, adventure, bad guys, and a just enough classy good character for a gentleman in training. I like to think of this as the junior tutorial version of the art of manliness. No aliens, no stupid bad role models, no unnecessary excessive bad language or violence - but a whole lot of hardy boy fun!
Between the beautiful illustrations and lively stories of merry young men, this book is a go-to for any boy searching for historic manly adventure. Howard Pyle has perfected the art of the boy book - rugged, charming, and filled with subtle lessons of character and goodness. Warning - the writing is a little old fashioned and Pyle may have gone overboard in his use of "medieval language". Watch out for an excess of thee's, thou's, arts, wherefors, and other legendary medieval expressions. You may want to mention to your lil man that even in the time of brave mercenaries and dramatic troubadours - the English language was never really quite that flowery.
This is the pirate adventure novel. Ever heard of "dead men tell no tales", wooden legs, eye patches, or maps leading to abandoned islands? Most of our contemporary pirate stereotypes originated in this brilliantly fun piece of literature. No boy could ever refuse to ride alongside a group of brave adventurers on their search for a lost treasure!
Mark Twain just has a way of putting things. His characters don't have superpowers, lots of money, crusades, guns, or treasure maps at their disposal. They are just typical 19th century young men - and yet their adventures are as exciting and inspiring as even the bravest of medieval knights. This is a story that boys can relate to. A story that may send your sons into the backyard to build a raft and start their own adventure, just as soon as they've sped their way through the last chapter!
This intriguing tale is an extremely fun and unique gem - the best comparison would be that it is a boy's version of Alice in Wonderland. It will appeal to the strange, the excited, and the intellectual alike. With bold adventures in the worlds of digits and numbers, logical problems, and a little bit of hidden philosophy - this book ( from the strange island of conclusions to digitopolis's subtraction soup) is sure to intrigue even the most reluctant of readers.
This may be the Tom Sawyer for a slightly younger or less advanced reader. It is rich in everything that makes a great children's literature book: home-spun humor, strange yet somehow relatable adventures, and beautiful illustrations.
Although adventurous and exciting, this book falls into a much more sensitive set of boyish books. This is the story of a boy and his dogs and it boldly explores the more delicate aspects of manhood. The end is sure to leave you happy, thoughtful, and maybe even stained by a couple of manly tears.
Okay, so this isn't just for boys. But because it is the first in a series of the best children's fantasy books out there - I had to include it. Although a little slow to start, every brother, sister, mother, and aunt will enjoy the thrilling yet delicate adventures and relationships that makes up the world of Prydian.
I've never quite gotten into the swing of Brian Jacques famed children series: Redwall. Jacques is an extremely animated and talented storyteller - yet for some reason I could never obsess over his critter adventure books like many of my friends and all of my siblings could. However ( a bit later in life ) Jacques began a series of books dealing with human beings rather than animals. As wonderful as redwall is, these books are ions better. The stories are unique, realistic ( though filled with plenty of superstition, magic, and immortals ), and thrilling. No boy ( or girl ) could turn them down. This is a famed storyteller at his very best.
I must admit I haven't read this yet ( ridiculous I know ). But my younger brother recommends it highly, and I know it is hard to go wrong with Tolkien. Like Lord of the Rings, yet directed to younger readers, this is an epic adventure story in the fantasy land of Middle Earth. I would say it is better for the more inspired or enthusiastic reader - though exciting, there are long paragraphs of description and the English is slightly advanced.
This is both the perfect beginner for a younger reader and a lovely quick read for an older reader. Beverly Clearly clearly understands children. Her dialog, situations, and characters are ridiculously human and realistic and ridiculously hilarious at the same time. You really can't go wrong with Beverly Clearly.
I love books that can be read at multiple levels. Raskin's masterpiece is a beautifully woven mystery that I've read three times and still do not completely understand. Yet while the story is extremely intricate, the english is simple and the entire book can easily be enjoyed by even an intermediate to late-beginning reader. It is a book that can be enjoyed at many levels, and it get's better with every re-reading.
Most boys don't go searching around libraries for novels about old widowed mice, but hear me out: this is not Beatrice potter, this is not science fiction, it is not fantasy, it is not realistic fiction - somewhere in between O'brien has crafted a fascinatingly unique tale. This is possibly the only book about amplaformorfized animals that I believe any boy could enjoy.
This is a boy's only book. I mean, I couldn't even finish it. It is one of my lil brothers very favorites. He claims it is the boys book of boys book. I won't deny it - I'll just happily leave it in the men's territory.
And there you have it. My first friday book list - the very best of books for boys. Enjoy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)