You might remember that I l-o-v-e audio books. I’m always looking for a new one at the library to share with the kids. When Lydia was really little I grabbed Junie B. Jones and within minutes turned it off because I didn’t want my little girl to copy Junie’s whining and disrespectful words. (Am I the only one?)
Last year I ran across some chapter books published by Focus on the Family about a little girl who lived on a farm in the 20’s. I found all the books in the series and started reading them to Lydia before bed. We both enjoyed them until the main character’s best friend was kidnapped from her front yard and missing for several days. (Isn’t that weird? That is not a situation my always-thinking little girl needed to be introduced to!) Thankfully, I read ahead and realized what was happening and we never finished the book.
So, as Lydia becomes more competent and confident in her reading, I’m getting more nervous about letting her read just any old book I pick up at the library. Is that crazy? I mean, one of my favorite things to do at the library was comb through the books and pick one based solely on it’s cover and title.
It’s not just about desiring books with God-honoring, positive role models–I also want to make sure the books aren’t ridiculous fluff! Over the summer, when we were retrieving our free book from Barnes and Noble’s summer reading program, I looked through all the books that are not quite chapter books but harder than “I Can Read” books. And most of them were about candy-fairies, pink puppies or bathroom humor. They were ridiculous!
Lydia is pretty spot-on as far as reading level (at least she was at the end of last year). She likes to read but (I think) won’t pick up a substantial chapter book mainly because it’s intimidating–not so much that she can’t actually read it, you know?
Anywhoo. Here’s a few books we’ve liked and then I’d LOVE to hear some suggestions of books you and your kids love. Especially in that not-quite-ready-for-Little-Women but a-little-bit-over-Disney-Princesses-Get-a-Pony.
Ruby Slippers School by Stacy Towle Morgan
This is a series about a girl and her sister who are homeschooled (hence the name Ruby Slippers School…there’s no place like home. Get it?) and travel with their dad meeting intersting people around the world and solving mysteries along the way. We read the first one together but I’m going to have her read the rest on her own.
The Fairy Bell Sisters by Margaret McNamara
Mainly, I let Lydia get this book because the illustrations were so cute. It’s a spin-off story of JM Barrie’s Tinkerbell (not to be confused with Pixie Hollow of Disney Fairies!). Each book in the series is about one of Tink’s sisters. This one was about a fairy not old enough to go to a ball but she ended up saving the entire fairy kingdom from trolls (or something like that–I scanned it!)
Cul-de-Sac Kids by Beverly Lewis
This is another one I only scanned because I’ve read some books by Beverly Lewis and figured I could trust her. The first one is about a family who adopt two kids from Korea. I’ve got the second one on hold at the library.
Imagination Station by Marianne Haring and Paul McCusker
I told you how much we love these. I read the first one and she’s read the second one. We’ll also be reading one of these for school this year!
I challenged her to read Betsy-Tacy this summer but she didn’t make it very far. I have also been thinking about the Mandie books. I loved those in 3rd grade. My friend Mandi said her girls are devouring the Nancy Drew Notebooks.
Your turn: Am I over-thinking this? Should I just let my 2nd grader wander the juvenile section of the library? What are some good (quality and moral) books that aren’t going to bog her down as a new-ish reader? Go—>
affiliate links included
Regina C. says
Amanda, I feel EXACTLY the same way about Junie! Yuck! Now, I will say I like Clarice Bean. She can be rather snarky too, BUT she means well AND (I think) it teaches my VERY impulsive speak-before-it-ever-occured-to-you-to-THINK daughter the consequences of letting your mouth run the show. Having said that, it’s something we read together. (and for some reason, I feel the need to read it in a British accent – could be the Charlie and Lola influence – same author, you know.)
I read the Gail Carson Levine “Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand,” “…Quest for the Egg,” and “Quest for Neverland books to her and we LOVED them. Not so smarmy as some of the other Disney stuff; Levine also wrote Ella Enchanted so she’s legit. *grin*
oh amanda says
Oh, I should pick up Clarice Bean b/c I do love Lauren Child.
And adding the other Fairy books to my list! I knew about those and forgot!
THANKS!
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Melissa Deming says
No, I don’t think you are over-thinking it! I love the website redeemed reader (.com) because they offer book reviews of classics and new titles, plus offer loads of helps for asking your kids the right questions to help them filter what they are reading through the Word of God and a Christian worldview. I really love the site! (And I love audio books too!)
brooke says
Thank you for passing along a helpful website. It is a bit daunting as a parent when it seems like no one cares about the innocence of youth. Thanks Amanda for opening up the conversation and giving examples about what is your kids are reading. 🙂
oh amanda says
Ohmygoodness! Thank you for this website! I didn’t even think to look for a site like this! LOVE.
Melissa Deming says
Amanda, I would love to see your list of audio books. just introduced my twins to them and they LOVE them. But I would like to do a chapter book as an audio book – any suggestions?
oh amanda says
Here’s some of our fave audio books: http://ohamanda.com/2009/06/02/top-ten-tuesday-best-audio-books-for-kids/ That’s an old list but we also loved Little House on audio, Raggedy Ann, 101 Dalmatians (like the original book!). That’s all I can think of off the top of my head. Does that help?
Of course, we’re also big Adventures in Odyssey fans. Which aren’t audio books per se but still great audio adventures!
oh amanda says
Oh, and The Journey by Sarah Small is one of my favorite audio books–it’s a picture book but GORGEOUS. Also, Imogene’s Antlers by David Small is fabulous.
Melissa Deming says
oh, that is wonderful! Just curious, but have you ever read the ‘Nutmeg and TumTum’ tales? A super cute chapter series – although not Christian, so there are a few things to discuss (i.e. honesty, etc). But they are such charming, well-written tales. My five-year-old twins LOVED them. I’m about to jump over to your link, so hopefully you haven’t already listed them there! If so, ignore this comment! Thanks again!
oh amanda says
Tumtum & Nutmeg! Yes, we just read the first 2. Lydia and Asa LOOOVED it. I really liked the 1st one and nominally liked the 2nd. We’ll try the third one soon. 🙂
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Jennifer D. says
We just had the exact same experience!! My 8 year old is a voracious reader. She’s read the entire Little House series at least 4 times. But even those brought her to tears more than once. She has read A Cricket in Times Square and really liked it, and we are currently reading the Narnia series aloud before bed. I, too, am torn in what to let her read next. I was not happy with most of the options I found on the shelves of B&N.
oh amanda says
We listened to Cricket in Times Square a few years ago. I should pick it up and see if she’d like to read it for herself!
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Amanda Y. says
She’ll be reading Cricket in school the summer before 5th grade. Just an FYI. 🙂
oh amanda says
I *just* remembered that, too! I saw a kid reading it! 😉
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Becky says
Oh, Junie B! I read Junie B. to my daughter for the first time through the book (even though she’s capable of reading them herself) so that we can stop and talk about her disrespectful speech and behavior. I also can’t help but correct the grammar! I like Ramona books a lot! She’s kind of a gentler Junie B.
How do you feel about American girl books? I’m kind of mixed on those, because in the ones we’ve read, the girl always does something sneaky because her parents “just don’t understand.” So, we end up talking about that!
My friend told me about some pre-Little House books…about Ma when she was little. I don’t know if those would be good!
I was surprised how much I had to edit when we started reading Little House in the Big Woods…some of the tall tales with the panthers were pretty scary for my daughter. We read those a lot! I even did a fun little house activity with my girls earlier this summer 🙂 http://goodbadquirky.blogspot.com/2013/07/little-house-on-prairie-bead-activity.html
oh amanda says
Becky: I’m mixed on AG, too. I really like the strong-girl thing. I like that there is ZERO mention of a love-interest/boyfriend. I love that even if the family is not entirely intact, they are still solid. (At least what I’ve read.) BUT I agree, they are kind of like, “well, I had to disobey/deceive but everything turned out all right in the end.” It’s almost TOO follow-your-heart kinda thing. I dunno. They are definitely good for conversation starters.
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Heather says
You are not over thinking it. As parents, it is our responsibility to use discretion on what our children are exposed too. As they get older, we get to help them start to think and discern what they are reading. But we can’t just hand them stuff- especially when they are young, and assume they will be able to discern.
I tend to go towards older books. I think we’ve lost touch with what is and is not appropriate for children these days. I’m one who also loves great illustrations and a beautiful title. We came home with a revolutionary war picture book that was lusciously illustrated and relayed accounts of soldiers sleeping with the women in a certain town, or r ape and other things that are not, in my opinion, appropriate for children.
I know that YWAM has lots of missionary biographies. Those might be interesting. We’ve loved Mr. Popper’s Penguins, Homer Price, A Cricket in Times Square and as you mentioned, we also LOVE the Imagination Station series.
I wish I was more help on the girl front. We did like Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie. I just saw that it is a Reading Rainbow book and wonder if that would be a way to find better books?
oh amanda says
I know, I know you’re right. I think books (like everything) are different form when we were kids. Goosebumps came out when I was in Middle School and I accidentally checked one out not knowing what it was. I don’t want that to happen to Lydia and then her actually LIKE it.
Homer Price! My husband read that to the kids and they loved it. Mr. Popper’s Penguins is on my short list for a Mommy-Asa read.
Off to search Reading Rainbow…
Jen says
My 8yr old is checking out her own books too. I want her to read quality, but yet I let her pick to an extent. I try to have her show me her books but it is sometimes good to talk about why we don’t want to read certain books. Eventually she will be getting them all on her own without me, and I want her to start understanding why we don’t want Junie B Jones or all the vampire books. The Boxcar Children books are good, but they are a little harder than the Cul de Sac books. The other tricky thing is that we don’t want my daughter to jump into books that are too mature for her even though they are at her reading level (She’s reading at an end of 4th grade/early 5th level) There are bunches of books that have animals as the main characters that aren’t all tweeny. Ramona and most of the Beverly Cleary books are ok too.
oh amanda says
You are so right, Jen. Reading a book like JBJ can help discuss WHY we read/don’t read certain books.
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Amy Marshall says
I just found out about a series we are going to try called Life with Lily and A New Home for Lily. You can go here and read a review about it. Sounded sweet to me. My daughter is 10 and she just LOVES Pony Pals.
http://crystalstarrblog.com/category/reviews/page/2/
Hope this helps.
oh amanda says
Oooh, thanks! I think I’ve seen the Lilly books around the blogosphere.
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Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect says
Goodness, NO, you are not overthinking it! Annalyn brought home an Arthur book this week from the library at school. I do not like Arthur and she knows this, but she checked it out anyway. In this book about EIGHT YEAR OLDS, it talked about playing spin the bottle! WHAT THE WHAT?! Lucky for me, Annalyn can’t read full books on her own yet, so I just skipped over that part. But still. It won’t be long until she’s reading on her own. And then? THEN???
Poor girl. I know what kind of books I read as an advanced-for-my-age reader, and I am determined to keep a much closer eye on what she’s reading than my mom did for me. (Which is totally weird, looking back, because my mom was so overprotective. I just think we know more as parents than some parents did back in “the day.”)
oh amanda says
ARTHUR PLAYS SPIN THE BOTTLE?!!! I looked at the Arthur books today and almost tried to get her to check one out b/c it was the only chapter book that was a cartoon and not a sad historical fiction character or a vampire!
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Stacy says
My daughter is in 4th grade and has always LOVED to read. I usually try to find a series for her to start and then let her read through a lot of those. At first, I had trouble with lots of the books but I have relaxed some of my views. If the book is questionable, we read it together so I can make sure it’s okay and so we can talk about the things that are questionable. Junie B. is a perfect example. We read those together and would talk about how Junie behaved. They really are quite entertaining for kids and adults, but I understand that others may feel differently. Also, of course, you have to decide if it’s right for your daughter. Some kids are more easily influenced.
A book that is very helpful and gives great recommendations is Sarah Clarkson’s Read for the Heart.http://www.amazon.com/Read-Heart-Whole-WholeHearted-Families/dp/1932012974/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377207801&sr=8-1&keywords=read+for+the+heart
oh amanda says
Oooh, thanks for the recommendation!
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Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect says
Oh, and also. Annalyn and I have just discovered the Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew books – about 8 year old Nancy, George and Bess. ADORABLE. Are the Notebooks books about older Nancy? What’s the age for that series?
oh amanda says
I *think* the Nancy Drew Clue Crew and the Notebooks are re-issues of the same book. (Did that make sense?) Same books. Just repackaged for a new generation.
(ie. I-hate-it-when-they-do-that.)
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Amanda Y. says
Macy loves these, and has for a few years. The Notebooks were pre-computer. Clue Crew uses computer. 🙂 They are essentially re-writes, but some changes. She has read the Notebook and Clue Crew version of several, depending on the stock of library and used bookstores. Some are more alike than others.
oh amanda says
Ha! Of course! You can’t have a detective NOT use a computer! We found #58 at the library the other day and I tried to talk her into it–Sadly I’ve made Lydia adverse to reading books out of order. I tried to tell her that when there are like 65 in a series, it’s ok if you start anywhere! 😉
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Lisa Box says
You need to get “honey for a child’s heart” by Gladys Hunt! It’s a book my mom used as a reference throughout my growing up years to pick quality books for me (and my 4 siblings) to read. Now as a mom to 3 kiddos, I’m using it and love it! Off the top of my head I would recommend the Beverly Cleary books, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, and all the books by Patricia St. John (treasures of the snow, rainbow garden, etc). Happy reading!
oh amanda says
I just put Honey for a Child’s Heart on hold at my library. THANK YOU!
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Sara R says
I’m learning so much! I’ve had my mom’s copy of this book on my shelf but have never opened it up. Oh wow! I just got it and it was my mom’s before she was married. My parents are celebrating their 40th in a few weeks. I’m wondering how much the newer printings vary from this one.
oh amanda says
Oh, cool find! (I’m learning a bunch from these comments, too!)
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Christa says
I am so glad you addressed this and gave me some new ideas. Thank you also to the other commenters – I now have some more to add to the list. I am the daughter of a librarian and learned early on about good and not-so-good literature. I try to strike a balance with my 7 yr old son but I agree that at this age, I want to heavily influence what he reads. I keep telling myself “He’s only 7 once! Make these books count!” I have actually found Pinterest to be a good source of book lists for each age/stage. I usually don’t love all of the books on those lists but I at least get several ideas of what to get next for our reading list. Thanks for posting this!
Tricia says
No, no…you are not overthinking it! I struggle with the same thing and my girls are going into second and third grade. They love reading and I have a hard time keeping up with how fast they finish books and keeping them well stocked with books that I feel are appropriate. We love the Cul de sac kids and have finished that series….wish it would go one forever. We like the books with Rachel Yoder http://www.christianbook.com/rachel-story-collection-lancaster-county-stories/wanda-brunstetter/9781616262563/pd/262563?item_code=WW&netp_id=829327&event=ESRCN&view=details
Kylie Jean is another favorite
http://www.amazon.com/Cupcake-Queen-Kylie-Marci-Peschke/dp/1404881026/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377210372&sr=1-2&keywords=kylie+jean
The Natalie books are pretty good….your daughter’s reading level may be above these.
http://www.christianbook.com/natalie-schools-first-day-of-me/dandi-mackall/9780310715689/pd/715689?product_redirect=1&Ntt=715689&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP
We also have some of these Andi books that are cute.
http://www.christianbook.com/circle-beginnings-series-volumes-1-6/pd/327027?item_code=WW&netp_id=919427&event=ESRCG&view=details
And the Magic School Bus books are also a fav.
Thanks for the ones you suggested too! I will have to check them out! I often check Focus on the Family’s website for book reviews….there are not many for this age group but the ones that are there are helpful. I carefully “approve” all of my kids’ book selections at the library. I am thankful they are very respectful when I say we are going to but a book back that I just don’t think it lines up with our worldview.
We have passed on Junie B Jones and Judy Moody for their attitudes. We have also passed on the Rainbow Fairies….I just have some problems with the fairies controlling the wind and other creations of God. I am concerned about my girls “forgetting” that God is in control of the universe and his creation.
Melanie says
We have enjoyed reading the Eleanor series by Eleanor Clark. They are historical fiction about girls from diferent time eras in the author’s family. Each book has a Bible verse that the story lessons focus on.
oh amanda says
Cool! I’m putting on my Amazon wishlist now!
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Lynne says
Hi Amanda: My daughter is now a Senior in High School this year but I have a few ideas for books for you. We meaning myself and my daughter loved the series books call the Bobsie Twins, not sure the author, Little House on The Prairie series by Laura Ingles Wilder and as she grows the Robin Gunn Jones book Series Hannah love her stuff. You are correct in saying there is a lot of garbage book out there and not good wholesome books. Another book series that Hannah loved was Mandi series as well as historical stuff. We got a lot of our book series from CBD (christian Books Distributors. You can find them on line. Has the books listed in age appropriate section so you can find what is appropriate for your daughter. I totally agree about Junie B. the language the whinning . Not sure why authors cant come up with better books that have christian morales in them. I AGREE with you. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Best of luck
oh amanda says
Thank you, Lynne! Robin Jones Gunn is one of my favorite authors–I can’t wait to introduce my daughter to her teen books!
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Fontaine says
First time commenter, I believe.
Two things: Check out Sparkle Stories. we LOVE them. The Martin and Sylvia series (all the variations), and the Junkyard Tales series, specifically. You might enjoy the Willowbee Tree series as well, depending on how much “magical” stuff works for you. There is a “so many fairies” storyline as well, but that doesn’t fit with our family.
Second: the blog Like Mother, Like Daughter has recently begun a Library project which discusses all about books and how it is exactly the parents responsibility to filter what goes into their children’s hearts. I think you will find it very encouraging and helpful for specific titles.
oh amanda says
Fontaine: thank you for commenting!
I’m googling Sparkle stories *now* and am off to find Like Mother Like Daughter. THANK YOU!
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Fontaine says
You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy them.
p.s. if you google, you can find a ‘first month for a $1’ deal for Sparkle Stories, which is a good way to try out their most popular story lines. Oh, and they just started on itunes, with free stories there, so check that out as well 🙂
Kelly R. says
I have two voracious readers as well! 🙂 We’ve read through a few of the Cul-De-Sac Kids books (thank you, church library) and they’re great. We’ve also read through all but one of the Circle C Beginnings books, by Susan K. Marlow (Kregel Publications). They’re centred on Andi, an adventuresome, horse-loving little girl growing up in the “wild west” in 1800s. They morph into a series for older girls (9-14) where (I assume) Andi will be a pre-teen/teen. If you like Little House books (and really, who doesn’t? :)), this is a good one.
oh amanda says
Ooh, cool! I love books that go from young reader to older readers. THANK YOU!
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Cindy says
The BEST early chapter books we’ve discovered are the Cobble Street Cousin books by Cynthia Rylant. There are 6 books in the series (oh how I wish there were more!!!) and they are about the adventures 3 cousins have together while staying with their aunt for a year while their parents tour with a ballet company. Both the pencil drawings throughout the book and the stories themselves are simply precious and completely adorable! In fact, after reading them with my 5 year old, she said, “If that wedding book and the party book were any sweeter, then my eyes would just fill with tears.” Seriously, we LOVED them!
We also really enjoyed reading Nim’s Island…I didn’t care for the movie, and in fact, my kiddos have never seen it, but we really thought the book was cute!
oh amanda says
I LOVE Cynthia Rylant! Thanks for reminding me of her! I’m putting those books on our library wish list!
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lorrie says
We are homeschoolers and use the HEARTS OF DAKOTA curriculum. Keep in mind her graphics are a bit outdated:) HOWEVER her book packs for reading are awesome–totally trustworthy and mostly older books. Our very favorite read alouds are the THORTON BURGESS BOOKS! She uses them for the Kindergarten read alouds–but they are cheap on amazon and probably in your library. All of my kids love them so much we have re-read them several times!
As for letting her pick out books to read without you knowing–I would say you should transition to focus on helping her learn to use discernment and even read/watch things with her and pause and help her to see–hey there is a word we don’t use or hey that’s doesn’t line up with what we believe. You could even have her write differing beliefs/values down in comparison. As she grows older you won’t be there to read/edit and see everything that goes into her little brain–but you can help guide her to be ready to use wisdom and discernment in ALL areas of her life.
oh amanda says
Such great advice! Thank you, lorrie!
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No Reimer Reason says
My 8yo loves the Nancy Drew Notebooks and Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew series. She also liked Third Grade Detectives. Ever since reading those series, she has become a voracious reader and we have to make many library trips to keep up. Which makes this book-loving momma very happy. 🙂
Jen Pighini says
My daughter attends a Classical Christian school and reading is a huge part of the school culture. But they are also very careful about what the children read and what’s included in our school library. No “twaddle” and no popular characters. The summer reading lists for each grade are a great resource and are posted online here: http://heritageprep.org/parents/reading-lists/ Also I was recently home in Virginia and went into a used bookstore and saw several of the Misty of Chincoteague books by Margurite Henry that I remember loving as a young girl, I just put them on my request list from our local public library and can’t wait to start reading them to my girls!
oh amanda says
Wow. Thank you for this link! What a great list. 🙂
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Lindsey Campbell says
I think, if you feel you are doing right by your child then, no, you are not over thinking this! I do not like Junie B. Jones either. We read one and the no more!
One of the books we love is The Doll Hospital series. I can’t recollect who the author is, by my second grader begged to “go read some more”! One of the books is about the underground railroad, immigration to America during the 1930’s, among other topics.
oh amanda says
Cool! I’m looking them up now!
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Erin Jones says
My daughter, Olivia (entering second grade) loves the Cul-de-Sac Kids. I was looking for books that she would enjoy and could read, which would integrate our faith, and these have been great. I agree about the Junie B. series.
Jennifer W. says
I have to say I didn’t mind Junie B. too much really. I did mind the grammar but not her overall general self…I think a lot of kids think like that but don’t express it. We really laughed over some of them and shared the one about the monster under the bed with my mom because it really made me think of the 2 of them together. However we didn’t listen to those as audio books-I read them so we were able to stop and discuss as we went along and since I was reading Junie didn’t whine. :0) I am now trying to do more pre-reading as we enter the tricky preteen years. I am lucky that if I can’t manage it (my daughter is reading above grade level and still sucks down books very quickly) my mom and husband help out a lot. In fact my mom and daughter just got done reading The 39 Clues together but separate…they would pass the books back and forth from the library. My mom called a halt after the first series of books because they were getting to be a bit too much. She just finished one about homeschoolers that I read too–its not anything like us but also its a good way to see the world from a different perspective.
oh amanda says
Yeah, I have a few friends w/kids who read way above their level. That would be even harder to figure out!
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Kayse Pratt says
I’m with you on the Junie B. Jones front. As a teacher, I never let those in my classroom – too much attitude!
I’m a mom of a 2-year-old, but when I taught elementary school, I had a giant library for the kids to choose from. I think someone mentioned Clarice Bean, and those are great. So are the Ginger Pye books. The kids also always loved Magic Treehouse books. A few are questionable, but for the most part, they are great, and educational!
We also love love love Fancy Nancy. 🙂 That might be too young for your girl, but they have a few I can Read books at all levels (we just got an awesome 6 pack at Costco for like $9). My favorite thing about these books are the crazy words she uses AND THEN EXPLAINS. It’s awesome. So I have a two-year-old who now goes around saying everything she eats is “delectable”. 🙂 They just introduced chapter books as well – one is called Nancy Clancy, Super Sleuth. The other is about a secret admirer, so we’ll most likely be avoiding that one, but overall, I heart Fancy Nancy and her awesome vocabulary.
oh amanda says
Ha! Yes, Lydia read the Fancy Nancy book and was all ready to read the 2nd one but I wouldn’t let her pick it up–Secret Admirer! Ack! 😉
I was wondering about Magic Treehouse. I know everyone likes them but the first one I picked up was about ghosts. What’s up with that?!
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Carrie says
I also pre read or read out loud with my new 2nd grader. There are just some questionable stuff out there for young kids! They have many more years to read that stuff when they are a little more mature & can filter it better :).
Larissa says
Totally agree with you! I have boys, so I can’t relate to the Junie B Jones stuff. As a child though, I would stay up so late reading Beverly Cleary books and Little House on the Prarie. Those were my favorites for sure. There are so many completely garbage books – Charlotte Mason referred to them as “Twaddle”. I recently picked up the book “Read for the Heart” by Sarah Clarkson, which lists all kinds of books from a Christian perspective and reviews them in pretty good detail. It’s very helpful.
We also like the Imagination Station books, although Sam is sadly not super into them right now.
We just finished the Narnia series earlier this year, and since have read Kenny and the Dragon, Cricket in Times Square, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and are currently reading The Tale of Despereaux. There are some castle-medieval-peasant things that happen in the book that some kids might not like (like a dungeon) but you could read it ahead. Personally it brings up great discussion for us and the writing is lovely. These are mostly read-alouds since he just turned 7.
I have a pinterest board with Books for Boys. My sons love nonfiction, and read a lot of biographies or more fact based books. Another idea, is don’t overlook the wordier picture books. Even for second and third graders, there can be a lot of enjoyment out of reading a long picture book with gorgeous graphics on their own. http://pinterest.com/larissaboland/books-for-boys/
oh amanda says
Agree on the wordier picture books! Thanks for putting that out there. And YAHOO to your pinterest board. LOVE IT.
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Nerida Cuddy says
The person who wrote Tale of Desperaux also wrote an absolute beauty called The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tullane. The only thing with it, it has some very sad bits in it – I did skip one chapter about a child who died, cause our kids are a bit vulnerable to stuff like that.
Amy Lanham says
The Mercy Watson series is wonderful. I also enjoyed reading the Clementine books to my son. She is mischievous, too, but without all of the words that Junie B. uses. Judy Moody and Stink books are probably a little too advanced, but are entertaining. My oldest son read the Magic Treehouse series in first grade. They learn so much about history. The My Weird School series is crazy and gave my son a lot of laughs. Hope some of those help. I have boys, so I’m not as “up” on the books geared more towards girls. What about Frog and Toad or Ivy and Bean? Oh, and the Roscoe Riley series is great. So many!
oh amanda says
I just discovered Mercy Watson this summer and now I’ve got all the rest of your recommendations on my wishlist, too!
THANK YOU!
a
Kim Petersen says
Hi Amanda, I’ve loved reading through all the comments and recommendations. I too quickly put down the Junie B Jones books. My 2nd daughter is 8 now and starting 3rd grade. We homeschool too. She particularly has enjoyed the American Girl books. They will teach history in a very captivating way from a young girls persepective. Felicity has been my daughters’ favorite. Last year we read Addy while we reading about the Civil war and slavery. There is also a curriculum based the American Girl series http://www.girlsofamericanhistory.com/ which you or your readers may like.
Blessings for a wonderful school year!
Kim
Lauren says
I’ve got four girls and one boy. The older girls are 8, 6.5, and 5. I don’t think you’re overthinking it! I’m pretty particular about the books my kids and I read, and I’m a children’s lit junkie! My oldest daughter owns and has read all the Cul-de-Sac Kids books. I’ll be giving her my collection of Mandie books from when I was a kid (ok, adult too because the series wasn’t completed until after I was married!). I’m sure she’ll love them as much as I did/do! We read the Betsy-Tacy series together as a family, a great way to do it. They make for fun read-alouds. Even my husband loved them because of his little girls. A series you may not have considered yet is The Boxcar Children, another series my oldest daughter loves. And of course, the classic Little House books, which we also have read together as a family.
Vanderbilt Wife says
can you remind me about this post in a year or two???!
I loved All-of-a-Kind Family. The family is Jewish, so it talks a lot about their holidays, which I found very interesting, but I would say overall it is good old-fashioned values and fun stuff. I know it’s a series but I only read the first one.
The Time Warp Trio books are fun. The main characters are boys but I don’t see why they wouldn’t appeal to girls, too.
What about Freckle Juice by Judy Blume?
I also remember the Alex books by Nancy Levene (Peach Pit Popularity?) but I don’t remember if they’re aimed at an older group or not.
Nerida Cuddy says
This is all really helpful, thanks everyone. My daughter (9) is a ‘reading machine’, & my son is following in her footsteps. It is REALLY hard when they read way above their age because most books at her level are written for teens. So I’m also prefering books written a while ago, as others have mentioned. My girl is loving the Anne of Green Gables series, and an adult friend reckons LM Montgomery was the one who discipled her throughout her childhood :). The language is quite difficult, so you need to wait for the right time for it. We’ve all just listened to the Mary Poppins books, which were a lot more intriguing than the movie; also an Australian classic (1907) called We of the Never-Never – our whole family enjoyed it on a long trip: an incredible story (but it’s arduous in terms of its beautiful rich old-fashioned language, & length). Heidi is also a beauty, with a lot more depth than I realised. I say to my kids, why use your time on ‘dodgy’ books when there are so many beautiful & good books you can read?
Stacie says
Cynthia Rylant writes several different series we like such as Mr. Putter and Tabby, High Rise Private Eyes, and Henry and Mudge (or the girl version Annie and Snowball). The Cam Jansen series by David A. Adler is also great. These are all early chapter books.
Debbie Parrish says
Thanks a bunch for opening up this discussion. I do my best to protect my child’s heart through all types of media, including books, and it is difficult sometimes. Sarah Clarkson (daughter of Sally Clarkson) has a book, ‘Read for the Heart’ full of recommended literature. She also has book lists for children on her website: http://storyformed.com/book-lists/. Hope this helps in addition to the many other suggestions. Thanks again! It soothes my soul to know others feel the same way about protecting our little one’s minds and hearts through the books they read, especially at their young and impressionable ages. God Bless!
oh amanda says
Yes, Storyformed is on my list of lists (I have so many book lists!). 🙂
Thanks!
a
Debbie says
I would love to see a similar discussion on movies? Other than Mary Poppins, we have watched very little up to this point, but my kids, ages 4 and 6, are becoming more and more interested in family movie nights and I’ve found so few that I feel are appropriate for their combined ages. Next on our list is potentially Winnie the Pooh.
oh amanda says
Debbie–check out my Family Movie Moms Pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.com/oohamanda/family-movie-moms/ 🙂