Casey Over There by Staton Rabin This picture book chronicles the wait of a young boy at home in Brooklyn whose brother is sent “over there” to fight in The War. Through correspondence and harmonic events in the two brothers lives, readers glimpse the feelings of family waiting for their brothers, sons and fathers to… Read More Top Picks: World War One
Virginia Kahl’s Picture Books Many of this author/illustrator’s stories feature “A long time ago there lived over the waters a Duchess, a Duke and their family of daughters.” Though they have 13 daughters, don’t neglect reading these to your boys too. Not only will they love the medieval knights, castles and feudal life, they will… Read More Top Picks: Middle Ages Historical Fiction
Little Britches (and others in the series) by Ralph Moody When the family moves to Colorado in hopes of a curative effect on his father’s health, Ralph learns that he must step up to help the family survive. Through the first few books Ralph’s character is honed, and by the end of the series we… Read More Top Picks: Dealing with Adversity
Spring is Here by Lois Lenski Beloved illustrator’s simple rhymes highlight the activities of spring. A perfect picture book for little hands–just slightly bigger than a Beatrix Potter book–thankfully reprinted recently, many libraries still have this, and used copies are available online (though Amazon has none that are affordable at the time of this post).… Read More Top Picks: Spring
Freckles by Gene Stratton-Porter This is the story of a young man who does not fit in, but whose courage, determination, and heart endear him to those around him. Set in the Limberlost Swamp, this tale is full of the wonders of the natural world. For middle-high school readers. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson… Read More Top Picks: Nature-Themed
Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes If your children on read one book about the events leading up to the American Revolution, it should be this. Apprenticed to a silversmith, the hero of this story learns the hard and valuable lesson of humility. After enduring an incredible set-back, Johnny finds his place in the world of… Read More Top Picks: For Boys
Giotto Tended the Sheep by Opal Wheeler The author of the classic Composer Biographies wrote this story of Giotto, the medieval artist known as the “Father of Modern Painting.” Beautiful vintage illustrations accompany the text. Written for mid-elementary through junior high school readers. Millet Tilled the Soil by Sybil Deucher The beloved co-author of the Opal Wheeler Composer… Read More Top Picks: Living Art
Realms of Gold in Children’s Books by Bertha Mahoney and Elinor Whitney. This is my “gold standard” of good book recommendations. It was printed in 1929, so the books are old, though many are still in print, or have been reprinted. The recommendations in this nearly 800 page book are very clearly categorized. Part I… Read More Top Picks: Books about Books
Picture Biographies by Ingri & Edgar D’Aulaire These books for elementary readers also make great read-alouds for younger children. They are children’s classics, written 70 years ago and are still in print! Husband and wife both worked on the words and pictures, a perfect team. Full color lithographs contain so much detail that young eyes… Read More Top Picks: Biography Series
The Winged Watchman, Hilda Van Stockum When this book appeared on our Top 10 Family Read-Alouds I wrote that if you only read one book about WW2, this should be it, so it is appropriately heading up the list here. Great for younger students as well, everyone in the family will be on the edge of… Read More Top Picks: World War Two Historical Fiction