I will be adding notes to this as we get through the books! The books in red are the ones we tried but were too advanced, either in language or content. I expect these books to pop up on the next couple of year’s lists. Let me know if you have any favs for this age level and I will check them out. -Michele

1. Bunnicula/Deborah and James Howe- Very funny book from a dog’s perspective. A bunny comes into the family and the cat is convinced the new arrival is a vampire. This is one in a series.

2. Stone Fox/John Reynolds Gardiner- Touching story about a boy and his dog. I read this in school and had forgotten some things about it. For the most part the book can be read, but some parts need to be changed or skipped entirely. I changed the ending and my son didn’t know the dog died. I think I will have him read it on his own in a few years. Very good though!

3. Stuart Little/E.B. White- My son is really liking this adventure of a boy in a family who just happens to be a mouse! We are really enjoying it.

4. Pollyanna

5. James and the Giant Peach

6. The Tale of Desperaux – We got about 2/3 of the way through and then the chapters about child abuse and attempted murder began. I stopped reading! We may try it again another year, but Optimus was really not very interested anyway.

7. Misty of Chincoteague – Optimus loved this. Good book for the over 5.5 year old crowd. A brother and sister work hard to buy a wild pony and her foal.

8. A Cricket in Times Square – This was a great book. We loved the adventure of the little cricket and how his little chirp changed the lives of so many.

9. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory/Roald Dahl - Wonderful! So much better than the movies. Optimus liked it so much that he asked for it as a reading reward. Great story and not at all as bizarre as the movies.

10. Just So Stories – Very good, although the language was a bit advanced for my 5.5 year old. Short stories about animals.

11. The Incredible Journey – Really liked this adventure of three animals. I cried at the end. Sometimes my son was a bit confused with the language, but we got through it.

12. Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy – Optimus did not want anything to do with this book! I read it to Tink instead. Very short stories in the Raggedy Ann in the Deep Deep Woods book.

13. The Velveteen Rabbit – Nice story, but a bit much for my young son. I changed a bit around and he enjoyed it.

14. One Hundred and One Dalmations – I CAN’T FIND THIS AT THE LIBRARY.

15. The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe – Language is too advanced, will try next year.

16. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

17. My Friend Flicka – Too advanced. Try 2nd Grade.

18. Charlotte’s Web

19. Trumpet of the Swan

20. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz –

21. Jumaji

22. anything by Beatrix Potter 

23. My Father’s Dragon – Loved this book. Short chapters that are funny and clever. About a boy that saves a dragon from being used by other animals as transport.

24. Funny Frank – Same writer as Babe (the pig). Funny book that my 4 year old liked too. She has started to join us for the chapter books. About a chicken that wants to be a duck and the way that the owners help him.