Must Reads by Thirteen

Seems as if the last post, “How to Read Out Loud to Children,” can only be followed by this one – a list of books every school-age child should read (or be read to) before their tweens.  Not intheir tweens, but rather, up until their tweens.  That is, this list includes books suitable for children ranging in ages 4′is to 13′ish.  The teacher in me will tell you that a good rule of thumb for determining age-appropriateness of a book for a child is to consider the age of the main character(s).  If the age of the character is about the same age as your child, the content is, too.

Taking again from Esmé Raji Codell, this is a sampling of her carefully concocted list over many years of experience in the classroom and library.  I take no credit for the brief descriptions, they’re all hers, too.  For the complete list, follow this link to PlanetEsme.

Banks, Lynne Reid  The Indian in the Cupboard

• Omri gets more responsibility than he bargains for when his plastic toy comes to life.  Chapter book fantasy.

Brown, Jeff  Flat Stanley

• Crushed by a bulletin board, Stanley makes use of his new shape.  Short story.

Brumbeau, Jeff  The Quiltmaker’s Gift

• A quiltmaker designs a beautiful blanky to cover a greedy kings behind.

Carey, Valerie Scho  The Devil & Mother Crump

• Folktale about a woman “mean as the devil” who almost meets her match.  Picture book folktale.

Cleary, Beverly  Beezus and Ramona

• An older sister seeks to find redeeming qualities in her bratty little sister and in herself.  One of the very first in the Ramona series.  Chapter book fiction.

Clements, Andrew  Frindle

• A boy invents a new word and makes an adversary of his dictionary-devout teacher.  Chapter book fiction.

Curtis, Christopher Paul  The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963*

• A turbulent time told through the cross-eyes of little brother Kenny.  Chapter book, historical fiction.

DiCamillo, Kate  Because of Winn Dixie*

• With the help of a stray dog, a lonely girl makes unconventional friends in her southern town.  Chapter book fiction.

Estes, Eleanor  The Hundred Dresses

• Teasing takes an especially unfashionable turn when a poor girl is targeted.  Chapter book fiction.

Farber, Norma  How Does It Feel to be Old?

• A grandma gives the straight dope, in free verse.  Poetry.

Korczak, Janusz King Matt the First

• Masterpiece about a country run by a child.  Chapter book fiction.

Lewis, C.S.  The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe*

• Siblings go into a closet and discover Narnia, where good and evil clash.  Chapter book fantasy.

Polacco, Patricia  Pink and Say*

• Two Union soldiers, one black, one white, meet against the backdrop of the Civil War.  Picture book, historical fiction.

Sachar, Louis  Sideways Stories from Wayside School*

• A Zen guide to elementary education in the schoolhouse that was built thirty stories high.  Short stories.

Seuss, Dr.  The Sneetches and Other Stories

• A collection on the theme of prejudice and tolerance.  Picture book poems.

Van Allsburg  Chris  The Polar Express*

• Modern classic of one boy’s midnight trip to the North Pole.  Picture book.

White, E.B.  Charlotte’s Web*

• “Some Pig” Wilbur meets the world and conquers the world with the help of a A+ arachnid.  Chapter book wonder tale.

*An all time favorite of mine, too.

p.s. Print this list and stick it in your library bag for future reference.