Read Alouds
A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Taylor
For Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed Bat), life tends to be full of surprises—some of them good, some not so good. Today, though, is a good-surprise day. Bat’s mom, a veterinarian, has brought home a baby skunk, which she needs to take care of until she can hand him over to a wild-animal shelter. But the minute Bat meets the kit, he knows they belong together. And he’s got one month to show his mom that a baby skunk might just make a pretty terrific pet.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
An adventurous young orphan goes to live on a farm with an elderly brother and sister.
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
Charlotte's spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur's life when he was born the runt of his litter.
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There's no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again. Crenshaw is a cat. He's large, he's outspoken, and he's imaginary. He has come back into Jackson's life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything?
Eugenia Lincoln and the Unexpected Package by Kate DiCamillo
When an unexpected package containing an accordion arrives at her house, Eugenia is determined to have nothing to do with it. But her plans to sell the accordion, destroy the accordion, and give the accordion away all end in frustration. How can Eugenia stop being tormented by this troublesome package?
Goodnight iPad: A Parody for the Next Generation by Ann Droyd
This book, which is made of paper, is a reminder for the child in all of us to power down at the end of the day.
Half Magic by Edward Eager
The story of the discovery of a magic coin that grants exactly one-half of whatever is wished for.
The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
A poor girl, teased by her classmates because she wears the same faded blue dress every day, claims that she has one hundred dresses at home.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Over the course of eight days stranded in the desert, while the narrator attempts to repair his plane, the little prince recounts the story of his life. The prince begins by describing life on his tiny home planet: in effect, a house-sized asteroid known as "B-612" on Earth.
Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
The New York Times bestseller A Long Walk to Water begins as two stories, told in alternating sections, about two eleven-year-olds in Sudan, a girl in 2008 and a boy in 1985.
Matilda by Roald Dahl
When attacked by her bully of a teacher Miss Trunchbull, Matilda suddenly discovers she has a remarkable power with which to fight back. It'll take a superhuman genius to give Miss Trunchbull what she deserves and Matilda may be just the one to do it!
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle by Betty MacDonald
Meet Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle! She lives in an upside-down house with a kitchen that is always full of freshly baked cookies. She was even married to a pirate once! Best of all, she knows everything there is to know about children.
One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this illustrated book is told from the point of view of Ivan himself.
Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary
In Ramona’s world, being eight isn’t easy, but it’s never dull!
Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
Humorous episodes from the classroom on the thirtieth floor of Wayside School, which was accidentally built sideways with one classroom on each story.
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
Peter finds his demanding two-year-old brother an ever-increasing problem.
The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
White’s version of the ugly duckling story involves a mute swan named Louis who becomes a famous jazz trumpet player to compensate for his lack of a natural voice. Aided by his father, who steals a trumpet for him, and by Sam Beaver, an 11-year-old human friend, Louis is able to attract a mate and eventually return to the wilderness.
Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm
When 11 year-old Turtle's mama gets a job housekeeping for a lady who doesn't like kids, Turtle says goodbye without a tear and heads off to Key West, Florida to live with relatives she's never met during The Great Depression.
The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis
Enter the hilarious world of ten-year-old Kenny and his family, the Weird Watsons of Flint, Michigan.
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
From bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator Peter Brown comes a heartwarming and action-packed novel about what happens when nature and technology collide.
For Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed Bat), life tends to be full of surprises—some of them good, some not so good. Today, though, is a good-surprise day. Bat’s mom, a veterinarian, has brought home a baby skunk, which she needs to take care of until she can hand him over to a wild-animal shelter. But the minute Bat meets the kit, he knows they belong together. And he’s got one month to show his mom that a baby skunk might just make a pretty terrific pet.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
An adventurous young orphan goes to live on a farm with an elderly brother and sister.
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
Charlotte's spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur's life when he was born the runt of his litter.
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There's no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again. Crenshaw is a cat. He's large, he's outspoken, and he's imaginary. He has come back into Jackson's life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything?
Eugenia Lincoln and the Unexpected Package by Kate DiCamillo
When an unexpected package containing an accordion arrives at her house, Eugenia is determined to have nothing to do with it. But her plans to sell the accordion, destroy the accordion, and give the accordion away all end in frustration. How can Eugenia stop being tormented by this troublesome package?
Goodnight iPad: A Parody for the Next Generation by Ann Droyd
This book, which is made of paper, is a reminder for the child in all of us to power down at the end of the day.
Half Magic by Edward Eager
The story of the discovery of a magic coin that grants exactly one-half of whatever is wished for.
The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
A poor girl, teased by her classmates because she wears the same faded blue dress every day, claims that she has one hundred dresses at home.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Over the course of eight days stranded in the desert, while the narrator attempts to repair his plane, the little prince recounts the story of his life. The prince begins by describing life on his tiny home planet: in effect, a house-sized asteroid known as "B-612" on Earth.
Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
The New York Times bestseller A Long Walk to Water begins as two stories, told in alternating sections, about two eleven-year-olds in Sudan, a girl in 2008 and a boy in 1985.
Matilda by Roald Dahl
When attacked by her bully of a teacher Miss Trunchbull, Matilda suddenly discovers she has a remarkable power with which to fight back. It'll take a superhuman genius to give Miss Trunchbull what she deserves and Matilda may be just the one to do it!
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle by Betty MacDonald
Meet Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle! She lives in an upside-down house with a kitchen that is always full of freshly baked cookies. She was even married to a pirate once! Best of all, she knows everything there is to know about children.
One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this illustrated book is told from the point of view of Ivan himself.
Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary
In Ramona’s world, being eight isn’t easy, but it’s never dull!
Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
Humorous episodes from the classroom on the thirtieth floor of Wayside School, which was accidentally built sideways with one classroom on each story.
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
Peter finds his demanding two-year-old brother an ever-increasing problem.
The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
White’s version of the ugly duckling story involves a mute swan named Louis who becomes a famous jazz trumpet player to compensate for his lack of a natural voice. Aided by his father, who steals a trumpet for him, and by Sam Beaver, an 11-year-old human friend, Louis is able to attract a mate and eventually return to the wilderness.
Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm
When 11 year-old Turtle's mama gets a job housekeeping for a lady who doesn't like kids, Turtle says goodbye without a tear and heads off to Key West, Florida to live with relatives she's never met during The Great Depression.
The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis
Enter the hilarious world of ten-year-old Kenny and his family, the Weird Watsons of Flint, Michigan.
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
From bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator Peter Brown comes a heartwarming and action-packed novel about what happens when nature and technology collide.