10 Books Your Kids Should be Reading But Probably Aren’t:
Beautiful Joe by Marshall Saunders: A charming chapter book where a dog narrates the story of his life in turn-of-the-century Maine. It does have a decidedly Christian feel but it advocates kindness to all creatures. This story is a must-read for animal lovers. SUGGESTED AGE: 7-TWEEN
The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde: In this short story by the famed humorist, an American family rents a haunted English manor and locks horns with its 400-year-old ghost. It’s full of commentary on stuffy British society and rampant American consumerism, but the message is surprisingly sweet. SUGGESTED AGE: 6-TEEN
The Talking Eggs by Robert D. San Souci, Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney: This adaptation of a Creole folktale does a wonderful job of conveying an important lesson on kindness amidst the magic that is rural Louisiana. SUGGESTED AGE: 3-10
The Red Room Riddle by Scott Corbett, Illustrated by Geff Gerlach: If your older child likes a good scare, this clever ghost story is the best. A slightly bloody plot involving the biblical Slaughter of the Innocents, most of the action takes place in a small town in 1920s America. Two boys trespass into a local haunted house on Halloween night and get the scare of their lives. SUGGESTED AGE: 8-TEEN
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros: Another great book for a slightly older set or a young advanced reader is this collection of short stories about a girl growing up in a rough Chicago neighborhood. Slightly stream-of-consciousness and gorgeously poetic, this sad yet hopeful book will make your child want to be a writer. SUGGESTED AGE: 8-TEEN
D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths Written & Illustrated by Edgar and Ingri D’Aulaire: I spent many happy hours wandering through the pages of this book, engaged again and again by the colorful illustrations and classic stories. Full of heroes, villains, gods and goddesses, it’s a necessary addition to any child’s bookshelf. SUGGESTED AGE: 6-TWEEN
Our Animal Friends at Maple Hill Farm Written & Illustrated by Martin and Alice Provensen: Based on the authors’ experiences at their upstate New York farm, this book is a delightful respite for any city kid. Including dogs, cats, horses, chickens, cows, sheep and goats as well as some touching commentary on animals that’ve passed on, this picture book feels like an idyllic day in the country. SUGGESTED AGE: 3-10
King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry, Drawings by Wesley Dennis: Marguerite Henry is the quintessential horse-story writer and this tale about the Godolphin Arabian (the ancestor of all champion Thoroughbred racehorses) is both suspenseful and heart-warming. If your child loved Black Beauty, he’ll love the friendship between the stallion Sham and his stable boy Agba. SUGGESTED AGE: 7-TWEEN
The One in the Middle is the Green Kangaroo by Judy Blume: Most people know the coming-of-age tale Are You There, God: It’s Me, Margaret, but Judy Blume has a ton of other stories just as poignant and funny. If you have a middle child, she NEEDS to read about how second-grader Freddy Dissel makes himself stand out when he’s normally overshadowed by his older brother and little sister. SUGGESTED AGE: 3-7
The Egyptian Cinderella by Shirley Climo, Illustrated by Ruth Heller: Every culture has a Cinderella story, and this is one of the best. Based on the true tale of the Greek slave Rhodopis, a contemporary of the famous bard Aesop, its bright colors and lyrical writing pack quite a punch. I loved it because Rhodopis’ pale skin and blonde hair made her an outcast among the dark eyes and caramel-colored skin of her Egyptian peers, a feeling I knew all too well growing up. SUGGESTED AGE: 3-7
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