Favorite Children's Book?

[remote_goddess]

My daughter and I are reading The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo together. We can't put it down! Thank you remote_goddess for recommending it!

So glad you are liking The Tale of Despereaux! IMO, it is a great book and both of my daughters felt the same!

We're looking for some good family read-alouds for the summer... now that school is out and all the sports they participate in are over for a while, we have some down-time to read some of the heftier books. Harry Potter 7 is out - I can't wait to read it but I think I'd go mad trying to pace it out at a read-aloud rate of a few chapters a night... I plan on devouring that one in a day or two.

lil, is The Sweetest Fig something you'd recommend for a read-aloud? What age level would you say it is targeted toward?

[lildago]

It says 3rd grade and up but my 5 year old can follow along. It's not a long book though, only 32 pages. The ending is such that you could have yours write/tell what they think happened next since they're a little older.

We're planning to start the Laura Ingalls Wilder series next. I've been reading ahead in Little House in the Big Woods and had forgotten how much I love these.

[remote_goddess]

Oh, those are great! I loved those as a girl, and my oldest went through a phase a while back and read a bunch of that series. She also loved them.

Has anyone here read the Spiderwick Chronicles? My youngest has picked up the first two books at a garage sale and wants us to read them together. Any thoughts?

[Bandy]

My 9 yr old loved the spiderwick books and they are pretty good. Sort of scary I thought though. There is some violence like bad goblins roasting family cats and eating them and stuff like that. Not my top choice.

The Narnia series is always a great read aloud it fits both boys and girls. The Moffats are also great there are several in that one including The moffats, Ginger Pye, Pinky Pye etc
Understood Betsy is another one that is good.
The Borrowers is a great classic read aloud.
Farmer Boy is a good one in the Little House group that appeals to boys too if you have them.

The Box Car children is another good series and if you liked Charlottes Web then Trumpet of the Swan is by EB White.

Hope that helps. Our kids school does a great reading list for outloud and summer alone reading.

[AJane]

Has anyone read the Nancy Drew graphic novels? I didn't know they existed until today - there was an article in the paper, mostly about the upcoming movie but it did mention this new series. My 8-year-old is panting to see the movie - she hasn't read the old series yet but her eyes lit up at the mention of a "girl detective". She really likes anime, but obviously not all of it is kid-appropriate...just wondering if anyone's seen or read them and has an opinion.

[remote_goddess]

Thanks, Bandy! We read the Narnia series a few years ago, and they did love it. Also read the Boxcar Children 1-20 when my oldest was a bit younger. I have two girls, ages 12 (13 in less than a month!) and 9. They are both big-time readers on their own and have individually read quite a few you suggested! Good taste! My oldest is getting into the young adult, girl-y novels like Peaches and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Those are okay for her, but not necessarily for her sister, and I'd like more "family oriented" books for read alouds, but those that can hold both of their attentions. I'm just a bit stuck, but I plan on perusing the award-winners section of the library this weekend. We've picked up a few classics there that I didn't know if they'd like, but have all been great successes.

AJane, I haven't seen the graphic Nancy Drews yet. I'll ask my friend who is really into all types of graphic novels.

[Bandy]

IRemote,

I have a 9 and 12 yr old too!! Has your 12 yr old read the City of Ember and People of Sparks yet? My 12 yr old LOVED them. Here is a brief synopsis of the City of Ember. It sounds like your 9 yr old is like ours a bit ahead of herself so they are good for her too. Probably best aloud though just for some explainations of things even though she can read the words. It is thrilling and obviously about tweener girls!

There is also Princess Academy and others by Shannon Hale like Goose Girl
Enna burning and others they are good for girls both agest too.

Here is a journal description of the City of Ember




t is always night in the city of Ember. But there is no moon, no stars. The only light during the regular twelve hours of "day" comes from floodlamps that cast a yellowish glow over the streets of the city. Beyond are the pitch-black Unknown Regions, which no one has ever explored because an understanding of fire and electricity has been lost, and with it the idea of a Moveable Light. "Besides," they tell each other, "there is nowhere but here" Among the many other things the people of Ember have forgotten is their past and a direction for their future. For 250 years they have lived pleasantly, because there has been plenty of everything in the vast storerooms. But now there are more and more empty shelves--and more and more times when the lights flicker and go out, leaving them in terrifying blackness for long minutes. What will happen when the generator finally fails?
Twelve-year-old Doon Harrow and Lina Mayfleet seem to be the only people who are worried. They have just been assigned their life jobs--Lina as a messenger, which leads her to knowledge of some unsettling secrets, and Doon as a Pipeworker, repairing the plumbing in the tunnels under the city where a river roars through the darkness. But when Lina finds a very old paper with enigmatic "Instructions for Egress," they use the advantages of their jobs to begin to puzzle out the frightening and dangerous way to the city of light of which Lina has dreamed. As they set out on their mission, the haunting setting and breathless action of this stunning first novel will have teens clamoring for a sequel. (Ages 10 to 14) --Patty Campbell

[remote_goddess]

Bandy, thank you!! That sounds right up our alley! I'm going to check and see if I can find it at the library on lunch today. If not, I'll hit Border's on the way home so we can start it this weekend. It's supposed to be rainy and my oldest is recovering from a car accident she had with her dad a week ago, so a good book would be a perfect way to keep them entertained.

[just1paul]

I read the entire Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder when I was a kid, I wonder if anyone reads those anymore or if they are even out there?

[Bandy]

Remote I hope you like them, they really are a good read and exciting fantasy for girls our ages.

Gabriel, yes very much so in fact they are required reading for our school.

Another based on a true story in that same vein is Caddie Woodlawn. It is a fantastic story a little older read but so sweet and adventurous.