Monday 31 May 2010

Chrildren's Reading List

OK guys. I am need of some help.

One of my daughters told me last week that she would be more likely to read if she had a list of books she should read. Her cousin has been given a laminated list of around 10 books to read before the end of the school year and my daughter wants something similar.

Both of my girls are not big readers and I have tried numerous ways to encourage them to read,so I was more than happy to help organise this. My other daughter, not one to be left out of things has asked for the same thing.

Now I know my American friends have some wonderful schools and libraries who come up with lovely reading lists for each season, but we don't seem to have that over here, so I really do need some help.

I have come up with a few suggestions that could possibly go on my list which are as follows.

1) Are You There God, It's Me Margaret by Judy Blume

2) Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DeCamillo

3) Harriet The Spy by Louise Fitzhugh

4) The Children of Green Knowe by Lucy Boston

5) Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

6) Mary Poppins by P.L Travers.


What I also want to include are some more up to date books to mix in with the classics. I am looking for a real mixture of books that will make my daughters excited to read and really want to finish a book. I almost need them to be gripped from the first page to keep their interests.

So this is where I come to you, my wonderful book blogging friends. Can you help me with my list? Tell me the books that you loved as a kid, as well as the books your children are loving now? I am happy to add graphic novels into the mix and non fiction, so any suggestions would be fantastic.

I want to end up with a book list of 10 books to start with and if they complete them, then I will make another one, so please suggest as many as you can.

When I have completed the list, I will show you what I have picked. Thank you in advance for your help.

16 comments:

  1. Those sound good :)
    When i was young I always enjoyed the little house on the prairie books

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  2. Ha - I remember reading Are You There God! I think they're probably a bit young for Forever, though!

    No suggestions from me I'm afraid, but I'm interested to see your final list. I never know what to recommend to kids to read.

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  3. I really don't remember what I read at that age, I only remember what I read when I was younger than your daughters. I loved all the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tales but your daughters are too old for that:) Sorry!

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  4. I loved the Little House series and Nancy Drew mysteries

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  5. Great idea to start a list for them. What about the Harry Potter books? The Inkheart and Eragon series? The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe?

    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

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  6. I have a guide on Amazon.com that's a list of books for teenagers to read that aren't Harry Potter or Twilight. You can find it here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syltguides/fullview/R28ZA8IJ64JDZ2/ref=cm_pdp_sylt_title_1

    The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) of the American Library Association (ALA) has great reading lists for young adults. They're sorted by year and cover all kinds of topics from lists for "reluctant readers" to lists for the college-bound. Great stuff here.

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  7. Forgot the YALSA link: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/booklistsbook.cfm

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  8. A little Princess - my one loves it - and she doesn't do reading :-)
    It's also partly to do with the fact that her name is part of the story. She loves the fact that she can relate to the book in that way. Would your two respond in the same way - either with characters named after them - or authors? Good hunting id that is the case!

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  9. I don't know how old the girls are but could I suggest they might like The Blue In the Blue Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne, The Amazing Story Of Adophus Tips by Michael Morpurgo, Good Night Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian or Paddington, Here And Now by Michael Bond.

    A great ides, please keep us informed as to what was decided upon and if the girls enjoyed the books chosen or not.

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  10. vivienne, I'm not sure how old your girls are, I'm guessing early teenagers? Can I suggest Alice's Adventures in Wonderland? I just finished it and it's so wonderful! Also the Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. For graphic novels: Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, not to be missed, especially for girls! We have state-wide reading challenge here, whose list of books you might be able to use: https://products.schools.nsw.edu.au/prc/booklist/home.html. They are categorized by level. Hope that helps!

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  11. V, how old are your girls? I don't want to suggest anything that's not age-appropriate.I'll suggest books for teh 9-12 age range.

    Graphic Novels
    Amulet by Kazu Kubuishi.

    Bone by Jeff Smith.

    Smile by Raina Telgemier

    Fiction

    Tofu Quilt by Ching Yeung Russell

    SAvvy by Ingrid Law

    The Harry Potter Series

    Tuck Everlasting by Nancy Babbitt

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  12. Thank you all so much for your ideas. I am presently working through them and hope to come up with a list soon.

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  13. Any Judy Blume book is a must! I just loved her books and because I've always been a fan of mysteries, I really recommend the Trixie Belden series. I Nancy Drew is a great girl sleuth but Trixie was a bit more down to earth and just fun to read about her adventures.

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  14. How about The Series of Unfortunate Events?

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  15. Hi Viv, I'm sorry I won't be of much help here. I was a big fan of Enid Blyton's books but am not sure if it would be suitable for your list.

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  16. Oh Vivienne - Devon loved Are You There God, she still goes round now chanting 'I must, I must increase my bust!' LOL!

    I know it is probably way to young but I still love it at 33... The Faraway Tree? Nice easy reading and they can have a chuckle at the names ;)

    Devon loves anything by Jacqueline Wilson but her favourite is The Illustrated Mum, she's read it at least 3 times that I know of. Also Cathy Cassidy also always gets bought if she spots her books in the charity shops.

    Poison by Chris Wooding - it's another I go back to and have read 3 times now - Devon enjoyed it too.

    Would they like The Book Of Lost Things?

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Hiya, thanks for stopping by, it is always nice to hear what you have to say, so do leave a comment if you have time.