As so often get asked by parents: "what do your children do?" or "what is your child reading now?". As my kids are big reader and I was a big reader as a kid, I often have a variety of suggestions. As promised to many, those reading suggestions are now being posted. I promise to post another reading list before summer, but this one should keep your children busy. And, as always, I make no differential between boys and girls. As a child (and adult), I'll read anything I can get my hands on including a cereal box if I go too long without reading. So here goes....it's up to you and your child what you select.

Fiction for kids grades 3-6 (Please be sure to review the books as some of them may not be appropriate based on your child's sensitivites and your family's choices)

  • Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson Series. These has ben extremely popular with 10-year-old and his friends. There are two separate Percy Jackson series. What I love about this series is the Greek myths.
  • Child's Introduction to Greek Mythology by Heather Alexander and Meredith Hamilton. This is a wonderful way to reinforce the Greek myths before and after the Percy Jackson series.
  • Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of God, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters by Donna Jo Napoli and Christina Balit
  • Rick Riordan's Trials of Apollo Series. This is a new series and only book one is out. Book 2 comes out May 2, 2017. Why do I know this? I've already pre-ordered it from our local bookstore, Watchung Booksellers.
  • Harry Potter Series. Nearly everyone loves Harry Potter. For those who haven't read it yet, the first three books are wonderful and, generally, good for young children too. As the books progress and (definitely) the last three, the storyline becomes much darker.
  • A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. A classic that is work a read.
  • Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. Everyone knows about the beloved The Lion, The Witch and The Waldrobe, but this 7-book series of Narna will take your child on an amazing journey to a land filled with fantasy, humor, and insight into human character.
  • Black Beauty by Anna Sewell & Ryan Danforth. Get ready with tissues....this story of love, childhood and a horse transcends time.
  • Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne. Nothing like adventure and some very funny moment.
  • The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. Cannot say enough great things about this book.
  • Heidi by Johanna Spyri. A classic book that any child should read, but I highly suspect it is one many little girls will love.
  • Pollyanna by Elanor H. Porter. This one is a personal favorite of mine. Your child - boy or girl - will laugh and weep. This lovely book is chock full of wholesomeness and while many think it's outdated, the lessons of being happy and a good human being are evergreen.
  • A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. This laugh-out-loud books series is so funny that my boys and I were rolling on the floor laughing. It took us a whole month to get through the first book because we literally laughed our way through most of the chapters.
  • The Boxcar Children Books by Gertrude Chandler Warner. Definitely one that sends you back to another time, but also chock full of adventure.
  • The Little House on the Prairie by Larua Ingalls Wilder. An amazing set of books written by a young girl. It gives you a peek into what America was like waaaaay back when. 
  • Anything ever written by Roald Dahl! From Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to Matilda to The Witches, each book is riveting.
  • Any book written by Beverly Cleary. Ramona the Great and Henry and Ribsy are my two favorite from childhood. While I'm a little fuzzy after all these years, I remember gobbling up each book quickly.
  • Call of the Wild by Jack London. Pretty much anything by Jack London is a mini adventure and he's not for everyone, but if your child love animals, Jack London is the author to read. 
  • The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane. This one is not meant for everyone, but if your child is obsessed with history, battles and playing soldier, this story of a young soldier's experiences during the Civil War is a realistic depiction of the battle. We would recommend this for older children. 

Happy reading!!!!

Yin 

Courtesy of L3 Academy

One Greenwood Avenue, Suite 101, Montclair, NJ 07042
973-783-8333 / l3-academy.com