The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg Read Aloud

When I look dorsum on my own elementary days (so very long ago), I can't remember what books my instructor read out loud to usa, with one exception: My fourth grade teacher, Mr. Watson. Mr. Watson read u.s.a. the best books, and he always stopped at the virtually exciting function, with all of the states begging for more. He read us The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, then I had to read the whole Narnia series. We traveled across the tundra with Julie, ran abroad from the the Metropolitan Museum of Fine art with Claudia, and learned lessons the hard fashion with JD and His Brother Tom. Looking back, I tin can run across that Mr. Watson selected his books carefully. All were great literature, of form. But, in addition, well-nigh were office of a series, or at the very least from a prolific writer so that we could discover more to read. I am adequately sure that I have Mr. Watson to thank for my life-long beloved of reading.

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What tin yous read to delight and inspire your students?

So, this all leads to the question, what can you read to delight and inspire your students? I asked this question on Facebook and had over 80 responses! Here is a list of their suggestions (along with a few comments from me). To find out more than, click on the book title to get to Amazon (please note that these are affiliate links, which means I make a few cents from annihilation you purchase, just the price is still the same for you whether you utilise my link or non).

CHAPTER BOOKS

Sideways Stories from the Wayside Schoolhouse by Louis Sachar
"I always start the year with my 3rd graders with Sideways Stories from Wayside School."-Lynne Billiard

At that place's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom by Louis Sachar
"Beginning of the yr I ever read,At that place'south a Boy in the Girl'south Bathroom; it lends itself to so many unlike word topics. I warn the kids from the beginning that I volition cry, happens EVERY year."  -Stacy Hancock Barnett

"My quaternary graders loved it. Ane of the characters does a major alter in the story (from a great to learning to get along with others). It was a smashing conversation piece for the kids." -Betsy Steele

"I love to read There'due south a Boy in the Girls' Bath; I cry every time I read information technology because of the promise and believing in a child'southward ability to change." -Georgia Koepke

► I also am a huge fan of this book (and I also cry every fourth dimension), so much so that I did an entire mail on it, which you lot can read here.

Holes past Louis Sachar

"I besides read Holes considering I think it it's one out they most brilliantly constructed books ever written for kids." -Georgia Koepke"This is a great book to teach/model many reading strategies: inference, flashback, compare/contrast… It besides has 2 unlikely heroes, which students dearest to read virtually and relate to." -Brian Wiltgen

► If you read this and would like to compare it to the motion-picture show, you tin find a free Book vs. Moving-picture show printable here.

Frindle past Andrew Clements
"Frindle…my college professor read it to our lit course when it first came out. It is however one of my favorite read alouds ever. Love Nicholas Allen!" -Angie Richter Lowry

"Frindle – kids can make a difference." -Christina Allen

My third graders also went bananas for this volume! We extended it by making up our own words.

No Talking by Andrew Clements
"No Talking by Andrew Clements. I read information technology to my 4th graders; they dearest the story of the most talkingest 5th form class ever that 1 day goes silent as the students have a boys vs. girls no talking contest. It is swell fun and opens interesting and important conversations almost doing what'south right, apologizing when needed, and friendship." -Brenda Ronnebaum

"There were also days when the kids were a little crazy that nosotros would read Double Trouble in Walla Walla past Andrew Clements. It'south the story of a daughter who gets sent to the principal's office when she can't finish speaking double-talk. Information technology turns into a fun-filled mouthful that leaves the kids laughing and the reader breathless!" -Jennifer Cramer Armour

"I do a Roald Dahl author written report with my third graders. I hook them with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We as well learn how chocolate is fabricated and play Wonka BINGO. Then we read James and the Giant Peach and Matilda . I honey to read stories where kids are heroes. You lot could even read The Twits , The Witches , and The BFG . What a not bad author!" -Melanie Stubbs-Kight

"I love TheWitches by Roald Dahl….dear using graphic symbol voices, and it starts the students off on a love of my favorite writer." -Deanna Blaccoreni

"My 4th-sters loved the suspense in each chapter! It's a long book, but the author does an astonishing job in developing and describing the characters. The visualization opportunities are fantastic!" -Melissa Broadbent McNamara

The Watsons get to Birmingham past Christopher Paul Curtis
"TheWatsons become to Birminghamis also fantastic! Great for using when discussing the civil rights movement." -Leah Fick McCollum

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
"My 5th graders looooved it. Even my non-readers couldn't put it down. It also leads to many great conversations." -Leah Fick McCollum

After Hamelin by Bill Richardson
"In fifth grade, a little later in the year, I love Subsequently Hamelin past Neb Richardson. It continues the Pied Piper story, and is good for multiple time settings, inferences, and fun!" -Debbie Sauer

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIHM by Robert C. O'Brien
"I teach third and take many favorites – the 1 the kids beloved the virtually is Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH . I honey when they first to connect things that are happening and beg me not to end reading. I like that it describes things that are happening and the kids accept to figure things out. I also similar that it is an one-time volume, and no child in all my education has ever picked it out to read on their own. Every twelvemonth the kids tell me information technology is their favorite." -Sherie Malta

Silverish Crown by Robert O'Brien
"Silver Crownby Robert O'Brien…wonderful characters, very suspenseful with a lot of twists…all my 5th graders say information technology was the best book of the twelvemonth. Not sure I would go younger!" -Faith Siegrist

"Poppy by Avi…the imagery that is created past his descriptive writing is a great springboard for learning!" -Lesley Finley Hutton

"Poppy by Avi-Information technology encompasses a strong female lead character who is a mouse. This story includes a strong story line, amazing characters, each of which represents different traits, and an opportunity to study an astonishing author and his techniques. And, most chiefly, it has Ereth, the about lovable porcupine always!!!" -Julie Slocum Santello

"Considering of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. I love how the characters have flaws and problems but are able to overcome them and work together to become friends. Opal learns that friends tin come up in all shapes and sizes and are at that place for you when you lot least look information technology. Wonderfully written book!" -Robin Klein

"Because of Winn Dixie was a class favorite final twelvemonth when I taught a multiage 3rd/4th course class. It was a cute story well-nigh friendship and acceptance." -Elissa Weiss Kriesman

"I try to finish up the year with Because of Winn-Dixie. We love to create images and exercise and so many other reading strategies with it." -Jamie Walters

"Because of Winn-Dixie is i I read every year! It has bully characters, and the students seem to always dear the story. It's a personal favorite of mine." -Taliha Gipson

"There are and so many themes, merely the greatest one is about loneliness and making friends. Students tin create their meridian 10 things nigh themselves or someone special in their lives. Nosotros usually sentry the picture show subsequently in the year and apply a Venn diagram to compare the book and the movie. I also ask students to compare how they pictured characters in their heads while reading with how they were portrayed in the movie. They dear information technology!" -Joy Penner

"If you lot desire to address bullying, Because of Mr. Terrupt is amazing. It is about a 4th course class, merely I used it in heart school. Also, anything by Peg Kehret considering she is reader friendly, but intense. Firegirl is also great." -Becky Askin

"AWESOME!!!! Mr. Terupt is a new teacher to the school and to the 5th grade class…his pedagogy techniques are unique but inspiring…there is a bully, geeks, quiet boy, i that hates school, then tragedy strikes…and the 5th graders have to use all that they take been learning from this teacher to become through this…Read information technology start…you lot need to know what happens earlier you read it aloud!!! One of the All-time books I have always read…non even as a kid's book." -Stacy Hindin Stark

Top Ten Ways to Ruin the Starting time Solar day of School by Kenneth Derby
"The students love the adventures of TB equally he tried to become on the David Letterman Testify. Information technology is full of laughs and an easy read." -Janice Edgar

Where the Red Fern Growsby Wilson Rawls
"I love to read Where the Red Fern Grows – I use it in the second semester as we are discussing figurative linguistic communication. It is also good to use for pedagogy various emotions readers get through while reading the book. My fourth graders dearest it. We express joy and cry all the way through the volume." -Shannon Hickok Bell

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
"Number the Stars is my favorite book. We always start the year reading that volume. I have a classroom set, though, so it may not exactly be a read aloud, considering sometimes they read to me. It provides opportunities for class discussions. I am also able to incorporate quite a few dissimilar skills into our discussions (context clues, main thought, sequencing, etc.) For some reason each yr it seems to be the favorite among the majority of my students. We read lots of historical fiction, but they seem to particularly get into this time in history and all that was happening in different parts of the globe. Without all the fabulous language arts skills I weave into it, the story is merely an incredible story of bravery, courage, cede, and friendship." -Mindy Tripp

► This is also a favorite of mine, though I have used it for reading groups rather than read aloud.

"I beloved readingGooney Bird Greene to my 5th graders. There is vivid vocabulary throughout, which ties in nicely when I explain that students need to do the aforementioned thing to spice up their writing." -Asher Richmond

Touching Spirit Deport by Ben Mikaelsen

"A favorite with both my third graders and the fifth graders I have taught isTouching Spirit Carry by Ben Mikaelsen. The kids are very focused on everything bad that has happened to this 'older' boy, and they watch how hard he has to struggle to make changes in himself, his life, and his family, no matter how hard life treats him. Information technology is a keen volume for watching how a character grows and changes. Best read toward the end of third grade or college." -Amy Brannon

Storm Runners past Roland Smith
"I teach 5th grade. I began last yr with the chapter book Storm Runnersby Roland Smith. Information technology is and then exciting and really grabs the attention of my boy readers with its potent male person grapheme and my girls with its dauntless and confident female character. I love the book, and my students beg for me to continue the series (three total books). It's a great way to introduce kids to a fabled writer and start them with a thrilling series!" -Jen Kiger McElroy

"I always read Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing at the first of the year. My 4th graders love the characters, especially Fudge and his antics!" -Marianna DiPietro Wentz

"I love reading Tales of Fourth Course Nothing, merely a funny read and the kids can ever relate." -Marla Rattner

"I've always read Tales of a Fourth Grade Naught to start the year with my fourth graders….this yr I figured I would use this book to launch the reading workshop, reading response logs, etc. The kids dear Fudge and his antics!" -Lesley Taylor

"The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. The main character is a cathay rabbit who learns to love. My 4th graders beg me to keep reading." -Shannon Cassevah Smith

"The Miraculous Journeying of Edward Tulane by Kate Di Camillo is outstanding. Great for grapheme written report and how a grapheme changes over time. Beautiful book!" -Sandy Bayha Bajczuk

"My Side of the Mount, by Jean Craighead George. We would read this story earlier we went on our annual 4th class camping trip. It's a coming-of-historic period story about a boy who leaves his abode to live and survive on his own in the mountains." -Jennifer Cramer Armour

"The best book for boys is My Side of the Mount by Jean Craighead George. A real adventure with a beautiful catastrophe." -Olivia Wolfe

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon past Grace Lin
"This book is so beautifully written, with many characteristics woven through information technology, like trust, friendship, acceptance, and love. The writer does a wonderful job!!" -Jody Lynne Billiard

Charlotte's Spider web by  Eastward.B. White
"Charlotte's Web. In that location'south no other volume like information technology to teach my quaternary graders about friendship." -Liz Silva Luebke

Harry Potter and the Wizard'due south Stone by J.Grand. Rowling
"For sheer fun and fantasy, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone! Invariably, many of my students selection up the next books in the series later on we read this one!" -Liz Silva Luebke

Starting School with an Enemy by Elisa Carbone
"Starting School with an Enemy – perfect for fifth graders, and it talks about how getting even tin can create fifty-fifty more than trouble." -Rebecca Cox

Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
"I love A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. I have read information technology to tertiary graders and fourth graders, and they are immediately hooked! It is written on a sixth or seventh grade level, just it has a lot of rich vocabulary and sophisticated humor. I model thinking aloud, introduce new words, and brand predictions based on foreshadowing clues. I highly recommend the serial!" -Jenifer Watson Stewart

Granny past Anthony Horowitz
I take read Granny past Anthony Horowitz to my 10-,xi-, and 12-year-olds. They beloved it, and it has some excellent character clarification in information technology that I employ as models when educational activity character writing. Anything by Anthony Horowitz is great actually.

Thank you, Mr. Falker past Patricia Polacco
"Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco. This book lets kids know that anyone can overcome obstacles. I honey that the teacher 'saves' the child and helps her value herself. Sometimes our students experience that they have to go along things hidden, but this book shows how others tin help, when they know the problem." -Edna Armstrong

"Thanks, Mr. Falker is swell for sensation of bullying and the force by the main character (surprise catastrophe). I also dearest The Junkyard Wonders  to show teamwork and diversity. I also love to read stories from  Chicken Soup for the Kid'southward Soul or Preteen's Soul …they are perfect for read-aloud time." -Sonja Gillend McGinnis

Fourth Grade Rats by Jerry Spinelli
"Fourth Grade Rats by Jerry Spinelli. I employ it at the get-go of the yr to tie in with showing good grapheme." -Jamie Walters

"I honey to read Fourth Form Rats by Jerry Spinneli. It has such a good theme, and the kids absolutely love it. Information technology is something that every pupil can relate to in ane way or some other." -Jill Burkhart Slocum

"4th Grade Rats by J. Spinelli considering it gets the course laughing and sends a corking message all at the aforementioned time!" -Chrissy Rene

Skeleton Creek by Patricia Carman
"I similar to read Skeleton Creek to my course. They love, love, love the videos that go with the book. I chose this volume because there are iii more books in the serial, and I like integration with technology, and then do my students."
-Hazel Wiley Lochhaas

Isle (series) by Gordon Korman
"I read the Gordon Korman series, Island, at the starting time of the year because information technology actually grabs the kids, and it is perfect for graphic symbol and writer's technique. There really is a purpose for each of the characters, and information technology opens upwards nifty discussions. :)" -Crystal Brooks Merrifield

The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
"My kids love The Boxcar Children. It hooks them to the rest of the series. The look on their faces when THEY know about the grandad and the children don't yet is so precious." -Debbi Wilson Watson

"The Phantom Tollbooth. The author uses language in the most interesting ways. I utilize it for discussion about language and for vocabulary." -Missy Gaston

► If yous have missed this classic book, be sure to give it a try…such a bright concept!

Fig Pudding by Ralph Fletcher
"It is a great story and a great springboard for talking about traditions, differences between families, and loss. The discussions based on the book are countless. The kids beloved information technology. I have made copies of specific text and events in the story to apply during reading workshop for independent reading conferences. The kids are so familiar with the text that I recycle it all year long. Afterwards this nosotros always read Flight Solo." -Rande Siper

"There are 11 books, and we started the beginning i in March (I never read the entire series – – simply this 1 doesn't necktie things upwards at the terminate.) By mid-May several students in my class had purchased more in the series for summer reading." -Emerge Wright

"The Great Gilly Hopkins is a smashing character study for my fifth graders. Her disrespect and tough spirit is something anybody can connect with in fifth course, and so the kids learn from her moment of change." -Marcia Reidy Barrio

"My students hang off their seats and love the rest of the series!!! It is an excellent mystery, adventure, and story of friendship! I admittedly love information technology." -Lily McDonald Page

"It is near a boy that does some funny things." -Carla Terrian

Danger in the Desert by T.Southward Fields
"Every chapter ends with them wanting more. It's so exciting to see the kids get into the story." -Stacy Ward

"I am reading When You Accomplish Me by Rebecca Stead to my 5th graders. Takes a few chapters to get started, but now they are constantly asking me to read more than. Love to have them do grapheme traits and predictions with this volume." -Bonita French

This is also a fun one for those of us who were kids in the 70s.

"I Dear to read Leon and the Spitting Image because the vocalism of Miss Hagmeier is way too fun! The kids love the magical elements mixed into regular school life." -Erica Bradford

In one case by Morris Gleitzman

"For grade 5s I read Morris Gleitzmans One time, Then, and At present – well-nigh Globe War two from a child's perspective. Serious but with light relief. Kids love the excellent characters!" -Cindy Townsend

"Another one that I similar, because I teach Ancient Greece, is chosen Walking with the Dead past LM Falcone. The kids loved it this yr when I read it." -Marla Rattner

"Henry Winkler books–gotta love Hank Zipser! The main grapheme has learning difficulties but is always trying new means to overcome things! Hysterical!" -Meg Lakotos Basker

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever; it magically holds the attention of boys and girls, and information technology's both funny and touching!" -Yvette Lewis

"At Christmas I love to read the story A Christmas Sonataby Gary Paulsen (4-v graders). It's a story of a special Christmas in 1943 that restores a hope and belief of Santa." -Jennifer Cramer Armour

The Twenty-four hour period My Butt Went Psycho by Andy Griffiths
"I had a class that loved gross humor. So, we read some of The Twenty-four hour period My Butt Went Psycho. I laughed so hard that I cried!" -Charlotte Tyson Jones

Motion picture BOOKS

A Bad Example of Stripes by David Shannon
"I love reiterating to my students that it is OK to be themselves no matter what others think. I even painted stripes on my face for Read Aloud Day." – Demarian Hall

"Information technology's just such an excellent volume to employ as a metaphor for life. It has many lessons about feeling lost, feeling alone, winning, losing, and just nigh finding your feet and living your own life." -Rich Games for Learning

"I can't read it without crying. This is an African tale that lends itself nicely to the topic of kindness." -Judi Donald Cantrell

"Miss Rumphius is the showtime book I read to my students. I retrieve the message that our job is to make the world a more than beautiful place is the most of import lesson I teach." -Linda Hinds Helper

"My favorite is Mr. Peabody's Apples by Madonna. I beloved it because of the moral in the story about not believing everything y'all see and hear and how difficult it is to undo damage that you cause by spreading tales. The art is gorgeous in this book, as well." -Jennifer Ratliff Sullivan

"Mr. Peabody's Apples because information technology talks most the power of words." -Denise Mazzarisi Dirlik

Take You lot Filled a Saucepan Today? by Carol McCloud
"Because it also talks virtually words. Each of us has a bucket, and we fill up ours if we do something squeamish, while filling another's bucket. We also empty ours when we practise something incorrect." -Denise Mazzarisi Dirlik

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Hither are some more y'all might desire to check out:

"I recommend books past Eve Bunting – picture books with intermediate themes similar: How Many Days to America? (clearing), Fly Abroad Home  (living homeless in an airport), Smoky Night  (LA riots), The Wall  (Vietnam memorial), etc." -Nancy Loberg Reinhiller

"As well any new Brian Selznick books, like WonderStruckand The Invention of Hugo Cabret . They are Amazing!" -Marcia Reidy Barrio

"I also have to mention Adeline Falling Star by Mary Pope Osborne; Faith and the Electrical Dogs and Nosotros Can't All Be Rattlesnakes , both by Patrick Jennings; and Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis. Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper is a MUST read; my 3rd graders LOVED it! And my almost favorite, if I had to choose one, is The Underneath by Kathy Appelt, an incredibly powerful book!" -Jody Lynne Billiard

" Stone Play tricks is wonderful for 3rd form. I too similar to read an A to Z Mystery to introduce that serial of books. Final year I read Convulsion Terror , and even though it was a fleck scary, the kids really liked it." -Monica Horn

"Great 'everybody' books for read aloud: Llama Llama Cherry-red Pajama , The Recess Queen , Fortunately , No Such Matter every bit Dragons , I Wish I was Ill, Too . My fourth graders have thoroughly enjoyed the short reads. Choose Your Own Take a chance books make for good read alouds, as well as encouraging mutual decision making. Sisters Grimm series , Among the Subconscious …or any Margaret Peterson Haddix volume, for that affair! Beverly Cleary, Andrew Clements, Mo Willems, Lemony Snicket. The Graveyard Book , T he Black Book of Secrets, Horns and Wrinkles, Catwings, BFG, Walk Two Moons, The Very Sad Story of Betty O'Dare, Stargirl, The Book of Story Beginnings, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, My Side of the Mountain, Hatchet, Bunnicula, Noisy Nora, Wait Till Helen Comes, Tikki Tikki Tembo, My Great Aunt Arizona, The Book Thief, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle …. So many wonderful books!" -April Dawn Davidson

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Practice you lot have more to add? Please comment with your favorites.

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