When I tried to create a list of books that I read in elementary school (grades K-6), I could only come up with about five titles. I don’t think that this is because these books aren’t memorable (there are some great books on this list), but because I spend so much time reading that it’s difficult for me to remember that far back.
Keep in mind, these are just books I remember reading as a child. Inclusion on this list doesn’t mean that I recommend them.
If I left off a favorite of yours, please use the comment form at the bottom of the page to add it. Thanks!
- A.A. Milne – Winnie-The Pooh, The House at Pooh Corner, Now We Are Six
- Louise Fitzhugh – Harriet the Spy, Sport
The former was made into a movie that I didn’t care for, although I loved the book. As I recall, I liked Sport a heck of a lot better, but can’t find it in any of my local libraries or bookstores. - Mary Norton – Bed-Knob and Broomstick
This is so much better than the Disney movie (which is plural). Interestingly, it was originally two books (The Magic Bedknob and Bonfires and Broomsticks) that is usually sold as a single novel. - Jean Merrill – The Pushcart War
- C.S. Lewis – The Chronicles of Narnia
- Laura Ingalls Wilder – Little House on the Prairie
I have issues with these books and don’t recommend them for kids. - E.B. White – Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little
- Walter Farley – The Black Stallion
- Shelia Burnford – The Incredible Journey
- E.L. Konigsburg – From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
- Katerine Paterson – Bridge to Terabithia
- Natalie Babbitt – Tuck Everlasting
- Paula Fox – One-Eyed Cat
- Mildred Taylor – Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
- Robert C. O’Brien – Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
- Judy Blume – Blubber, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
- Beverly Cleary – Henry Huggins
- George Selden – The Cricket in Times Square
- Kenneth Grahame – The Wind in the Willows
- Mary Norton – The Borrowers
- William Steig – Dominic
- Shel Silverstein – The Giving Tree
- Beverly Cleary – The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Runaway Ralph
- Margaret Wise Brown – Goodnight Moon
- Don Freeman – Corduroy
- H.A. Rey – Curious George
- Gene Zion – Harry, the Dirty Dog
- Robert McCloskey – Make Way for Ducklings
- Wanda Gág – Millions of Cats
- Dr. Seuss – The Cat in the Hat
- Beatrix Potter – The Tale of Peter Rabbit
- Arnold Lobel – Frog and Toad Are Friends
- T.H. White – The Sword in the Stone
- Carlo Collodi – The Adventures of Pinocchio
- Roald Dahl – The Witches
- Jean Craighead George – My Side of the Mountain
- Sherling North – Rascal
- Robert Newton Peck – A Day No Pigs Would Die
- Margery Williams – The Velveteen Rabbit
- Natalie Savage – The Family Under the Bridge
Published on: 3 July 2011
Lasted edited on: 24 January 2015
https://bookblog.kjodle.net/booklists/childrens-books-reading-list/
Hello!
I stumbled upon your book blog searching for reviews of Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen. I found that review, and a number of your other reviews, to be valuable. I’ve either read many of the books mentioned on your lists, or they are on my long list of books that I need to read “this summer.”
Although I’ve always been an avid reader, I began to look at books differently when my own daughters began reading (they are 16 and 20 now) and again, when I began teaching fifth grade two years ago.
Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books were always among my favorites. In the past twenty years, much has been printed about the “real” Laura Ingalls and how her books did and did not reflect her life experiences. It’s been interesting reading and trying to reconcile the information I knew for all those years with the new research.
I have a set of the Little House books in my classroom; so far only two students have read a few of them for independent reading.
I’m very curious about why you have issues with these books and why you wouldn’t recommend them to children.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I look forward to your response.
Dee Pierce
Hi Dee,
Thanks for taking the time to read my reviews.
I have issues with the Little House books for several reasons. First, they were not written as literature to entertain and inform children; they were written with a political agenda—to justify American manifest destiny. Second, their portrayal of American Indians is inaccurate at best, prejudiced and stereotypical at worst.
Debbie Reese says it all much better than I do, however. I recommend that you read her blog to learn more. If you scroll to the bottom of her home page, she has an entire series of links on Little House. If you are pressed for time, this one is a good place to start.
Peace and thanks,
-Ken