Mogster Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 I am in a rut and can't decide which book should be our next read aloud. So far, we have read the following: all of the Harry Potter books, all the Roald Dahl books, Big Red, and The Lightening Thief. I would like to choose a "quality" book with more advanced vocabulary to challenge them a little (but not so much that it isn't fun). Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanie Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 I am in a rut and can't decide which book should be our next read aloud. So far, we have read the following: all of the Harry Potter books, all the Roald Dahl books, Big Red, and The Lightening Thief. I would like to choose a "quality" book with more advanced vocabulary to challenge them a little (but not so much that it isn't fun). Any ideas? I don't know if this is what you're looking for, but we're reading The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. My dc LOVE it. It's the story of a mouse who falls in love with a princess of the castle he lives in, and his adventures. There's a lot more to the story, of course, but this is just a suggestion. There are also vocab words in it that the author actually asks, "Reader, do you know what.....means?" My dc like to go look up the words if they don't! Hope that helps a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiegirl Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 I was just going to suggest The Tale of Desperaux but Stephanie beat me to it. So I will second her suggestion. We love this book! I love her writing style. Julia mom of 3 (8,7,5) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafiki Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 Have you read the Lord of the Rings series, yet? How about the Simarillion? Or some of Tolkien's other works in follow-up, like the Tom Bombadil stories, etc.? Lewis' Narnia series? Prince Caspian comes out this summer...... Spiderwick (although I think the language is simpler) Chronicles? The movie is out and I thought it good (we haven't read those books yet)..... Redwall series? It goes on forever, LOL..... I get sort of tired of the name calling after a while, but they are rip roaring good fun..... Arthurian legend? There are a ton of good choices from which to choose.... Regena Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 I can second A Little Princess and Secret Garden. Since you have a boy, Secret Garden might be a good option. The boy, Dicken, speaks in a Yorkshire dialect, has a fabulous way with animals, and is kind and good. The girl is very unhappy in the beginning (lousy parenting), but comes into her own thru nurturing a garden. There's also a horrid boy who is unhappy, too--afraid he'll turn into a "hunchback" like his father. Great book. Lovely vocab. Beautiful descriptions. We are currently on our way thru Heidi, this time reading the original. We had a very good version before, but it was slightly abridged. The first chapter is a little ponderous, but written beautifully. Caddie Woodlawn is a great fav, too--she has been raised "wild" like a boy for health reasons in the Wisconsin frontier, during the Civil War. She gets into many scrapes with her two brothers, who are wonderfully adventurous. We love the Little House books, but Caddie is written at a higher level, and very much a "living" book. Highly recommend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TracyR Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 Not sure but Robinson Crusoe was a BIG hit here in my house with my girls . We read this in December with our 4th grade Calvert and I was surprised to see that we all really liked the story . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngieW in Texas Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 Because Lightning Thief was on your list, how about these other sci fi/fantasy series (all of us enjoy these from my 9yo on up to me): Sea of Monsters/Titan's Curse - also in the Lightning Thief series Children of the Lamp series by P.B.Kerr - definitely some advanced vocabulary here City of Ember/People of Sparks/Prophet of Yonwood by DuPrau LionBoy series by Corder Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Wrede Artemis Fowl series by Colfer (I'd probably wait until they're both at least 4th grade for this one, but my 4th grader said it HAD to be on the list) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zelda Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 Our current read-aloud is "Black Beauty" which I think would appeal to a boy and a girl. The vocabulary is not insanely challenging but is not at all dumbed down. There are many moral lessons about kindness to both animals and people that have had a big impact on my dd8. I did not expect to enjoy this as much as we are. Despereaux is also a fantastic book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 My dd loves it, but it has both male and female protagonists. It is well written, has humor and suspense, and it portrays siblings working together to solve problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne in ABQ Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 This is what I was going to suggest. We all loved it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. Readsalot Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 It has great vocabulary and is a wonderful classic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Atl Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 More great Sci/fi for boys & girls! Keys to the Kingdom by Garth Nix (also Abohorsen Trilogy by Nix, but it's a bit more scary) The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Johnathan Stroud (great fun, adv vocabulary, lots of adventure). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazelt"nut" Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 My dd6 and ds3 loved Cricket in Times Square. I believe it is written on a 4th or 5th grade reading level. Its a chapter book with little to no pics but even kept my 3 year old intrigued most of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magpiegirl Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 Our favorites (besides Raold Dahl and the Harry Potter books, because you already have that!) have included: My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George (my DS6.5 just LOVES this book, and anything by this author, it's very out-doorsy!) Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie (you wouldn't believe the vocabulary in this book, but since most kids are already familiar with the story, comprehension really shouldn't be a problem) The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynn Reid Banks The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum Holling C. Holling books like "Paddle To The Sea" - this book looks short but it is very very detailed. Melisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lakeside Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 We're currently reading the Swiss Family Robinson. Some others that we've liked are: The 21 Balloons --William Pene Du Bois Anything by Marguerite Henry ditto: E.B. White The Little House Series the Mary Poppins books--P.L. Travers Five Little Peppers and How They Grew--Margaret Sidney The Chronicles of Narnia--C.S. Lewis Good luck! Shannon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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