plain jane Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 to them but they are in and around that reading level? BoxCar Children apparently is not interesting either. :glare: I've bought some of the Stepping Stone books- the last level that comes after #5, not the numbered readers and those seem interesting enough but I need more. She's read the Little House on the Prairie beginner chapter books and I'm at a loss as to what to suggest next. This child does like to read but I have to suggest it, vs. how it was with my oldest who could never get her nose out of a book. I'm looking for good books in and around the grade 3 reading level in hopes to get her reading more, enjoying reading, and getting her reading level up a bit so she can enjoy a larger variety of books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 (edited) The Littles Amelia Bedelia Pippi Longstocking The Borrowers Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Nate the Great Mr. Popper's Penguins Little Bear the Frances books (Bread and Jam for Frances, etc) eta: The Nutshell Library by Maurice Sendak. These are short, but my kids loved them. Edited February 25, 2011 by Mrs Mungo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen in PA Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 I love the Catwings books by Ursula LeGuin for that reading level. Roald Dahl has some at that level, too, but I am not sure which titles. I also like Dick King-Smith, but dd never got excited about those for some reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crissy Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 Hank the Cow Dog is hilarious, and there are 50+ in the series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 I love the Catwings books by Ursula LeGuin for that reading level. Roald Dahl has some at that level, too, but I am not sure which titles. I also like Dick King-Smith, but dd never got excited about those for some reason. The BFG The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me The Twits are all shorter Roald Dahl books Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 My boys liked Nate the Great, Cam Jansen (the older ones, not the early readers) and Laura Ingalls books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violet Crown Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 Mine were addicted to the (endless, mind-numbing) Uncle Wiggily stories at that reading level. Several of the collections are available cheap from Dover Press. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emilylou Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 My DS love non fiction books... He will read stepping stones level 5 or so in almost any topic. He also liked Nate the Great, and a lot of the ones already mentioned. I also get him longer picture type books. Like the Legend of Johnny Appleseed, Sleepy Hollow, Arctic Lands ect... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 I also get him longer picture type books. Like the Legend of Johnny Appleseed, Sleepy Hollow, Arctic Lands ect... I agree, there are actually LOTS of good picture books at that age. OP, have you tried Eloise? They are really wordy and long for a picture book. If she likes that sort of thing, they probably have more words than a short chapter book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 Neither of my kids every liked Magic Treehouse or Boxcar children either. One good first series my son really enjoyed for a while was Geronimo Stilton. He really liked the Roald Dahl books too. All my first grader will read are American Girl books, books about historical women (Cleopatra is very popular here), the Bad Kitty books, or Calvin and Hobbes. Greek myths are big for her too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emilylou Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 Neither of my kids every liked Magic Treehouse or Boxcar children either. One good first series my son really enjoyed for a while was Geronimo Stilton. He really liked the Roald Dahl books too. All my first grader will read are American Girl books, books about historical women (Cleopatra is very popular here), the Bad Kitty books, or Calvin and Hobbes. Greek myths are big for her too. My son loves Greek Myths too! There are lots of longer pictures books on the Greek Myths too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 Enid Blyton books? There's enough of them to keep her going for years. Rosie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 Honestly? I will win "no parent of the year" points here, but when my 6 year old found the Magic Treehouse books boring he started reading the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. The good news was he would read out-loud for over an hour at a time, the bad news was it was "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid" (which is pretty funny, truth told). We have returned to "literature" but we knocked down at least 3 of those DoWK books in short order. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivka Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 My daughter loves Secrets of Droon, which is a zillion-book fantasy series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 Honestly? I will win "no parent of the year" points here, but when my 6 year old found the Magic Treehouse books boring he started reading the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. The good news was he would read out-loud for over an hour at a time, the bad news was it was "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid" (which is pretty funny, truth told). We have returned to "literature" but we knocked down at least 3 of those DoWK books in short order. Bill LOL - my 10 year old had a run with a couple of those early on and I think may have them memorized! When they're 6 and gaining enthusiasm for reading longer stuff, sometimes you just have to go with it! :D What's "nice" about that series is that the text is more broken up. It doesn't look as intimidating as a long chapter book. And my son thought they were hysterical, of course. Both my kids found magic treehouse (and some other series) just too formulaic. They enjoyed 1 or 2 maybe early on in their reading careers and then were done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 LOL - my 10 year old had a run with a couple of those early on and I think may have them memorized! When they're 6 and gaining enthusiasm for reading longer stuff, sometimes you just have to go with it! :D What's "nice" about that series is that the text is more broken up. It doesn't look as intimidating as a long chapter book. And my son thought they were hysterical, of course. Both my kids found magic treehouse (and some other series) just too formulaic. They enjoyed 1 or 2 maybe early on in their reading careers and then were done. I thought they were pretty hysterical myself, but shhhhh! Don't tell anyone as I don't want to lose any classical ed credibility :D Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 Lots of good suggestions have already been given. I'd add Three Cousins Detective Club and definitely recommend Amelia Bedelia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyNellen Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 The My Father's Dragon series has always been our first chapter book experience when they finish Phonics Pathways. I purposely do not read it aloud to my kids because they have gotten so much pleasure and enjoyment reading it for themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree House Academy Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 My son does love the MTH books (and has read 31 of them back to back as fast as he could read them! LOL) Other books my ds7 has read and loved include: My Father's Dragon (trilogy) The Littles Mr. Poppers Penguins Any book he can find about animals or science - sometimes he even chooses those books over the more fun chapter books! Daniel's Duck Stone Fox Key to the Treasure Balto Moving up just one level or so, my son is now enjoying the Charlie Bone series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plain jane Posted February 25, 2011 Author Share Posted February 25, 2011 Honestly? I will win "no parent of the year" points here, but when my 6 year old found the Magic Treehouse books boring he started reading the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. The good news was he would read out-loud for over an hour at a time, the bad news was it was "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid" (which is pretty funny, truth told). We have returned to "literature" but we knocked down at least 3 of those DoWK books in short order. Bill :lol::lol: Funny you should mention that because my dd *just* finished reading 2 of those. :tongue_smilie: That's part of what prompted this thread as I was thinking I really ought to get her back to reading "literature" or something. :tongue_smilie: :w00t: I just admitted that on the WTM forums. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasharowan Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 Magic School Bus and Berenstain Bears chapter books, Jackie Chan Adventures, Geronimo Stilton, Captain Underpants (Bleh) were popular with ds14 and dd. Ds9 preferred to struggle though pre1925 books to reading the easy stuff, although now he is going back to "easy" stuff (Jr. Star Wars). Moongobble and Me by Bruse Coville was another good series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m0mmaBuck Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 Another closet "Diary of the Wimpy Kid" parent here. I've also let him read the "Captain Underpants" series, "The Day My Butt Went Psychinero," the Danny Dragonbreath series, "Wuv Bunnies from Outers Pace," the "Moongobble and Me" series, "How to Eat Fried Worms"..... Oh I am a horrible WTM parent. I should be flogged! Lately he has been into reading our Illustrated Childrens Classics ("Moby Dick," "The Three Musketeers," "Ivanhoe," "Robin Hood," and "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" to name a few.). I guess I didn't ruin him forever if he is still willing to pick up actual literature. Have you tried interactive history adventures? Right now DS has been reading and rereading "The Middle Ages" by Allison Lassieur. The series is by Capstone Press and they have books on Ancient Egypt, WWII, Pirates, German Immigrants in America, the Civil War, the Revolutionary War.... He really likes them because the book changes according to which path he chooses and he can reread it for a different outcome. Apparently today he was a knight who met with an untimely demise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 One of my sons likes the A to Z Mysteries okay. He loves Stink by Megan MacDonald and just wishes that series had as many books as Magic Treehouse has. Also, he likes Tashi and Horrible Harry. The hilarious part of this is that he has talked for YEARS about being able to read the MTH books we have because I wouldn't read them aloud anymore because they drove me bonkers. And now he can and he turns his nose up at them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2cents Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 The Secrets of Droon and The A to Z Mysteries were series that mine enjoyed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margo out of lurking Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 A lot of great recommendations, so I'm just adding a few that I haven't seen. Horrible Harry series by Suzy Kline Moongobble series by Bruce Coville (I'd especially suggest for boys) Beverly Cleary books Time Warp Trio series by Jon Scieszka (another boy suggestion) Thorton Burgess!! Daisy Meadow (as if that's not a pen name!) has several cute series including The Jewel Fairies The Babysitter Club Judy Moody series by Megan McDonald Ben Baglio has several series about animals, including Animal Ark and Dolphin Diaries The Pony Club series (author escapes me, last name begins with a B) I didn't read Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but my 16yodd read them when my 12yods had them last year. I agreed to watch the movie with ds when no one else would, and I was surprised to truly love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen+4dc Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 The My Father's Dragon series has always been our first chapter book experience when they finish Phonics Pathways. I purposely do not read it aloud to my kids because they have gotten so much pleasure and enjoyment reading it for themselves. My son just finished those. He enjoyed them. He's also read a lot of the Thornton Burgess animal stories (The Adventures of Old Man Coyote, The Adventures of Jimmy Skunk, etc). He's currently working on the Mouse and the Motorcycle series by Beverly Cleary. Next up is Henry Hyggins (we don't do Ramona because she's a brat, but Henry is great!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 :lol::lol: Funny you should mention that because my dd *just* finished reading 2 of those. :tongue_smilie: That's part of what prompted this thread as I was thinking I really ought to get her back to reading "literature" or something. :tongue_smilie: :w00t: I just admitted that on the WTM forums. :lol: Too funny :lol: :lol: Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teachmejoy Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 I have to add the Animorph series. It's not always the best "literature", but it is so fun to imagine yourself as an animal and it's totally science fiction. The kids can't get their noses out of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nukeswife Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 My son was not a fan of MTH, he made it to book 11 before saying he'd had enough. He LOVED the Magic School Bus chapter books though and read every last one. He even went back and then re-read them out loud to his younger sister and brother. He's now almost 12 and is reading the Guardians of Ga'hoole series, but will still pull out a MSB book from time to time and read it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weddell Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 DD's favorite books are the Rainbow Magic Fairy books by Daisy Meadows. They are kind of boring for me, but DD loves them. The first series is the Rainbow Fairies. There are about a million more after that as well. They are definitely not high literature! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessieC Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Betsy and Tacy, Ramona books, American Girls, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, Babysitter's Club Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunriseiz Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 You've had lots of great suggestions already, but I'll throw in Mercy Watson and the Real Kids mysteries by Carole Marsh. She also might like some of the American Girl books or Encyclopedia Brown. Have fun at the library! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silliness7 Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 :lol::lol: Funny you should mention that because my dd *just* finished reading 2 of those. :tongue_smilie: That's part of what prompted this thread as I was thinking I really ought to get her back to reading "literature" or something. :tongue_smilie: :w00t: I just admitted that on the WTM forums. :lol: I brought 4 of the Wimpy Kid books home from the library because the movie had been a hysterical hit. Each of my readers from 3rd - 8th grade grabbed a book and retreated to a cozy corner. I heard nothing but snickers and giggles for the next hour. It was so great! Then they started swapping their favorite funnies that weren't in the movie. It was a true bonding moment. And that's saying something for my crew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 The first chapter books my kids read on their own was The Bears on Hemlock Mountain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joker Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 The first chapter books my kids read on their own was The Bears on Hemlock Mountain. My first year of homeschooling I assigned my 1st grade dd this to read. I thought she hated it because she didn't really want to talk about it and didn't have much to say. Yesterday something reminded her of it and she brought it out and started telling us about so many things from the book.:tongue_smilie: It's been two years but she remembers all of it and apparently loved it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 My first year of homeschooling I assigned my 1st grade dd this to read. I thought she hated it because she didn't really want to talk about it and didn't have much to say. Yesterday something reminded her of it and she brought it out and started telling us about so many things from the book.:tongue_smilie: It's been two years but she remembers all of it and apparently loved it. :) I have never met a very young reader who didn't enjoy The Bears on Hemlock Moutain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helena Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Catwings series Littles My Fathers Dragon series Betsy Tacy series Miss Piggle Wiggle series The Trouble with Magic Abel's Island No Flying in the House The Elevator Family The Worst Witch The Whipping Boy Little Rascal shorter Dahl books Pippi Complete Beatrix Potter collection A fairy tale collection with illustrations she likes. I agree with pp, longer picture books are great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joker Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 :) I have never met a very young reader who didn't enjoy The Bears on Hemlock Moutain. It appears my younger just needs a few years to process and then she will let loose. Although, when she read Trumpet of the Swan the same year we couldn't shut her up.:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EppieJ Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 These may be a little advanced for 3rd grade, but have you checked into the Great Illustrated Classics? There's a lot of great stories available in that series - classics, dontcha know! :tongue_smilie: Amazon has several listed - you can "look inside" a couple of them to give you an idea of the reading level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 It appears my younger just needs a few years to process and then she will let loose. Although, when she read Trumpet of the Swan the same year we couldn't shut her up.:D One never knows. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
courtney.byrum Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 We've had some rather interesting choices other than MTH as well. DS has read and enjoyed: Franny K Stein Secrets of Droon Captain Underpants Frankie Pickle Magic School Bus - chapter and picture books Geronimo Stilton various Star Wars series he hasn't cared for Hank the Cowdog for some reason DD is currently enjoying: Ivy & Bean Disney Fairies books Cam Jansen Mercy Watson Judy Moody My Secret Unicorn Since DD is pretty much willing to try anything I'm going to have her try Betsy-Tacy I think, it was recommended by the librarian but she thought we might want to wait a year or two since DD is only 5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margo out of lurking Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Since DD is pretty much willing to try anything I'm going to have her try Betsy-Tacy I think, it was recommended by the librarian but she thought we might want to wait a year or two since DD is only 5. Oh, a few other good-sized chapter book recommendations for those really young ones who are great readers: Milly-Molly-Mandy B is for Betsy by Carolyn Haywood (first book in series) They are sweet, simple stories written in the first half of the 20th century. The storylines may seem quite dated to older children. I have a tender heart for the Betsy books, as I remember reading them in first grade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LidiyaDawn Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Maybe she'd like the old Bobbsey Twins series? I remember loving them as a kid. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/classroombooks/browse_level.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
courtney.byrum Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Oh, a few other good-sized chapter book recommendations for those really young ones who are great readers: Milly-Molly-Mandy B is for Betsy by Carolyn Haywood (first book in series) They are sweet, simple stories written in the first half of the 20th century. The storylines may seem quite dated to older children. I have a tender heart for the Betsy books, as I remember reading them in first grade. Thanks! I'll have to check these out. We do have a bunch of Happy Hollisters and Bobbsey Twins so I will have to see if she has any interest :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunriseiz Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 (edited) Since DD is pretty much willing to try anything I'm going to have her try Betsy-Tacy I think, it was recommended by the librarian but she thought we might want to wait a year or two since DD is only 5. I'd say go for it. DD read them at 5 (maybe early 6?) and really enjoyed them! ETA: DD didn't care for MTH early either. However, for whatever reason, now they are a little more interesting. It's kind of odd, but she finds a topic she is interested in for which there is a Resource Guide and reads that and then the story and other non-fiction to go along with it. :confused: I don't think this is exactly what the author had in mind, lol! ;) Edited February 26, 2011 by sunriseiz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
courtney.byrum Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 I'd say go for it. DD read them at 5 (maybe early 6?) and really enjoyed them! ETA: DD didn't care for MTH early either. However, for whatever reason, now they are a little more interesting. It's kind of odd, but she finds a topic she is interested in for which there is a Resource Guide and reads that and then the story and other non-fiction to go along with it. :confused: I don't think this is exactly what the author had in mind, lol! ;) That is the only way DS will read a MTH book as well. He really enjoys the research guides and then will sometimes read the story afterwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Do I dare suggest Junie B Jones? And what about Wishbone? My DD LOVED American Girl books & Junie B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Is she beyond Frog and Toad? What about Henry & Mudge? Really, anything by Cynthia Rylant. Her Cobbstone Cousins series is as wonderful as can be. We also Love Rylant's Light House Family books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewellsmommy Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 They may be a bit longer then what you are looking for but there is a set that my dd loves! It is: The grand escape and the club of mysteries The Healing of Texas Jake Carlotta's Kittens They are by Phyllis Naylor (Shiloh author). They are about 2 cats who get out and set off on adventure. Dd loved these soooo much. I just found out about the 4th one called Polo's mother. Dd wants it pronto! Dd just read the 1st Katie Kazoo Switcheroo book and enjoyed it. There are many in that series as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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