Twenty of My Favorite Books

 Over the years, I've come to love children's literature, and I’m excited that my son is now at an age where he can enjoy many of the books on this list.  Several of these books I taught with teaching partners, and they became staples in our classrooms for independent reading, book groups, or novel studies.  Then there are others that make great read alouds. Whether in the classroom or at home, everyone can follow the journey of the main character encountering multiple conflicts and themes. With a combination of new and old, these are some of my favorite books for upper elementary and middle school. 

Upper Elementary

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

Pax by Sara Pennypacker

Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Bob by Wendy Mass & Rebecca Stead

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Curtis

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

A Night Divided by  Jennifer Nielsen

Middle School

Red Kayak by Priscilla Cummings

Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

The Giver by Lois Lowry

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

*Click on the books to get the Amazon links with summaries.