We asked our Read Aloud Families participants to send us recommendations for books that they think our readers need to know about, and we were not disappointed! Here are ten of their picks with quotes from each child explaining why they like the title.
Salt
by Maurice Gee | Grades 7th and up
“Like all dystopian books I have read, I can say that this book was good and if anyone asks, I recommend it. The events of this book are real enough that if humans don’t watch it, it could happen in the future. The ability to talk telepathically actually could be the result of a mutation or exposure to radioactive material. And deep salt itself could be the product of nuclear energy and some gem fusing underground.”
— Joshua | Age 14 | Monongalia County
Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
by Dr. Seuss | Grades PreK and up
“This book is really cool. It’s by Dr. Seuss. He is my favorite author.“
— Rose | Age 7 | Harrison County
The Wingfeather Saga
by Andrew Peterson | Grades 3rd-6th
“This series is great because it’s a lot of adventure and the children are the main characters.”
— Jamin | Age 8
Flora and Ulysses
by Kate DiCamillo | Grades 2nd and up
“I like how it gives the point of view of the squirrel and how there is a lot of funny stuff in it.”
— Kylie | Age 13 | Brooke County
Ramona Quimby Series
by Beverly Cleary | Grades 3rd-8th
“Good for younger kids to read, but entertaining enough for older kids and even adults to read as well. Told from the perspective of Ramona Quimby, read through the series as she makes various silly mistakes and makes a lot of funny choices. It will keep you laughing out loud to the very end!!!!”
— Ginger | Age 12 | Monongalia County
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Last Olympian
by Rick Riordan | Grades 4th and up
“It is action-packed and very gripping. Right before the war against the monsters, Percy is determined and says, ‘It’s time to get this war started.’ Everything from the chapter titles to the actual words is gripping. I was pulled in on the very first paragraph. Overall, it’s a very good book.”
— Josephine | Age 10
Island Of The Blue Dolphins
by Scott O’Dell | Grades 4th and up
“It’s always a mystery. You never know what is going to happen next.”
— Maria | Age 11 | Randolph County
The Indispensable Calvin and Hobbes
by Bill Waterson | Grades 4th and up
“Its funny because in one Calvin’s naked and goes down stairs. In another one Calvin has a sled and is going to ride a loopty loop and Hobbes doesn’t want to do it and Calvin says he’s a sissy.”
— Brady | Age 10 | Monongalia County
Piggy Bunny
by Rachel Vail | Grades PreK-2
“Piggy show how you can be anything you want to be.”
— Westen | Age 5 | Greenbrier County
The Wild Robot
by Peter Brown | Grades 3rd-6th
“I like that Roz the Robot learns how to live in the wild and becomes friends with animals. She goes on adventures and is very helpful too.”
— Peyton | Age 10 | Monongalia County
Honorable Mentions
Horton Hears a Who! by Dr. Seuss – anonymous
The Impossible Quest by Kate Forsyth – Kaylie, Age 12
Magic Kitten by Sue Bentley – Jade, Age 10
Wacky Wednesday by Dr Seuss – Jamie & Calvin, Age 6
Rex vs. Edna: The Very First Chicken by Douglas Rees – Zayne, Age 7