Every family has a different standard for what is appropriate reading material. This list has realistic books with no magic, witches, spells, special "powers", or talking animals. They also have little to no violence, romantic situations, or bad language. Feel free to read these books with your children or have them read these on their own.
Stated grade levels are a starting point only. Reading levels and topic (subject) appropriateness should always be considered with the individual reader in mind.
Picture Books
And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner
Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border by Mitali Perkins
Blackout by John Rocco
Desert Girl, Monsoon Boy by Tara Dairman
Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle
Grandad's Camper by Harry Woodgate
Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say
Home in the Woods by Eliza Wheeler
How to Read to a Grandma or Grandpa by Jean Reagan
Hurry Up!: A Book About Slowing Down by Kate Dopirak
Jenny Mei is Sad by Tracy Subisak
John's Turn by Mac Barnett
Love by Corrine Averiss
The Impossible Mountain by David Somen
Our Favorite Day of the Year by A. E. Ali
Our Shed: A Father-Daughter Building Story by Robert Broder
Over and Under the Rainforest by Kate Messner
Press Here by Herve Tullet
The Ramble Shamble Children by Christina Soontornvat
Reach for the Stars by Emily Calandrelli
The Secret Garden by Calista Brill
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Thank you, Omu! by Oge Mora
Watch This!: A Book About Making Shapes by Jane Godwin
The Water Princess by Susan Verde
What Color Is My Hijab? by Hudda Ibrahim
You're Always Enough: And More Than I Hoped For by Emily Ley
1st and 2nd Grades
Amelia Bedelia Lost and Found by Herman Parish
Annie and Snowball and the Book Bugs Club by Cynthia Rylant
Beach Day! by Candice Ransom
Dick and Jane Firehouse Field Trip by Danielle Denega
Henry and Mudge and the Tumbling Trip by Cynthia Rylant
Mr. Putter & Tabby Hit the Slope by Cynthia Rylant
Yasmin the Gardener (Yasmin #10) by Saadia Faruqi
3rd and 4th Grades
Adventures with Waffles (Vaffelhjarte #1) by Maria Parr
Amy the Puppy Whisperer (The Critter Club #21) by Callie Barkley
Beezus and Ramona (Ramona Quimby #1) by Beverly Cleary
Caterpillar Summer by Gillian McDunn
This beautifully written, emotional debut perfect for fans of Lynda Mullaly Hunt or Ali Benjamin tells the story of a girl, her special needs brother, and the summer they will never forget.
Cat and her brother Chicken have always had a very special bond--Cat is one of the few people who can keep Chicken happy. When he has a "meltdown" she’s the one who scratches his back and reads his favorite story. She’s the one who knows what Chicken needs. Since their mom has had to work double-hard to keep their family afloat after their father passed away, Cat has been the glue holding her family together.
But even the strongest glue sometimes struggles to hold. When a summer trip doesn’t go according to plan, Cat and Chicken end up spending three weeks with grandparents they never knew. For the first time in years, Cat has the opportunity to be a kid again, and the journey she takes shows that even the most broken or strained relationships can be healed if people take the time to walk in one another’s shoes.
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus (Aven Green #1) by Dusti Bowling
The Lemonade War (The Lemonade War #1) by Jacqueline Davies
Lions & Liars by Kate Beasley
A Long Road on a Short Day by Gary D. Schmidt
A tender story of a father-son adventure with themes of community and kindness, in short chapters with vivid full-color illustrations, by bestseller and Newbery Honor winner Gary D. Schmidt and acclaimed artist Eugene Yelchin.
In a story of perseverance and determination told with warmth and sparkling with humor, a short winter day finds Samuel and Papa walking a long road on Samuel's first trading trip. Meeting strangers, practicing good manners, and proud to be in Papa's company, Samuel watches and learns as Papa trades up from almost nothing to the milk cow Mama is yearning for. Simple text combines with vivid illustrations for a satisfying tale that will resonate with readers who enjoy an adventure with dad.
Love That Dog (Jack #1) by Sharon Creech
Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina
Muffled by Jennifer Gennari
A young girl learns how to cope with her noise sensitivity and step outside of her comfort zone in this heartwarming middle grade novel that’s perfect for fans of If This Were a Story and El Deafo.
Ten-year-old Amelia does not like noise. From subway brakes to squeaky sneakers, she is sensitive to sound, just like her dad. Amelia has always worn noise-canceling headphones, but now that she’s going into fifth grade, her parents want her to stop wearing them. To make matters worse, she must learn to play an instrument! Or, as Amelia sees it, make noise on purpose.
To help Amelia cope, her father gives her a pair of earmuffs to wear instead. Even with her new earmuffs, Amelia struggles at school…until she gets partnered with Madge in music class. Madge is loud and bold and goofy—everything Amelia is not. And so Amelia is surprised when Madge wants to be friends.
Still, it’s not long though before Amelia’s quiet nature clashes with Madge’s loud personality. And when Madge disappears after an argument, Amelia fears Madge might be in trouble. If she’s going to help her friend, she will have to find a way to let in the noisy world she’s muffled for so long.
Patina (Track #2) by Jason Reynolds
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy (The Penderwicks #1) by Jeanne Birdsall
Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech
Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon
Secrets and Scones (The Secret Cooking Club #1) by Laurel Remington
Summerlost by Ally Condie
5th and 6th Grades
Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables #1) by L.M. Montgomery Bronze and Sunflower by Cao Wenxuan
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate (Calpurnia Tate #1) by Jacqueline Kelly
Calpurnia Virginia Tate is eleven years old in 1899 when she wonders why the yellow grasshoppers in her Texas backyard are so much bigger than the green ones. With a little help from her notoriously cantankerous grandfather, an avid naturalist, she figures out that the green grasshoppers are easier to see against the yellow grass, so they are eaten before they can get any larger. As Callie explores the natural world around her, she develops a close relationship with her grandfather, navigates the dangers of living with six brothers, and comes up against just what it means to be a girl at the turn of the century.
Author Jacqueline Kelly deftly brings Callie and her family to life, capturing a year of growing up with unique sensitivity and a wry wit.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly was a 2010 Newbery Honor Book and the winner of the 2010 Bank Street - Josette Frank Award. This title has Common Core connections. This is perfect for young readers who like historical fiction, STEM topics, animal stories, and feminist middle grade novels.
Frindle by Andrew Clements
The Mysterious Benedict Society (The Mysterious Benedict Society #1) by Trenton Lee Stewart
The Only Game (Home Team #1) by Mike Lupica
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