In a previous post, I gave you books for 4th and 5th graders who have read everything. Now, for the child who is not ready (reading-level-wise or content-wise) for those books, here are a few ideas.
Oldies but Goodies
The Adventures of Ali Baba Bernstein by Johanna Hurwitz. David Bernstein is sick and tired of being one among many "Davids." The ending, where he invites all the David Bernsteins in the NYC phone book to his birthday party is priceless (and may have your children asking what a phone book is).
The Riverside Kids books by Johanna Hurwitz. These interconnected stories of neighbors in a Manhattan apartment building have a timeless appeal. Sadly, a lot of these are out of print.
The Two and Only Kelly Twins by Johanna Hurwitz. My 2nd grade daughter thought the part where twins pretend to have a triplet so hysterical that she read it three times.
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle cures tiny-bite-taker-itis, don't-want-to-go-to-bed-itis, can't-stop-quarreling-opathy, and other childhood illnesses by giving the victims a taste of their own medicine, in the funniest way possible.
Nancy and Plum by Betty MacDonald. Orphaned sisters suffer under a Miss Hannigan-like orphanage matron, but find a happy ending.
The Elevator Family by Doug Evans. The hotel is fully booked, so this family takes a strange little room that moves up and down!
The Worst Witch series by Jill Murphy. Mildred Hubble is the worst witch. Not worst as in meanest, but worst as in most unsuccessful. Poor Mildred is the hapless type of child bad things just seem to happen to. Lucky for us, those children make for the most entertaining stories.
The Chalk Box Kid by Robert Clyde Bulla. A boy can't have a real garden in his new apartment, but he still manages to bring the beauty of nature to his home.
Homer Price by Robert McCloskey. Old-fashioned but funny. The donut scene is priceless (think Lucille Ball with the chocolates).
Some more recent books:
The Two and Only Kelly Twins by Johanna Hurwitz. My 2nd grade daughter thought the part where twins pretend to have a triplet so hysterical that she read it three times.
The Franklin School Friends and other books by Claudia Mills. My 2nd grader gobbles these like candy.
And just in case you missed these:
Books by Andrew Clements. Some of these may be a bit too hard for younger kids, but it depends on the child. My 2nd grader has read and loved Lost and Found, No Talking, and The Report Card. Frindle is fantastic although some of the concepts may be lost on younger children.
Freckle Juice and The One in the Middle is the Green Kangaroo by Judy Blume. Need I say more?
The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling. Everything John Midas touches turns to chocolate!
What are your 2nd and 3rd graders' favorite books?
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