Top Ten Books for Middle Grades

Summer is here and kids usually have more time for reading. My boys do not mind reading but like a lot of kids, Wii, TV, computer games compete for their time. We have instituted a rule to the effect that their technology time will be allotted to a ratio of 1.5 to 1 of reading time to technology.

But, what will they read? The middle grades ( Anywhere between 9 and 11 to 14) are transitional grades. It can be hard to figure out what to choose. A lot depends on the child's reading level, which can be above or below their age range. Both my boys read above grade level, the issue then becomes content and maturity. We are classical homeschoolers, so classics have a big place in our reading list, but some more modern books make it to the list too.

Here is a list of top 10 books they have enjoyed, and that I am putting on their current reading list (in no particular order):

1 . Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn

2. Kingdom series books (more upper elementary but good for struggling middle grades)

3. Trumpeter Swan

4. The Hobbit (Enjoyed by both of my boys)

5. The Lord of the Rings

6. Hardy Boys series (my husband highly promotes the old series and these are the ones my youngest reads)

7. Chronicles of Narnia (favorites around here)

8. Brixton Brothers Series (favorite of my oldest - even got a copy autographed. How cool is that?)

9. Heidi

10. Anne of Green Gables

And just because it is hard to stay within a limited list here are a few extra:

Biography series: Who is series

Historical fictions: I survived .... series

Comments

purple squirrel said…

Great list!

If you want to give them some books that they *may not* have read yet for summer, check out my carnival post~ I've posted the first titles of a bunch of series, which are fun to read through the summer. ;)

June 25, 2014 at 1:30 PM

Michelle Caskey said…

I agree with your husband. The older Hardy Boys books are better. Some of the new ones have swearing scattered throughout. Great list of books!

June 25, 2014 at 3:16 PM

Unknown said…

Great list of books! I've done a couple novel studies of some of these with my oldest daughter (she's going into grade 2). You have some classics here.

Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the SHINE Blog Hop).

Wishing you a lovely evening.
xoxo

June 29, 2014 at 5:09 PM

Writing & Rhetoric - A Writing Curriculum Review and a Giveaway

Curriculum choosing and buying can be a very daunting task. So many subjects to cover, so many curriculum to browse though, and so many companies to consider. Today I would like to share with you a product and a company that I have come to hold in high regards. When it comes to teaching writing to the boys I was not sure which way to go, as I would not exactly consider myself a great writer. Then came along Writing and Rhetoric from Classical Academic Press. I heard about it when the second book in a series of twelve just released, and I was immediately intrigued. You see I homeschool classically, and writing is an integral part of it. Classical Academic Press puts out products geared towards classical homeschooling, so there you had the first common ground. I was searching for something that would teach them what writing was, and guide them through the process incrementally, without bombarding them with pages and pages of writing right from the start. I found what...

Our Current Homeschool Routine - Virtual Homeschool Fair - Week 2

For week 2 of the Virtual Homeschool Fair, which is hosted by Homeschooling Hearts and Minds , we are talking method of homeschooling. When it comes to the how of homeschooling, and the method that we all follow, with the 20 plus blogger participating I can guarantee you, no method will be the same. Homeschooling is a lifestyle and a path unto a goal or toward a direction that each family sets for itself. For us, this encompasses academic rigor, as well as Christian values and depth of understanding of how to live in this world as Christians. To that end, earlier on we had settled on a classical education. 10 years into it, I cannot say we have been very good classical homeshooler. We did not follow the method and philosophy to a T but instead adapted it to our family's routine and rhythm. We became more relaxed classical homeschooler. I had good intentions with the Latin and Greek, but not enough discipline and it did not appeal to the boys; my oldest son did two years, the...

Reformation Day Giveaway

We are approaching October 31, which is an important date for all protestants. This date commemorates Martin Luther’s nailing of his ninety-five theses to a church door on October 31, 1517 in Wittenburg, Germany, which in turn provoked a debate that resulted in what we now call the Protestant Reformation. As the “Father of the Reformation”, Martin Luther is a vital figure in Church History. His sacrifice and willingness to wage battle against the spiritual, religious, and political powers of his medieval world allowed Christians throughout time to embrace the following truths: salvation by grace alone , through faith alone, and in Christ alone, along with the supremacy of Scripture, referred to as Scripture alone, and all of it for God's Glory Alone. These being commonly called the Five Solas of the Reformation. Danika Cooley, author and creator of the Bible curriculum Bible Road Trip , has recently written a book for young people recounting Luther's sto...

Homeschooling for His Glory

Search This Blog