When it comes to read-aloud novels I can think of countless books that are favorites in our family…
And then, there are the favorites of the favorites.
Reading aloud is the spine of our homeschool. A good majority of our time is spent reading (mostly living books) together. It is probably my absolute favorite thing about homeschooling.
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I compiled a list of all the books we have read aloud together during the last few years and then pulled our top 5 from that list.
These are perfect for ages 6-12, or elementary age kids!
And they are all kid AND mom approved!
Drum roll please………. (in no particular order)
Based on a true story, and set in Wisconsin in the 1860’s, Caddie is a spirited young lady who gets into all sorts of mischief fun. This is one of the most entertaining historical fiction novels we’ve read.
Who doesn’t love Pooh?! We especially loved listening to the audiobook version of this book. The dramatization was fabulous and piglet’s snorts make us burst into giggles every time. And the characters have such different personalities. Winnie the Pooh is a classic!
Okay, so full confession here. Of this list, this is probably MY least favorite. But when I asked my kids what their favorite read-aloud books were, Pippi was the first book to come out of their mouths. And it’s been almost 3 years since we read it! Obviously, it made an impression! If you’re not familiar with Pippi, she’s a strong-headed orphan girl who lives alone and loves adventure and crazy antics. (No wonder the kids loved it!)
Based on the original Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, this version is a just a teeny bit easier (translate: RIDICULOUSLY easier) for kids to understand. The author has simplified the vocabulary and written it in modern English (the original is in Old English!) while still maintaining the same beautiful storyline. This title is a great read for both children and adults, and a FANTASTIC allegory of the Christian life.
5) Amon’s Adventure and Jotham’s journey
We just love these books by Arnold Ytreeide that take us back to the time when Jesus walked the Earth. I couldn’t pick just one as we loved BOTH of these. They have helped us understand what it may have been like to have lived during both the time of Jesus’s birth and death and resurrection. Not only do these books keep you on the edge of your seat, but they also foster spiritual growth and keep you focused on the meaning of Easter and Christmas.
There are three others in the series that we hope to read soon:
Ishtar’s Odyssey, Tabitha’s Travels, and Bartholomew’s Passage
Honorable Mention: A Cry From Egypt
We read this when we studied Ancient Egypt and my daughter has re-read it several times since and wanted to make sure it made the list. 🙂
All of these books, and many others that weren’t mentioned here come up in conversation often, whether it’s an amusing part of a story we remember together, or something meaningful that we dive into deep discussion about. I love how books have enriched our family culture.
Do you have a “favorite of favorites” read-aloud? We’d love to know!
