At some point in most people’s lives, they have read at least something: a picture book, novel, magazine, or even just a sticker label. Reading is an integral part of learning, and authors worldwide constantly deliver riveting reads.
Then, there are other authors that are able to create such masterpieces that their books rank highly throughout many years.
Favorites Reading List
By Grade
Renaissance Learning Inc., a pre-K-12 education technology platform, provides reading data in their What Kids are Reading 2023 edition. The following books have been consistently ranked as being on top by Renaissance.
This list includes a rising high school senior's personal review to provide you with a reader's perspective.
(G1) Biscuit Series- Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Personal Review: These short, simple books featuring an adorable golden retriever puppy are heartwarming and pleasant. Capucilli places Biscuit in settings kids themselves are familiar with, then crafts an exciting adventure that kids will love to follow along.
(G1) Biscuit Series- Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Personal Review: These short, simple books featuring an adorable golden retriever puppy are heartwarming and pleasant. Capucilli places Biscuit in settings kids themselves are familiar with, then crafts an exciting adventure that kids will love to follow along.
(G1-2) Green Eggs and Ham- Dr. Seuss
Personal Review: In just fifty words, Dr. Seuss’s rhyme scheme in Green Eggs and Ham truly ties together the plot of a character trying to convince a stubborn roommate to try a peculiar dish. The short book not only teaches an important lesson but also significantly helps children who are learning how to read fluently.
**With acknowledgement to Dr. Seuss’s problematic nature in many of his other previous publications that 7EDU does not condone or promote**
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(G2) If You Give a Mouse a Cookie- Laura Numeroff
Personal Review: Numeroff’s series featuring a cheeky mouse with never-ending demands is a fun read paired with adorable illustrations; a request for a cookie is truly never just for a cookie, at least according to this mouse.
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(G4) Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing- Judy Blume
Personal Review: Blume’s hilarious novels about the life of prepubescent and pubescent teenagers offer an eye-opening perspective on children’s lives. Featuring fourth-grade Peter and his unbearable toddler brother (lovingly named Fudge), Blume tells the story of feeling neglected that many older siblings have gone through in their life and the juxtaposing high levels of attention younger siblings receive.
(G6) Hatchet- Gary Paulsen
Personal Review: Paulsen’s novel offers a thrilling, adventurous story of a thirteen-year-old boy fending for himself with only a hatchet by his side (hence the title). Readers will root for the main character Brian Robeson as he discovered himself as an individual throughout the book.
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(G7-8) The Outsiders- S.E. Hinton
Personal Review: The Outsiders is truly a heartbreaking story of young teenage boys having to face the weight of their consequences and the unfortunate circumstances they were born with. Each character in the story is compellingly written, some more likable than others. Themes of brotherhood, survival, and guilt all intertwine in this dark yet bittersweet tale.
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(G7-8) The Giver- Lois Lowry
Personal review: Lowry’s dystopian novel may be in an unrealistic setting and time frame, but the themes of struggling with choices, emotions, and other responsibilities are relevant to teens everywhere. The novel offers a unique perspective on life that is seemingly directional but ultimately unravels into seemingly a nightmare.
(G9-10) Night- Elie Wiesel
Personal Review: Wiesel’s memoir on his tragic, frightening Holocaust experience is a must-read for those who want to try to understand how horrific life was for Jewish people. Night offers wise insight into human society, including the heartbreaking line of what it felt like to be forced into Nazi camps: “In the beginning, there was faith—which is childish; trust—which is vain; and illusion—which is dangerous.
(G9-10) To Kill a Mockingbird- Harper Lee
Personal Review: Lee’s novel sheds light on the reality of how close-minded and racist American society once was (and in aspects, to this day). As a trial takes place in Alabama, young siblings Jem and Scout learn about the injustices of society with the help of their neighbors (some more well-meaning than others) and their well-respected father.
(G9-11) Of Mice and Men- John Steinbeck
Personal Review: A heartbreaking story of migrant field workers trying to live their lives, Steinbeck captures the difficulty of mental disabilities, and at the same time, the gradual ease of coming to terms with a dear friend.
What one person finds compelling about a book may not be the same for the next person. Perhaps one character is the epitome of annoying to one person, and the other finds her absolutely charismatic. Hence, we hope this list and short book review will give you a general sense of the book and hopefully encourage you to read such wonderful titles.
