With school coming up faster than many kids desire, here are some fabulous fiction books of different genres for kids and for families to read aloud together. The ages are best suited for ages eight and above unless otherwise indicated.
Gossamer Summer, by H. M. Bouwman, begins with this catchy first sentence: It all started when Jojo saw a fairy but said she didn’t. Jojo’s three sisters loved her stories about fairies. But when she actually sees one while sitting on her porch, she can hardly believe her eyes. This begins an adventure that families will enjoy following to the end!
The Human Kaboom, by Adam Rubin, has six different stories with six different genres, six hilarious adventures and featuring six different illustrators with varying pictures of each story. One science fiction story has two children deciding to pull off a crazy prank while on a field trip to a museum in space. These stories would be perfect to read one per night at bedtime. However, your kids will probably beg for more than one story.
Clarice Bean, Scram!, by Lauren Child, is the ninth book in this delightful series. Clarice has found a story dog who followed her home. She wants to keep him, so she comes up with a plan to hide him from her family. As with all of Child’s other books about Clarice, the font size, style, and boldness changes throughout along with expressive illustrations also done by the author. The story is fun, funny and interesting making this the perfect book for the transition from early chapter books to longer fiction books.
The McNifficents, by Amy Makechnie, has this Miniature Schnauzer, Lord Tennyson, employed by the parents to take care of their six children. It’s summer and some of the children seem to be out of control. Ezra has snuck a snake into the house for his pet. And the baby chicks that have suddenly arrived are making a mess of the house. The parents are about to hire a real nanny. Lord Tennyson needs to come up with a plan and quick. This enjoyable read is a great read-out-loud for the entire family.
Big Tree, by Brian Selznick, is a fantastic adventure that is written and illustrated in Selznick ‘s wondrous trademark style. Beginning with mostly full-page pictures moving the story along with scant text, the scene is set. Pictures progressing the story are found throughout the book but with much more text now telling the story. Two seeds from a sycamore tree begin an adventure that will take your breath away.
The Infinite Questions of Dottie Bing, by Molly B. Burnham, deals with grief and loss in a lighthearted and enchanting story. Ten-year-old Dottie is trying to help her dear grandpa deal with his wife’s passing. But Dottie finds that it’s also hard for her as well. Dottie soon realizes that there is joy also found in life when sadness seems to prevail. This is a sweet and enriching story that all can benefit from.
To Catch a Thief, by Martha Brockenbrough, is a marvelous mystery that will have you turning the pages clear to the end to find the resolution. Amelia is a smart sleuth and begins to solve the mystery of a valuable missing item belonging to the seaside town. The character development and descriptions of Amelia’s sleuthing make for a great mystery adventure.
The Islands of Elsewhere, by Heather Fawcett, is an adventure rich with mystery, magic, and even hidden treasure. The three Snolly sisters have just discovered that their Granddaddy’s seaside house is near some magical islands. What they discover during their summer visit will have you turning pages to the end.
The Book That No One Wanted to Read, by Richard Ayoade and inventively illustrated throughout the entire book by Tor Freeman, is a most clever and humorous book. This is the book you want to excite your child about reading. The story is told from the viewpoint of the book, and it definitely conveys that this book’s life has not been easy. The story is witty, and the illustrations are hilarious. What are you waiting for! This is the book you will desire to read!
Trashed, by Martha Freeman, has young Arthur helping out with his family’s junk store where they collect all kinds of interesting objects. When Arthur comes across a chipped teacup, a mystery ensues leading to puzzles to solve along the way and interesting characters Arthur receives help from throughout the entire engaging story.
Lasagna Means I Love You, by Kate O’Shaughnessy, is about girl, Mo, who learns to survive and thrive after losing her grandmother and ending up in foster care. But when Mo finds a homemade cookbook filled with recipes and family stories, it changes her outlook on life. This tender story is richly told with a tenderness that will tug at your heart. And it comes with a bonus: some delicious family recipes!
When Sea Becomes Sky, by Gillan McDunn, is a richly told story with two siblings, Bex and Davey, and their strong bond as well as a mystery and life in a North Carolina coastal town. When low rainfall exposes a mysterious statue in a waterway, both siblings set out to solve the mystery. There’s also a new bridge being built which affects the natural habitat. The lyrical storyline is beautifully written with wonderful character building and descriptive settings, making this a perfect read-out-loud for the entire family.
