JEWISH
M.C. Millman has has written several good Jewish children’s and young adult books, including Too Tough to Care and Mastermind. Mrs. Millman wrote some of the books in the excellent Cheery Bim Band series, which is one of the few Jewish series geared to boys. Realistic fiction.
The Savta Simcha series is a good read-aloud for 1st or 2nd grade, and conveys a love for Yiddishkeit and Eretz Yisroel. Fantasy.
The Adventures of K’tonton;: A little Jewish Tom Thumb
by Sadie Rose Weilerstein — if you can find it — written in the 30’s or 40’s. An excellent read-aloud for ages 4 – 7 or a read-alone for older childen. There are used copies on Amazon. Fantasy.
Chaimkel the Dreamer by Meir Uri Gottesman. Ages 8-12. Like Rabbi Gottesman’s books for adults, this is realistic fiction with fantasy elements.
That’s Me, Tzviki Green by Chaim Walder. Realistic fiction, set in the 80’s in Israel and America. Upper elementary grades.
SECULAR
The Wizard of Oz series by L. Frank Baum — all 14 books are still in print about 100 years after they were written. Although many of the main characters are girls, my sons loved this series. Chapter books, good read-alouds for younger children, reading level about 4th grade. Fantasy.
Caddie Woodlawn, and Magical Melons, by Carol Ryrie Brink. What Little House on the Prairie might have been if Laura Ingalls had been a real tomboy. Realistic fiction.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. Upper elemenatry grades. Fantasy. Also Tolkien’s more difficult epic fantasy series, Lord of the Rings, but perhaps a bit difficult for elementary age.
James and the Giant Peach, and The BFG, by Roald Dahl. Fantasies.