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Please recommend fiction books suitable for younger children (up to age 12) here. I’d prefer books that have Jewish subjects, or secular books that you consider appropriate for this group. I’m especially interested in books that are fun to read aloud to children in the 5-10 age range, but I’d also like to hear your recommendations for books for younger children, or books that kids might like to read themselves.
This is a continuation of my conversation with ICOT in another thread, but I’m interested in everyone’s opinions.
amelia badelia!!! always loved that series!!!!!
try the andrew clements books. his books are unbelievable. very clean and they really have a point to them. every single one has a lesson. i’m ___ years old and I still love reading them!
anon for this-
You beat me to the “new thread” creation.
My would-be-thread request was:
Please list books you would recommend for children.
The following info should be included:
-Secular or Frum (i.e. Marcus Lehman, Chaim Walder, Hanoch Teller, etc.)
-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Historical Fiction, Etc.
-Funny, Adventure, Mystery, Etc.
-Approximate Age / Grade Level
-For Boys, Girls, or Either
-Separate Stories or Chapter Book
-Any Other Info You Think May Be Useful
Moderator-
No need to create my thread (obviously).
Are you talking about picture books or chapter books?
DISCLAIMER: the books listed in this thread are not necessarily endorsed by
YW Editor or the Moderators unless recommended by either the Editor or one of the Moderators
YW Moderator-86
-Funny and smartly written.
-Very suitable for read-aloud to kids, both boys and girls.
-Cautionary notes: The boys are not Jewish, and their religion is mentioned in some stories. There are one or two stories that small kids might find scary.
-Individual stories can be skipped without hurting the continuity of the book.
-Overall, highly recommended.
-Amusing, interesting and touching true stories sent to Chaim Walder by kids, recounting stories that happened to them.
-Yeshivish families should have no problems with any of the stories.
-Many of the stories provide valuable lessons about the importance of kindness, trust, and honesty. Some of the stories describe the damage that can be done when good midos are not practiced. The books well written, interesting, and are not at all preachy.
In my opinion, some stories should be mandatory in elementary school yeshivos.
-Cautionary notes: Not all stories have a happy ending. Parents should read the stories first before reading them to small kids.
-Highly recommended.
3) Any Dr. Seuss Book.
-Wildly imaginative and entertaining.
Bli Neder, much more to come.
Picture books: Chrysantemum, Mop Top, Corduroy, A Pocket for Corduroy, The Mitten
Grades 2-4: Nate the Great series, Cam Jansen series, Amelia Bedelia books
Grades 4-6: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, books by Andrew Clements,
savta simcha is still a big hit im my house…for pre school boys the yossi and laibel series.. by times for older girls, kids speak, chocolate fever, pippi longstocking. i think it would help if u were a little more specific ie: boys girls ages and genre. but as long as it’s read by you i dont think your kids would mind if it was a take out menu
anon for this-
Thank you.
I’ll agree to “more long winded”.
To continue:
4) Curious George (the original books).
-Trivia – Did you know that Margaret and H. A. Rey escaped on bicycles at the start of WWII?
Rabbi Yoselman Of Rosheim
-This powerful historical novel, rich with color and amazing detail, tells the story of the famed Rabbi Yoselman of Rosheim, great champion of the Jewish people during the first half of the sixteenth century.
-Several different stories within the book.
Out Of The Depths
-By the mid-nineteenth century, many wealthy European Jewish families, lured by new-found political freedom and riches, had abandoned the Torah way of life in favor of high society. When Edward Lindenstein, the arrogant and frivolous scion of one such family, married Minna, a religious girl, there were bound to be difficulties. This enthralling novelette traces Edward and Minnas shifting fortunes from the capitals of Europe to the far-flung shores of Africa and South America. A tale of greed, deceit, piracy on the high seas, and the ultimate triumph of faith.
-Cautionary note: May be scary to younger kids.
6) M for Mischief by Richard Parker
-A very funny story about the adventures and misadventures of a brother and two sisters who discover a magic oven and attempt to cook various recipes on it with unexpected results.
-Type: secular, funny, adventure, magic.
-Chapter book
-Cautionary note: none that I can remember
7) Harry the Dirty Dog (series) by by Gene Zion
(the following is cut-and-pasted from Amazon):
“Harry was a white dog with black spots who liked everything, except getting a bath.” Taking matters into his own paws, he buries his family’s scrubbing brush in the backyard and runs away from home before they can wrangle him into the tub. Harry gets dirty playing in the street, dirtier at the railroad, and dirtier still playing tag with the other dogs. When sliding down the coal chute, he actually changes from a white dog with black spots to a black dog with white spots! Of course, by the time he gets home he is completely unrecognizable to his family–even when he does all his clever flip-flopping tricks. In a stroke of doggy genius, he unearths the bath brush, begs for a bath, and the rest is history. Youngsters will completely relate to the urge to rebel, the thrill of getting dirty, and, finally, the reassurance of family. Gene Zion and Margaret Bloy Graham’s Harry the Dirty Dog, first published in 1956 and now rereleased with splashes of color added by the artist herself, is one of those picture books that children never forget. (Ages 3 to 8)
-For younger kids (picture book)
-Cautionary notes: None.
8) The Devil’s Storybook and The Devil’s Other Storybook by Natalie Babbitt.
-Several funny and imaginative short stories about the lazy and conniving Devil and how he tries to trick humans into doing his work for him. Sometimes he wins, sometimes he loses.
-Type: secular, funny, magic.
-Several short stories in each book.
Bli Neder, much more to come (but that’s all for tonight).
camm jansen, perhaps?
Warning: she wears pants!
Harry Potter … don’t everybody get up and yell at me, but they were masterfully written and extremely entertaining
For Fantasy lovers – the Inheretance cycle (Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr)
Andrew clements is a classic, as are Encyclopedia Brown, Hardy Boys etc.
Or my all time favourite, Maurice Sendaks books (lol … he wrote “where the wild things” are and “Pierre, the boy who didn’t care.”)
Dr. Seuss too
moderator-
I thought I submitted this before. If so, please don’t double post. If editing is needed for content removal, please feel free.
anon for this-
Thank you.
I’ll agree to “more long winded”.
To continue:
4) Curious George (the original books).
-Trivia – Did you know that authors Margaret and H. A. Rey escaped on bicycles at the start of WWII?
Rabbi Yoselman Of Rosheim
-This powerful historical novel, rich with color and amazing detail, tells the story of the famed Rabbi Yoselman of Rosheim, great champion of the Jewish people during the first half of the sixteenth century.
-Several different stories within the book.
Out Of The Depths
-By the mid-nineteenth century, many wealthy European Jewish families, lured by new-found political freedom and riches, had abandoned the Torah way of life in favor of high society. When Edward Lindenstein, the arrogant and frivolous scion of one such family, married Minna, a religious girl, there were bound to be difficulties. This enthralling novelette traces Edward and Minnas shifting fortunes from the capitals of Europe to the far-flung shores of Africa and South America. A tale of greed, deceit, piracy on the high seas, and the ultimate triumph of faith.
-Cautionary note: May be scary to younger kids.
6) M for Mischief by Richard Parker
-A very funny story about the adventures and misadventures of a brother and two sisters who discover a magic oven and attempt to cook various recipes on it with unexpected results.
-Type: secular, funny, adventure, magic.
-Chapter book
-Cautionary note: none that I can remember
7) Harry the Dirty Dog (series) by Gene Zion
(the following is cut-and-pasted from Amazon):
“Harry was a white dog with black spots who liked everything, except getting a bath.” Taking matters into his own paws, he buries his family’s scrubbing brush in the backyard and runs away from home before they can wrangle him into the tub. Harry gets dirty playing in the street, dirtier at the railroad, and dirtier still playing tag with the other dogs. When sliding down the coal chute, he actually changes from a white dog with black spots to a black dog with white spots! Of course, by the time he gets home he is completely unrecognizable to his family–even when he does all his clever flip-flopping tricks. In a stroke of doggy genius, he unearths the bath brush, begs for a bath, and the rest is history. Youngsters will completely relate to the urge to rebel, the thrill of getting dirty, and, finally, the reassurance of family. Gene Zion and Margaret Bloy Graham’s Harry the Dirty Dog, first published in 1956 and now rereleased with splashes of color added by the artist herself, is one of those picture books that children never forget. (Ages 3 to 8)
-For younger kids (picture book)
-Cautionary notes: None.
8) The Devil’s Storybook and The Devil’s Other Storybook by Natalie Babbitt.
-Several funny and imaginative short stories about the lazy and conniving Devil and how he tries to trick humans into doing his work for him. Sometimes he wins, sometimes he loses.
-Type: secular, funny, magic.
-Several short stories in each book.
For boys: The Cheery Bim Band Series.
For girls: The Bakers Dozen Series.
Also: Chaim Walder’s Kids speak books as well as Rabbi Juravel’s books.
bakers dozen, by times, brookville cc, cherry bin ban, gemarakup, brookshire bike club(spellled wrong-im sure)regards from camp, and there are tonz more thats all i can think of off the top of my head-there all good frum books for kids 3rd and 4th grade(maybe a little younger or older)
How about the Junie B. Jones series?
No need to specify gender. I loved the Yossi and Laibel books when I was young, and my brother read Junie B. Jones.
I also read the entire Matt Christopher series. The target audience is, again, elementary school boys, but I discovered his books in third grade and fell in love with them. Obviously, the author is not Jewish, but there is nothing about religion in the series; the books are all about sports.
How about the Dov Dov series? The stories are satisfying and short. So one is enough per night, giving a nice lesson and enjoyable.
Little house on the prairie-it’s a whole series.
Anne of Green Gables, the first book.
The Five Find Outers by Enid Blyton. A must read for kids 7-12 approx really really good.
For older kids Harry Potter, but only the first 4 books…
I love Little House on the Prairie!
I also recommend the Chronicles of Narnia, but you may want to investigate how the series came about before making a final decision.
I dont like the Junie B Jones books because I dont think Junie B speaks very nicely. I personally would prefer to keep that kind of language out of books for kids that age.
For little kids (toddler and pre-school), I’d recommend Sandra Boynton and Richard Scarry books. Both authors are entertaining for the parents to read over and over and over and Richard Scarry puts so much detail into his pictures that almost a year after getting one of his books, we’re still finding new things.
One of the Jewish weeklies mentioned a school in the midwest that has an extensive list of approved secular books. Maybe someone has contact info.
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.
I read wayside school quite a few times. I enjoyed them but at the same time found them to be a bit queer; in fact a bit spooky if you ask me.
the Betsy -Tacy series by maud hart lovelace are really nice and sweet and fun . I also really like all the little house books.
Robert Munch’s books are VERY enjoyable for kids of all ages!
Secular Books:
Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
Picture books for young kids.
Nothing objectionable.
Recommended
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
and its sequel
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl
The adventures of Charlie in the chocolate factory and then in a glass elevator / spaceship owned by an eccentric and magical man.
Chapter books.
Cautionary notes: some parts may be scary for young children.
Recommended
Pippi Longstocking Series
and
Bill Bergson Series by Astrid Lindgren
Pippi Longstocking is a well-known series about the adventures of an independent little girl who lives on her own, her two friends, and her father who occasionally drops in on her.
The Bill Bergson series is actually much better, but never made it as big in the U.S. and may be difficult to get, since it has been out of print in a while.
Bill Bergson is a boy who with his two friends has many adventures.
Cautionary notes: some parts may be slightly scary for very young children. Some very yeshivish parents may not like these books.
Both recommended.
Beverly Cleary books.
Chapter books.
You can get used copies of 15 to 20 of her books at a time on Ebay relatively cheaply.
Recommended
Time at the Top
and its sequel
All In Good Time by Edward Ormondroyd
Time Travel / Adventure.
Chapter books
A young widow and her two children travel back in time via a magic elevator.
Fascinating stories with satisfying conclusions.
Cautionary notes: none
Highly recommended
Encyclopedia Brown series by Donald J. Sobol
Collections of short stories, where the boy detective hero has to use clues to figure out whodunit and/or prove the guilty party.
Some stories have not aged well, but overall fun for kids to read and try to figure out.
Cautionary notes: none
Recommended
Lewis Sachar books.
All of his books are well-written.
Chapter books for 8-14 year-olds.
Cautionary notes: Parents may want to read the books first, just to make sure they are suitable for their kids.
Recommended
Matt Christopher books.
Somewhat dated, but still good for sports-loving kids.
Cautionary notes: none.
Recommended for sports fans.
The White Mountains series by John Christopher
Chapter books.
Science-fiction / adventure.
Post-apocalyptic world controlled by aliens who patrol the earth in huge machines.
Highly recommended
Babar Series by Jean de Brunhoff and his family
Picture books.
The adventures of the elephant king.
Cautionary notes: very small kids may be scared by the evil rhinos, and the accidental death of the old king.
Highly recommended
Chapter books.
British adventure / detection series involving a group of five kids.
Recommended for kids who like this genre.
Richard Scarry books.
Oversize picture books with well drawn and memorable characters and stories.
Cautionary notes: none
Highly Recommended for small kids
The Wizard of Oz series by L. Frank Baum
Chapter books.
Adventure / magic.
This series is best read in order.
Can be read aloud to children of all ages.
Cautionary notes: none
Highly Recommended
James and the Giant Peach
Chapter book.
Adventure / magic / offbeat.
The adventures of James on his journey with oversized bugs in a massive peach.
Recommended
Jewish Books:
The Adventures of K’tonton
Recommended.
Dov Dov stories by Yona Weinberg.
Entertaining series of story books, usually with lessons / morals, for younger kids.
Recommended
Gershon Kranzler books.
The Secret Code and Other Stories for Boys
Seder in Herlin and Other Stories for Girls
Short adventure story books.
These were among my favorites as a kid.
Cautionary notes: some stories may be mildly scary for little kids.
Recommended
Talks and Tales.
Recommended, if you can find any.
Light.
Recommended, if you can find any.
The Complete Story of Tishrei by Nissan Mindel
Short stories.
Very well-written short stories related to the month of Tishrei.
Cautionary notes: some stories may be mildly scary for little kids, such as the story of Rav Amnon and the writing of Unisaneh Tokef.
Recommended
Chapter book.
Historical fiction
A young Jewish boy joins a group of partisans in WWII.
Cautionary notes: can be frightening for kids.
Recommended
Friedrich by Hans Peter Richter.
Chapter book.
Historical fiction
A young Jewish boy, swept up in the anti-Semitism of WWII, told from the perspective of a non-Jewish friend.
Recommended for older kids.
(the surface has barely been scratched)
I find Robert Munch’s books are very silly in my opinion. There is no lesson to them, the themes are pointless, most of time the characters are very chutzpadik and the language is not the best either. Someone sent me 5 of his books for a present. I started reading them as I always do before I read anything to the kids, and I decided to hide them. Read it in the bookstore before you decide to bring it home.
mommish – I read The Lord of the Rings series when I was 12 years old, and loved it!
Also:
Bruno & Boots series by Gordon Korman
Chapter books
Fiction
Not a Jewish author
“I read The Lord of the Rings series when I was 12 years old, and loved it!
Also:”
And understood it? You’re pretty clever…
Feif Un – I love Bruno and Boots!!!
noitallmr – I read John Grisham and Stephen King books at 9 and understood them. At 12, kids have full comprehension. I am however impressed by his stamina!
SJSinNYC: you read John Grisham books when you were 9 and understood them??????????? Wow!!!!
My all time favorites authors were Andrew Clements(frindle, The Report Card, The Landry News and I think there are like 3 other ones.) and Gordon Kormon(Camp I Wanna Go Home?)
I don’t know if the themes are within Jewish Hashkafa….but the books are really funny!
Best Dr. Seuss book ever,
I had trouble in getting to solla-sollew!!
That said, why not stir up some controversy.
I’ve heard it said in the name of R’ Ya’akov Kamenetzky Ztz”l that one should not read nor allow their children to read fiction books, because all you are doing is pumping sheker into your brain.
Anyone have any info on this? Specifically, does it apply even if the book teaches an important lesson? (Like the aforementioned Dr. Seuss book)
Additionally, R’ Bentzion Abba Shaul Ztz”l held that fiction books are “muktza machmas gufo” on shabbos.
I’m assuming that if there is a lesson in the book he would be maikel.
Anyone?
notpashut-
The yeshivos and bais yakovs that my wife, my kids and I went to / go to assign reading and take library trips.
I am (obviously) a nogeiah bedovor, and hope the above statement is not perceived as chutzpa toward the two gedolim you mentioned.
I would not call this “stir(ring) up some controversy”, but asking a legitimate question.
thinkinghelps, I was an advanced reader. My sisters (5 and 7 years older) asked me to get them from the library for them. Once I took them out, I read them and loved them! I especially love the firm.
Notpashut, I never heard anything like that, but I bet you arent surprised 🙂
I can only try:
Just to clarify, your schools and Rabbonim allow all of the aforementioned books in this thread (or at least all the ones you mentioned/recommended)?
Thanks
the broken bracelet. from 5th grade and up.
one fish two fish. Dr. Seuss at his finest.
Doc-
Although many of them were on “recommended” lists sent home from school, my recommendations are mine alone.
(I assume that was a rhetorical question).
The cautionary info will hopefully be helpful to those who are OK with books in general, but may be concerned about particular aspects.
notpashut- Is that fiction or do you mean fantasy?
what about avner gold historical fiction. i think they are great he just came out with another book last week
notpashut-
Doc-
If either you or someone else would like to start a thread about halachik and hashkafadik issues concerning books – fiction, non-fiction, Jewish, secular, genres, and so on I would be interested in hearing what people have to say.
Among the topics can be:
-Do any yeshivos or bais yakovs not allow books of any type (secular or otherwise) to be read?
-Any specific Shabbos and Yom tov restrictions?
-Etc.
Mekoros appreciated, if possible.
A request: If you would like to continue a discussion in this vein, please begin a new thread.
Parents:
It occured to me that Doc’s question may not have been rhetorical.
Please – if you have any question whatsoever about a book, check it yourself before OKing it for your kids. My reccomendations are made in good faith, and to the best of my recollection, but I may have missed something, as well as the fact that I am certainly not qualified to be a “book mashgiach”, with my word being the final OK/NOK.
Sjs,
Not surprised 🙂
ICOT,
I think for obvious reasons it should stay on this thread.
BS”D
I think that the collected pronouncements of the self appointed Neturei (Ku Klutz) Karta spokesmen would make great fiction for young children, because no one else would take them seriously.
There is a great series of books with titles like:
Mirel Meets the Mishmeres Hatznius
The Skila Seesaw
The Sreyfa Sled
Gimpel and Groinem Visit Federal Koilel
but I forget where you can find them.
hmmm..on Sunday morning we say Al Hanissim….so that means Purim is coming????
Notpashut, please explain. Your reasons are not so “obvious” to everyone.
Jf02
Well, if this is the thread where everyone is reccomending these books & some people may have some information as to why some Rabbonim may feel that one should not not expose their children to such books, it would seem obvious that the information should be presented within this thread.
Sorry for the run-on sentence. 🙂
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