Author: Chris Van Allsburg
Illustrator: Chris Van Allsburg Genre: Fantasy Copyright: 1985 Reading Level: 2 Interest Level: Prek-2 Summary: When Christmas Eve, a boy finds a train mysteriously outside his house. He boards the train in pursuit to meet Santa Clause at the North Pole and be chosen for the first gift of Christmas. Picture Book Theme: Imagination, Innocence, Childhood, Believing Topic: Youth Good Read Aloud Author: Maurice Sendak
Illustrator: Maurice Sendak Genre: Fantasy Copyright: 1963 Reading Level: Prek-1 Interest Level: Prek-5 Summary: When Max puts on his wolf suit and creates mischief, his mom sends him to bed with no supper. But Max isn't scared , instead he tames the wild things and they make him their king. Picture Book Theme: Imagination Topic: Youth Good Read Aloud Author: Neil Gaiman
Illustrator: Dave McKean Genre: Dark Fantasy Copyright: 2002 Reading Level: 6-8 Interest Level: 4-8 Summary: Caroline Jones finds a doorway to a parallel, sinister otherworld inside her new home, and must battle the evil "Other Mother" who lives there to secure her family's safety. Chapter Book Theme: Home, Courage, Appreciating what you have Topic: Youth Good Read Aloud Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett
Illustrator: Inga Moore Genre: Classic Children's Literature Copyright: 1911 Reading Level: 3-5, 6-8 Interest Level: 3-8 Summary: Mary lived in India with her family until the epidemic left her orpahaned. She is a miserable little 10 year old girl who is moved to a Yorkshire estate. This is when she starts to make friends and they find the secret garden and its powers. Chapter Book Theme: Healing Topic: Youth Good Read Aloud Author: Lewis Carroll
Illustrator: John Tenniel Genre: Fantasy Copyright: 1865 Reading Level: 6-8 Interest Level: 3-8 Summary: This book tells a story of a young girl named Alice that finds herself falling through a rabbit hole into a fantasy land filled with peculiar creatures. Chapter Book Theme: Magic, Curiosity, Youth Topic: Youth Good Read Aloud Author: C. S. Lewis
Illustrator: Pauline Baynes Genre: Fantasy Copyright: 1950 Reading Level: 3-5 Interest Level: 3-8 Summary: Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie are four siblings sent to live in the country with Professor Kirke during WWII. The children explore the house on a rainy day and Lucy, the youngest, finds and enormous wardrobe. Lucy steps inside and finds herself in a strange, snowy wood named Narnia. Chapter Book Theme: Good vs. Evil, Courage, Magic Topic: Youth Good Read Aloud Author: Mary Pope Osbourne
Genre: Sal Mudocca Copyright: 1999 Reading Level: 3-5 Interest Level: 1-5 Summary: When Jack and Annie wake up from the rain hitting the window, they believe it's calling them to their magic treehouse. When they are brought back to April 14th, 1912, they find themselves stranded on the "Unsinkable Ship". Chapter Book Lesson: Taking risk can actually be a good thing Topic: Youth Not a Good Read Aloud Author: J. K. Rowling
Genre: Fantasy Copyright: 1998 Reading Level: 3-5 Interest Level: 3-12 Summary: This is the second book of the Harry Potter series. A mysterious elf tells Harry that he should expect trouble at Horwarts during his second year. However, Harry didn't expect flying cars, spiders, and warnings written in blood. Chapter Book Theme: Good vs. Evil, Bravery Topic: Youth Good Read Aloud Author: J. K. Rowling
Genre: Fantasy Copyright: 1998 Reading Level: 3-5 Interest Level: 3-12 Summary: Harry Potter, a young boy lives with is terrible aunt, uncle, and cousin when he gets an acceptance letter to Hogwarts, a school for magic. Harry embarks on dangerous adventures with his friends. Chapter Book Theme: Good vs. Evil, Bravery Topic: Youth Good Read Aloud Author: Ludwig Bemelmans
Illustrator: Ludwig Bemelmans Genre: Realistic Fiction Copyright: 1939 Reading Level: K-2 Interest Level: K-2 Summary: Madeline is the smallest of the girls. She is seven and the only redhead. She is the bravest and most daring girls. She gives Miss Clavel a headache as she goes around the city doing all sorts of antics. Picture Book Theme: Daily Life Topic: Youth Good Read Aloud Author: Roald Dahl
Illustrator: Quentin Blake Genre: Fantasy Copyright: 1988 Reading Level: 3-5 Interest Level: 3-8 Summary Matilda is a little genius in a bad situation. Her parents are mean, her dad is a fraud, and her home life just stinks. Except she has powers that could ultimately help her change her circumstances. Chapter Book Theme: Good triumphs over evil Topic: Youth Good Read Aloud Author: Lois Lowry
Genre: Fantasy Copyright: 1993 Reading Level: 6 Interest Level: 6-12 Summary: 12 year old Jonas lives in a world controlled by the the Elders traditions and rules. He is named as the Receiver where he mist receive memories of the world from the Giver. Chapter Book Theme: Knowledge, Curiosity Topic: Youth Good Read Aloud Author: Crockett Johnson
Illustrator: Crocket Johnson Genre: Fantasy Copyright: 1955 Reading Level: 1-2 Interest Level: Prek-2 Summary: Harold, a four year old boy, is a bit curious. He has the power to, with his special purple crayon, draw a world he wants to explore. Picture Book Theme: Youth, Curiosity Topic: Curiosity Good Read Aloud Author: Ezra Jack Keats
Illustrator: Ezra Jack Keats Genre: Realistic Fiction Copyright: 1962 Reading Level: Prek-1 Interest Level: Prek-3 Summary: Peter wakes up to the season's first snowfall. He jumps into his red jumpsuit and goes on an adventure in the snow. Picture Book Theme: Innocence of childhood Topic: Youth Good Read Aloud |