Making A Reading List
I love making a reading list – whether it is for my kids, or for me. Part of the enjoyment might be knowing that the reading list will also become a shopping list. (And that being because of the decline in the accessibility of the modern library). But also, as a choleric, I like lists that I can check off. Finishing a series of books is enjoyable for the sake of reading, and for the sake of the accomplishment.
When making a reading list for homeschool, there are a couple things to consider.
- Purpose of the Reading
- history education
- other topical learning
- exploring language
- and/or enjoyment
- Reading Level of Reader
- Books below level increase reading fluency and enjoyment
- Books at level work on skill of reading
- Books above level provide exposure to greater vocabulary
- consider audio-books or you reading aloud books beyond reading level
Homeschool Reading Lists
For our homeschool, we are going to use two reading lists for each year. One is a reading list that coincides with the history we are studying. This list will vary in reading level throughout the year, and is the focus of our literary studies. I am not quite finished deciding on the order of books for this list so I am unable to share it this week. (Perhaps soon!).
The second list is for the growth in reading ability of my reading children. This list is more about reading level, with some consideration of grade/age in terms of interest in the topic. For this list I also make sure we include some books with older/antiquated English language. Exposure to older language and phrasing from an early age helps build comfort reading older stories and will help make classics more comfortable later on.
Note: We do not necessarily read all the books from one level before moving on to the next level’s list. Books that are missed may be provided as options for the child to read during free time. Sometimes we will skip a book if it is uninteresting to the child. It can always be brought back later.
My booklist is compiled from various sources. Books I haven’t read or obtained yet will include an asterisk (*)
(a) recommended in Before Austen Comes Aesop: The Children’s Great Books and How to Experience Them
(b) Robinson Curriculum book
Also note the McGuffy Readers are available for free as PDFs, and are useful for their sections teaching the child how to read cursive writing. Which is our main reason for including them.
Level 1: K-1 Reading List – Beginning to Read Level
Beginner Phonics: Bob’s Books, Little Angel Reader A and B, (b) McGuffy’s Primer
(b) McGuffy’s First Reader
Aesop’s Fables
* (a) The Child’s New Play-Thing: Being a Spelling-Book Intended to Make the Learning to Read, a Diversion Instead of a Task
*(a) Tommy Thumb’s Pretty Song Book
(optional) Magic Tree House (up to book 28) – Note: read with child to discus pagan mythology verses actual history. These books have a history of engaging young readers in a love of books.
(optional) Dragon Masters (I have read all the ones currently out as of June 2023 to moniter content. These books have engaging pictures and story for young kids. Great for rereading even)
Special Read Alouds/Audiobooks: The Hobbit, The [Green] Fairy book by Andrew Lang (and the other colour compilations).
Level 2: 1-2 Reading List
Little Angel Readers C and D
(b) McGuffy’s Second Reader
The Boxcar Children (Books 1-19)
(b) The Tale of Jolly Robin by Arthur Scott Bailey
The Tale of Solomon Owl by Arthur Scott Bailey
The Tale of Tommy Fox by Arthur Scott Bailey
The Tale of Benny Badger by Arthur Scott Bailey
Catholic Stories for Boys and Girls (I – IV)
*American Cardinal Reader Book 2
(b) 50 Famous Stories Retold
(optional) Magic Tree House books, Dragon Masters books, and additional Boxcar Children books, may be added here for padding.
Level 3: 2-3 Reading List
Classic Starts: 5 Little Peppers and How They Grew
Classic Starts: A Little Princess
Classic Starts: Heidi
Classic Starts: Swiss Family Robinson
*Classic Starts: Treasure Island
*Little House series (Little House on the Prairie, etc.)
Rebecca of Stonybrook Farm
* (a) Poems by Eugene Field
Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne
* (a) The Story of Babar by Jean de Brunoff
* (a) Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
* (a) Caps for Sale by Esphyr
Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl
* (a) Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
(b) Five Little Peppers and How They Grew (original)
(b) Five Little Peppers Midway
(b) Joel Pepper
(b) Ben Pepper
* (b) Heidi (original)
Level 4: 3-4 Reading List
Classic Starts: Pinoccio
Classic Starts: Around the World in 80 Days
Classic Starts: Peter Pan
*Classic Starts: Gulliver’s Travels
Charlotte’s Web
The Trumpet and the Swan
Father Brown Reader I
(b) McGuffy’s Third Reader
* (a) Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
* (a) Many Moons by James Thurber
* (a) Chronicles of Narnia
* (a) A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’ Engle
* (a) The Adventures of Pinocchio (original)
The Swiss Family Robinson (original)
The Jungle Book
(b) McGuffy’s Fourth Reader
Level 5: 4-5 Reading List
Father Brown Reader II
A Little Princess (original)
The Hobbit
* (a) The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exapery
* (a) Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski
* (a) The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
* (a) Pippi Longstocking
* (a)Tom’s Midnight Garden by Philipa Pearce
Level Six – 5th grade and up
(These are just a few recommendations to get started)
Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan
Merlin series by T. A. Barron
The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien
Gulliver’s Travels
* (b) Tom Sawyer
* (b)Treasure Island
The Byzantine Life
Thank you for checking out this week’s article! Let me know your book recommendations in the comments!
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