Must Read Classic Books for Middle School

This month we’ve been talking about how to choose classic books to read aloud to different ages of kids. To finish up the month, I’m going to:

• answer the question, why read aloud to older kids, anyway?
• add one more list-this one is must read classic books for middle school and up

But first, please ✨add sparkle and fun✨ with art and stories to your school or after-school learning this year!

❇️ Online classes are ready whenever it fits your schedule and can add fun to your learning! Find out more here about quick and easy monthly Art Club, and here for our step- by-step Drawing For Kids course. 

Reading aloud is great, but why should you still read aloud to kids who can read it to themselves? By the way, when I mention reading aloud, listening to audiobooks counts, too! 

Reading aloud to middle school students and teens can:

-draw reluctant readers into a great story. Try reading the first few chapters aloud, and then leaving the book on a table for them to pick up and finish once they are “hooked” on the story. Our brains are wired to be curious to what happens next.

-model great expression and fluency, increasing comprehension 

-open up discussions on difficult topics

 -increase vocabulary

-create a closer bond by creating a shared experience between the reader and the listener

Forming kids’ character begins with a really engaging story that will inspire discussion in real life,  and may even become part of your family’s culture in that you quote these books and compare them to situations you find yourselves in. With characters from chapter books, children have many more teachers in their lives--they learn from Aslan through C.S. Lewis,  from Bilbo Baggins through JRR Tolkien, and from Brother Andrew.

This week’s must read classic books may contain themes that are for slightly older kids, (middle school aged and up) though younger kids can appreciate them, too. Middle school aged kids can enjoy the read aloud experience, just like their younger selves did. The key is to find (surprise!) a really gripping story they are interested in. I’ve said it before, but if the story doesn’t hold either the reader or the listener’s interest, put it down and try a different book. 
Here are some classic chapter book read alouds my own family or middle school aged kids I’ve known have enjoyed- it's not too early to get these for your kids for Christmas!

1. Follow My Leader by James B. Garfield
2. The Chronicles of Narnia (again)-it just gets better and better the older you are
3. Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
4. My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
5. Cheaper by the Dozen and Belles on their Toes by Frank Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
6. God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew
7. Freckles by Gene Stratton Porter
8. The Hobbit ( and the entire Lord of the Rings series) by JRR Tolkien
9. Seven Daughters and Seven Sons by Barbara Cohen
10. Johnny Tremaine by Esther Forbes
11. The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
12. The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff
13. Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling-these, as with the Little House Books and Narnia books, touch on more mature themes as the series goes on
14. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
15. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

One more thing: if you need more inspiration, check out Cultivating Readers, a website/IG account written by my friend Michelle Leichty. She's reviewed lots more books for middle grade readers!

Have a great new school year filled with creativity and reading!

Jennifer

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