Little Red Riding Hood

Little Red Riding Hood is traveling on her own through the woods when a devious wolf convinces her to stray from the path. The wolf proceeds to eat her grandmother before Little Red can reach her. The young girl has to find a way to avoid being eaten herself!

This classic folk tale would be a great addition to any classroom. It could be used to teach a lesson about safety and "stranger danger" and its charming quality makes this book an excellent read aloud. I think this book would also work well for creative writing exercises because it is so well-known by most children.

 Hyman, T., & Grimm, J. (1983). Little Red Riding Hood. New York: Holiday House.

Where the Sidewalk Ends

This collection of hilarious, insightful, meaningful poems by Shel Silverstein is so perfect for any classroom. Whether the reader is learning of the importance of taking out the garbage or knowing how to do math with money, that reader will be laughing all through this book. It is a personal favorite of mine and I can't wait to someday share it with students.

 Silverstein, S. (1974). Where the sidewalk ends: The poems & drawings of Shel Silverstein. New York: Harper and Row.  

A Pizza the Size of the Sun

This collection of poems by Jack Prelutsky is perfect for an occasional read aloud and a place in any classroom library! His poems are humorous and fun.

 Prelutsky, J., & Stevenson, J. (1996). A pizza the size of the sun: Poems. New York: Greenwillow Books. 

Henry and the Paper Route

Henry is a young boy anxious to prove that he is responsible enough to have his very own paper route. He yearns to earn his own money and deliver papers around his neighborhood like the older boys do. Henry is given a glimpse into what it’s like to have a paper route when another boy has Henry cover his own route for the day. Henry must prove to his parents and potential boss that he can juggle schoolwork, family matters, a paper route, and the neighborhood pest Ramona Quimby. He does all of this and more in this charming story!

This book would make an outstanding addition to a classroom library. Ideally, the entire series would be included so students could become familiar with the collection. It is a wholesome, entertaining story that boys and girls alike can enjoy.

Cleary, B., & Darling, L. (1957). Henry and the paper route (Morrow eagle library ed.). New York: Morrow.

The Book Thief

Zusak, M. (2006). The book thief. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

This book would be appropriate for older classrooms. I, myself, read it in 8th grade and absolutely loved it at that time. However, the content is mature as is the reading level. I do not think students much younger than 7th or 8th grade would handle the book well. It could absolutely be used for a novel study or a read aloud. It is fantastic. 

The Book Thief is a fascinating piece of historical fiction told from death's point of view. It centers around a young girl, Liesel,  who loses her family to illness during World War II. She is taken in by an older couple who later also take in a Jewish young adult named Max. Max is in hiding because of the dangers surrounding the time period. This book follows Liesel through countless trying times as well as some genuine moments of youthful happiness. Zusak's words make the story come to life.