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Read Alouds by Katherine Sokolowski
The other day while relaxing at the pool, I sensed it – the feeling of summer slipping away, of August staring down at me, ready to descend. The end of summer brings about many things I enjoy: setting up my classroom, purchasing new school supplies, creating lessons, etc. There is one activity, however, that consumes me, fills up my days and nights, leaves me frustrated and unable to relax until I have found the answer…picking my first read aloud.
I am a huge proponent of read alouds in the classroom. Heck, I’m a huge fan of them in my house as well. I strongly believe every student should be read to, from the time they start kindergarten until they reach graduation. When teachers of older students tell me that their kids don’t enjoy read aloud, I disagree. I clearly remember during my senior year I had Hazel Lindsley as my teacher. When she assigned Macbeth, I tried my best to read it at home and got confused. Realizing many of us were struggling, she began reading it aloud instead. Mrs. Lindsley had a theater background and when she read Macbeth, you felt like you were transported. She brought that play to life.
After having taught over fifteen years, I count different read aloud experiences among the most memorable events in my classroom. My first class at Monticello taught me a unforgettable lesson – always read the book ahead of time. I had chosen Stone Fox. Oh gracious. Not to spoil anything for you, but as I read the book at the end of a certain chapter, the class gasped. My cousin, Morgan, was in that class. He got me a box of Kleenex and said I had to go on and finish it, I couldn’t leave them there. So we passed the box, sobbed, and finished the book.
There was the first class I read The Lightning Thief to. We followed Tony Keefer’s Google Map of the book, and also made our own. Some students decided to stay in for lunch recess to make a drawing of Camp Half Blood. Other students joined them. We had groups studying Greek Mythology for the rest of the year – comparing different myths and looking at how they linked to Roman myths.
Last year’s class got to be the first group to experience The One and Only Ivan. We followed the story of the ape at exit 8 with sadness in our hearts. Hoping and praying Ivan would find a way to save Ruby, and himself. We watched the ALA Youth Media awards together and when they got to the Newbery and said, “The One…” the entire room erupted in screams, applause, tears (mine), and joyous laughter.
Picking a read aloud is a big deal. I picked Wonder two years ago shortly after it came out because I knew that class needed Auggie. They were getting ready to head to the middle school the following year and were not always remembering to Choose Kind. Other books I’ve picked because I know we need to build confidence, or remember we aren’t alone, or just because we need to have fun.
While picking a read aloud is a big deal, picking the first read aloud can seem daunting. Franki Sibberson recently tweeted she was struggling to pick the first read aloud for her third graders. What followed was well over one hundred tweets in a thirty minute period of friends suggesting titles. Franki had a certain criteria – shorter, maybe something fun. She said she needed an easier read until she got to know this group of children, which makes complete sense to me.
My criteria this year is similar, even though I am in fifth. Last year I got bogged down in a long and slow book. So I am looking for some shorter books this year. Also, I know the group headed my way well. We need to do some character building through our read aloud, but also discover who we are as people, and have some fun too.
I know the first picture book I will read is Patricia MacLachlan’s What You Know First. I love this book and always end the year with it as well. We talk about what we bring with us to fifth grade and, in May, I’ll talk about what they are taking on to middle school, what I don’t want them to forget. As for what novel we’ll start with, I think we’ll stay with MacLachlan and read Journey. I think my kids will learn a lot from this quiet boy.
How about you? I’d love to hear what you are thinking of starting the year off with in the comments. Please share!
Katherine Sokolowski has taught for fourteen years and currently teaches fifth grade in Monticello, Illinois. She is passionate about reading both in her classroom and also with her two sons. You can find her online at http://readwriteandreflect.blogspot.com/ and on Twitter as @katsok.
Nerdy Book Club 
I always start the year off with my sixth graders by reading aloud Rikki Tikki Tavi. Not only is it a great story, but it allows me to talk about literary elements that will resonate the rest of the year. Plus, you know, it’s Rikki Tikki Tavi. ‘Nuff said.
🙂
Man, I love that book. I love just saying the title. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I always started the year with The House With a Clock in the Walls by Bellairs. In a school full of readers, it’s hard to find a book that someone hasn’t already read, but The House is so obscure, no one’s even seen it! It’s a great mystery. But it doesn’t have any redeeming or literary lessons to share. I am rethinking my choice for this year.
Wow, I’ve never heard of that one either. Adding it to my to read list. Sometimes I share a title with kids just for fun and because I love it. Go with what you enjoy. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I read this book during testing in March. After several hours of test taking we relax with this thrilling mystery. The kids love it!!
We’ve started reading Where the Mointain Meets tbe Moon by Grace Lin. Lots of character development. Plus students who know The Wizard of Oz can relate easily to Minli’s adventure to bring fortune to her family. The artwork is amazing.
The artwork is amazing, that book just stuns me. I also love the companion. Thanks for sharing!
One of my favorite picture books is WOLF by Becky Bloom. A reasonably short chapter book I love is HOW TO STEAL A DOG. This year, I’m going to try TWERP with sixth graders. And I definitely want to read THE FALSE PRINCE to a group!
I don’t know WOLF, but I LOVE How to Steal a Dog and The False Prince. Twerp is still on my to read shelf. Will have to remedy. Thanks for sharing!
I am teaching 7th grade next year. Any ideas for good read alouds?
So many – what are you looking for? I usually pick my read aloud based on a need I want to fill. I’m starting with Journey because the incoming class is in need of some reflection and character development. My former students who are in 7th have borrowed The False Prince from me and enjoyed it.
How about “Seventh Grade”?
My favorite read-aloud book with seventh graders used to be “The Last Book in the Universe” because it’s action packed and has a great message about the power of writing and remembering. Most students have never heard of it before, which is a bonus, too.
I am considering Patricia MacLachlan’s new book The Truth of Me: about a boy, his grandmother and a very good dog for our fourth grade classroom read aloud.
Brenda, I just read that one recently and LOVED it. What a beautiful book. Thanks for sharing!
I was loving this blog post and was planning on suggesting it to my friend Brenda…looks like she’s always a step ahead of me! Love it! I’m still in the throws of deciding…I think I need a somewhat quick read novel for this class, for now.
I always start my year off with The Pinballs. Funny and heartwarming. My 5th graders love it.
The Pinballs is beautiful. I didn’t read it until I was a 4th grade teacher and another teacher introduced it to me. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing your thinking on this. I teach 5th, too, and have been pondering read alouds as well. I always read picture books as mentor texts to get our writing workshop going at the beginning of the year. (I use What You Know First, but never thought of going back to it at the end of the year. Thanks for the idea.) I’ve struggled more with novels, but I’m thinking of starting with Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library this year because it is a fun read and a great jumping off point for talks about books and libraries.
I’m currently reading Mr. Lemoncello’s Library and am thinking of making it my read aloud after Journey. Glad to hear you enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing!
As Library Media Specialist, I have to pick SEVEN first read-alouds. We believe so strongly in the power of reading at my school that I read aloud to every class Preschool-4th during library.For older grades, the teacher and I may tag-team reading the same book to get through it faster, but I get to read to all of them. Best. Job.Ever. First book for Fourth has been chosen- Becoming Naomi Leon is a favorite of mine for so many reasons, and the new 4th grade teacher has not only read it but loves it for similar reasons :explorations of self and of family are rich and deep in this book – and of choosing kind…8-D
So cool! My librarian reads aloud to all of her classes as well. I love coming early just to hear her read. Becoming Naomi Leon is a beautiful book. Thanks for sharing!
I just purchased a new picture book yesterday–The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce. (It came out last fall after the short film it is based on won the Oscar) It is a beautiful book about reading and I am excited to try it! I used The Penderwicks for my 4th graders last year as our chapter book and they loved it!
Love this book! I am a librarian in a K-3 school and I am reading Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson. I have chosen this one for my 3rd graders.
Oh, The Penderwicks. I just love that series. And I purchased that picture book last year. What a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing!
I thought I knew what I was going to read, but there are so many great ideas here! I love The Islander by Cynthia Rylant. It is not well known. It’s a small book about a boy who thinks he sees a mermaid and he discovers the magical powers of the mermaid’s comb, a beautiful combination of realism and fantasy. I’ve gotten some wonderful response poetry from this read aloud.
Wow, I love Rylant and thought I knew all of her books. Off to find this one. Thanks for sharing!
I don’t know which grade level I’ll have for our literacy block yet. If I have 6th grade I’ll probably start with Wonder. It’s on our Battle of the Books list and I think it’s a must-read for students. If I have 7th or 8th grade, I’ll probably go with Jumping the Nail by Eve Bunting. It’s an older title but has appeal to both boys and girls. It also says a lot about peer pressure and there’s much room for discussion.
Sounds perfect. And Wonder – love! Thanks for sharing!
One of my first picture book read-alouds is always The North Star by Peter Reynolds. It is one that I like to start and end the year with as well. I teach gifted/talented students, and this year will have 3rd and 5th grades. This book is great for getting kids to think about the symbolism/ allegory and theme and sparks discussions about how everyone has a journey, but that we don’t all get there the same ways or use the same abilities and talents. It’s an important and fun beginning-of-the-year message.
Isn’t it fun to begin and end with the same book? I love circular things. 🙂
I teach 5th and last year we read Wonder first and I was thinking of doing it again. We also read Ivan, No Talking by Andrew Clements, The Sixth Grade Nickname Game by Gordon Korman, Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin, The Rumplestiltskin Problem by VandeVelde, Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli, One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt and Last Shot by John Feinstein.
Wonderful books – several I’ve shared in my own 5th grade class. I started with Wonder last year and it was amazing. It was an all-school read aloud so I’m not doing it this year since these kids already heard it.
I always start with Peter Reynolds’s books. Ish, The North Star, and The Dot, and then we celebrate Dot Day in mid-September. Then we’ll segue into this year’s Global Read Aloud, Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper. Last year I started with Wonder, and my kids loved it.
Love Peter Reynold’s books! I plan on celebrating Dot Day as well.
I enjoyed your article because like you, I spend tons of time figuring out what to read aloud each year! Wonder and Lighting Thief were both favorites in my sixth grade classroom last year. My students also loved Heaven is for Real, which I can read since I’m in a Catholic school. During the summer when I am reading young adult books, I am always assessing potential to be a good read-aloud! My summer discovery this year has been Legend by Marie Lu. However, I usually start out with A Dog Called Kitty by Bill Wallace; it is short so I can judge how well my new students pay attention, and it is easy for them to relate to if they have ever loved a pet. If I cry at the end, they can see how emotional a book can be. I will check out some of the titles you mentioned!
I love sharing a sad book with a class – they need to see books can touch us. So many have never had that experience with a book.
I am moving from fourth to third. In fourth I always start with Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. Every year it hooks reluctant readers with humor and personal connections. This year, I am clueless. @keenbeanedu
Third is hard! That is the level Franki was looking for a book for. Love Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing in 4th. Perfection!
I just finished “The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp” –it BEGS to be read aloud. (and from the department of self-promotion: “What Happened on Fox Street” was named a best read-aloud by Bank Street School!)
I love your book – it is a fabulous read aloud – as is the sequel. 🙂 And yes – True Blue Scouts would be perfection.
I am right there with you with this question! What novel will I begin with? I have a list that keeps changing: The One and Only Ivan, The Prince of the Pond by Donna Jo Napoli, Marty McGuire Digs Worms, The Small Adventures of Popeye and Elvis. I am also waiting for The Year of Billy Miller and think it will make my list. What will be first? Can I fit them all? Oh the questions! I have a Grade 3/4 class this year that I am looping from 2/3 Last year we loved Turtle in Paradise. I think all of these comments will make me have to add more titles to my list!
I am jealous – I looped one year and it was my favorite year of teaching ever. So much fun. And what fabulous books on your list!
I read What You Know first as a read aloud when I taught 2nd grade. This year I am back in fifth grade after teaching fourth and I think my fifth graders this year will enjoy that book. In previous years in fifth I have read Journey and I am looking forward to reading it to them in the beginning of the year. I short, but very powerful story about character.
Exactly. We need some character building asap, so I’m thinking Journey will be perfect!
I, too, have been starting the year with a light read-aloud. For the last two years, my first 5th grade choice has been Gary Paulsen’s LAWN BOY. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, surprising, and has great character voices. The guys really like it, but so do girls. Plus it leads to some good discussions about the stock market. 🙂
I hadn’t thought of LAWN BOY – that is a perfect choice. Humor, great voice, and short – which is key for me at the start of the year.
Looking for a new kick off read aloud myself. Two books I always read to my class are Sign of the Beaver and Misty of Chincoteague. Both have very special meaning for me and that connection transfers to my students. I like the idea of using the same book to open and close.
I love that you share a special book with your students. I think that is a powerful message.
I’m loving this discussion! Thank you everyone for your input. I’ve started with “The Watsons go to Birmingham” but am looking to switch it up. I was thinking of “Stargirl” or maybe “Schooled” for my new 6th graders because both are about being yourself. I personally enjoy adventure books and am also considering “Alabama Moon” and “The Great Wide Sea.” My first read aloud must be engaging and short; I want to finish the book quickly to get the students excited about reading for the year.
Yep, short is key. At the start of the year none of us have the attention spans that we will later. 🙂 Love the books you mentioned!
I am reading First Day Jitters and A Fine, Fine School on the first day. Then I will read some early readers. My first chapter book will be Roscoe Riley Rules. Then Marty McGuire for Global Read Aloud.
YAY for Marty! Love that girl. And love your picture books too.
Such a great topic. Then again, I love just about everything you write! Last year, a student pulled a copy of You Are Special from my library and informed me that someone had written in it. Upon reading it, I unsuccessfully fought back tears while explaining the concept of an inscription.
“Yvonne, this is for all the children you’ve made feel special over the years. Love, Pat”
While both of my mentors are now retired, each was instrumental in helping me become the teacher I am today. When I tried returning the book to Yvonne, she insisted it remain in my library as it bears a message all children need to hear. Thus, my year will begin and end letting students know that they are special and dots only stick if you let them.
That is so kind. Thanks, Jason! What a beautiful story to share with your students.
I always began the year with Charlotte’s Web when I taught third grade. The Tale of Despereaux was another read aloud favorite.
Catherine
Two amazing books. Thank you!
I didn’t want to leave without leaving a comment. I really enjoyed your post!! Unfortunately, I haven’t decided on my first read aloud yet. It has to be in Spanish and some of the newer PBs haven’t been translated yet. I love to translate from English, but then the kiddos can’t enjoy them as much because they can’t read English yet. [I always place my Read Alouds in a basket for my little ones to read from as a literacy center. And at the beginning of the year it’s mostly Spanish books that they gravitate to.] I will probably go with something I already have in my “Back to School” Read Aloud collection. Sandra 🙂
I hadn’t thought of the translation issue, glad you mentioned it. Love the idea of the read alouds as a literacy center. Thanks for sharing!
I love this posting and the discussion that follows – so many good ideas. As an elementary librarian, I try to to choose a library themed book for each grade level. It’s a fun place to start. My husband teaches fifth grade and he just said,”I can’t wait to start reading to kids again.” Thanks for all the ideas!!!!
I love that you choose a theme – that would be fun to work around in the library. And I’m with your husband – so ready to start sharing books.
I started my 5th grade last year with “Word After Word After Word” by Patricia MacLachlan. It was short and the kids enjoyed it. I then moved to “Wonder”, and my kids were hooked. Each day we would talk about what we knew about Augie – and try to picture him. It was the one book that my students told me I “had to” read to my students this year. I also read “Skellig”, “Black Ships Before Troy”, “The White Giraffe” and “A Long Walk to Water”. Most of the books went along with a unit we were studying.
This year my classroom is designed around Hogwarts, so I will probably begin with the first Harry Potter book. Although some of the kids have seen the movies, I’m finding that not many of them have read the books. I can’t wait to do the voices!
I think that is perfect. I try and hook more kids on the world of Harry Potter each year. They think the movies are enough – so wrong.
I always read a couple stories from Knucklehead by Jon Scieszka to my 6th graders. I pick the most outrageous ones…kids laugh and beg for more. In fact, that is the most requested read aloud all year! Not sure yet what else I’m going to read. I read Wonder aloud last year and the kids loved it so much. I would like to read just small parts of lots of different books at first so my students get an idea of good books in the classroom.
Knuckleheads is on my list for this year – what a perfect book!
What a fun discussion! I was just talking to my friend, Megan, about this today! I have the 4th graders I had last year back since I’m moving to 5th/6th grade, so I’ve already read Wonder, Capture the Flag, Bigger Than a Bread Box, Ivan, and MANY picture books to them. I used to always start with The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. I’d also love to try out False Prince for 6th grade since I loved the audio. I’m a little worried that it might be awfully long for the beginning of the year. Rump would be a lot of fun and good for the beginning of the year, and a 2013 book would be good since I’m running a Mock Newbery Club. I loved Every Day After. I’m going to read The True Blue Scouts and Mr. Lemoncello’s Library before school starts to see if those would work. So MANY CHOICES!
Many of the books you mentioned are ones I’m considering too. I’m currently reading Mr. Lemoncello’s Library and think it might be my 2nd read aloud.
I’ve been planning the first day’s read-alouds for my college courses! I like to do the first few pages of Speak with my Methods class for pre-service teachers. I usually read a short essay aloud to my Freshman Comp class, but binge reading picture books this summer has made me want to incorporate them into everything I teach, so will probably do Peter Reynolds’s The Dot and Ish along with Ralph Tells a Story on the first day. Not sure how college students will feel about having picture books read aloud to them on the first day, but I teach mostly reluctant writers, and I love the messages about creative work in these books.
Well, if it helps, I’d love it! I first heard Journey read aloud to me in my grad school Methods class for Elem Ed. 🙂
Katherine,
You are so right about the power of read aloud. Today I was at an EdCamp and some of us were chatting about the books that our 3rd/4th grade teachers read aloud. Those are the reading experiences kids remember – we all remembered those titles!
After a couple of weeks of picture books, my first chapter book of the year will also be a MacLachlan – a new one: White Fur Flying. And it’s relatively short!
Best wishes for a great start to your school year! Love that you begin and end the year with the same book!
Barb – I love White Fur Flying. Such a sweet and fun book. Best wishes to you too. Hope the year starts off wonderfully.
Just wondering if any of you read aloud non fiction? I read lots of non fiction last year and with the emphasis in the common core, I’ve been thinking about more non-fiction. I don’t think any of my students last year voluntarily read non-fiction. It was unusual.
I read a lot of non-fiction aloud, especially in the form of picture books and articles. My students tend to gravitate towards fiction, but will pick up non-fiction at times.
Thank you so much for this post. Amazing books. My only suggestions are long books, but really good books that move quickly: The Candy Makers by Maas and The Mysterious Benedict Society. Nothing short but great character development. Tell us what you ultimately choose!
The Candy Makers is amazing. My students last year loved any book Mass wrote. And The Mysterious Benedict Society is brilliant as well. Thanks!
When I taught sixth grade I always started of the year with Gossamer by Lois Lowry. We were doing some higher level inferencing right away with the first chapter and it really got my students thinking. It gave them a lot if confidence about their own thinking about reading and set my expectations high for what I knew they would accomplish during the school year. We always ended with The Pinballs by Betsy Byars bringing everything full circle. All read alouds in between we’re TBD!
Love your thinking on the start and end of the year – awesome. And The Pinballs is always a favorite.
I just finished reading Three Times Lucky, a mystery that would be a great read aloud for my sixth graders. It’s so clever and filled with great similes and figurative language. I found myself laughing aloud. It reminded me a bit of Sammy Keyes but toned down. No meth lab but there is a murder!! I also plan to read Wonder and The One and Only Ivan. So many books, so little time!!
All three are fabulous books. And I hear there is a sequel in the works, yay!
Sorry – a sequel to Three Times Lucky. 🙂
I teach fifth grade and always start the year with Barbara Parks’ Mick Harte Was Here. It ties in with bus/bike safety, but more importantly, EVERY YEAR I cry when I read the end, and that is one of my most important reading lessons ever. Good literature can make you cry. I also think it really makes an emotional connection between the students and me. I read How to Steal a Dog this summer and am definitely going to read that as well.
How to Steal a Dog is fabulous. And yes, I don’t know how you could read Mick Harte and not cry. What a book!
I LOVE reading aloud to my fifth graders. Confession-I never choose a read-aloud that I’ve read before. I check tons of reviews and ask my reader friends for input. There have been books that as a group we don’t love, and that makes for some great discussion, but there is something about sharing the experience for the first time with my students… I listen to the “chatter” and choose read-alouds throughout the year based on the interests of my class, current events, curriculum, or once in while, a favorite author poll. There is certainly no shortage of literature for anything we are looking for. As for the first read-aloud of the year- teacher’s choice. Usually something I didn’t get to during the summer.
Wanted to mention Steve Sheinkin for non-fiction ideas. Bomb is amazing and he has others that make history fascinating for young readers.
Bomb is fabulous and Lincoln’s Grave Robbers was also good. I live near Springfield, IL where he is buried, so kids were fascinated by it.
I will start with a new favorite Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Libraty. A goal of mine a few years back was to do new read alouds each year. Really changed things for the better…
Patrick, that is the book I’m reading now. I’m not very far in – just 15 pages or so, but have heard great things.
This is clearly a hot topic, yes? 🙂
As a 3rd grade teacher I choose easily lovable characters with humor and compassion to start our thinking about how to care about and for each other. My beginning and ending (and frequently middle) picture book is Memoirs of a Goldfish by Scillian and Bowers, and my first novel is Gooseberry Park by Cynthia Rylant. Both of these books immediately capture students and provide so much rich discussion about how we are each different as individuals, but are building our class family together. Oh my gosh, just writing this is getting me excited to share the books with my new friends this fall!
I haven’t heard of the Goldfish book before – looks hilarious. 🙂 And I love Rylant and Gooseberry Park as well.
I used to teach 5th grade. A sleeper of a book was an old book I found in a box. Not a beginning or end of year book but simply a beautiful story. “House of 60 Father’s.” War story about a boy in WWII China hiding from Japanese warriors and comes upon an American Base. (House of 60 Father’s)
Wow – I don’t know that one. Off to look it up. Thanks!
This fall I am teaching a block schedule of science and language arts. I am looking for recommendations for a read aloud that is appropriate for 6th grade but that also has a science fiction theme or genre . We are going to read “my teacher is an alien” so I am looking for new ones to add to my collection.
– Stumped and hopeful
What about Kate Messner’s Eye of the Storm? And she has a new one coming out – Wake Up Missing – that might fit as well.
What chapter book read alouds do you suggest for 2nd grade?
I have taught second grade for 14 years. I usually start the year with The Twits by Roald Dahl. It is short, funny and has gross parts so it will catch reluctant readers. Here are some chapter books that my students and I have enjoyed: Ghosthunters:Incredibly Revolting Ghost, Flat Stanley (and then do a geography project), Matilda, Ragweed or Poppy, Pippi Longstocking, BFG, Dominic, The Real Thief, Champ, Runt, Beryl:A Pig’s Tale, and George’s Marvelous Medicine. The class usually gets quite passionate about Runt. They even play it at recess (Ragweed, too).
I read aloud picture books and excerpts from short chapter books (F & NF) during lessons. During our interactive read aloud, I have chosen to use chapter books that are above student independent reading level.
Happy reading!
Thank you for the suggestions!
I have a suggestions: Oliver Buttersworth: The Enormous Egg. An oldie but a goodie.
I’m new to first grade…I’ve always taught 6th…in need of good read aloud books. Would love ideas. Thanks.
I am going to start the year with Wonder and follow with Fake Mustache. I am going to read Courage on the very first day.
Last year I had great success with The Phantom Tollbooth. The kids ate it up and it was wonderful for figurative language.
Thanks for the tip on What You Love First. I haven’t read it and I will check it out.
I teach high school honors and AP literature, and I still read aloud in class. I often have my students do the daily reading, but I love to read the action scenes when Polyphemus and Odysseus fight in The Odyssey. I am glad to see that reading aloud is still popular and supported!
Thank you to all for your ideas. I now have 10 books on my read aloud list. I teach a 5/6 multiage class and I would like to add Doll Bones (Holly Black), which I plan to read in October.
Out of My Mind – a great read aloud with a great message.
You all have got to add Clive Barker’s The Thief of Always to your read-aloud list for 6th or 7th. Its THE BEST READ ALOUD EVER. I’ve been reading it for YEARS and my kids always say it’s the best book they’ve ever read.