Firstly, if you LOVE a book then the children in your class will too.
Don’t be afraid to try reading a ‘new’ book to your class. If it is no good then tell the children why you are discarding it, and then start another book.
Year 6
Hatchet (Gary Paulsen)- excellent book to be read over a term. There are many books and websites associated with this book.
Holes (Loius Sachar) – This book is quite long and many of the children may already have seen the movie, so I didn’t find it the best book to read to the children. I won’t read it to a class again, but will recommend it for some advanced readers in Year 6.
Boy Overboard (Morris Gleitzman)- Excellent book. Many issues were able to be discussed. I would recommend many of his books for Year 6.
Boss of the Pool (Robin Klein) – The children loved this book. I’d suggest it could also be read to Year 5 children.
Bridge to Terabithia ( Katherine Paterson) – Make sure this book is not being studied by children at your local highschool first. Children from Year 5 upwards appreciate it, but it is best understood at the older ages.
The Cay ( Theodore Taylor) – Another Year 6 teacher I know loves reading this to the children and claims they get a lot out of it.
Boy in Striped Pyjamas (John Boyne) – I read this to my class one year and regretted it. The children did enjoy the book, however, it was so depressing. I will never read this to a class again.
The Silver Sword (Ian Serraillier)- Whenever I read this to myself I think it quite bland, but when I read it to a class of Year 6 children they LOVE it.
Best Mate (Michael Morpurgo) – I love Michael’s books. I read Private Peaceful and was hooked, but I can’t remember if this book is suitable for Year 6 children.
I have heard of some teachers trying to read Harry Potter and The Hobbit to primary school children. Harry Potter may be too long, and I’d leave The Hobbit, which is an excellent book, for high school.
Millions ( Frank Cottrell) – I think I will read this to the class, but I’ll have to read it again first, just to make sure it is good.
Pookie Aleera (Narrative poetry by Steven Herrick)- I recently read this to my Year 6 class for the first time. After each reading of a couple of pages I gave my class a choice of topics to write on, based on what we had just read. The children thirsted for this book and for the chance to write. It was amazing. I will read this book at the start of most years to get the kids hooked onto writing. I did focus on grammar but NOT punctuation and I ran separate punctuation lessons.
Year 5 – I have not taught this grade. My recommendations are based on what I have heard from other teachers.
The Reef (David Caddy)- It starts quite graphically, but this grabs in the kids. The ending is unusual and bound to generate comment. A wonderful book for year 5.
Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White) – Children of all ages love this story. I have heard of teachers reading this to children in Year 2, but I do recommend it for Year 5.
Rowan of Rin (Emily Rodda) – I read this book to my Year 4 class and they LOVED it. I know of a teacher who read it to her Year 5 class and said it was wonderful.
Fantastic Mr Fox (Roald Dahl) – A Year 5 teacher said the book was perfect for her class.
Boss of the Pool (Robin Klein) – The children loved this book in Year 6. I’d suggest it could also be read to Year 5 children.
Year 4
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (Judy Blume) – Children love this.
Superfudge (Judy Blume) – Children enjoy this book too.
Rowan of Rin (Emily Rodda) – I read this book to my Year 4 class and they LOVED it.
The Twenty Seventh Annual African Hippopotamus Race – Fantastic little story about winning and losing. (Just right for Year 4)
The Iron Man (Ted Hughes) – Wonderful little book for Year 4 children. Afterwards, the children can make robots using boxes/tubes/etc and the teacher can spray paint them using silver paint. There is an animation called ‘The Iron Giant’, which is based on the book.
The Twits/ Esio Trot/ The Giraffe, The Pelly and Me / Fantastic Mr Fox / A number of books by Roald Dahl are always good for Year 4 children.
Mr Gum Series (Andy Stanton) – Another teacher read this to her class and raved about it.
Whammy (David Caddy) – I have never read this to a class, but some others have and have raved about it. (It is out of print, so I have a digital copy of it on this website. You can have it on a big screen and have kids read along.)
The Gizmo (Paul Jennings) – An illustrated book series that children will get hooked onto.
Some sections of some of the Andy Griffiths books are excellent to read to children.