Q to Moms of Gifted kids: What do your kids read?

[moonsky]

We decided to keep DC(2nd Grade, 7yrs) in the same school than putting her in the self-contained one in a school 20-30mins away. She really loves reading. I still screen what she read. She has read all the chapter books that I know have no inappropriate language/behavior issue. So far, she is done with the whole collections of Magic Tree House, Beverly Cleary, American Girl, Little House, The Box Car Children, Biographies for children 9-12 yrs. She also read a lot of nonfictions youth books available in our local library.

Any suggestions on other Chapter books/normal books you recommend? How do you test your kids on the reading level? Where can I find list of good books for each grade? Last year when she got tested, she was at 4th grade level on reading. I am just not sure whether the books I gave her are too easy. Any thought or advice?

[SnuggleBuggles]

This is a good way for all kids to choose appropriate books:
http://www.portlandlibraryct.org/PDF/Summer2010/ReadingLists/2010BISsrl.pdf

[KrisM]

There are a lot of threads on books in the Kid Fun section. Some series that come to mind are:

A to Z Mysteries
Encyclopedia Brown
Percy Jackson
Ivy and Bean

DS1 read all those in 2nd or 3rd grade. He's not gifted, but is a very good reader.

[BunnyBee]

Is this reading for pleasure or are you trying to supplement her school? For entertainment reading, I don't worry about level or quality as long as it's appropriate for their maturity level. The "grade level" evaluations of books are fairly useless IMO. For example, the Rainbow Fairy books are leveled 4th grade per Scholastic, and they're completely inane! But the girls in 2nd grade were reading them and talking about them at recess, so they had a social value. Anyway, don't get hung up on reading level. Each scale has a different result. If this is fun reading for your DD, I'd let her choose what looks interesting in the chapter book area.

If you're trying to supplement her school, I'd google for third grade book lists. Then fourth grade. But keep in mind that being "gifted" and reading at a "fourth grade level" doesn't mean she's emotionally mature enough to read fourth grade books. They start dealing with death and more mature themes which can scare younger kids or go right over their heads. A second grader may be able to read the words of a difficult book, but understanding and appreciating the literature is different.

Books that have won or are nominated for a Newberry Award are usually good bets, but the themes may be more mature.

Roald Dahl
Beverly Cleary
Mary Pope Osborne's Odyssey books
D'Aulaires Greek Myths
Harry Potter (my 2nd grader read the first two, then I made him wait to read more)
Because of Winn Dixie
A Wind in the Willows
All of a Kind Family series
Ballet Shoes series
my brain is blank and I'm typing on my phone...

Pinterest has bunches of book lists. Find a book she liked on amazon, then look at the also recommended/bought books. You can go to the Scholastic site and search a book she liked, then pull up similar leveled books. Homeschool forums are good sources for book recs, especially if you're trying to "afterschool" her.

Don't overlook nonfiction books. Their minds are little sponges! Let her loose in the nonfiction section and see what grabs her interest. The DK Eyewitness books are great.

Are you still reading to her? Lots of value in that, even if she's an advanced reader. (Read Aloud Handbook is a great resource.)

Make friends with the school librarian!

[ang79]

Cam Jansen maybe? I've been reading those to my girls (4.5 and soon to be 7) and they love them. They are short and easy mysteries and the girls are very interested in finding out who did it. I also just started the Never Girls books with them. They love fairies, so this series is right up their alley, and I kinda enjoy reading them too. The same author has written other Disney Fairy books as well that are a harder level, though we haven't read those yet. My almost 7 yr. old has just started getting into reading Magic Treehouse on her own. Has your DD read the Magic Treehouse non-fiction books? I saw some of them at our library, they are fact filled about topics that some of the books cover.

If her level is at 4th grade, she might be ready for Charlotte's Web and other EB White books (I think they are supposed to be 4-5th grade level). I've read Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web to both my girls and they both were very attentive to them and enjoyed them (and then became very interested in spiders and wanted to get fact books from the library on spiders!). There is a younger Nancy Drew series as well I think, though I've not read them (I loved the old Nancy Drew books in 6th grade as well as books my mom had read as a kid like Trixie Belden and Bobbsy Twins).

[justlearning]

. So far, she is done with the whole collections of Magic Tree House, Beverly Cleary, American Girl, Little House, The Box Car Children, Biographies for children 9-12 yrs. I am just not sure whether the books I gave her are too easy. Any thought or advice?

In my opinion, if these are books that she's recently been reading, I do think that these are too easy for her if she's been tested as gifted and tested at the 4th grade reading level last year. Because DS is into fantasy books with themes that you'd likely feel uncomfortable with, I won't give specific book suggestions (other than Chronicles of Narnia--great series). I'm constantly having to work to keep DS stocked with books, so I have developed good relationships with the school librarian, the kids' librarians at our two closest public libraries, and his teacher. I have DS talk with them about the most recent books that he's enjoyed and they then recommend other books for him based upon that. (In your case, you could ask them to suggest books of a similar genre but at a higher reading level.) It's great if you can find series or authors that they like (e.g., DS read all of Rick Riordan's books last year and over the summer, the complete Harry Potter series, and the Redwall books). I also have looked at our school's recommended summer reading lists (that emphasize the classics). So far DS has read all the books on those lists for every grade through 6th grade. I have also tried to have DS read Newbery Medal Winner books, but he hasn't always enjoyed those.

If your DD likes reading nonfiction books, I'd keep encouraging that habit. A reading specialist here highly recommends that kids read as much nonfiction as possible. My older DS read lots of nonfiction, but my younger DS hasn't really been into it.

ETA that you probably already know about it but here's a great resource for finding out the grade levels of books: http://www.scholastic.com/bookwizard/

[Reader]

My 7 year old son enjoyed Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Geronimo Stilton (easy & silly), Famous Young American biographies. I like to use commonsense media.org to scope out books I am unsure about (level of violence, language, etc).

[justlearning]

My 7 year old son enjoyed Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Geronimo Stilton (easy & silly), Famous Young American biographies. I like to use commonsense media.org to scope out books I am unsure about (level of violence, language, etc).

Great suggestions. Geronimo Stilton was one of my sons' favorite series and the books are very innocent, I think. Their female friends also enjoyed reading them.

[smiles33]

DD1 is also 7 and is bright, but I don't know if she's officially gifted and talented. She is a total bookworm and will check out 20 books from the library every other week (if I go that often!). DH also has probably bought her 50-60 books or more (her room is overwhelmed by books).

She's really enjoyed book series the most. We read Little House series to her when she was 4 but maybe she'll re-read them herself now. Last year she enjoyed many Magic Treehouse and Box Car Children books but decided this past summer she's "done" with them. She's read almost all of Beverly Cleary's books (the Ramona, Henry, and Ralph S. Mouse series), all the Ivy and Bean books, a bunch of Pony Pal books (I think she's up to book 19?), the Nancy Drew Clue Crew series (geared toward younger readers), a bunch of the Disney Fairy books (Tinkerbell and Pixie Hollow friends), and the Rainbow Magic Fairy series.

She's also read all the chapter books by Grace Lin (Pacy is a Taiwanese-American girl who is featured in a few of her books and then there are 2 more Chinese myth-based books). I think OP is also Asian so it might be nice to introduce your DD to an Asian American protagonist. I just checked and the Scholastic website says that Dumpling Days, Year of the Dog, When the Mountain Meets the Moon, and Starry River and the Sky, are all grade level 5. Wow, I didn't realize they were that advanced! DD read those books after reading the Ruby Lu series by Lenore Look, which is definitely more for younger graders (grade 3 per Scholastic).

Right now she's reading a fantasy series SIL gave her, Enchanted Forest Chronicles, which has far more sophisticated vocabulary and seems a bit above her in terms of subject matter but I haven't had a chance to read much of it. I read her a chapter every night before bed but she's also devouring them in the interim so I've read 4 chapters so far and she's almost done with the second book.

Hope these suggestions help!

[crayonblue]

Chronicles of Narnia
Anne of Green Gables
Nancy Drew

ETA: I don't know how you feel about Christian books but The Sugar Creek Gang series is fun! http://www.amazon.com/Robber-Campers-Chicago-Adventure-Hideout/dp/0802469949
Also, the Trailblazer biographies: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Trailblazer-book-list-Part/lm/398F0HE5D4S77

[citymama]

DD1 is also 7 and is bright, but I don't know if she's officially gifted and talented. She is a total bookworm and will check out 20 books from the library every other week (if I go that often!). DH also has probably bought her 50-60 books or more (her room is overwhelmed by books).

She's really enjoyed book series the most. We read Little House series to her when she was 4 but maybe she'll re-read them herself now. Last year she enjoyed many Magic Treehouse and Box Car Children books but decided this past summer she's "done" with them. She's read almost all of Beverly Cleary's books (the Ramona, Henry, and Ralph S. Mouse series), all the Ivy and Bean books, a bunch of Pony Pal books (I think she's up to book 19?), the Nancy Drew Clue Crew series (geared toward younger readers), a bunch of the Disney Fairy books (Tinkerbell and Pixie Hollow friends), and the Rainbow Magic Fairy series.

She's also read all the chapter books by Grace Lin (Pacy is a Taiwanese-American girl who is featured in a few of her books and then there are 2 more Chinese myth-based books). I think OP is also Asian so it might be nice to introduce your DD to an Asian American protagonist. I just checked and the Scholastic website says that Dumpling Days, Year of the Dog, When the Mountain Meets the Moon, and Starry River and the Sky, are all grade level 5. Wow, I didn't realize they were that advanced! DD read those books after reading the Ruby Lu series by Lenore Look, which is definitely more for younger graders (grade 3 per Scholastic).

Right now she's reading a fantasy series SIL gave her, Enchanted Forest Chronicles, which has far more sophisticated vocabulary and seems a bit above her in terms of subject matter but I haven't had a chance to read much of it. I read her a chapter every night before bed but she's also devouring them in the interim so I've read 4 chapters so far and she's almost done with the second book.

Hope these suggestions help!

Ooh, thanks. DD1 is the same - age 7 but reading her 11 year old cousin's books. She reads easily 4 hours a day! Content is the issue. She has read a lot of unabridged classics - Anne of Green Gables, Heidi, the Jungle Book, Peter Pan, Wizard of Oz. Dr Dolittle, Treasure Island, Alice in Wonderland etc. In addition to what's been mentioned she likes the A-Z mysteries, the Thea Stilton mysteries (and Geronimo), the American Girl books, the Goddess Girls series (starring Greek goddesses), All of a Kind Family, Super Fudge (Judy Blume), Puppy Place mysteries, the horse books (Misty, Black Beauty etc). None of this is super high lit except the classics mentioned above. She has actually read the unabridged Little Women as well but is too nervous to read Harry Potter as she scares easily. She glosses over the sad parts where characters get sick or die in books like Little Women...

[moonsky]

This is a good way for all kids to choose appropriate books:
http://www.portlandlibraryct.org/PDF/Summer2010/ReadingLists/2010BISsrl.pdf

I like the 5 fingers rule. I think those books she read may be too easy for her as I've never seen her use dictionary I got her.

[moonsky]

If you're trying to supplement her school, I'd google for third grade book lists. Then fourth grade. But keep in mind that being "gifted" and reading at a "fourth grade level" doesn't mean she's emotionally mature enough to read fourth grade books. They start dealing with death and more mature themes which can scare younger kids or go right over their heads. A second grader may be able to read the words of a difficult book, but understanding and appreciating the literature is different.



That happened when I gave her some of the biographies. She doesn't like the books that mentioned about the death, war.

[goldenpig]

Thanks for this thread! DD is 6 and in 1st grade so 1 year behind yours, so I don't have anything to add, but will bookmark this thread for reference! I always am on the lookout for more books for my little bookworm!

[Mirthful]

I have 2 girls (ages 6 and 8) who I also struggle to keep stocked with age-appropriate, level-appropriate reading material. Neither of them like "heavy books" (Lemony Snicket gets no love here) and they both love "funny characters" so that skews our library a bit. I second a lot of the suggestions you've already been given (anything by Ron Roy and Roald Dahl especially!). A few others I would add (roughly in order of reading difficulty):

Ready Freddy series
Judy Moody series
My Weird School series
Bad Kitty chapter books
Clementine series
Pippi Longstocking series
Humphrey series
Frankly Frannie series
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle series
Emily Windsnap series

And when she's ready for longer/harder books (what I'd call Harry Potter level):
The Mysterious Benedict Society series
The Name of This Book is Secret series
Molly Moon series
Mousenet
Secret Garden, A Little Princess
Ella Enchanted series
Frog Princess series and Wide Awake Princess series both by E.D. Baker (these are a bit more "search for true love" than I like but the princesses are MUCH more proactive than the Disney Princesses so I let it go)
From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler
Tuesdays at the Castle
Hoot and other books by Carl Hiaasen
39 clues series

For non- fiction, we've really enjoyed the "Who was ..." series. I think it talks about serious events in a very age- appropriate way and it does a great job of putting the famous people into the context of their historical times. We're also fans of:
"I Survived" series
Tales of Famous Americans and Tales of Famous Heroes
National Geographic Kids chapter books (ex: Tigers in Trouble!)

I say "we" because I try to read at least one book in each series before okaying them. But I can't keep up so I can only say that these books should all be age- appropriate for a 7-8 year old as far as I know. And I try to limit their exposure to poor behavior and "tween themes" so no Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Twilight books are to be found on their bookshelves.

I like to use arbookfind.com to look up reading levels because it also gives an "Interest level". LG is lower grades (K-2), MG is middle grades (3-5) and UG is Upper Grades (6+). That way I can save a little time by eliminating all the "UG" rated books right away.

Hope this helps a little! I know firsthand how much work it is!!

[oneplustwo]

Don't forget to include poetry! Anything by Shel Silverstein (except the Giving Tree, could be too sad for your DD) and anything by Jack Prelutsky. These two poets are a must in my book for any kid who loves words.

[IansMom]

You could use the MENSA kids book list as a guide:

http://www.mensaforkids.org/content/school_readeraward.cfm

[brittone2]

Geronimo Stilton
Thornton Burgess animal books (some have dated stereotypes in them and so forth, but there are some good ones, and the language is nice)
All of a Kind Family
Cynthia Rylant books (Cobblestreet Cousins, etc.)
TumTum and Nutmeg
Homer Price
Henry Huggins and Ribsy series
Mouse and the Motorcycle series
Stuart Little
Charlotte's Web
Roald Dahl
Pippi series and Children of Noisy Village
Misty of Chincoteague
Winnie the Pooh
Sarah Plain and Tall
Just So Stories
Wizard of Oz series

Definitely encourage the nonfiction reading too, as PPs have suggested. There are some great books on mythology, etc. that we've enjoyed. (Mary Pope Osborne has some good ones http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Odyssey-Part-Mary-Osborne/dp/1423128648, and then there are things like D'Aulaires' Greek Myths: http://www.amazon.com/DAulaires-Greek-Myths-Ingri-dAulaire/dp/0440406943/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z )

Have you ever looked into the Michael Clay Thompson language-illustrated classics? http://www.rfwp.com/series/mct-literature-program My kids love these. We use MCT's language arts materials and my kids have really blossomed with them. Alice in Wonderland, Wind in the Willows, etc. He has little text boxes, footnotes, etc where he defines challenging vocabulary, points out some of the lovely poetic devices used in the prose, etc. She may be a touch young for those (or not), but you may be interested in them for the future. His materials are well suited to the gifted because of the depth.

[sandwish]

My DD is at the same level. I used to think I should only check out grade level books but really many books even at easier levels have fun stories. I still always get a lot of picture books. I want her to also appreciate the illustrations. Many are often folk tales from different countries. We regularly check out 30-40 books every couple of weeks.

DD is also currently interested in almanacs and ripley believe it or not books. In general she will read anything.

[gymnbomb]

I don't have specific suggestions, but wanted to mention that if you're encouraging reading as a hobby/life long interest rather than just trying to help with her school work, I would have her read whatever she likes. When I was a few years older than your daughter and reading much above grade level, my Mom tried having me read fiction that was at my reading level rather than my age level, and it was one of the few times in my life I didn't love reading. If the books at her reading level are not also at her maturity/interest level it will not work well. The books you mentioned seem very age appropriate, and if she likes them she should keep reading them. Reading lots of nonfiction youth books is also good, and it may be easier for you to find nonfiction that is closer to her reading level as long as you stick to topics she is interested.

Another suggestion -- if you have a local library with a good children's/youth librarian, ask them what they would recommend for an advanced reader your daughter's age. The good ones will know which books will be a little more challenging, but still interesting and age appropriate.

[Simon]

Great suggestions. Geronimo Stilton was one of my sons' favorite series and the books are very innocent, I think. Their female friends also enjoyed reading them.
Thea also has her own series now.

[Simon]

Ds1 is a similar age and reading level. I let him mix in Geronimo Stilton, which are fun and easy, with more challenging books. Our trouble is the same as yours, we run into issues that he isn't really prepared to deal with. Our go-to have been more classic/older lit but those also have dark themes at times. You'll want to screen these for yourself, but he's been more challenged lately reading:
Guinea Dog
The Familiars: Circle of Heroes
A Cricket in Times Square, although he liked the prequel about Tom Kitten and Harry Mouse better
Secrets of NIMH (too dark?)
Land of Stories:Wishing Spell (its going to be a movie soon)
The Secret Garden
Tuesdays at the Castle
Smells Like Treasure;Smells like Pirate, etc.
An adapted version of the Odyssey books by Mary Pope Osborne
I'm going to let him try the How to Train your Dragon series next since he's on a medieval, castle, magic run at the moment. I think we'll let him try Harry Potter and Percy Jackson at age 8 if he asks and offer then at age 9. My usual rule is that the main characters age should be no more than Ds's age + 2, but find I have to break it often.
Also on our future list are Because of Winn Dixie, Doctor Doolittle, James Herriot stories, Sarah Plain and Tall.

[moonsky]

I am so glad I ask this question. Thanks so much everyone for your help. Now, I have a list of good books for DC.

[doberbrat]

We're in the same boat dd1 is 7 and is a huge reader. We usually average 60 books checked out from the public library at any time. I go to the public library at least 1x a week and usually 2 or 3x.

She has no tolerance for anything 'scary' so it limits her selection quite a bit.

This summer she read:
the Never Girls (though there arent that many books)
Disney Chronicals
Magic (Pony, Puppy, Kitten blah blah blah)
Rainbow magic (which I am SOOO done with!)
Sandy Lane Stables
Cam Jansen
Flower Faries Friends
Airy Fairy
Just Grace
Pet Trouble
Iris and Henry
Pony Crazed Princess
Kylie Jean
Stella Batts
Mermaid Tales

For the most part, I let her read what she wants but I insist on at least 1 NF per library trip. And I try to pick books for her that are more at her level rather than just letting her read junk all the time. She also gets to read picture books to her sister (or to herself) so she's getting a decent mix IMO.

OP thanks for this thread, and for everyone contributions both to resources for checking books and other ideas to try. She reads so quickly that I feel like we're blowing through all the age appropriate books at her reading level and she'll end up doing what I did as a kid ... reading encyclopedias for fun! ;)

[goldenpig]

OP thanks for this thread, and for everyone contributions both to resources for checking books and other ideas to try. She reads so quickly that I feel like we're blowing through all the age appropriate books at her reading level and she'll end up doing what I did as a kid ... reading encyclopedias for fun! ;)
:yeahthat: Thanks OP and everyone for the suggestions.
Haha Doberbrat, that brings back memories...that's what I did when I was little too...read the encyclopedia for fun! Does anyone even HAVE encyclopedias now? Remember when they had door to door encyclopedia salesmen, and tried to get you to update your set every year?
I even found a pic online of my set, circa 1980:
http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/DianeinPA/2012-08-26_205238_encyclopedia_books_new_world_book_of_kno wledge_1980.jpg

[sandwish]

I recently scored a set of 2009 world book encyclopedias from our library book store. The set was in perfect condition. I have been looking for one and was beyond excited when I found them. I remember reading these as a kid from the set my mom scored from our library. Check libraries or schools. They always get rid of old ones.

[lizzywednesday]

:yeahthat: Thanks OP and everyone for the suggestions.
Haha Doberbrat, that brings back memories...that's what I did when I was little too...read the encyclopedia for fun! Does anyone even HAVE encyclopedias now? Remember when they had door to door encyclopedia salesmen, and tried to get you to update your set every year?
...

Those bring back MEMORIES!! My grandmother had a set quite similar to those ... and we had Funk & Wagnalls. No, publishers don't print encyclopedias anymore - remember the World Book Encyclopedia and Encyclopedia Britannica?? - because it's more cost-effective to deliver the content in an online-only format.

I used to read my dad's TimeLife reference books, usually the Ocean so I could read about sharks. (Which scared the living daylights out of me, but I read it anyway.)

At 7 & 8 years old, I was reading the Narnia books. I'd read all of them except The Last Battle, which I would actually put off until a child is more emotionally mature. I found the first bit (50-75 pages?) incredibly dull, but it needs to be read in order to understand the plot points later on.

I had also read the Oz books at that age, and they are very interesting!

A PP suggested Sarah, Plain and Tall, but I would actually put that off as the OP indicated her child is "sensitive." It's a lovely book, but the mentions/references to a mother who died in childbirth. (Admittedly, it's been ages since I last read it, so maybe it's not as bad as I'm remembering?)

[kcimato]

I agree with the previous poster with letting her read what she picks out. Along with that, do a read aloud with her with something that is more difficult or at her level.

That said, there is a sweet series by Carollyn Haywoard called the Betsy Book. I read them as a child and then to my daughter.

http://www.amazon.com/B-Is-Betsy-Carolyn-Haywood/dp/015205099X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1379805666&sr=8-2&keywords=carolyn+haywood+betsy

[MontrealMum]

Those bring back MEMORIES!! My grandmother had a set quite similar to those ... and we had Funk & Wagnalls. No, publishers don't print encyclopedias anymore - remember the World Book Encyclopedia and Encyclopedia Britannica?? - because it's more cost-effective to deliver the content in an online-only format.



Actually, publishers DO still print Encyclopedias, though libraries rarely invest in them because there's much more bang-for-your-buck going with the online version. I am always shocked when I receive advertising for print volumes and I wonder who's buying them these days.

I recently weeded our entire reference section. PP is right, check with schools and public libraries, many are in the process of getting rid of this type of thing.