2010 Kids' Reading List: 6 to 9 Years

Recommended by the American Library Association

These books will help kids 6 to 9 years old discover the joy of learning to read by themselves. Browse this list of new and classic children's books recommended by the Quicklists Consulting Committee of the Association for Library Services to Children, a division of the American Library Association, and grow a little reader today!

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and Other Natural Disasters
By Lenore Look; illustrations by LeUyen Pham

When Alvin's father takes him camping to instill a love of nature, like that of their hometown hero Henry David Thoreau, Alvin makes a new friend and learns he can be brave despite his fear of everything.

Schwartz & Wade, 2009. ISBN: 9780375857058

Button Up! Wrinkled Rhymes
By Alice Schertle; illustrations by Petra Mathers

Children will relate to these poems about clothing, from "hang loose laces" to "Emily's undies/fit for a queen" to "Rick's wool sweater,” which makes Rick itchy and twitchy. All of the clothes are worn by animal characters, and the poems are told from the point of view of the clothing.

Harcourt, 2009. ISBN: 9780152050504

I Am Going (An Elephant and Piggie Book) by Mo Willems

I Am Going! (An Elephant & Piggie Book)
Compiled by Mo Willems

Piggie ruins a perfectly good day by telling Gerald that she is going, causing him to panic.

Hyperion, 2010. ISBN: 9781423119906

My Abuelita
By Tony Johnston; illustrations by Yuyi Morales

With lyrical language and a sprinkling of Spanish, a young boy tells us about his amazing grandmother. The eye-catching, pastel-colored illustrations created in mixed media enhance this story of a much-loved grandmother.

Harcourt, 2009. ISBN: 9780152163303

My People
By Langston Hughes; photographs by Charles R. Smith, Jr.

Sepia photographs complement the words of the classic poem by Langston Hughes and celebrate the uniqueness of black people, who come in all shapes, sizes, shades and ages.

Simon & Schuster/Atheneum, 2009. ISBN: 9781416935407

The Night Fairy
By Laura Amy Schlitz; illustrations by Angela Barrett

Wingless and alone, Flory the young fairy must learn to make it on her own while also learning the value of good friends.

Candlewick, 2010. ISBN: 9780763636746

Sojourner Truth's Step-Stomp Stride
By Andrea Davis Pinkney; illustrations by Brian Pinkney

This biography, written in poetic text and illustrated with paintings in a golden, hopeful hue, relates the life of Sojourner Truth: "Big. Black. Beautiful. True. That was Sojourner." The climax of the book depicts Sojourner's rousing "And ain't I a woman?" speech at the 1851 women's rights convention in Akron, Ohio.

Sun Books, 2009. ISBN: 9780786807673

Willow
By Denise Brennan-Nelson and Rosemarie Brennan; illustrations by Cyd Moore

Miss Hawthorn, a strict and orderly art teacher, meets her match in the free-spirited Willow, whose creativity and kindness transform her teacher and their classroom.

Sleeping Bear, 2008. ISBN: 9781585363421

Yummy: Eight Favorite Fairy Tales
By Lucy Cousins

This is a collection of classic fairy tales drawn in the familiar style of Lucy Cousins, author/illustrator of the Maisy Mouse books.

Candlewick, 2009. ISBN: 9780763644741

John Henry
By Julius Lester; illustrations by Jerry Pinkney

This retelling adds some modern twists to the classic legend of the African-American hero who races against a steam drill to cut a path through a mountain for the railroad.

Dial, 1994. ISBN: 9780803716063

Pippi Longstocking
By Astrid Lindgren; illustrations by Lauren Child; translated by Tiina Nunnally

This book is a new translation of the adventures of Pippi, a young girl with strength and imagination, who lives with her horse and monkey without adult supervision. The artwork is cleverly integrated into the text.

Viking, 2007. ISBN: 9780670062768

Swamp Angel
By Anne Isaacs; illustrations by Paul O. Zelinsky

In this literary legend, Angelica Longrider becomes the most famous woodswoman in Tennessee when she defeats Thundering Tarnation, "a huge bear with a bottomless appetite for settlers' grub."

Dutton, 1994. ISBN: 9780525452713

What are your favorite books to give to kids of this age? Leave your comments below!

Published 06/03/2010