Kids' Reading List: 6 to 9 Years
Use these children's books to help kids find the joy of reading by themselves. Hungry for more? Try some classic books for kids 6 to 9 years old.
Goin' Someplace Special
By Patricia McKissack; illustrated by Jerry Pinkney*
Excited about "goin' someplace special" all by herself, Tricia Ann, an African-American child of the '50s in the segregated south, deals with prejudices she encounters along the way to the one special place that will welcome her—the public library.
Simon & Schuster/Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2001. ISBN: 9780689818851
Spuds
By Karen Hesse; illustrated by Wendy Watson*
In this nostalgic tale, three siblings head out into the night to glean potatoes left behind in their neighbor's field. They return to a potato fry-up, a reminder that "our ma, she loved us big." A heartwarming affirmation of hard work, honesty and family love, handcrafted in folksy language and beautifully rendered pencil, ink and watercolor illustrations in muted earth tones.By Karen Hesse; illustrated by Wendy Watson*
Scholastic Press/Scholastic, 2008. ISBN: 9780439879934
Jack Plank Tells Tales
By Natalie Babbitt
After spending years at sea, Jack comes to town to find a new career. Is there any job that is just right for an ex-pirate who is no good at plundering but loves to tell stories?By Natalie Babbitt
Michael di Capua Books/Scholastic, 2007. ISBN 9780545004961
Mind Your Manners, B. B. Wolf
By Judy Sierra; illustrated by J. Otto Seibold
B.B. Wolf receives a mysterious envelope in the mail. It's an invitation from Miss Wonderly to the Annual Storybook Tea! Should he go? He doesn't think he likes tea...but will there be cookies? B.B. studies up on etiquette and goes off to the library tea in his best jacket. Can he behave like a gentleman?By Judy Sierra; illustrated by J. Otto Seibold
Knopf, 2007. ISBN: 9780375835322
Nic Bishop Frogs
By Nic Bishop
In the incredible world of frogs, some species camouflage to escape danger, another eats with its eyes and one can even glide through the air! Dazzling photographs and fun facts introduce these amazing amphibians in action.By Nic Bishop
Scholastic, 2008. ISBN 9780439877558
Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings
By Douglas Florian
"The universe is every place, / Including all the e m p t y space." Poems full of wordplay, rhyme and humor that are just right for kids accompany eye-catching illustrations in this fascinating introduction to outer space.By Douglas Florian
Harcourt, 2007. ISBN: 9780152053727
Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little
By Peggy Gifford; photography by Valorie Fisher
On the last day before fourth grade, Moxy Maxwell, usually an avid reader, finds multiple reasons to continue avoiding her assigned summer reading book.By Peggy Gifford; photography by Valorie Fisher
Schwartz & Wade, 2007. ISBN: 9780375839153
Snoring Beauty
By Bruce Hale; illustrated by Howard Fine
A fairy tale that's as twisted as they come, and hilarious to boot. True to the spited fairy, Beebo's curse, Princess Marge becomes a snoring dragon doomed to sleep until wakened by "a quince." Yes, a quince, due to the curse-fix of a hard-of-hearing fairy. All ends well and the kingdom whoops it up "with a hey-nonny-nonny and a hot-cha-cha."By Bruce Hale; illustrated by Howard Fine
Harcourt, 2008. ISBN: 9780152163143
Just Grace
By Charise Mericle Harper
Grace's humorous attempts to cheer up her neighbor Mrs. Luther leads to a misunderstanding about the woman's disappearing cat!By Charise Mericle Harper
Houghton, 2008. ISBN: 9780547014401
The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County
By Janice Harrington; illustrations by Shelley Jackson
Miss Hen is smart, fast and knows all the tricks. Is that enough to keep her safe from the girl who calls herself the Chicken-Chasing Queen? Dynamic illustrations bring this squawking, pecking, feather-flying battle of wits to a conclusion that works out fine for both girl and bird.By Janice Harrington; illustrations by Shelley Jackson
Farrar, 2007. ISBN 9780374312510
Oh, Theodore!: Guinea Pig Poems
By Susan Katz; illustrated by Stacey Schuett
A boy gets a guinea pig for a pet. The boy and his guinea pig, Theodore (so named because he's soft, fuzzy and brown like a teddy bear), cautiously adjust to each other, and their affection develops. Told in short, easy-to-read poems.By Susan Katz; illustrated by Stacey Schuett
Clarion, 2007. ISBN: 9780618702220
Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad
By Ellen Levine; illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Henry Brown grew up a slave. After his wife and children are sold off to another master, and with nothing left to lose, Henry is boxed up by the local doctor, an abolitionist, and mailed! After a rough ride, Henry is unboxed—a free man.By Ellen Levine; illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Scholastic, 2007. ISBN: 9780439777339
Diary of a Fly
By Doreen Cronin; illustrated by Harry Bliss
The ups and downs of a young fly's life are captured in funny pictures and in her own words, including flying lessons, school lunches and meeting the toughest babysitter ever: "She brought a frog." Fun facts about flies are mixed in with the jokes and silliness.By Doreen Cronin; illustrated by Harry Bliss
HarperCollins/Joanna Cotler, 2007. ISBN 9780060001568
The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Great
By Gerald Morris; illustrations by Aaron Renier
These adventures of the greatest knight of the Round Table are full of brave deeds and lots of humor. Lancelot rescues maidens and defeats evil knights. He also wins a tournament by accident, tricks an enemy by singing terribly and takes plenty of afternoon naps in this version that's just right for young readers.By Gerald Morris; illustrations by Aaron Renier
Houghton, 2008. ISBN: 9780618777143
Nothing but Trouble: The Story of Althea Gibson
By Sue Stauffacher; illustrated by Greg Couch
A picture book biography of the tomboy who, given the opportunity to play tennis, not only learned the game but also how to keep her cool and, in 1957, became the first African-American to win at Wimbledon.By Sue Stauffacher; illustrated by Greg Couch
Knopf, 2007. ISBN: 9780375834080
Robot Dreams
By Sara Varon
In this nearly wordless book, comic book-style illustrations tell the story of Dog and his best friend, Robot. When the two become separated, readers follow their separate—and very different—experiences, which are amusing, wistful and truly thought provoking.By Sara Varon
Roaring Brook, 2007. ISBN 9781596431089
The Pigeon Wants a Puppy
By Mo Willems
This self-described puppy-lovin' pigeon promises to take care of what he's always wanted, at least since last Tuesday—a puppy. He promises he'll water it once a month. In the end, after meeting up with a huge puppy, he changes his mind—maybe a walrus is more his speed.By Mo Willems
Hyperion, 2008. ISBN: 9781423109600
Hungry for more? Try some classic books for kids 6 to 9 years old!
* 2009 list addition
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