FROM SARAH:

A Read-Aloud Revival community favorite. Rabbits with Swords! This story will inspire heroic virtue in your children (and who knows... maybe you too!). This is the first in a truly wonderful fantasy series. Your kids can meet author S.D. Smith at his Author Access video replay in RAR Premium. Also wonderful on audio (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Heather and Picket are extraordinary rabbits with ordinary lives until calamitous events overtake them, spilling them into a cauldron of misadventures. They discover that their own story is bound up in the tumult threatening to overwhelm the wider world.

FROM SARAH:

Redwall Abbey is a quiet and peaceful place, just as the mice like it. But an evil one-eyed rat wants ownership of the abbey. An unlikely hero emerges in this action packed tale, which might be a good pick for fans of The Green Ember. Wonderful on audio (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The question in this first volume is resoundingly clear: What can the peace-loving mice of Redwall Abbey do to defend themselves against Cluny the Scourge and his battle-seasoned army of rats?

FROM SARAH:

One of my all-time favorite children's classics. My kids all loved this book (boys and girls alike). We're reading it as our RAR Premium Family Book Club novel in spring 2024, in fact! Also great on audio! (Audible l Libro.fm)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

What secrets lie behind the doors at Misselthwaite Manor? Recently arrived at her uncle's estate, orphaned Mary Lennox is spoiled, sickly, and certain she won't enjoy living there. Then she discovers the arched doorway into an overgrown garden, shut up since the death of her aunt ten years earlier. Mary soon begins transforming it into a thing of beauty--unaware that she is changing too.

FROM SARAH:

A CLASSIC and forever go-to resource, this gem is one I reach for over and over. The booklists alone are worth the read!

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Since its publication in 1969, this has been an essential guide for parents wanting to find the best books for their children. This family favorite is now revised and updated, including an annotated list of books for ages 0-12. A good book is a gateway into a wider world of wonder, beauty, delight, and adventure. But children don't stumble onto the best books by themselves. They need a parent's help. Author Gladys Hunt discusses everything from how to choose good books for your children to encouraging them to be avid readers.

FROM SARAH:

This book is amazing in its simplicity and beauty, both in the text and the pictures. Listen to my special edition episode about the illustrator, Barbara Cooney, on the RAR Podcast.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Thus begins a lyrical journey through the days and weeks, the months, and the changing seasons in the life of one New Englander and his family. The oxcart man packs his goods - the wool from his sheep, the shawl his wife made, the mittens his daughter knitted, and the linen they wove.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Tree-ear is fascinated by the celedon ware created in the village of Ch’ulp’o. He is determined to prove himself to the master potter, Min—even if it means making a solitary journey to present Min’s work in the hope of a royal commission...or arriving at the royal court with nothing but a single celadon shard.

FROM SARAH:

This is easily one of my "most recommended" books of the year. I found this book impossible to put down-- and so did my kids! If you have a child who hasn't fallen head-over-heels for reading yet, start here. I loved the second book (Code Name Flood) every bit as much as the first!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

One hundred and fifty years ago, the first dinosaurs were cloned. Soon after, they replaced humans at the top of the food chain. The only way to survive was to move into underground compounds...

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Last week, twelve-year-old Sky found a cryptic message from her dad, who mysteriously fled the safety of their underground compound five years ago. The note said the fate of the world depended on her going topside, to a lost world that’s ruled by dinosaurs.

FROM SARAH:

Elizabeth Ann must leave her home to move to rural Vermont and live with relatives. She needs a little extra care, though, so will anyone there understand her? If you're a homeschooling family, you'll especially love this one! (The characters are 👌🏼.)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Thanks to her loving but over-protective guardian aunts, Betsy is a fearful, self-absorbed, nine-year-old hypochondriac. One of the most terrible items on her long list of fears is the horrid cousins her aunts never mention without shuddering. When her aunts are suddenly no longer able to care for her, Betsy is, incredibly, sent to live with those very relatives.

FROM SARAH:

The lovely stories of country vet James Herriot. Children will love hearing how Mr. Herriot cares for animals and the people who love them. (Note: There are some animals who do not survive, so heads up if you have sensitive readers!) Wonderful on audio (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Children have always found a delightful friend in James Herriot. His award-winning stories for young readers bring the farmyard world of Herriot's Yorkshire to vibrant life. Featuring a host of adorable animals and colorful townsfolk, each of the stories is narrated by the country vet himself, with all of the warmth, caring, and good humor that have made James Herriot beloved the world over.

FROM SARAH:

Hands-down, the #1 resource you want at your fingertips when embarking on reading Shakespeare with your kids! Listen to Ken and my conversation on the Read-Aloud Revival podcast. In order to make sure you're ordering the new copy with additional chapters, we recommend ordering directly from the Penguin Random House here.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Winner of the Falstaff Award for Best Shakespeare Book, How To Teach Your Children Shakespeare is a foolproof, enormously fun method of teaching your children the classic works of William Shakespeare by Tony-Award winning playwright, Ken Ludwig.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Treasure Island is an adventure novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, narrating a tale of "buccaneers and buried gold". First published as a book on 23 May 1883, it was originally serialized in the children's magazine Young Folks between 1881 and 1882.

FROM SARAH:

I've said before that I think the Chronicles of Narnia are among the very very best books for children (if not the actual best). This series is worth owning. We have several copies of every book in the series on our own shelves!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

C. S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia has captivated readers of all ages for over sixty years, enchanting them with fantastical talking creatures, epic battles between good and evil, and magical doorways into new lands.

This box set includes mass market editions of all seven titles in The Chronicles of Narnia, in chronological order: The Magician's Nephew; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; The Horse and His Boy; Prince Caspian; The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; The Silver Chair; and The Last Battle—with the original black-and-white interior illustrations by Pauline Baynes and cover art by Cliff Nielsen.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

No matter how far behind Miller's students might be when they reach her 6th grade classroom, they end up reading an average of 40 to 50 books a year. Miller's unconventional approach dispenses with drills and worksheets that make reading a chore. Instead, she helps students navigate the world of literature and gives them time to read books they pick out themselves.

Also available on (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

With The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, not even Twain could have known that when he introduced readers to the inhabitants of the fictional town of St. Petersburg, Missouri, he would also be introducing two characters - one a clever and mischievous scamp, and the other a carefree, innocent ragamuffin - whose stories would ultimately shape the course of American literature. But whereas its sequel and companion piece, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, would harken an end to childhood, the story of Tom Sawyer is one that depicts the excitement and adventure of boyhood along the Mississippi.

FROM SARAH:

Absolutely delightful saints' stories, told in a fairy tale style. Highly recommended for Catholics. Wonderful on audio (Audible).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

With an eye on the taste of a child for concrete detail and no apologies for the embroidery of legend, each tale, in a style akin to fairy-tale, sets forth the unique qualities of a Genevieve, a Felix, a Dorothy, or Comgall -16 real saints brought unforgettably to our attention and admiration.

FROM SARAH:

My favorite novel in verse. This book makes me want to write poetry, but mostly it just leaves me gobsmacked with what a good story and beautiful language can do to the heart. Especially wonderful on audio. (Audible | LibroFM)

Recommended for ages 12+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Jacqueline Woodson, one of today's finest writers, tells the moving story of her childhood in mesmerizing verse. Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, each line a glimpse into a child's soul as she searches for her place in the world.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

From the critically acclaimed author of the Edge of Extinction series comes this fast-paced, action-packed, and heartfelt adventure about a group of kids with uncontrollable abilities, perfect for fans of Gordon Korman, Lisa McMann, and Dan Gutman!

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
One hundred years after its author’s death, this classic remains remarkably modern and poignantly relevant. In this brand new edition, Elijah Wood reads Huck in a youthful voice that may be the closest interpretation to Twain’s original intent.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

A classic in the making, this heartwarming story about empathy and imagination is one that families will treasure for years to come.

FROM SARAH:

Oh, how I love this book. Every bit of it is insightful and practical, helping us be a genius about what truly matters, and lazy about the rest. Highly, highly recommended. We'll be reading this in Mama Book Club, Fall 2021.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Discover a better way to approach your relationships, work, and piles of mail. Be who you are without the complication of everyone else’s "shoulds". Do what matters, skip the rest, and be a person again.

FROM SARAH:

This book is positively exquisite, but I must insist that you listen to the audio version. You won't regret it! This has got to be one of the best audiobooks I've ever heard. I recommend it for anyone age 10+. Available on Audible and Libro.FM.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Lost and alone in a forbidden forest, Otto meets three mysterious sisters and suddenly finds himself entwined in a puzzling quest involving a prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica.

Decades later, Friedrich in Germany, Mike in Pennsylvania, and Ivy in California each, in turn, become interwoven when the very same harmonica lands in their lives. All the children face daunting challenges: rescuing a father, protecting a brother, holding a family together. And ultimately, pulled by the invisible thread of destiny, their suspenseful solo stories converge in an orchestral crescendo.

FROM SARAH:

One of my favorite middle-grade authors, and one of my favorite middle-grade books. Watch how Shakespeare transforms one student's life in this can't-put-it-down novel. Highly recommended. If you've got all young kids, read this one on your own!  Gary Schmidt is easily one of today's best writers for teens. Meet him in the Author Access replay inside RAR Premium.

Recommended for ages 10+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

FROM SARAH

I'm just going to say it: I have no idea why my kids and I love this book so much, but we do. It's a favorite every time I read it aloud, and we usually get to the end and then start it all over again. Ben Hatke's illustrations are hilarious!

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Goblin, a cheerful little homebody, lives in a cosy, rat-infested dungeon, with his only friend, Skeleton. But one day, a gang of "heroic" adventurers bursts in. These marauders trash the place, steal all the treasure, and make off with Skeleton―leaving Goblin all alone!

It's up to Goblin to save the day.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Everyone agrees that reading is important, but kids today tend to lose interest in reading before adolescence. In Raising Kids Who Read, bestselling author and psychology professor Daniel T. Willingham explains this phenomenon and provides practical solutions for engendering a love of reading that lasts into adulthood.

FROM SARAH:

If you could change history, would you?

Page-turner alert! This time-travel story is unputdownable. I’d be inclined to recommend it for 10-15’s, but my 18-year-old told me it was the best book she’s read all year. So let’s just say 10+. 😁⁣ It’d make a fun read-aloud, or a great pick for a kid who thinks he/she doesn’t like reading.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From the critically acclaimed author of Float comes a new whirlwind adventure about a pair of kids who must break all the rules of time travel.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Continuing the case for free voluntary reading set out in the book's 1993 first edition, this new, updated, and much-looked-for second edition explores new research done on the topic in the last ten years as well as looking anew at some of the original research reviewed. Krashen also explores research surrounding the role of school and public libraries and the research indicating the necessity of a print-rich environment that provides light reading (comics, teen romances, magazines) as well as the best in literature to assist in educating children to read with understanding and in second language acquisition.

FROM SARAH:

I learned so much about early movie-making by reading this delightful tale. Excellent for a historical read-aloud.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
A feisty girl from a family of ranchers lands a job as a daredevil stunt girl in the early days of silent film in this adventurous and funny cross between Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken and Ramona.

FROM SARAH:

This book is balm for the homeschooling soul. It tells the story of a girl named Fred who attends a one-room schoolhouse in remote Alaska, 1948. We meet the new teacher, Miss Agnes, whose first order of business is to throw out the textbooks and lesson plans, and read aloud Robin Hood instead. ⁣It only gets better from there. 😉⁣

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Ten-year-old Frederika (Fred for short) doesn't have much faith that the new teacher in town will last very long. After all, they never do. Most teachers who come to their one-room schoolhouse in remote, Alaska leave at the first smell of fish, claiming that life there is just too hard.

But Miss Agnes is different -- she doesn't get frustrated with her students, and she throws away old textbooks and reads Robin Hood instead! For the first time, Fred and her classmates begin to enjoy their lessons and learn to read and write -- but will Miss Agnes be like all the rest and leave as quickly as she came?

FROM SARAH:

Easily one of my favorite books of all time. Don't give up until you've read to at least through James's departure to the war. Even if greek gods and goddesses aren't your thing... keep reading! Especially wonderful on audio (Audible | LibroFM).

Recommended for mamas, and for teens 16+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A sweeping, multi-layered romance set in the perilous days of World Wars I and II, where gods hold the fates--and the hearts--of four mortals in their hands.

They are Hazel, James, Aubrey, and Colette. Their story, as told by the goddess Aphrodite, who must spin the tale or face judgment on Mount Olympus, is filled with hope and heartbreak, prejudice and passion, and reveals that, though War is a formidable force, it's no match for the transcendent power of Love

FROM SARAH:

This new middle grade novel, set in WWII London and featuring three orphaned siblings is EASILY one of the best novels I’ve read in a long while.⁣ There is the English countryside. And tea. And a mischievous boy named Edmund (yes! Edmund!), siblings who work together to get themselves through a rough patch, and a librarian you will fall in love with. ⁣There are bookish references galore. ⁣
⁣
Read it aloud to all ages (probably 7+ will enjoy it most). Or just read it yourself! It’s an utter delight. ⁣Want the RAR Family Book Club Guide to go with it? Join RAR Premium to get it.

The audiobook is especially well done. One of the best books I've ever shared with my kids. (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

It is 1940 and William, 12, Edmund, 11, and Anna, 9, aren't terribly upset by the death of the not-so-grandmotherly grandmother who has taken care of them since their parents died. But the children do need a guardian, and in the dark days of World War II London, those are in short supply, especially if they hope to stay together. Could the mass wartime evacuation of children from London to the countryside be the answer?

FROM SARAH:

A little like Jane Austen, a little like Mitford, a little like Anne of Green Gables. I listened to this while walking my dog and lost count of how often I burst out laughing. The characterization alone is enough to keep you riveted! Highly recommended for mamas who need to get swept up into a good story. (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Barbara Buncle is in a bind. Times are harsh, and Barbara's bank account has seen better days. Maybe she could sell a novel . . . if she knew any stories. Stumped for ideas, Barbara draws inspiration from her fellow residents of Silverstream, the little English village she knows inside and out. To her surprise, the novel is a smash. It's a good thing she wrote under a pseudonym, because the folks of Silverstream are in an uproar!

FROM SARAH:

Laura Martin is (hands-down) my go-to author for any kids age 10-14 who say they don’t like reading. This newest from her is perfect especially for fans of The Edge of Extinction books (I love those!) (and I’m not even a science fiction person!).

I tend to think Laura’s books make better read-alones than read-alouds… only because they are page-turners, and your kids aren’t going to want to stop once they start. But if you have a reluctant reader, try reading aloud the first chapter or two and then “running out of time” so they have to keep reading on their own to see what happens! 😎

Recommended for ages 8+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Berkeley and her best friend, Garth, live on an old cruise ship, scavenging for supplies from the drowned cities left behind on the ocean floor after the sea swallowed up all the land. They think they've seen every kind of aquatic creature, but they never expected to find sea monsters...

After awakening a Hydra, Berkeley and Garth are sent to live on a submarine, where they study and hunt sea monsters. But the Hydra wants revenge on their home ship--and if it succeeds, their families will go down with it.

Berkley, Garth, and their crew must find a way to save the ship. But monsters aren't the only deadly things lurking in the ocean's depths.

FROM SARAH:

The audiobook (narrated by Kenneth Branagh) is really not to be missed! (Audible | LibroFM).

We recommend for ages 14+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Just after midnight, the famous Orient Express is stopped in its tracks by a snowdrift. By morning, the millionaire Samuel Edward Ratchett lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. Without a shred of doubt, one of his fellow passengers is the murderer.

FROM SARAH:

I didn't know anything about this time in history, but this book came highly recommended to me, so I gave it a try. And boy, did it deliver! I especially loved the audio. For historical fiction readers and teens (I think 14+). Wonderful on audio (Audible | LibroFM).

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Under the fascist dictatorship of General Francisco Franco, Spain is hiding a dark secret. Meanwhile, tourists and foreign businessmen flood into Spain. Among them is eighteen-year-old Daniel Matheson, who meets Ana, whose family's interweaving obstacles reveal the lingering grasp of the Spanish Civil War.