Books I’ve Read With My Children…
Below is a hopefully helpful list of books that God has blessed me to read with my children ages 6-11. I am only including novels/chapter books for this list. May the LORD use it to help you and your children grow closer to each other!
(Please click on the book titles to be taken to the amazon.com page with more info about the book)
The Second Mrs. Gioconda by E.L. Konigsburg
“Fantastic time reading this book to my ten year old daughter. The author has some funny and profound insights into human character, while also teaching some interesting facts about Leonardo Da Vinci. Great read!”
Dinosaurs Before Dark (Magic Tree House #1) by Mary Pope Osborne
“Fun out-loud read with my five year old son. Kept his attention while welcoming us over the threshold of chapter books. Reading books together is such an amazing way for parents and children to grow close!”
Hittite Warrior by Joanne Williamson
“Fantastic book that I read out-loud to my ten year old daughter J. Started slowly, but built up momentum and interest. Superbly highlighted life in the Middle East in the 13th century B.C. Provided fascinating background/historical information to Bible accounts in the book of Judges.”
Lillian Trasher by Geoff & Janet Benge
“Deeply moving and inspiring book that I read out-loud to my oldest four children (ages 5–12). What a courageous woman whose faith in/love for Jesus and compassion towards others enabled her to sacrifice her earthly life for the care of Egyptian orphans. Oh that I would have those same elements of character to follow Jesus into the dangerous but rewarding paths where He leads…”
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
“Phenomenal book which I read out-loud to my oldest four children (ages 5–11). Lewis had such a gift for seeing people, personalities, and situations the same way others see them, or in such a way that readers say, “Exactly! I know what he is writing about!!!” Love the parallels of good & evil in our modern world as well.”
Son of Charlemagne by Barbara Willard
“Fantastic historical fiction book that I read out-loud to my ten year old daughter J. I would have loved for the book to go into even more detail, but that was not the book’s purpose. The book gave a great big-picture overview of a twenty year section of the life of Charles the Great and his family and whet our appetites to learn more about the ways that this man’s life has impacted life in the western hemisphere over the last 1,200 years.”
The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis
“Enjoyed this thoroughly–what a fantastic tie in at the end to understand how the wardrobe got built! So excited to be reading the “Chronicles of Narnia” series with my family!”
The One Year Book of Family Devotions, Volume 1
“Phenomenal book to read with kids in under 10 minutes each day: combines powerful Bible verses, insightful questions, and well-written life situations to teach a Scriptural lesson. Parents will grow closer to God as well!”
Hind’s Feet on High Places: An Allegory by Hannah Hurnard
“Amazing book. I AM little miss much afraid…But Jesus has great things in store for me! Great to read slowly with older children to discuss the connections between Much Afraid’s journey and our own daily life in the 21st century.”
“Powerful book about a young man’s love for Jesus and the people of the world that led him to risk his life on numerous occasions to bring the love of Jesus to a tribe in Columbia/Venezuela who had never heard of Him. The fact that Bruchko did this in a humble and culturally sensitive way makes the book especially important and impactful.”
George Muller: The Guardian Of Bristol’s Orphans by Janet & Geoff Benge
“Powerful book, the second biography of George Muller that I have read (I am currently reading a third). He and his wife led a life of sacrificial faith in Jesus Christ as they cared for over 10,000 U.K. orphans during their lives without ever asking others for money. Stirring testimony to God’s faithfulness in regards to prayer.”
Treasury Of Inspirational Stories For Children by James Herriot
“Heartwarming stories set to fantastic original artwork–great to read with your children of all ages!”
Adoniram Judson by Janet & Geoff Benge
“Powerful account of the first Christian missionary sent out from the United States. He and his family endured so much to share the love of Jesus with others. What a powerful example and witness for us today.”
“I am truly enjoying reading Cleary books with my children–what a great way to snuggle up, laugh, learn, and have fun together without a television or something that requires batteries/electricity! 
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Ralph S. Mouse by Beverly Cleary
“So thankful to have read this book to my six year old daughter A.! Great lessons on sacrifice, trust, perseverance, friendship, and forgiveness (I just wish Cleary’s child characters wouldn’t say the word “stupid” so much–it’s still “the s-word” in our house!).”
Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary
“Whimsical book, reading with my six year old daughter A. Simply a delightful pleasure.”
Owls In The Family by Farley Mowat
“Blessed to be reading this with my 6 year old daughter A. Interesting and fun!”
Mocassin Trail by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
“Blessed to be reading this to my 9 year old daughter J. Beautifully captures the difficulty in putting a shattered life back-together and highlights themes of forgiveness, healing, identity, culture, loyalty, family, friendship, honesty, hard work, and self-sacrifice.”
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald
“So blessed to have read this to my 6 year old daughter A. Delightful stories that grab and keep the attention of young and old alike.”
Little Britches by Ralph Moody
‘So thankful to be reading this fantastic book to my 11 and 9 year old daughters. A kind-of “Little House on the Prairie” set in 1906 in Colorado; a great example to us 21st century Americans of hard work, meager earthly riches, tight-knit family, and overall contentment.”
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
“Learned about this fascinating man through reading this fantastic book with my 3rd grade daughter Jasmine.”
The Picture Bible by Iva Hoth and Andre LeBlanc
“Fantastically illustrated Bible for children ages 4-10. Read this over one year with my children and definitely grew closer to God personally!”
The Action Bible by Doug Mauss and Sergio Cariello
“Edgier version of the Picture Bible, drawn by celebrated comic book artist Sergio Cariello. The dramatic drawings do so much to inform the text, Am reading this with my older children and again am growing closer to God myself in the process!”
Johnny Tremain by Esther Hoskins Forbes
“I am currently reading this aloud before bedtime to my 3rd grade daughter Jasmine. Well written historical fiction that includes many recognizable people from the American Revolution. Provides great issues to discuss with children like kindness, acceptance, forgiveness, honoring God before worldly success, etc.”
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
“I am reading this for a book group that I am doing with my 8 year old daughter Sabrina. So excited to do this with her! I am surprised at the language used by the child characters in the book as well as their combative attitudes towards adults and each other.”
Gladys Aylward by Janet & Geoff Benge
“Powerful biography about an English maid in the early 20th century who had great faith in Jesus and a great love for the Chinese people and through whom God did amazing actions of self-sacrifice, perseverance, faith, and love.”
Detectives In Togas by Henry Winterfeld
“Well crafted story teaching children to look out for friends and use logic and courage to investigate the circumstances behind a crime. Great historical backdrop as well.”
Little Pear by Eleanor Frances Lattimore
“Loved reading this to my 6 year old daughter A. Teaches great lessons; even the sound of reading the words aloud was beautiful. Well done!”