Children's Books Recommendations
GSA teachers are often asked by parents to recommend leisurely reading material for our students to enjoy outside of school. This interest has prompted us to work towards developing a growing list of new literature that is easily accessible to all members of our community. To ensure we are not the only readers who think these books are worth a read, every book that appears on our list has won one or more notable children's book awards. Happy Reading!
Picture Books
George Washington's Teeth
by D. Chandra and M. Comora (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)This funny book is based on Washington's own letters chronicling his years of tooth trouble. A perfect read to celebrate upcoming President's Day or National Children's Dental Health Month.
Parents' Choice Award WinnerTexas Bluebonnet Award Nominee, 2004-2005
Reading Level Grade: 3.6
Martina, the Beautiful Cockroach
by C. Agra Deedy & M. Martin (Peachtree Publishers)In this humorous retelling of a Cuban folktale, a cockroach interviews her suitors in order to decide whom to marry.
Texas Bluebonnet Children's Choice Award master list 2009-2010Reading Level Grade: 3.1
Beginning Chapter Books
Keena Ford and the Field Trip Mix-Up
by M. Thomson (Dial)Second grader Keena Ford is excited about her class trip to the United States Capitol. There are lots of laughs in this book when things don't go as Keena planned.
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Winner: Frank MorrisonReading Level Grade: 4.4
Where I Live
by E. Spinelli (Dial)Diana loves her best friend and learning about astronomy. Life takes a turn when her dad loses his job and Diana's family has to move. A great book for helping children handle change.
Bluestem Book Award Nominee, 2011Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee, 2009-2010
New York Public Libraries 100 Books for Reading and Sharing, 2007
Reading Level Grade: 2.9
Maybelle in the Soup
by K. Speck & P. Rátz de Tagyos (Henry Holt and Co.)When Mr. and Mrs. Peabody invite a guest to dinner, Maybelle the cockroach, who lives under their refrigerator, ignores the warnings of Henry the flea to be sensible and ends up "splashing" into a big adventure.
Texas Bluebonnet Children's Choice Award master list 2009-2010Kids' Wings Award for Excellence in Literature
Reading Level Grade: 3.8
Young Adult
The Witch's Guide to Cooking with Children
by K. McGowan (Henry Holt and Co.)A modern day take on the Grimm Brothers' Hänsel and Gretel. In this spine-tingling thriller siblings Sol and Connie discover that solving mysteries can be a dangerous game.
Kids' Indie Next List, Autumn 2009Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee, 2011-2012
Reading Level Grade: 4.7
Diamond Willow
by H. Frost (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)In a remote area of Alaska, twelve-year-old Willow helps her father with their sled dogs when she is not at school, wishing she were more popular, all the while unaware that the animals surrounding her carry the spirits of dead ancestors and friends who care for her.
2009 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award2009 Texas Lone Star Reading List
Reading Level Grade: 4.3
Interest Level Grades: 5-8