Reading Recommendations

Choosing your next book to read can be hard. Even for adults. Even for me, and I am a librarian! But I can help you.

Check out some of my favorite books HERE.

I've created three pamphlets filled with books that kids love. You can print them out and take them to the public library, or use them for purchasing ideas to get your kids reading for pleasure started!

All pamphlets' reading levels have an overlapping aspect to them. You know your kid best, but just as an example for 1st graders I would recommend printing pamphlet 1 and 2, they might be interested in books from both depending on their reading levels and interests. For 4th graders I would print both pamphlet 2 and 3, for the same reason.

Scroll down for information on using the public libraries, tips on how to encourage reading and even more book recommendations with direct links to book lists for each grade.

Wishing everyone a wonderful summer vacation. Keep reading and stay curious!

Ms. Levy

(adapted from www.imaginationsoup.com)

1. CHOICE: Let your kids choose the books that they read. Kids Need to Pick Out Books.

2. BOUNTY: Fill your house with lots of books. More books = more chances for your children to find a fantastic, amazing, very good book that they can’t put down. Weekly library visits make this much more economical.

3. LIBRARY: Use your library. Let your kids go WILD and check out lots of books!

4. TECHNOLOGY: Don’t forget about audiobooks, Kindles, iPads, and Nook reading. Ebooks and audiobooks count as reading, too.

5. DOWN-TIME: Kids Need Margins Just Like We Do. We all need unscheduled time to rest and relax. Kids especially. Remember to make time during the day for rest and reading.

While owning your own books and having a home library is important, buying lots of books can become expensive quickly! I highly recommend getting into the habit of using your local public library on a weekly basis if possible.

Select libraries in both the LAPL system and the County Library system have opened up for in-person browsing, and all libraries still offer curbside pickup options. Also they offer lots of digital options such as ebooks, audiobooks and so much more. I urge you to utilize this AMAZING and FREE resource. You can learn more here on our school website, or visit the public libraries' websites (they really want to help! just reach out to them).

Los Angeles Public Library www.lapl.org

Los Angeles County Library www.lacountylibrary.org

Melissa Taylor is the woman behind Imagination Soup. She is a mom, former elementary teacher & literacy trainer, AND we share a similar taste in books. She has very comprehensive reading lists for kids of every age from elementary to middle school to high school!! Her lists are full of the best new books and some great favorites from the past.