A Must-Read Book for Every Grade

Choosing the right books for your child can be overwhelming — you want quality reads that are enjoyable, but that also build skills. You’re not alone: Many parents are looking for texts at their child’s reading level that offer lessons on how to be a good person while packing in a few laughs and maybe pointing to some historical context.

If you count yourself in this camp, look no further. We’ve selected one book for each grade of your child’s early school years that you can start with when filling their bookshelf. Selected for grades Pre-K through to 6th grade, these picks exemplify the lessons (both in life and literacy) that your child will encounter as they grow.

PreK: All Because You Matter 

The precious years of reading (and snuggling) leading up to kindergarten are when your child begins to understand story events and the qualities of their favorite characters. This is also a prime time for introducing concepts of self-esteem.

All Because You Matter is a moving picture book that reminds readers that their worth can never be diminished, no matter what obstacles are put in front of them. Full of hope, assurance, and love, this lullaby of a story features illustrations by artist Bryan Collier, a four-time Caldecott Honor recipient and nine-time Coretta Scott King Award honoree.

Kindergarten: The Caring Me I Want to Be

In kindergarten, your child takes big steps toward mastering language and literacy skills. They’re also gearing up to be students in the wider world, which requires social skills. 

The Caring Me I Want to Be offers lessons in kindness, empathy, and emotional support that your child will need to form friendships.

1st Grade: The Little Butterfly That Could  

The title character’s story of persistence in this parent favorite mirrors the big leaps taken in childhood toward possessing patience and maturity.

After completing his metamorphosis, a butterfly must travel 200 miles to reach his friends. However, this butterfly is a catastrophic thinker with major worries. Fortunately, a friendly whale arrives to guide the faithless flutterer beyond his “what-ifs” to his final destination. 

The Little Butterfly That Could is full of laughs and a hearty dose of “can-do” motivation. Plus, you’ll be introducing real-life scientific concepts to your child as well! Author Ross Burach is known for pairing STEAM-related themes with social-emotional content in his kids’ books, and this take on butterfly migration is no exception.

2nd Grade: Dog Man #1: Dog Man

Dav Pilkey’s New York Times best-selling Dog Man series is a young-reader phenomenon. Your child won’t be able to get enough of these graphic novels and their title character, a canine superhero who’s half-dog, half-man. 

Beginning with Dog Man #1: Dog Man, the series appeals to readers of all ages and is notable for exploring universally positive themes of empathy, kindness, persistence, and the importance of doing good.

3rd Grade: Front Desk

A trilogy tackling diversity and immigrant life, the first volume in the groundbreaking Front Desk series introduces readers to 10-year-old Mia Tang, whose family owns and operates the Calivista Motel. 

Winner of the Parents Choice Gold Award and a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2018, Front Desk follows pre-teen Mia on her adventures through elementary and middle school as she reflects on her experiences as the Chinese American daughter of immigrants — all while helping maintain the family business, where her parents are secretly hiding illegal immigrants in the empty rooms.

4th Grade: I Survived #1: I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912

Author Lauren Tarshis’ I Survived series is a thrilling addition to the historical fiction genre, blowing young readers away with engaging illustrations and characters who use their wits to escape historically accurate events, like military battles and natural disasters. Start your child off with I Survived #1: I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 — about 10-year-old George Calder and his experience on the ill-fated ship. 

While the thrilling, easy-to-understand text is perfect for striving readers, any young reader who enjoys an action-packed page-turner will devour these books. Each book also contains several pages of nonfiction content, encouraging readers to delve deeper into the topic.

5th Grade: Refugee

Author Alan Gratz’s novels support the exposure to historical events that’s common in upper elementary grade curricula. His gripping tale Refugee considers what it means to flee one’s homeland across three timelines: 1930’s Nazi Germany, late-’90s Cuba, and present-day Syria. 

Young readers will learn about the often-harrowing trials refugees go through to find safe haven through accounts of characters their age.

6th Grade: I Know Your Secret

Riveting plotlines and relatable problems are key for keeping young readers hooked on books, especially as they enter middle school and take on more extracurriculars and social commitments.

Set during a single day of school, I Know Your Secret finds four 7th graders faced with a list of demands from an anonymous blackmailer. A story of honesty and deception, your child’s hallway drama can’t compare (thankfully) — but they’ll be glued to the page nonetheless.

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