Middle Grade chapter books for kids

Young Quills, best historical fiction for kids, chapter books,

18 Award-Winning Historical Fiction Children’s Books

Posted on November 21, 2011May 28, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

One of my favorite blogs, The Fourth Musketeer, just covers KidLit Historical Fiction. I pretty much file every book review of hers into an email folder labeled “Books I Want to Read.” She posted on the Historical Association Awards Young Quills from Great Britain here. I have listed the winners as well as the short lists for this year and last year. Historical fiction is a great way to get kids excited about history! If you want to find more great books, be sure to subscribe to The Fourth Musketeer’s blog. She’s a librarian and the go to person on that!

Top 10: Best Children’s Books Featuring Life-Changing Teachers (ages 4-12)

Posted on November 14, 2011May 28, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

This list is a homage to the exceptional teachers everywhere who dedicate their lives to making a difference. And they absolutely do! One day, one of their students may even write about their exception teacher as in the case for a few of the books selected below.

Chile: Children’s Books, Nobel Laureate Poets, Art and More

Posted on November 8, 2011May 28, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

As I researched Chile, I found another Nobel winning poet, Gabriela Mistral. Two Nobel poets from one small country?! The souls of Chileans are truly steeped in poetry, optimism and beauty. At least, that is what I conclude after looking at what they can do with horsehair, graffiti and mere words!

Cricket In Times Square: Book Club for Kids

Posted on November 7, 2011May 28, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

I hosted my middle daughter’s book club this past week. She chose her all-time favorite book by which she judges all other books, Newbury Honor Book, The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden. Activity 1: Create a Cricket Habitat with Actual Crickets to Bring Home.

Best Books for Boy Readers, Reluctant or Otherwise (ages 7-14)

Best Books for Reluctant Readers: Part 2, Authors M-Z

Posted on November 4, 2011May 28, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

I love to find books that excite reluctant readers. The key is to find that magic intersection that marries your child’s just-right level with content that matches their interest and a layout that is visually appealing (small chunks of text broken by pictures, larger font size, etc.). Alas, this is a moving target. I have an actual person that I select these books for, my youngest son’s best friend’s older brother who is a 4th grader with my oldest. My mom friends have had success with these books for their reluctant boy readers and suggests you try them. If you want to purchase a book, click on the image of the book to buy at Amazon.com.

Best Books for Reluctant Readers: Part 1, Authors A-L

Posted on November 4, 2011May 28, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

I love to find books that excite reluctant readers. The key is to find that magic intersection that marries your child’s just-right level with content that matches their interest and a layout that is visually appealing (small chunks of text broken by pictures, larger font size, etc.). Alas, this is a moving target. I have an actual person that I select these books for, my youngest son’s best friend’s older brother who is a 4th grader with my oldest. My mom friends have had success with these books for their reluctant boy readers and suggests you try them. If you want to purchase a book, click on the image of the book to buy at Amazon.com.

middle school, reading, boys and reading, the middle school reader, reading strategies

The Middle School Reluctant Reader

Posted on November 2, 2011May 28, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

Kylene Beers, Professor of Reading at the University of Houston breaks reluctant readers into four distinct groups: Dormant Readers, Uncommitted Readers, Unmotivated Readers and Unskilled Readers and contrasts them with the Avid Reader. Let’s take a look at these five groups of readers.