This is a continuation of my blog postof September 7, with suggestions for books for grades 3-4. Many of the children in these grades are reading below grade level.
I’m starting with books by Jamaican authors, most of which are available in Jamaica and on Amazon.
I’m starting with books by Jamaican authors, most of which are available in Jamaica and on Amazon.
Published by LMH
Tilly
Bummie
Ramgoat
Dashalong
Goat
Boy Never Cries
By Isabel Marvin: Saving
Joe Louis
Published by Carlong in the Sand Pebble Series
Every Little
Thing will be All Right by Diane Browne
Jenny and the
General by Jean D’Costa
Miss Bettina’s
House by Hazel Campbell
Beenybud Stories by Linda Gambrill published by Ian Randle
Miss Tiny
A Boy Named
Neville
Croaking Johnny
and Dizzy Lizzie
By Cedella Marley
The Boy from Nine
Miles
One Love
Every Little
Thing
By Everard Palmer
A Cow Called Boy
The Sun Salutes
You
My Father Sun-Sun
Johnson
Cloud with the
Silver Lining
Books from the wider Caribbean. Many are listed on Anansesem’s website.
Examples: My Two
Grannies by Floella Benjamin
My
Two Grandads by Floella Benjamin
Boysie
and the Kiskadee by Britta Rajkumar
The School that
Sank by Sherry North
Sailing Days by
Sherry North
The Angry Mountain by Charlotte Megan Adams
Gary the Smartest
Gecko by Thalia Bell
Shauna’s
Hurricane by Francine Jacobs
and other books in this series.
and other books in this series.
See my blog post of April 2015 for suggestions.
I would like to highlight The No 1 Car Spotter by Atinuke. There are 6 books in this series.
and
Circle Unbroken by Margo Theis Raven - the story of how the art of basket-making was taken from Africa to the Carolinas. Is there a similar story of the way in which the art of basket-making was brought to Jamaica?
The following books were not listed in that blog post:
Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain (Rise and Shine)
by
Goal! by Mina Javaherbin
Most of the big publishing houses have series
of graded readers.
Harper Collins has “I Can Read” Levels 3
and 4 are suitable for the corresponding grades.
Random House has “Step into Reading”
Scholastic has “Readers”. Levels 2 and
3 are recommended for children who are becoming independent readers.
DK Readers cover a wide range of
non-fiction topics. Grade 4 children should find some that interest them in
levels 2 & 3.
Penguin Young Readers Level 3
I picked the
following books, which are culturally North American, from a list of books
enjoyed by children at The Centre for Teaching and Learning. They are all
available on Amazon.
Easier,
well-illustrated books to encourage struggling and reluctant readers.
1.
Bridwell, Norman
The Clifford series – picture books about 30 pages long, more appropriate for
grades 1-2 , but could still be of interest.
2.
Charlip, Remy Fortunately This picture book
might appeal to reluctant readers.
3.
Griffiths, Andy The 13-Story Treehouse (The
Treehouse books). These books are longer, but still have lots of illustrations
and not so much text.
4.
McMullan, Kate I’m Dirty; I’m Smart; I’m Fast and
other titles all about vehicles. Text in the books varies in size and there are
activities such as identifying tools.
5.
Rey, H.A. The Curious George series – timeless
classics about a monkey who gets into trouble – picture books intended for
reading aloud.
6.
Willems, Mo Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs
Chapter books for average readers.
1.
Osborne,
Mary Pope TheMagic Tree House books take Jack and Annie to times and
places other than contemporary U.S.A. They are ideal for children who are
starting chapter books.
2.
Abbott, Tony The Secrets of Droon books. These
fantasies are also chapter books, average 90 pages long.
3.
Barrows,
Annie The Ivy and Bean series. These chapter books, about 120 pages long are available in
paperback and Kindle editions. They would appeal more to girls, because the two
central characters are girls.
4.
Bentley, Sue The Magic Kitten series: would also
appeal more to girls.
5.
Cleary, Beverly is a prolific author
popular with children in the USA. Her Ralph S. Mouse books might be popular with boys in Jamaica.
6.
Kimpton,
Diana ThePony-Crazed Princess series – popular with girls who like to read about
princesses and horses!
7.
Krulik, Nancy The Magic Bone series – stories about
dogs, for example Be Careful What You
Sniff – might appeal to boys.
8.
Miles, Ellen The Puppy Place Series 100+ pp Gr 4
should be able to read these, but they are somewhat culture bound. At least 45
books.
9.
Roy, Ron A-Z Mysteries series: Appropriate
reading level but culturally North American.
10. Rylant, Cynthia Henry and Mudge books,
about a white boy and his dog, but I think Jamaican boys can identify with him.
11. Silverman, Erica Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa
12. Wallace, Bill The Flying Flea, Callie, and Me
Collections
1. The Usborne collection of fairy tales, folk tales, fiction, and nonfiction
2. The Kingfisher Treasuries: Many books suitable for this age group
Collections
1. The Usborne collection of fairy tales, folk tales, fiction, and nonfiction
2. The Kingfisher Treasuries: Many books suitable for this age group
Books
for more competent readers.
1.
Applegate, Katherine: I love 2 books
of hers, not least because of the poetic language. Home of the Brave written in Kek’s voice, is the story of a refugee
boy from Africa, adapting to a new life in the USA. The One and Only Ivan is about a gorilla who was kept in a small
cage in a shopping mall. I expect Crenshaw
is
equally good.
2.
Brown, Peter TheWild Robot – about how a robot survives in the wilderness.
3.
Dahl, Roald Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Giraffe, Pelly, and Me; The BFG; Fantastic
Mr. Fox; and The
Enormous Crocodile These timeless classics continue to be popular with
children. .
4.
King-Smith, Dick A Mouse Called Wolf, and other books are entertaining stories.
5.
McDonald,
Megan The Judy Moody and Stink series. Lots of titles about a brother and sister,
sometimes on their own, other times together.
6.
Willems, Mo The Story of Diva and Flea
7.
Watson, Tom The Stick Dog series – engaging stories
and simple illustrations to inspire children who don’t like to draw.
Wallace, Bill Trapped in Death Cave
