It’s Monday! Time for a recap of what I read last week. Now that we’ve been exposed to a fair amount of children’s books, our professor is having us design our own reading challenge. I’ve decided to start my own classroom library that I hope to someday be able to use! Throughout my challenge, I will be gathering some of the most recommended books for an upper elementary classroom library.
Frindle
In this book, Nick Allen is the best time waster in the fifth grade. He is known for stumping teachers and getting them to forget about assignments. Nick attempts to outsmart the toughest teacher in the fifth grade, Mrs. Granger. This small action leads to quite a big ordeal. We find out how Nick becomes quite the innovator and gets the whole country talking.
I remember reading this book over and over when I was younger, but it has been awhile since I’ve read it. Andrew Clements is a fantastic author, and I would definitely call Frindle a staple for the classroom.
Sideways Stories From Wayside School
Wayside School was supposed to be built one story high with thirty classrooms. Instead, it was built thirty stories high with a classroom on each floor! This book is about the thirtieth story, Mrs. Jewls’s class. If you think the building is crazy, the stories inside of Mrs. Jewls’s classroom get even crazier. Each chapter is about a different teacher or student that goes to Wayside, and the bizarre nonsense things that happen to them.
I found this book to be very funny, and I think the kid humor is on par. I didn’t realize until after I finished the book that it was written by Louis Sachar (author of Holes) so this book being good wasn’t a surprise. I think this book would be a great book for a read aloud. Each chapter is a mini story and you don’t have to know what happened in the chapter before to enjoy the current story. A very silly way to take a break with your students!
Because of Winn-Dixie
Opal may be young, but she is wise beyond her years. After moving to Florida with her father, the preacher, Opal longs for a new friend. She finds just that in a roaming dog that she names Winn-Dixie. Together they have many adventures, and meet very interesting people. Through the stories of the people she meets, Opal learns many important lessons.
A classic! This is such a great book. It touches on some heavier topics—alcoholism, abandonment, jail, loss, but in a tasteful, heartfelt way.
Stressed, Blessed, and Coffee Obsessed 
I really need to reread Because of Winn-Dixie. I read it many years ago, long before I started teaching Children’s Lit or reading a lot of kid’s books. So I think my response now would be quite different. You read some terrific books this week!
LikeLike
Thank you! I’m finding I don’t have to look too far for good books. All of these blogs are full of great recommendations.
LikeLike
Frindle sounds like a great book. I remember the name and hearing about the book from friends but I never actually read it as a student. It sounds humorous and entertaining I’ll have to check it out. Great post!
LikeLike
It is worth the read! If you like it, Andrew Clements has written a ton of other pretty good books. They mostly focus around that one kid that decides to be daring–a great message for kids!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, I had totally forgotten about Sideways Stories from Wayside School! I remember reading it in elementary and thinking that the stories were so funny! Apparently I also need to read more of Kate DiCamillo books–I’ve only read a few, but her name is popping up everywhere this semester!
LikeLike
I’ve noticed that! I’ve only read Because of Winn-Dixie, but I really like her writing style so I will have to read more!
LikeLike
Nick Allen sounds like quite the character. This book sounds like it would be very entertaining to read. You have a great list of books you read. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
Thanks! This is a great author to get kids interested in if they like Frindle. Clements has a lot of books!
LikeLike