What is better than a good book? To help celebrate National Book Month this October, I’ve compiled a list of some of my son’s favorite books, along with a few selections from my personal shelves.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.
A gift from my brother and his crew before my son was born, this book holds sentimental value. It has a great cadence. Even as I type, I can sing the words in my head. Meet you at the top of the coconut tree!
CookieBot! by Katie Van Camp
Chaos ensues when a young boy builds a robot to get the cookie jar on the top of the fridge. We randomly checked this out at the library, and it quickly became one of our most checked-out books.
The Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen
You can not go wrong with a book by Van Dusen. This historical fiction book is unique in that it gives you characters so distinct that you can not help but give them unique voices as you read out loud. There is also a spread where you can find the animals as they hide from the circus leader.
Superhero School by Aaron Reynolds
Another library gem. This book shows kids that even superheroes need to know math, science, and teamwork to save the day.
We love Meltzer. We have seen him at St. Louis County Library events now twice. It is one of my favorite memories with Josh. Anyway, these books are great. From George Washington to Mister Rogers and Harriet Tubman to Dolly Parton, these books teach history and how one person can change the world. He has also expanded into superheroes!
Dinosaur A – Z by Roger Priddy
We have read a LOT of dinosaur books. I have wished for pronunciation guides, and this book finally delivered. There are the usual dinos represented, plus some new to us ones. It has great facts, plus I know how to say Quetzalcoatlus.
Age of Dinosaurs by Steve Brusatte
Josh chose this as his prize for finishing The Novel Neighbor’s summer reading challenge when he was five. It was above his reading level, but he was mesmerized as we read it together at bedtime.
Once Upon A Tim by Stuard Gibbs
Finding a book that makes everyone reading it laugh is a true gem. We found this one funny and entertaining. We are waiting for the sequel to arrive at our library any day.
We own all of these books, all 24. We have spread the love of Dragon Masters to so many friends. At one point, we were having book club calls with friends. The characters are as diverse as their dragons. The author does trivia about the books on Facebook. The next book comes out in time for the holidays.
The Box Car Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
I remember reading these as a kid, so it was exciting when the first book arrived in Josh’s Literati box this month. We share reading duties now, but this was the one he told me I needed to recommend here. Quick warning: this book takes place in the 1920s, and in the first two pages, the dad has a drinking problem and passes away. I did not remember that part.
Heroes in Training by Joan Holub
We started listening to a podcast called Greeking Out (there’s now a book to go with it), which opened the door to Greek mythology. The Heroes are the kid versions of the gods and goddesses who set out to take out Cronus. These tales are kid-friendly, but some monsters can still be scary.
We read a lot as a family, but I still make time to discover new books. Here is the list of my most recommended books.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
My original Goodreads review started with one word, “wow.” It felt like a modern-day telling of “It’s a Beautiful Life,” but better. The storytelling had me mesmerized. It was the first book I borrowed from the library that I wanted to purchase as soon as I finished.
The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl
My husband and I each bought the other this book for Christmas 2021, and somehow all of my closest friends also received copies that holiday. You don’t have to be a Foo Fighters fan to appreciate the stories Grohl shares. And his mom is the ultimate woman for mom goals. Insider tip: get the deluxe paperback version for even more great stories.
Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
After so many deep dives into Greek mythology with my son, I wanted to read an adult take. I couldn’t put this book down. It was fast-paced (for a book that covers a 10-year war). And then I read every other book by this author.
The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates by Wes Moore
Two kids with the same name, growing up in the same area but leading completely different lives. This book had me feeling so many emotions.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
A beautifully told story that had me up way past my bedtime to finish. There was a twist I didn’t see coming. This book left me wondering what I would do if I found out something that would change everything.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
I felt like I was watching and not reading this book unfold. It was the most emotionally invested I was in a book, maybe ever. It follows two sisters during World War II in France. They think they’re different, but maybe they’re not. This story made me cry, but it hasn’t stopped me from recommending it to everyone!
There are so many books that we have read together over the last seven years it is hard to narrow it down to the best of the best. I hope these recommendations inspire your next reads.
