.My kids liked to choose their own books at the library, but not because they were excited to explore the stacks. They did it because they were afraid they’d have to read a thick, dusty book that I chose, something good for them, much like spinach or asparagus.
I knew how to find books to read to them, but not books they wanted to read independently. Over the years, I learned to find books they considered good reading. To do this, I had to figure out the genres that most interested them by watching the types of books that held their attention.
I also paid attention to their favorite movies, and categorized them as adventure, fantasy, mystery, or another genre. These clues, when put together with their personalities and their likes and dislikes, helped me find my kids’ genre preferences, which went a long way in guiding me to choose books they wanted to read and motivated them to read.
If you’ve studied your children, you may know some of the genres your kids prefer too. Here’s what you can do with that information. Go to https://www.pluggedin.com/book-reviews. Next to the words “Book Reviews‚” is a drop-down menu beneath the word “Filter.” If you click on the arrow, you can find a specific genre that your child likes to read. Click on it and on the “Submit” button to receive a list of books that have been reviewed in that genre. By glancing through the reviews, you’ll be able to tell fairly quickly whether the book is appropriate for your child’s age, stage or interests.
If that sounds too daunting, I’ve listed a number of books by their genres as a place for you to begin
Read these book reviews for parents, to verify that a book is good for your kids.
Adventure books
The Bears on Hemlock Mountain Review
Jonathan wonders if there might be bears on Hemlock Mountain as he travels over it to borrow a pot for his Ma. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
The Legend of the 10-Gallon Sam and the Perilous Mine Review
Sam learns a valuable lesson about pride when he receives a new ten-gallon hat, in this allegory about Samson. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Animal stories
The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto Review
Balto was the lead dog of one of the 21 brave dogsled teams who brought diphtheria medicine to Nome, Alaska. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Kids can learn more about the godly trait of kindness in this delightful “Otter B” book, which is the second in the “Otter B” series.
Contemporary books
Sarah is nervous because she’s ready to begin classes at her new school. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Andrew wishes he had freckles like Nicky. Then a classmate offers him a a freckle-producing drink. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Historical fiction books
Cousins Patrick and Beth travel back in time to Viking-occupied Greenland and encounter a less-than-friendly Viking. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Winona and her family move west by traveling on Route 66. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Even more historical stories:
- The Beginner’s Bible: David and the Giant
Humor books
Amelia Bedelia takes her employers’ instructions literally, oblivious to the Rogers’ true intentions. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Kate gets a cow horse named Cocoa. The two become fast friends. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Mystery books
When Annie’s painting goes missing, she calls detective Nate the Great to discover the reason. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
The Crazy Christmas Angel Mystery
Eric can’t believe it when his neighbor’s Christmas angel comes to life. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Good books for kids: 8- to 11-year-olds
Read these book reviews for parents, to verify that a book is good for your kids.
Adventure books
Bible Kidventures: Stories of Danger and Courage
Kids remain engaged as you read them four Bible stories in this choose-your-own Kidventure. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
This gripping story places a boy and his dog against an impossible task. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Even more adventure stories:
Animal stories
When a long-missing bear named C.J. sends a distress call, Growly, a bear cub, vows to rescue him. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Mice Tumtum and Nutmeg protect the children of Rose Cottage from their absent-minded dad’s neglect. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Even animal stories:
- Squirreled Away
Classic books
Little Britches: Father and I Were Ranchers
A young boy and his father start life on the Colorado frontier. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
When sea captain Billy Bones dies at an Inn, young Jim finds the pirate’s map and embarks on a perilous journey. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Even more classic stories:
Contemporary books
Councilman Philip Glossman and his evil boss, Regis Blackgaard, scheme against Whit in the town of Odyssey. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Can one word change an entire town? Nick Allen is going to find out, and he’s using the word frindle to do it. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Even more contemporary stories:
Fantasy books
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Four siblings find their way into a magical land in need of deliverance from evil. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
The Mouse With the Question Mark Tail
A tiny mouse travels around Buckingham Palace in search of answers. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Even more fantasy stories:
- Captain Absolutely
- Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
- The BFG
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- The Chocolate Touch
- The Mad Dash for Cash
- “The Wilderking” series No. 1: The Bark of the Bog Owl
- “The Wilderking” series No. 2: The Secret of the Swamp King
Historical fiction books
Beth and Patrick travel with Abraham Lincoln to his first inauguration, but a band of assassins plot his demise. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Briana O’Toole and her brother are kidnapped by Viking marauders. Will God help them escape? If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Even more historical fiction stories:
- #2 – Attack at the Arena
- #3 – Peril in the Palace
- #4 – Revenge of the Red Knight
- #5 – Showdown With the Shepherd
- #6 – Problems in Plymouth
- #7 – Secret of the Prince’s Tomb
- #8 – Battle for Cannibal Island
- #9 – Escape to the Hiding Place
- #10 – Challenge on the Hill of Fire
- #11 – Hunt for the Devil’s Dragon
- #12 – Danger on a Silent Night
- #13 – The Redcoats Are Coming
- #14 – Captured on the High Seas
- #15 – Surprise at Yorktown
- #16 – Doomsday in Pompeii
- #17 – In Fear of the Spear
- #18 – Trouble on the Orphan Train
- #19 – Light in the Lion’s Den
- #20 – Inferno in Tokyo
- #21 – Madman in Manhattan
- #22 – Freedom at the Falls
- #23 – Terror in the Tunnel
- The Boxcar Children
- A Lion to Guard Us
- Sarah, Plain and Tall
- Strawberry Girl
- The Wheel on the School
Mystery books
Young Whit & the Traitor’s Treasure
Confederate gold has been missing since the end of the Civil War. Did one of Johnny’s ancestors steal it? If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Theo has plans of being a lawyer and must defend himself much earlier than expected. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Even more mystery stories:
Good books for kids: 12- to 14-year-olds
Read these book reviews for parents, to verify that a book is good for your kids.
Adventure books
In 1860, 15-year-old Simon Green tries to herd turkeys 1,000 miles to sell them out West in Denver. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
A young African-American named Levi travels through the Jim Crow South looking for his father. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Even more adventure stories:
Biography/Diary books
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Anne Frank, a Jewish girl, kept a diary of her experiences in the Netherlands, after the Nazis took control during World War II. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
William Kamkwamba is a young man from Malawi, a small nation in southeastern Africa, doesn’t let hard times get him down. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Even more biography/diary stories:
Classic books
An orphan boy becomes a pickpocket in London and eventually finds his way home. If your kid reads this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with your children about it.
Nathaniel Bowditch grows up in the sailing community of Salem. If your kid reads this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with your children about it.
Even more classic stories:
Contemporary books
Chip pitches in the state tournament while he also fights to defend his coach. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
The Christy Miller Collection_Volume 1
Nathaniel Bowditch grows up in the sailing community of Salem. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Even more contemporary stories:
Fantasy books
Nine unlikely travel companions must journey to Mt. Doom and destroy Sauron’s enchanted ring. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
An allegory that includes knights and medieval battles that teach about God and His kingdom. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Even more fantasy stories:
- The Dark Is Rising
- “The Wilderking” series No. 1: The Bark of the Bog Owl
- “The Wilderking” series No. 2: The Secret of the Swamp King
Historical fiction books
Elijah is the first free-born child of the runaway slave community of Buxton in Canada. As he helps a friend, he faces the horrors of slavery. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
The March sisters struggle to improve themselves daily by following the advice of their parents learning how to love each other better. If your kids read this book, you can get parent-child discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Good books for kids: Teens
Read these book reviews for parents, to verify that a book is good for your older kids to read. If your teens read one of these books, you can get discussion questions to talk with them about it.
Classic stories
- 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
- The Bronze Bow
- Jane Eyre
- Ivanhoe
- Les Miserables
- Pilgrim’s Progress
- Pygmalion
- The Scarlet Pimpernel
- A Tale of Two Cities
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- Uncle Tom’s Cabin
