Normally, I choose one read-aloud to read to our two 3rd graders, Li’l Bro, 9, and Li’l Miss, 8. After reading The Trumpet of the Swan and The Wind in the Willows aloud this summer with our rising third graders, I decided to change it up and choose two different books to read with them aloud and individually.

For two reasons: one, these books have been on my short list a long time but they never seem to make it to the top and two, while reading aloud to them I can also have them read-aloud to me for assessments and building their reading fluency. I always have my notebook in hand to take notes as they read. I’ve also begun to time them though they don’t know it, and I’m so pleased with their progress!

They are loving this new set-up and I am loving it too. Sometimes a certain Li’l Bit, 4 and in PreK, listens in while I read with Li’l Miss, but more often than not I’ve already read with her and she is {somewhat} happily working on something independent from one of her busy bins.

Homer Price is a hilarious read with wonderful black-and-white sketch illustrations. If Homer isn’t finding some new adventure, those around him are finding one. Li’l Bro loves to find out what new adventure awaits in this classic by author Robert McCloskey. It is particularly delightful for little boys, because the main character is a boy who is always in some kind of adventure. When we finish a chapter, Li’l Bro always says, “That went too fast!” I think he likes it!

Strawberry Girl is set in the 1940s in Florida, a much different Florida than our children think of today. It deals with some serious subject matter, so I would recommend you read it aloud with your elementary-age children. I like that so far the main character, who is a girl, is strong and determined and not afraid to stand up for her beliefs. For many reasons, I want to instill this into our own daughters, and it is nice to read a book that isn’t twaddle and gives an historically accurate example of this for young girls. When I use some discussion starters, it is easy to see our 8YO DD is really thinking through the book as we read it.

I haven’t decided which books we’ll read next, but I have decided we will continue to do separate read-alouds with them. I am thinking about A Bear Called Paddington and The Secret of Nimh, which I loved as a child. The copy I picked up at a used book sale is the SAME exact edition I once had; I only wish I still had my copy!

One other added benefit for reading aloud with each individual child is that my husband and I will read these sometimes at bedtime (sometimes we let them choose a different book each), and if we’re both reading they get a little one-on-one time with Mommy or Daddy, as we switch up each night. Below I have added the books we read this summer aloud as well as the ones we’re currently reading and then some I have on-deck for our next read-alouds!

In addition to reading aloud, every day our little ones listen to reading with audio books. Right now, Li’l Miss, 8, is listening to Charlotte’s Web as she follows along in our copy of the book.

Li’l Bro, 9, just got some new audio books at the library today. You can’t go wrong with Hank the Cowdog, and it is always a bonus when we find the paper copy to go along with the audio CDs from the library so he can follow along as the narrator reads!

I’m linking up with Deanna over at Mrs. Jump’s Class this week! Come and link up and/or share in the comments!

What are you reading with your children? Please share especially if you are reading to children who can read on their own or still are non-readers. I always like to find new books to choose from for reading to my readers and our little emerging reader!