Our local library system is HUGE. There are things I love about it, but browsing can be a little overwhelming. However, I am finally taking advantage of our librarians. The children’s librarians especially can be a treasure trove of ideas for great, age-appropriate books.
There are books that are dedicated to reading lists, sorted by age/grade level. If your local library has an online system, search “read with your child” as a subject/keyword and see what comes up. “Honey for a Child’s Heart” has lists as well as short summaries of each book. I thought the age ranges could have been narrowed down a bit more, but it was a place to start. The kids’ section of your local library also probably has books with recommended reading lists. There is one particular one that is quite well-known, but the name escapes me. I do remember that it was written by a man and has been updated several times. Sorry, not so helpful!
Anyway, ask your children’s section librarian if they have books like that, and browse the shelves.
Google “recommended reading lists for children.” An amazing number of reading lists, many sorted by age/reading level, have been posted online.
Here are some of my favorite childhood books (I don’t remember when I read them):
Anne of Green Gables and Emily of New Moon series
A Little Princess
The Secret Garden
Little Women series
Little House series
The Mushroom Planet books
Books by Lloyd Alexander
The Wizard of Oz series
The Black Stallion books
Anything by Marguerite Henry (Yes, I was horse-crazy!)
Books my kids (6 & 4) are enjoying:
Magic Treehouse series
The Clementine books by Sara Pennypacker
Betsy Tacy series