Books on Early Literacy and the Economics Behind It

Where our approach comes from

The ideas on this site were built by reading widely, then simplifying what matters for children.

Below are the adult books that shaped the thinking, the economic reading behind the push for funded early literacy, and the children’s reading library that pairs with our fourteen values.

Foundational reading

These two books shaped the messages behind the project. One supplies the emotional-intelligence research. The other supplies a century of success and character wisdom.

Both titles are cited in the site’s 1250 Words of Emotional Intelligence and Civility document.

For the bigger picture: economy and society

These titles are recommended across the site’s advocacy pages. They explain the economic and cultural thinking behind the case for funded early literacy and a private-sector pivot.

The children’s reading library

A curated children’s reading library of 578 titles, organized by the fourteen values and by grade band from Pre-K through Grade 6. It was compiled with the Red Balloon Bookshop of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Open a value to see its titles. Each entry shows the title, the author, and the grade band.

Compassion38 books

• Pancho’s Pinata Stefan CzerneckiK-2
• Mr. McGill Goes to Town Jim AylesworthK-2
• Fireflies Julie BrinckloeK-2
• The Chanukkah Guest Eric A. KimmelK-3
• Tess Hazel HutchinsK-3
• The Dog Who Had Kittens Polly M. RobertusK-3
• The Little Red Lighthouse & the Great Gray Bridge Hildegarde H. Swift & Lund WardK-3
• The Wall Eve BuntingK-3
• Dark Day, Light Night Jan CarrK-2
• Daniel’s Duck Clyde Robert BullaK-2
• The Island of the Skog Steven KelloggK-3
• Pet Show Ezra Jack KeatsK-2
• Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea Cynthia RylantK-2
• Just Us Women Jeannette CainesK-2
• Wilma Mankiller Linda Lowery2-4
• Anne of Avonlea L.M. Montgomery5-6
• Upon the Head of the Goat Aranka Siegal5-6
• The Great Fire Jim Murphy5-6
• Sitting Bull Augusta Stevenson5-6
• The Gift-Giver Joyce Hansen5-6
• Behind the Attic Wall Sylvia Cassedy5-6
• Martin Luther King Jr., Dreams for a Nation Louise Quayle5-6
• The Sign Painter’s Dream Roger Roth2-4
• Witch in the House Ruth Chew3-4
• Class President Johanna Hurwitz4-6
• Words of Stone Kevin Henkes5-6
• Wagon Wheels Barbara Brenner2-4
• Everybody Bakes Bread Norah Dooley3-4
• A Night without Stars James Howe5-6
• Peter Pan J.M. Barrie5-6
• A Weed Is a Flower, the Life of G. W. Carver Aliki3-4
• The Nutmeg Princess Richardo Keens-Douglas3-4
• Heidi Johanna Spyri5-6
• Where the Red Fern Grows Wilson Rawls5-6
• Everybody Cooks Rice Norah Dooley3-4
• The Seven Treasure Hunts Betsy Byars3-4
• Lucretia Mott, A Guiding Light Jennifer Fisher Bryant5-6
• Rosa Parks: My Story Rosa Parks5-6

Courage42 books

• Trouble with Trolls Jan Brett G. P. Putnam’sK-2
• Ira Sleeps Over Bernard WaberK-2
• Stina Lena AndersonK-2
• Dance Away George ShannonK-2
• Stone Soup Tony RossK-2
• What if It Never Stops Raining? Nancy CarlsonK-3
• Porcupine’s Pajama Party Terry Webb HarshmanK-3
• Thunder Cake Patricia PolaccoK-3
• The Paper Bag Princess Robert N. MunschK-2
• Shadow the Deer Theresa RadcliffeK-2
• Sheila Rae, the Brave Kevin HenkesK-3
• Alistar Underwater Marilyn SadlerK-2
• Aunt Harriet’s Underground Railroad in the Sky Faith Ringgold3-4
• Mirette on the High Wire Emily Arnold McCully G. P. Putnam’s3-4
• Buffalo Bill and the Pony Express Eleanor Coerr5-6
• Courage at Indian Deep Jane Resh Thomas5-6
• Star of Shadowbrook Farm Joanna Campbell5-6
• The Wild Mustang Joanna Campbell5-6
• Jacob’s Rescue Malka Drucker and Michael Halperin5-6
• Mush! Patricia Seibert3-4
• If It Hadn’t Been for Yoon Jun Marie G. Lee3-4
• The Faithful Friend Robert D. San Souci3-4
• Letters from Rifka Karen Hesse5-6
• Banner in the Sky James Ramsey Ullman5-6
• Budgie Goes to Sea H.R.H. the Dutchess of York3-4
• Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie Peter & Connie Roop3-4
• My Side of the Mountain Jean Craighead George5-6
• The Sign of the Beaver Elizabeth George Speare5-6
• Helga’s Dowry Tomie dePaola3-4
• Four on the Shore Edward Marshall3-4
• Snow Treasure Marie McSwigan5-6
• Call It Courage Armstrong Sperry5-6
• Toughboy & Sister Kirkpatrick Hill5-6
• Princess Furball Charlotte Huck & Anita Lobel3-4
• Brave Irene William Steig3-4
• Night of the Twisters Ivy Ruckman5-6
• Island of the Blue Dolphins Scott O’Dell5-6
• The Door in the Wall Marguerite deAngeli5-6
• Prince William Gloria Rand3-4
• On My Honor Marion Dane Bauer4-6
• The Big Wave Pearl S. Buck5-6
• The Midnight Fox Betsy Byars5-6

Discipline36 books

• Monsters of Class 7 Michael RatnettK-2
• Willie the Whiner Mavis SmithK-2
• Little Bear’s Friend Else Holmelund MinarikK-2
• Dance, Tanya Patricia Lee GauchK-2
• Danny and the Dinasaur Syd HoffK-2
• Good Driving, Amelia Bedelia Herman ParishK-2
• Mouse Soup Arnold LobelK-2
• Aunt Eater Loves a Mystery Doug CushmanK-3
• Little Bear Else Holmelund MinarikK-3
• No Jumping on the Bed! Tedd ArnoldK-2
• Little Penguin’s Tale Audrey WoodK-2
• Joe and Betsy the Dinosaur Lillian HobanK-2
• Zack’s Alligator Shirley MozelleK-2
• No Room for a Dog Joan Kane Nichols3-4
• The Borrowers Mary Norton5-6
• Little House in the Big Woods Laura Ingalls Wilder5-6
• Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Woman of Courage Catherine Corley Anderson5-6
• Trouble Will Find You Joan M. Lexau3-4
• I, Houdini Lynne Reid Banks5-6
• Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the World Doris Faker5-6
• A World of Knowing Andy Russell Bowen3-4
• Fig Pudding Ralph Fletcher5-6
• Albert Einstein, Young Thnker Marie Hammontree5-6
• Behind the Border Nina Kossman5-6
• Mary Leaky in Search of Human Beginnings Deborah Heiligman3-5
• My Life with the Chimpanzees Jane Goodall5-6
• Lincoln Russell Freedman5-6
• Invincible Louisa Cornelia Meigs5-6
• Gandhi, Peaceful Warrior Rae Bains3-4
• Island of the Blue Dolphins Scott O’Dell3-4
• It’s Like This, Cat Emily Cheney Neville5-6
• Tallahassee Higgins Mary Downing Hahn5-6
• Tap-Tap Karen Lynn Williams3-4
• Class Clown Johanna Hurwitz3-5
• Ribsy Beverly Cleary5-6
• On the Far Side of the Mountain Jean Craighead George5-6

Faith39 books

• Ben’s Trumpet Rachel IsadoraP-K-2
• The Treasure Uri ShulevitzP-K-2
• Regards to the Man in the Moon Ezra Jack KeatsP-K-2
• Galimoto Karen Lynn WilliamsK-3
• Chicken Little Steven KelloggK-2
• Many Moons James ThurberK-2
• Follow the Dream Peter SisK-2
• “I Remember!” Cried Grandma Pinky Jan WahlK-2
• La Diablesse and the Baby Richardo Keens-DouglasK-2
• At the Crossroads Rachel IsadoraP-K-2
• Lila’s Little Dinosaur Wolfram HänelK-3
• Dear Mr. Blueberry Simon JamesP-K-2
• Joshua’s Masai Mask Dakari HruK-3
• When Africa Was Home Karen Lynn Williams OrchardK-2
• Christopher Columbus Jan Gleotel & Kathleen Thompson3-4
• The Topsy-Turvy Emperor of China Isaac Bashevis Singer3-4
• The Summer of the Swan Betsy Byars4-6
• The Talking Earth Jean Craighead George5-6
• The Outside Dog Charlotte Pomerantz2-4
• Ludwig van Beethoven, Musical Pioneer Carol Greene3-4
• The Cry of the Crow Jean Craighead George3-4
• The Middle of Somewhere Sheila Gordon5-6
• Mossflower Brian Jacques5-6
• Anne of Green Gables L.M. Montgomery5-6
• Mice at Bat Kelly Oehsli2-4
• Snakes are Nothing to Sneeze At Gabrielle Charbonnet3-4
• Adam of the Road Elizabeth Janet Gray5-6
• Elizabeth Blackwell, First Woman Doctor Carol Greene3-4
• The Bicycle Man Allen Say3-4
• Shark Lady: The Adventures of Eugenie Clark Ann McGovern3-4
• Redwall Brian Jacques5-6
• The Hobyahs Robert D. San Souci2-4
• Lights on the River Michael Dooling3-4
• A Little Princess Frances Hodgson Burnett5-6
• Blue Willow Doris Gates5-6
• Red Means Good Fortune Barbara Diamond Goldin3-4
• Dinner at Aunt Connie’s House Faith Ringgold3-4
• Year of Impossible Goodbys Sook Nyul Choi5-6
• Protecting Marie Kevin Henkes5-6

Forgiveness44 books

• Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse Kevin HenkesK-2
• Arnie and the New Kid Nancy CarlsonK-2
• Don’t Wake Up Mama! Eileen ChristelowP-K-2
• Best Friends Wear Pink Tutus Sheri BrownriggP-K-2
• George & Martha Tons of Fun James MarshallP-K-2
• Tucker and the Bear James ChamblessK-2
• No Fighting, No Biting! Else Holmelund MinarikK-2
• Julius · the Baby of the World Kevin HenkesK-2
• Nobody Asked Me if I Wanted a Baby Sister Martha AlexanderP-K-2
• Yettele’s Feathers Joan RothenbergK-2
• Little Polar Bear Finds a Friend Hans de BeerK-2
• The True Story of Pocahontas Lucille Recht PennerK-2
• Now Everybody Really Hates Me Jane Read Martin & Patricia MarxK-2
• Freckle Juice Judy Blume3-4
• Bunnicula Deborah and James Howe4-6
• Betsy’s Wedding Maud Hart Lovelace5-6
• Pollyanna Eleanor H. Porter5-6
• Dakota Spring D. Anne Love3-4
• The Berenstain Bears and the School Scandal Sheet Stan & Jan Berenstain3-4
• Elisa in the Middle Johanna Hurwitz4-6
• Grandpa Putter and Granny Hoe Kimberly Olson Fakih4-6
• Anne Frank Richard James3-4
• The Bad News Bully Marcia Leonard3-4
• The Snow Pony Anne Elliot Crompton5-6
• Matilda Roald Dahl5-6
• Sweet Valley Kids: The Big Race Francine Pascal3-4
• Logan Bruno, Boy Baby-sitter Ann M. Martin4-6
• Dancing on the Bridge of Avignon Ida Vos5-6
• Two Girls in Sister Dresses Jean Van Leeuwen5-6
• The Divorce Express Paula Danziger5-6
• Cricket and the Crackerbox Kid Alane Ferguson3-4
• Talk about a Family Eloise Greenfield3-4
• Betsy ~ Tacy and Tib Maud Hart Lovelace4-6
• Growin’ Nikki Grimes4-6
• The Story of Ruby Bridges Robert Cole2-4
• A Taste of Blackberries Doris Buchanan Smith4-6
• Randall’s Wall Carol Fenner5-6
• The Diary of a Young Girl Anne Frank5-6
• Skinny-bones Barbara Park5-6
• Fallout Jim Lester3-4
• Tell Me Your Best Thing Anna Grossnickle Hines3-4
• The In-Between Days Eve Bunting4-6
• Behind the Bedroom Wall Laura E. Williams5-6
• The Story of Robin Hood Retold by Robert Leeson5-6

Friendship49 books

• We are Best Friends Aliki BrandenbergP-K-2
• Best Friends Steven KelloggP-K-2
• Franklin Is Bossy Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda ClarkK-2
• The Big Boasting Battle Hans WilhelmK-2
• We Can Get Along Lauren Murphy PayneP-K-2
• Friends Through Thick and Thin Vera de BackkerK-2
• I’m Sorry Sam McBratneyP-K-2
• Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge Mem FoxK-2
• May I Bring a Friend? Beatrice Schenk De RegniersK-2
• Friends Helme Heine AladdinP-K-2
• My Friends and Me Pat ThomasP-K-2
• A Friend Is Someone Who Likes You Joan Walsh AnglundK-2
• George and Martha James MarshallP-K-2
• Samantha the Snob Kathryn Cristaldi A Weekend with Wendell Kevin Henkes Random HouseK-2
• Hedgies Surprise Jan Brett G. P. Putnam’sP-K-2
• The Pearl Helme Heine Weslandia by Paul Fleischman Aladdin1-2
• Frog and Toad Are Friends Arnold LobelP-K-2
• Making Friends Fred RogersP-K-2
• Fox and His Friends Edward MarshallK-2
• How to Lose All Your Friends Nancy CarlsonP-K-2
• B-e-s-t Friends Patricia Reilly Giff3-4
• Second Grade: Friends Again! Miriam Cohen3-4
• Mr. Nick’s Knitting Margaret Wild5-6
• Words of Stone Kevin Henkes5-6
• Who’s Afraid of the Big, Bad Bully? Teddy Slater2-4
• The Friendship and The Gold Cadillac Mildred D. Taylor3-4
• Betsy-Tacy and Tib Maud Hart Lovelace5-6
• The Witch of Blackbird Pond George Speare5-6
• Best Friends for Frances Russell Hoban3-4
• The Very Best of Friends Margaret Wild3-4
• Missing May Cynthia Rylant5-6
• Taking Care of Terrific Lois Lowry5-6
• Thy Friend, Obadiah Brinton Turkle3-4
• Second Grade Friends Again! Miriam Cohen3-4
• Betsy-Tacy Maud Hart Lovelace5-6
• Bridge to Terabithia Katherine Paterson5-6
• Bringing Nettie Back Nancy Hope Wilson5-6
• Snow Treasure Marie McSwigan5-6
• Oliver Button Is a Sissy Tomie dePaola2-4
• We Are Best Friends Aliki2-4
• The Gift-Giver Joyce Hansen5-6
• Discovering Friendship Sharona Kadish Raintree Steck5-6
• The Hot and Cold Summer Johanna Hurwitz5-6
• Best Friends Miriam Cohen2-4
• Flicka, Ricka, Dicka, and Their New Friend Maj Lindman3-4
• My Best Friend Moved Away Joy Zelonsky3-4
• The Pinballs Betsy Byars5-6
• Summer on Wheels Gary Soto5-6
• Soup Robert Newton Peck5-6

Honesty45 books

• Nobody Listens to Andrew Elizabeth GuilfoileK-2
• Perfect the Pig Susan JeschkeK-3
• It’s Mine! Leo LionniP-K-2
• Franklin Fibs Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda ClarkP-K-3
• Flat Stanley Jeff BrownK-3
• Deputy Dan Gets His Man Joseph RosenbloomK-2
• Who Stole the Cookies Judith Moffatt Grosset andP-K-2
• Jamaica’s Find Juanita HavillP-K-2
• Arnie and the Stolen Markers Nancy Carlson The Honest to Goodness Truth Patricia C. McKissack Puffin Books Simon andK-2
• The Boy Who Cried “Wolf!” Ellen SchecterK-3
• Fancy Feet Patricia Reilly Giff Seven Blind Mice Ed Young Dell YearlingP-K-2
• Loudmouth George and the Fishing Trip Nancy CarlsonK-2
• A Big Fat Enormous Lie Marjorie Weinman SharmatK-2
• The Empty Pot DemiP-K-2
• Miss Nelson Is Back Harry Allard & James MarshallK-2
• The Principal’s New Clothes Stephanie CalmensonK-2
• The Berenstain Bears and the Missing Watermelon Money the BerenstainsP-K-2
• The Man Who Could Call Down Owls Eve Bunting3-4
• Pinocchio Carlos Collodi3-4
• Bearstone Will Hobbs5-6
• Cages Peg Kehret5-6
• The Gold Coin Alma Flor Ada3-4
• The Skirt Gary Soto3-4
• Shadows Lynn Hall3-4
• Abe Lincoln Grows Up Carl Sandberg5-6
• Maniac Magee Jerry Spinelli5-6
• Muggie Maggie Beverly Cleary3-4
• The Berenstain Bears and the Red-Handed Thief Stan & Jan Berenstain3-4
• Shiloh Phyllis Reynolds Naylor5-6
• Liars P. J. Petersen5-6
• The Giver Lois Lowry5-6
• Sister Sister: Cool In School James Quin-Harkin3-4
• Emily Eyefinger, Secret Agent Duncan Ball3-4
• The Daydreamer Ian McEwan5-6
• The Hopscotch Tree Leda Siskind5-6
• Man from the Sky Avi5-6
• Yang the Youngest and His Terrible Ear Lensey Namioka5-6
• Chang’s Paper Pony Eleanor Coerr3-4
• The Stories Julian Tells Ann Cameron3-4
• Nothing’s Fair in Fifth Grade Barthe DeClements5-6
• Tuck Everlasting Natalie Babbitt5-6
• Julian’s Glorious Summer Ann Cameron3-4
• Cheater, Cheater Elizabeth Levy5-6
• Money to Burn E. M. Goldman5-6
• Pippi Longstockings Astrid Lindgren5-6

Justice39 books

• The Big Orange Splot Daniel Manus PinkwaterK-2
• The Story of the Pilgrims Katharine RossK-2
• Inside of Me There’s a Storm a-Brewing Nancy Lee Walter Naturally by NanP-K-2
• The Gym Day Winner Grace MaccaroneP-K-2
• George Washington’s Mother Jean FritzK-2
• The Hating Book Charlotte ZolotowP-K-2
• The Quarreling Book Charlotte ZolotowP-K-2
• Bossy Anna Effin OlderK-2
• Granny and the Desperadoes Peggy ParishK-2
• The Butter Battle Book Dr. SeussP-K-2
• Moose and Friends Jim Latimer MacmillanK-2
• Loudmouth George and the Sixth-Grade Bully Nancy CarlsonK-2
• Ellen Tebbits Beverly Cleary3-4
• Chester’s Way Kevin Henkes3-4
• The Fairy Rebel Lynne Reid Banks5-6
• Weasel Cynthia DeFelice5-6
• The Great Brain John D. Fitzgerald5-6
• Peace Begins with You Katherine Scholes Little, Brown and3-4
• Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt Deborah Hopkinson3-4
• Trouble River Betsy Byars5-6
• Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Mildred D. Taylor5-6
• The Search for Delicious Natalie Babbitt5-6
• Journey to Jo’burg Beverly Naidoo3-4
• Three Dollar Mule Clyde Robert Bulla3-4
• The Indian in the Cupboard Lynne Reid Banks5-6
• The Secret of Sanctuary Island A. M. Monson5-6
• James and the Giant Peach Roald Dahl5-6
• The Berenstain Bears Accept No Substitutes Stan & Jan Berenstain3-4
• The Berenstain Bears and the Female Fullback Stan & Jan Berenstain3-4
• There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom Louis Sachar5-6
• Sixth Grade Can Really Kill You Barthe DeClements5-6
• Molly’s Pilgrim Barbara Cohen2-4
• Morning Girl Michael Dorris3-4
• Venus Among the Fishes Elizabeth Hall & Scott O’Dell5-6
• The Boy with Paper Wings Susan Lowell5-6
• The Truth about Three Billy Goats Gruff Steven Otfinoski2-4
• The Whipping Boy Sid Fleishman3-4
• Jericho Janet Hickman5-6
• El Güero Elizabeth Borton de Treviño5-6

Love39 books

• Fox in Love Edward MarshallK-3
• I Like Me! Nancy CarlsonP-K-2
• Guess How Much I Love You Sam McBratneyP-K-2
• Loving Ann MorrisP-K-2
• I Love You as Much . . . Laura Krauss MelmedP-K-2
• Now One Foot, Now the Other Tomie dePaolaK-3
• Arthur’s Honey Bear Lillian HobanK-3
• Koala Lou Mem FoxK-3
• We’re All Special Arlene Maguire PortunusP-K-2
• Matthew and Tilly Rebecca C. JonesK-3
• Mama, Do You Love Me? Barbara M. JoosseP-K-2
• Father Bear Comes Home Else Holmelund MinarikK-3
• Little Bear Else Holmelund MinarikK-3
• Angel Child, Dragon Child Michele Maria Surat3-4
• The Tenth Good Thing about Barney Judith Viorst3-4
• Henry and Ribsy Beverly Cleary5-6
• Cracker Jackson Betsy Byars5-6
• Charlotte’s Web E. B. White5-6
• Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch Eileen Spinelli3-4
• The Most Beautiful Place in the World Ann Cameron3-4
• Hello, My Name Is Scrambled Eggs Jamie Gilson5-6
• A Wrinkle in Time Madeleine L’Engle5-6
• The Ballad of Belle Dorcas William H. Hooks3-4
• Badger’s Parting Gifts Susan Varley3-4
• Love You Forever Robert Munsch3-4
• Taxi Cat and Huey Gen LeRoy4-6
• Danny, the Champion of the World Roald Dahl5-6
• Mrs. Katz and Tush Patricia Polacco3-4
• Shoeshine Girl Clyde Robert Bulla3-4
• Drifting Snow James Houston5-6
• Roz and Ozzie Johanna Hurwítz5-6
• The Princess in the Pigpen Jane Resh Thomas3-4
• Old Bear Jane Hissey3-4
• R.A.S.C.A.L. Sterling North5-6
• The Summer of the Swans Betsy Byars5-6
• A Gift for Tía Rosa Karen T. Taha3-4
• Geranium Morning E. Sandy Powell3-4
• Socks Beverly Cleary5-6
• The Cay Theodore Taylor5-6

Loyalty41 books

• Not So Fast Songololo Niki DalyK-3
• Moon Tiger Phyllis RootK-2
• Frog and Toad All Year Arnold LobelK-3
• Little Sure Shot: The Story of Annie Oakley Stephanie SpinnerK-3
• Frog in Love Max VelthuysK-2
• Deputy Dan and the Bank Robbers Joseph RosenbloomK-3
• Easy Does It, the Tale of Excitable Sam Margaret HopkinsK-2
• The Long Way to a New Land Joan SandinK-3
• The Long Way Westward Joan SandinK-3
• Cranberry Lost at the Fair Wende and Harry DevlinK-3
• Amelia Bedelia and the Surprise Shower Peggy ParishK-3
• Tales of Oliver Pig Jean Van LeeuwenK-3
• Horace Holly KellerK-2
• My Buddy Audrey OsofskyK-2
• A Search for Two Bad Mice Eleanor Clymer3-4
• Patrick Doyle Is Full of Blarney Jennifer Armstrong3-4
• The Flunking of Joshua T. Bates Susan Shreve3-5
• Beat the Turtle Drum Constance C. Greene5-6
• Flint’s Rock Hap Gilliland Roberts Rinehart5-6
• Where Was Patrick Henry on the 29th of May? Jean Fritz3-4
• Sam the Minuteman Nathaniel Benchley3-4
• Stepping on the Cracks Mary Downing Hahn5-6
• Just a Little Ham Joan Carris5-6
• Keep Ms. Sugarman in the Fourth Grade Elizabeth Levy3-4
• Jennifer and Josephine Bill Peet3-4
• Mitch and Amy Beverly Cleary5-6
• Secret of the Andes Ann Nolan Clark5-6
• My Name Is María Isabel Alma Flor Ada3-4
• Jenny Archer to the Rescue Ellen Conford3-4
• Will You Sign Here, John Hancock? Jean Fritz4-6
• Sharing Susan Eve Bunting5-6
• Betsy Ross Alexandra Wallner3-4
• Molly Pitcher Jan Gleiter and Kathleen Thompson3-4
• Juliet Fisher and the Foolproof Plan Natalie Honeycutt3-4
• The Country Artist: A Story of Beatrix Potter David R. Collins4-6
• Crazy Lady Jane Leslie Conly5-6
• A String in the Harp Nancy Bond5-6
• And Then What Happened, Paul Revere? Jean Fritz3-4
• Why Don’t You Get a Horse, Sam Adams? Jean Fritz3-4
• Amelia Earhart, Aviation Pioneer Roxane Chadwick Lerner5-6
• The Great Mom Swap Betsy Haynes5-6

Persistence40 books

• Harriet’s Recital Nancy CarlsonK-2
• Miss Nelson Has a Field Day Harry Allard & James Marshall Houghton MifflinK-2
• No Problem Eileen BrowneK-2
• Harriet and the Roller Coaster Nancy CarlsonK-2
• The Mitten Jan Brett G. P. Putnam’sK-2
• Lost in the Museum Miriam CohenK-2
• The Grouchy Ladybug Eric CarleK-2
• Ahoy There, Little Polar Bear Hans de Beer North-SouthK-2
• My Mom Made Me Go to Camp Judy Delton Bantam LittleK-2
• Goose Molly BangK-2
• Making the Team Nancy CarlsonK-2
• Whisker’s Great Adventure Meryl Doney Wm. B. EerdmansK-2
• Charlie and Tyler at the Seashore Helen Craig3-4
• The Sleeping Bread Stefan Czernecki & Timothy Rhodes3-4
• Hey! Get Off Our Train John Burningham Crown3-4
• Be the Best You Can Be Kirby Puckett5-6
• True Friends Bill Wallace5-6
• Abuela’s Weave Omar S. Castañeda Lee & Low3-4
• Chantícleer and the Fox Barbara Cooney3-4
• The Three Musketeers Alexandre Dumas Ladybird Picture4-6
• A Gift for Mama Esther Hautzig4-6
• Gooseberry Park Cynthia Rylant5-6
• Alejandro’s Gift Richard E. Albert3-4
• The Tub People Pam Conrad3-4
• Hero Walt Morey5-6
• Ice Princess Nicholas Walker5-6
• Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel Virginia Lee Burton3-4
• Arthur’s New Puppy Marc Brown3-4
• The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush Tomie de Paola G. P. Putnam’s3-4
• Themba Margaret Sacks4-6
• Ice Dancing Nicholas Walker5-6
• A Boy Called Slow Joseph Bruchac3-4
• Fly Away Home Eve Bunting3-4
• The Courage of Sarah Noble Alice Dalgliesh4-6
• Sees Behind Trees Michael Dorris5-6
• Courage at Indian Deep Jane Resh Thomas5-6
• How Many Days to America? Eve Bunting3-4
• Hattie and the Wild Waves Barbara Cooney3-4
• The Fear Place Phyllis Reynolds Naylor5-6
• The Call of the Wild Jack London5-6

Respect44 books

• Sim Chung and the River Dragon Ellen SchecterK-2
• A Special Trade Sally WittmanK-2
• Miss Nelson Is Missing Harry Allard & James MarshallK-2
• Little Soup’s Turkey Robert Newton PeckK-3
• The Flower of Sheba Doris Orgel & Ellen SchectK-2
• Cam Jansen and the Mystery at the Monkey House David A. AdlerK-2
• “I Am Not Afraid!” Kenny MannK-2
• Little Polar Bear and the Brave Little Hare Hans de BeerK-3
• Just a Little Different Bonnie DobkinK-2
• The Old Man and the Bear Wolfram HänelK-2
• Mind Your Manners Peggy ParishK-2
• The Return of Rinaldo, the Sly Fox Ursel SchefflerK-3
• How Droofus the Dragon Lost His Head Bill Peet3-4
• The Secret of the Seal Deborah Davis3-4
• Ramona and Her Father Beverly Cleary5-6
• The Berenstain Bears and the Nerdy Nephew Stan & Jan Berenstain5-6
• Jenny of the Tetons Kristiana Gregory5-6
• Zella Zack and Zodiac Bill Peet3-4
• Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express Margaret K. Wetterer3-4
• Betsy ~ Tacy Maud Hart Lovelance5-6
• The Incredible Journey Sheila Burnford5-6
• Adrift Allan Baillie5-6
• Helen Keller, a Light for the Blind Kathleen V. Kudlinski3-4
• Baseball Saved Us Ken Mochizuki Lee & Low3-4
• Gold Star Sister Claire Rudolf Murphy5-6
• Beardance Will Hobbs5-6
• Lyddie Katherine Paterson5-6
• Encore for Eleanor Bill Peet3-4
• Sarah, Plain and Tall Patricia MacLachlan3-4
• Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Circus Clown David A. Adler3-4
• What My Sister Remembered Marilyn Sachs5-6
• The Haymeadow Gary Paulsen5-6
• I Am Lavina Cumming Susan Lowell Milkweed5-6
• Call Me Ruth Marilyn Sachs Beech Tree5-6
• The Berenstain Bears and the Wheelchair Commando Stan and Jan Berenstain3-4
• Turkey Trouble Patricia Reilly Giff3-4
• My Father’s Dragon Ruth Stiles Gannett3-4
• Helen Keller Margaret Davidson5-6
• Julie of the Wolves Jean Craighead George5-6
• Sleeping Ugly Jane Yolen3-4
• The House on Maple Street Bonnie Pryor3-4
• Hatchet Gary Paulsen5-6
• The River Gary Paulsen5-6
• Do I Have to Take Violet? Sucie Stevenson5-6

Responsibility40 books

• Quick Chick Julia HobanK-2
• The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses Paul GobleK-3
• Arnie and the Skateboard Gang Nancy CarlsonK-2
• I’m Terriffic Marjorie Weinman SharmatK-2
• Too Many Tamales Gary SotoK-2
• Sylvester and the Magic Pebble William SteigK-3
• Spectacles Ellen RaskinK-2
• Sadie and the Snowman Allen MorganK-2
• Island Baby Holly KellerK-2
• Once When I Was Scared Helena Clare PittmanK-2
• Bimwili and the Zimwi Verna AardemaK-3
• Smudge, the Little Lost Lamb James Herriot St. Martin’sK-3
• Amber Brown Wants Extra Credit Paula DanzigerK-3
• Clouds of Terror Catherine A. Welch2-4
• Ramona Quimby, Age 8 Beverly Cleary3-4
• Our Sixth-Grade Sugar Babies Eve Bunting5-6
• Lucie Babbidge’s House Sylvia Cassedy5-6
• Make Room for Elisa Johanna Hurwitz3-4
• Healing Warrior Emily Crofford3-4
• Is There Anybody There? Eve Bunting5-6
• A Jar of Dreams Yoshiko Uchida5-6
• Dinosaur Dream Dennis Nolan3-4
• Purple Climbing Days Patricia Reilly Giff3-4
• Out from This Place Joyce Hansen5-6
• The Missing ΄Gator of Gumbo Limbo Jean Craighead George5-6
• Kristy’s Worst Idea The Babysitter’s Club3-4
• Sandra Day O’Connor, Justice for All Beverly Gherman3-4
• jump at de sun A. P. Porter5-6
• Harriet Tubman, Call to Freedom Judy Carlson Fawcett5-6
• The 18th Emergency Betsy Byars5-6
• Rosa Parks Eloise Greenfield3-4
• The Chalk Box Kid Clyde Robert Bulla3-4
• Eagle Feather Clyde Robert Bulla3-4
• Annie’s Choice Clara Gillow Clark5-6
• From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler E. L. Konigsburg5-6
• Striped Ice Cream Joan M. Lexau3-4
• Strega Nona Tomie de Paola3-4
• Song of the Swallows Leo Politi3-4
• The Bad Times of Irma Baumlein Carol Ryrie Brink5-6
• Face to Face Marion Dane Bauer5-6

Work42 books

• The Turnip Harriet ZiefertK-2
• Anansi Goes Fishing Eric A. KimmelK-2
• Little Toot Hardie GramatkyK-3
• Sam Who Was Swallowed by a Shark Phyllis RootK-2
• Benjamin Franklin: A Man with Many Jobs Carol GreeneK-2
• “Nothing Is Impossible,” Said Nellie Bly Judy CarlsonK-2
• Just Plain Fancy Patricia PolaccoK-3
• The Day of Ahmed’s Secret Florence Parry Heide & Judith Heide GillilandK-3
• In Coal Country Judith HendershotK-3
• If You Made a Million David M. SchwartzK-2
• Come Back, Amelia Bedelia Peggy ParishK-2
• The Fire Cat Esther AverillK-2
• The Song of the Swallows Leo PolitiK-3
• Grace the Pirate Kathryn Lasky3-4
• Ella Bill Peet3-4
• Dear Mr. Henshaw Beverly Cleary5-6
• Helen Keller, The Story of My Life Helen Keller5-6
• The Midwife’s Apprentice Karen Cushman5-6
• Clara and the Bookwagon Smiler Levinson3-4
• Can Do, Jenny Archer Ellen Conford3-4
• Follow My Leader James B. Garfield5-6
• What’s the Big Idea, Ben Franklin? Jean Fritz5-6
• Maria Montessori Michael Pollard Morehouse5-6
• Martin Luther King Jr., Free at Last David A. Adler3-4
• Louisa May Alcott, Young Writer Laurence Santrey3-4
• The Cartoonist Betsy Byars5-6
• Stone Fox John Reynolds Gardiner5-6
• Maria Mitchell, the Soul of an Astronomer Beatrice Gormley Wm. B. Eerdmans5-6
• The Berenstain Bears and Mama’s New Job Stan & Jan Berenstain3-4
• Stephen Hawking, Understanding the Universe Gail Sakurai3-4
• They Shall Be Heard, Susan B. Anthony & Elizabeth Cady Stanton Kate Connell5-6
• Henry and Beezus Beverly Cleary5-6
• The King’s Equal Katherine Paterson3-4
• Mae Jemison, Space Scientist Gail Sakurai3-4
• Up in the Air, the Story of Bessie Coleman Philip S. Hart5-6
• Mary McLeod Bethune, Voice of Black Hope Milton Meltzer5-6
• Henry and the Paper Route Beverly Cleary5-6
• The Family Under the Bridge Natalie Savage Carlson3-4
• The Weaving of a Dream Marilee Heyer3-4
• The Most Beautiful Place in the World Ann Cameron3-4
• Adventures of Tom Sawyer Mark Twain5-6
• Ben Franklin of Old Philadelphia Margaret Cousins5-6

USA VALUES Reading Library List, © 2002, The Red Balloon Bookshop, St. Paul, MN.