Additional November Book Suggestions - Grades 3-6
For additional books on Gratitude and Thanksgiving see our Holiday/Thanksgiving page.
Stewardship
Goldin, Barbara Diamond. “Seven Good Years,” in Journeys with Elijah: Eight Tales of the Prophet. Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. Harcourt Brace, 1999.
Julio and Mina, two Argentine Jews, are visited by the prophet Elijah and offered “seven good years,” seven years of fortune and comfort—when they choose. They choose, “right away, please!” and turn out to be very good stewards of their gifts. They care for the sick, bake more for the hungry, visit the elderly. Elijah comes at the end of the seven years to ask for the gifts to be returned, but Mina asks him if they had not used their gifts well. Elijah agrees that “you have used God’s gift with care. You may keep your good fortune.” This classic tale teaches the lesson that “To whom much has been given, much will be expected.”
Joyce, William. Bently and Egg.
Harper Collins, 1992. (2-6)
Devoted and artistic frog cares for the egg of a wayward duck and reaps hatchling reward.
Melmed, Laura Krauss. Rainbabies.
Illustrated by Jim LaMarche. Lothrop, 1992. (4-6)
A childless couple takes in and cares for a dozen “rainbabies,” tiny babies found in the grass after a “moonshower.” They shepherd their very little ones through storm at sea, thunderstorm, and other dangers. Their compassion and faithfulness for the young strangers is eventually rewarded with a daughter of their own. Beautifully written. Stunningly illustrated.
Wonder
Brighton, Catherine. The Brontes: Scenes from the Childhood of Charlotte, Branwell, Emily, and Anne. Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2005. (2-4)
This delightful childhood biography of the Bronte sisters captures their wonder at the richness of life and their unique gifts of imagination. Calling themselves the four genii, they begin to create fantasy kingdoms in their minds and on paper.
Diller, Harriett. The Waiting Day.
Illustrations by Chi Chung. Green Tiger Press, 1994. (4)
A hard-working Chinese ferryman exhausts himself transporting scholars, poets, government officials, and finally the emperor himself across the river. From an aging beggar he learns a lesson about taking time to smell the roses—to wonder at and appreciate the beauty of nature. Splendid illustrations evoke the color and beauty of ancient China under the T’ang or Sung dynasties.
Lester, Julius. Sam and the Tigers.
Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. Dial Books, 1996. (K-4)
Julius Lester, the great African-American writer, triumphs in this totally delightful recasting of Little Black Sambo. This version is told in the voice of southern black storytelling. Sam, with his shirt “yellow as tomorrow,” coat “red as a happy heart,” and pants “purple as a love that would last forever” heads off for his first day of school. He is accosted by tigers that keep threatening to eat him up, but each time he exchanges his clothing for his life. Sam’s cleverness and the tiger’s pride (trying to decide which looks the finest in the new duds) make for the wonderful ending. The tigers grab each other’s tails and chase after each other so fast they melt into orange and black striped butter—perfect for putting on pancakes!
Martin, Jacqueline Briggs. Snowflake Bentley.
Illustrated by Mary Azarian. Houghton Mifflin, 1998. (K-5)
Wilson Bentley (1865-1931), the son of a Vermont farmer, has fallen in love with snow. He is caught up in the beauty of each flake and his passion is to reproduce the intricacy and variety of snow crystals. Bentley’s parents save for years and buy him a special camera to photograph each flake. Throughout his adult life, Bentley sketches, photographs, and shares the glory of nature. (His book, Snow Crystals, is still a classic.) This inspiring and deceptively simple biography can be used in all grades K-5. Read it with its simplest text at K-2; at 3-5 add the sidebar commentary. Available on Epic!
Osborne, Mary Pope. “Island of the Lost Children” in Favorite Medieval Tales.
Illustrated by Troy Howell. Scholastic, 2002. (4)
In this Dutch tale young Prince Hagen is carried off to a deserted island by an evil griffin. He fights the griffin and though wounded, manages to escape. Awakening the next morning, he finds himself in the company of three other children—maidens who also had been kidnapped by the griffins and managed to escape. The four live for years in a cave, hiding from their attackers, but through Hagen’s bravery and (quite a bit of luck) manage to escape and find their way back home.
Ryan, Pam Munoz. Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride.
Illustrated by Brian Selznick. Scholastic, 1999. (1-4)
In this gorgeous picture book two accomplished and high-spirited women, Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt, excuse themselves from a White House dinner to enjoy an evening plane ride! Amelia Earhart, friend of Eleanor’s, pilots the craft and shows the first lady the beauty of a nocturnal ride in the stars. They return to the White House in time for Eleanor to give Amelia a ride in her new car and for both to have dessert! The breathtaking illustrations (in mauve and charcoal gray) bring to life the wonder, dreams, and passion of these two women for life in all its fullness.
Goldin, Barbara Diamond. “Seven Good Years,” in Journeys with Elijah: Eight Tales of the Prophet. Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. Harcourt Brace, 1999.
Julio and Mina, two Argentine Jews, are visited by the prophet Elijah and offered “seven good years,” seven years of fortune and comfort—when they choose. They choose, “right away, please!” and turn out to be very good stewards of their gifts. They care for the sick, bake more for the hungry, visit the elderly. Elijah comes at the end of the seven years to ask for the gifts to be returned, but Mina asks him if they had not used their gifts well. Elijah agrees that “you have used God’s gift with care. You may keep your good fortune.” This classic tale teaches the lesson that “To whom much has been given, much will be expected.”
Joyce, William. Bently and Egg.
Harper Collins, 1992. (2-6)
Devoted and artistic frog cares for the egg of a wayward duck and reaps hatchling reward.
Melmed, Laura Krauss. Rainbabies.
Illustrated by Jim LaMarche. Lothrop, 1992. (4-6)
A childless couple takes in and cares for a dozen “rainbabies,” tiny babies found in the grass after a “moonshower.” They shepherd their very little ones through storm at sea, thunderstorm, and other dangers. Their compassion and faithfulness for the young strangers is eventually rewarded with a daughter of their own. Beautifully written. Stunningly illustrated.
Wonder
Brighton, Catherine. The Brontes: Scenes from the Childhood of Charlotte, Branwell, Emily, and Anne. Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2005. (2-4)
This delightful childhood biography of the Bronte sisters captures their wonder at the richness of life and their unique gifts of imagination. Calling themselves the four genii, they begin to create fantasy kingdoms in their minds and on paper.
Diller, Harriett. The Waiting Day.
Illustrations by Chi Chung. Green Tiger Press, 1994. (4)
A hard-working Chinese ferryman exhausts himself transporting scholars, poets, government officials, and finally the emperor himself across the river. From an aging beggar he learns a lesson about taking time to smell the roses—to wonder at and appreciate the beauty of nature. Splendid illustrations evoke the color and beauty of ancient China under the T’ang or Sung dynasties.
Lester, Julius. Sam and the Tigers.
Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. Dial Books, 1996. (K-4)
Julius Lester, the great African-American writer, triumphs in this totally delightful recasting of Little Black Sambo. This version is told in the voice of southern black storytelling. Sam, with his shirt “yellow as tomorrow,” coat “red as a happy heart,” and pants “purple as a love that would last forever” heads off for his first day of school. He is accosted by tigers that keep threatening to eat him up, but each time he exchanges his clothing for his life. Sam’s cleverness and the tiger’s pride (trying to decide which looks the finest in the new duds) make for the wonderful ending. The tigers grab each other’s tails and chase after each other so fast they melt into orange and black striped butter—perfect for putting on pancakes!
Martin, Jacqueline Briggs. Snowflake Bentley.
Illustrated by Mary Azarian. Houghton Mifflin, 1998. (K-5)
Wilson Bentley (1865-1931), the son of a Vermont farmer, has fallen in love with snow. He is caught up in the beauty of each flake and his passion is to reproduce the intricacy and variety of snow crystals. Bentley’s parents save for years and buy him a special camera to photograph each flake. Throughout his adult life, Bentley sketches, photographs, and shares the glory of nature. (His book, Snow Crystals, is still a classic.) This inspiring and deceptively simple biography can be used in all grades K-5. Read it with its simplest text at K-2; at 3-5 add the sidebar commentary. Available on Epic!
Osborne, Mary Pope. “Island of the Lost Children” in Favorite Medieval Tales.
Illustrated by Troy Howell. Scholastic, 2002. (4)
In this Dutch tale young Prince Hagen is carried off to a deserted island by an evil griffin. He fights the griffin and though wounded, manages to escape. Awakening the next morning, he finds himself in the company of three other children—maidens who also had been kidnapped by the griffins and managed to escape. The four live for years in a cave, hiding from their attackers, but through Hagen’s bravery and (quite a bit of luck) manage to escape and find their way back home.
Ryan, Pam Munoz. Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride.
Illustrated by Brian Selznick. Scholastic, 1999. (1-4)
In this gorgeous picture book two accomplished and high-spirited women, Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt, excuse themselves from a White House dinner to enjoy an evening plane ride! Amelia Earhart, friend of Eleanor’s, pilots the craft and shows the first lady the beauty of a nocturnal ride in the stars. They return to the White House in time for Eleanor to give Amelia a ride in her new car and for both to have dessert! The breathtaking illustrations (in mauve and charcoal gray) bring to life the wonder, dreams, and passion of these two women for life in all its fullness.
