Additional October Book Suggestions for Grades 3-6
Diligence
Brighton, Catherine. Mozart: Scenes from the Childhood of the Great Composer.
Doubleday, 1990. (3-5)
Mozart’s life as seen through the eyes of his sister, Nannerl. Drive and diligence combine with pure genius.
Harness, Cheryl. The Amazing Impossible Erie Canal.
Macmillan, 1995 (2, 5)
The building of the Erie Canal is a story of diligence, innovation, and vision. Excellent pictures and engaging story of the canal that ran from Albany to Buffalo and facilitated westward move- ment by making transportation to the Great Lakes affordable.
Milton, Nancy. The Giraffe that Walked to Paris.
Illustrated by Roger Roth. Crown, 1992. (2-4)
Heartwarming, true story of an Egyptian pasha’s gift of a giraffe to the French King (1826). Marked first appearance of this African grassland animal on European soil.
Morrison, Taylor. Antonio’s Apprenticeship. Painting a Fresco in Renaissance Italy.
Holiday House, 1996. (4-6)
Antonio, nephew of Charbone di Benedetto, is apprenticed to his uncle, the painter. Antonio wants desperately to be a great painter himself, but must learn first things first. Fine illustrations carry a somewhat less inspiring text, but which still provides an in-depth look at fresco painting and the strivings of young people in 15th century Florence. Good with 5th grade Renaissance unit.
Self Control and Self Discipline
Defoe, Daniel. Robinson Crusoe.
Illustrated by N.C.Wyeth. Scribner Atheneum Books, 2003 (5-6)
This abridged version for young people (52 pages)is a fine introductory retelling of the weighty classic in an age like ours that values "survivors", here is the story of a young man who sets out to find his fortune at sea and is shipwrecked "on this dismal, unfortunate island which I call the island of Despair." But in fact, the Englishman does not despair. He calls on the resource of his faith, and uses every ounce of industry and self-reliance to survive and grow excited about what he discovers there. After eighteen years alone, ten years with his friend, Friday, Crusoe finally battles invaders and ultimately makes his way home to England.
Sanderson, Ruth. The Enchanted Wood.
Little, 1991. (3-5)
A king’s son sets off to find “the heart of the universe,” but must stay on the path through the enchanted wood. He is tempted many times to stray, but, unlike his brothers, is faithful to his mission and rewarded.
Suyeoka, George. Issunboshi.
Island Heritage, 1987. (2-4)
In this Japanese Tom Thumb tale, a tiny boy courageously wages battle against evildoers and succeeds—winning the princess’s heart and a normal physical stature in the end.
Perseverance
Fisher, Leonard Everett. Marie Curie.
Atheneum, 1994. (4-6)
Another of Fisher’s dramatic and substantial picture book portrayals of individuals who changed the world. Curie came from an accomplished and learned Polish family. Hers was a driven life. A woman who worked often to exhaustion, she changed science, receiving Nobel prizes in both chemistry and physics. But her life and work raise the question when is “persistence” too much of a good thing?
Graves, Charles P. Annie Oakley: The Shooting Star.
Illustrated by Louis F. Cary. Chelsea House, 1991. (2-4)
A delightful read-aloud about a woman eager and determined to use her talents, even when those talents were not the “womanly” variety. This is a marvelous story of young Annie, who worked diligently and followed her heart. Her ability with a rifle won her a husband, a career, and ultimately international fame.
Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm K. Grimm. Seven Ravens.
Adapted by Laura Geringer. Paintings by Edward S. Gazsi. Harper Collins, 1993. (2-4)
A sister exhausts herself to break the spell holding her seven brothers captive as seven ravens.
Harness, Cheryl. Young Abe Lincoln: The Frontier Days, 1809-1837.
National Geographic Society, 2008. (4-6)
Lyrical prose and vivid illustrations bring young Abe to life. Harness provides an engaging retelling of Lincoln’s Midwestern boyhood, the hardships of frontier life, and the pain of much personal loss (mother dying at nine; sister at 18). Born with no social advantages, Lincoln shines for his love of learning, drive to improve himself, and extraordinary perseverance. Could be used in conjunction with the Civil War unit in 5th grade.
Kemp, Moira. The Firebird: A Traditional Russian Fairy Tale.
David R. Godine, 1984. (3-5)
Kemp retells and illustrates this stunningly beautiful presentation of a Russian folk tale in which three sons embark on a quest to save the life of their father. They all seek to capture the exotic firebird, the sight of which will restore their father to health, guarantee them half of his kingdom, and reign over all his lands. The youngest son, shows kindness and compassion to those he meets along the way, is befriended by a grateful vixen, and overcomes numerous obstacles as well as his older brothers’ treachery to succeed.
Knight, Amelia Stewart. The Way West: Journal of a Pioneer Woman.
Adapted by Lillian Schlissel. Illustrated by Michael McCurdy. Simon and Schuster, 1993. (2-4) Beautiful woodcuts and actual journal entries illustrate the way west and the difficulties faced on the Oregon Trail.
Kroll, Steven. Robert Fulton: From Submarine to Steamboat.
Illustrated by Bill Farnsworth. Holiday House, 1999. (2-4)
Ingenuity, restlessness, and perseverance all combine in the life of one of America’s consummate inventors. Famous for his invention of the steamboat, Fulton’s early life shows radical openness to the many paths before him and a keen desire to find the best use of his own gifts. He made his home in the United States, Europe, and America again. Among the many avenues he pursued were painting, jewelry making, canal design, submarine design (which he imagined would end warfare), and finally steamboat design. He suffered derision and scoffing (his steamboat was nicknamed “Fulton’s Folly”), but lived to see the success of his work. He died helping a friend. Because of th relative complexity of the chronicle, 4th grade is probably a better placement than 2nd, but Fulton is featured in both grades.
Lasky, Kathryn. The Librarian Who Measured the Earth.
Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. Little, 1994. (4-6)
Excellent older reader picture book biography of Eratosthenes whose intellectual curiosity prompted unrelenting (and successful) efforts to measure the earth. Works well with 6th grade review of Greece.
Lattimore, Deborah Nourse. The Flame of Peace: A Tale of the Aztecs.
Harper Collins, 1991. (1, 5)
An Aztec child embarks on an arduous and risky quest for peace by confronting seven capricious Aztec gods.
McCurdy, Michael. Trapped by the Ice: Shackleton’s Amazing Antarctic Adventure.
Bloomsbury, 2002. (4-6)
This true story chronicles the determination, perseverance, and courage of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew. Shackleton led an expedition to Antarctica in 1914, hoping to be the first to cross the polar ice cap. Instead his ship, the Endurance, becomes lodged in the polar ice, and sinks. For the next two years Shackleton and his men face starvation, freezing, and all manner of privation as they fight their way back to civilization. Shackleton gets all of his men home alive!
McGill, Alice. Molly Bannaky.
Illustrated by Chris K. Soentpiet. HMH, 2009. (2-4)
The true, but little-known story of English orphan Molly Walsh, who in 1683 was sentenced to indentured servitude in the American colonies. After seven years of arduous labor she gained freedom and, although a lone woman, took the unusual step of staking a claim of land. Struggling to keep up, she bought an African slave, Bannaky, to help her farm the land. The two fell in love, married (she freed him), and raised four free children, one of whom became the mother of Benjamin Banneker, the first African-American to write an almanac. Stunning illustrations.
Nichol, Barbara. Beethoven Lives Upstairs.
Illustrated by Scott Cameron. HMH School, 2001. (3-6)
A little boy who lives in the apartment below Beethoven recounts the story of Beethoven’s life and music—his battle with deafness and the triumph of his art and spirit over disability. Can be read earlier, but Beethoven is covered in 6th grade.
Paterson, Katherine. Parzival. The Quest of the Grail Knight. Lodestar Books, 1998. (4-6) Perseverance, Compassion
Parzival does not know himself to be one of the Knights of the Round Table, and sets off to learn the lessons of chivalry and honor. His greatest test comes when he is sent in search of the Holy Grail: to obtain it, he must alleviate his uncle’s suffering. The twists and turns of the plot reveal Parzival to be a man who faces doubt and is near despair, perseveres relentlessly, and seeks not just honor and glory for himself, but ultimately the self-perfection that comes through true compassion.
Rogasky, Barbara. The Water of Life.
Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. Holiday, 1991. (4-6)
Set in medieval times, three brothers set off on a quest to find the water of life and save their father’s health. Two are easily distracted, and only one, who is single-hearted and compassionate, overcomes recurring obstacles and succeeds. Stunning illustrations.
San Souci, Robert. N.C. Wyeth’s Pilgrims.
Illustrated by N.C. Wyeth. Chronicle Books, 1991. (3-6)
Substantive treatment of pilgrim endurance of the hardship of their first winter and loss of half their colony with the timeless illustrations of N.C. Wyeth.
Sandin, Joan. Long Way to a New Land.
Harper, 1986. (2-4)
Immigrant crossing from Europe to America in late 19th and early 20th century.
Van Leeuwen, Jean. Across the Wide Dark Sea: The Mayflower Journey.
Illustrated by Thomas B. Allen. Penguin Books, 1995. (1-4)
The Mayflower journey and pilgrim experience movingly retold through the eyes of a young boy. A quintessential story of perseverance against all odds.
Wadsworth, Ginger. Along the Santa Fe Trail: Marian Russell’s Own Story.
Illustrated by James Watling. Whitman, 1993. (4-6)
Westward movement of a courageous family—braving elements and terrain. A classic story of perseverance against all odds on the Santa Fe Trail.
Weaver, Lydia. Close to Home: A Story of the Polio Epidemic.
Illustrated by Aileen Arrington. Once Upon America Series. Puffin, 1997. (3-6)
Set in the summer of 1952, when many swimming pools were closed to stop the spread of the dreaded polio epidemic, this story concerns Betsy and her friend Leticia. Betsy’s mother is working frantically to develop a polio vaccine. Betsy and Leticia wish they could find a place to swim! They create their own pool. Leticia gets polio and the rest is about the hard job of overcoming suffering and adversity.
Williams, Margery. The Velveteen Rabbit.
Illustrated by William Nicholson. Doubleday, 1991. (K-4)
The classic story of “becoming real” through faithfulness, perseverance, and love. Favorite stuffed rabbit sticks with his master through play, illness, and abandonment. Ultimately, the rabbit is rewarded by actually becoming real!
Wisniewski, David. Sundiata: Lion King of Mali.
Clarion Books, 1992. (4)
Startling cut-paper illustrations bring to life the story of legendary African king, Sundiata. As a child, Sundiata can neither talk nor walk and is ridiculed as “a crawling child unworthy of respect.” Sundiata’s determination and courage allow him to overcome his handicaps, banish the evil king from his empire, and usher in a bright age in which people learn to respect their fellows. Excellent themes of perseverance and courage as well. Works with medieval African unit.
Brighton, Catherine. Mozart: Scenes from the Childhood of the Great Composer.
Doubleday, 1990. (3-5)
Mozart’s life as seen through the eyes of his sister, Nannerl. Drive and diligence combine with pure genius.
Harness, Cheryl. The Amazing Impossible Erie Canal.
Macmillan, 1995 (2, 5)
The building of the Erie Canal is a story of diligence, innovation, and vision. Excellent pictures and engaging story of the canal that ran from Albany to Buffalo and facilitated westward move- ment by making transportation to the Great Lakes affordable.
Milton, Nancy. The Giraffe that Walked to Paris.
Illustrated by Roger Roth. Crown, 1992. (2-4)
Heartwarming, true story of an Egyptian pasha’s gift of a giraffe to the French King (1826). Marked first appearance of this African grassland animal on European soil.
Morrison, Taylor. Antonio’s Apprenticeship. Painting a Fresco in Renaissance Italy.
Holiday House, 1996. (4-6)
Antonio, nephew of Charbone di Benedetto, is apprenticed to his uncle, the painter. Antonio wants desperately to be a great painter himself, but must learn first things first. Fine illustrations carry a somewhat less inspiring text, but which still provides an in-depth look at fresco painting and the strivings of young people in 15th century Florence. Good with 5th grade Renaissance unit.
Self Control and Self Discipline
Defoe, Daniel. Robinson Crusoe.
Illustrated by N.C.Wyeth. Scribner Atheneum Books, 2003 (5-6)
This abridged version for young people (52 pages)is a fine introductory retelling of the weighty classic in an age like ours that values "survivors", here is the story of a young man who sets out to find his fortune at sea and is shipwrecked "on this dismal, unfortunate island which I call the island of Despair." But in fact, the Englishman does not despair. He calls on the resource of his faith, and uses every ounce of industry and self-reliance to survive and grow excited about what he discovers there. After eighteen years alone, ten years with his friend, Friday, Crusoe finally battles invaders and ultimately makes his way home to England.
Sanderson, Ruth. The Enchanted Wood.
Little, 1991. (3-5)
A king’s son sets off to find “the heart of the universe,” but must stay on the path through the enchanted wood. He is tempted many times to stray, but, unlike his brothers, is faithful to his mission and rewarded.
Suyeoka, George. Issunboshi.
Island Heritage, 1987. (2-4)
In this Japanese Tom Thumb tale, a tiny boy courageously wages battle against evildoers and succeeds—winning the princess’s heart and a normal physical stature in the end.
Perseverance
Fisher, Leonard Everett. Marie Curie.
Atheneum, 1994. (4-6)
Another of Fisher’s dramatic and substantial picture book portrayals of individuals who changed the world. Curie came from an accomplished and learned Polish family. Hers was a driven life. A woman who worked often to exhaustion, she changed science, receiving Nobel prizes in both chemistry and physics. But her life and work raise the question when is “persistence” too much of a good thing?
Graves, Charles P. Annie Oakley: The Shooting Star.
Illustrated by Louis F. Cary. Chelsea House, 1991. (2-4)
A delightful read-aloud about a woman eager and determined to use her talents, even when those talents were not the “womanly” variety. This is a marvelous story of young Annie, who worked diligently and followed her heart. Her ability with a rifle won her a husband, a career, and ultimately international fame.
Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm K. Grimm. Seven Ravens.
Adapted by Laura Geringer. Paintings by Edward S. Gazsi. Harper Collins, 1993. (2-4)
A sister exhausts herself to break the spell holding her seven brothers captive as seven ravens.
Harness, Cheryl. Young Abe Lincoln: The Frontier Days, 1809-1837.
National Geographic Society, 2008. (4-6)
Lyrical prose and vivid illustrations bring young Abe to life. Harness provides an engaging retelling of Lincoln’s Midwestern boyhood, the hardships of frontier life, and the pain of much personal loss (mother dying at nine; sister at 18). Born with no social advantages, Lincoln shines for his love of learning, drive to improve himself, and extraordinary perseverance. Could be used in conjunction with the Civil War unit in 5th grade.
Kemp, Moira. The Firebird: A Traditional Russian Fairy Tale.
David R. Godine, 1984. (3-5)
Kemp retells and illustrates this stunningly beautiful presentation of a Russian folk tale in which three sons embark on a quest to save the life of their father. They all seek to capture the exotic firebird, the sight of which will restore their father to health, guarantee them half of his kingdom, and reign over all his lands. The youngest son, shows kindness and compassion to those he meets along the way, is befriended by a grateful vixen, and overcomes numerous obstacles as well as his older brothers’ treachery to succeed.
Knight, Amelia Stewart. The Way West: Journal of a Pioneer Woman.
Adapted by Lillian Schlissel. Illustrated by Michael McCurdy. Simon and Schuster, 1993. (2-4) Beautiful woodcuts and actual journal entries illustrate the way west and the difficulties faced on the Oregon Trail.
Kroll, Steven. Robert Fulton: From Submarine to Steamboat.
Illustrated by Bill Farnsworth. Holiday House, 1999. (2-4)
Ingenuity, restlessness, and perseverance all combine in the life of one of America’s consummate inventors. Famous for his invention of the steamboat, Fulton’s early life shows radical openness to the many paths before him and a keen desire to find the best use of his own gifts. He made his home in the United States, Europe, and America again. Among the many avenues he pursued were painting, jewelry making, canal design, submarine design (which he imagined would end warfare), and finally steamboat design. He suffered derision and scoffing (his steamboat was nicknamed “Fulton’s Folly”), but lived to see the success of his work. He died helping a friend. Because of th relative complexity of the chronicle, 4th grade is probably a better placement than 2nd, but Fulton is featured in both grades.
Lasky, Kathryn. The Librarian Who Measured the Earth.
Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. Little, 1994. (4-6)
Excellent older reader picture book biography of Eratosthenes whose intellectual curiosity prompted unrelenting (and successful) efforts to measure the earth. Works well with 6th grade review of Greece.
Lattimore, Deborah Nourse. The Flame of Peace: A Tale of the Aztecs.
Harper Collins, 1991. (1, 5)
An Aztec child embarks on an arduous and risky quest for peace by confronting seven capricious Aztec gods.
McCurdy, Michael. Trapped by the Ice: Shackleton’s Amazing Antarctic Adventure.
Bloomsbury, 2002. (4-6)
This true story chronicles the determination, perseverance, and courage of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew. Shackleton led an expedition to Antarctica in 1914, hoping to be the first to cross the polar ice cap. Instead his ship, the Endurance, becomes lodged in the polar ice, and sinks. For the next two years Shackleton and his men face starvation, freezing, and all manner of privation as they fight their way back to civilization. Shackleton gets all of his men home alive!
McGill, Alice. Molly Bannaky.
Illustrated by Chris K. Soentpiet. HMH, 2009. (2-4)
The true, but little-known story of English orphan Molly Walsh, who in 1683 was sentenced to indentured servitude in the American colonies. After seven years of arduous labor she gained freedom and, although a lone woman, took the unusual step of staking a claim of land. Struggling to keep up, she bought an African slave, Bannaky, to help her farm the land. The two fell in love, married (she freed him), and raised four free children, one of whom became the mother of Benjamin Banneker, the first African-American to write an almanac. Stunning illustrations.
Nichol, Barbara. Beethoven Lives Upstairs.
Illustrated by Scott Cameron. HMH School, 2001. (3-6)
A little boy who lives in the apartment below Beethoven recounts the story of Beethoven’s life and music—his battle with deafness and the triumph of his art and spirit over disability. Can be read earlier, but Beethoven is covered in 6th grade.
Paterson, Katherine. Parzival. The Quest of the Grail Knight. Lodestar Books, 1998. (4-6) Perseverance, Compassion
Parzival does not know himself to be one of the Knights of the Round Table, and sets off to learn the lessons of chivalry and honor. His greatest test comes when he is sent in search of the Holy Grail: to obtain it, he must alleviate his uncle’s suffering. The twists and turns of the plot reveal Parzival to be a man who faces doubt and is near despair, perseveres relentlessly, and seeks not just honor and glory for himself, but ultimately the self-perfection that comes through true compassion.
Rogasky, Barbara. The Water of Life.
Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. Holiday, 1991. (4-6)
Set in medieval times, three brothers set off on a quest to find the water of life and save their father’s health. Two are easily distracted, and only one, who is single-hearted and compassionate, overcomes recurring obstacles and succeeds. Stunning illustrations.
San Souci, Robert. N.C. Wyeth’s Pilgrims.
Illustrated by N.C. Wyeth. Chronicle Books, 1991. (3-6)
Substantive treatment of pilgrim endurance of the hardship of their first winter and loss of half their colony with the timeless illustrations of N.C. Wyeth.
Sandin, Joan. Long Way to a New Land.
Harper, 1986. (2-4)
Immigrant crossing from Europe to America in late 19th and early 20th century.
Van Leeuwen, Jean. Across the Wide Dark Sea: The Mayflower Journey.
Illustrated by Thomas B. Allen. Penguin Books, 1995. (1-4)
The Mayflower journey and pilgrim experience movingly retold through the eyes of a young boy. A quintessential story of perseverance against all odds.
Wadsworth, Ginger. Along the Santa Fe Trail: Marian Russell’s Own Story.
Illustrated by James Watling. Whitman, 1993. (4-6)
Westward movement of a courageous family—braving elements and terrain. A classic story of perseverance against all odds on the Santa Fe Trail.
Weaver, Lydia. Close to Home: A Story of the Polio Epidemic.
Illustrated by Aileen Arrington. Once Upon America Series. Puffin, 1997. (3-6)
Set in the summer of 1952, when many swimming pools were closed to stop the spread of the dreaded polio epidemic, this story concerns Betsy and her friend Leticia. Betsy’s mother is working frantically to develop a polio vaccine. Betsy and Leticia wish they could find a place to swim! They create their own pool. Leticia gets polio and the rest is about the hard job of overcoming suffering and adversity.
Williams, Margery. The Velveteen Rabbit.
Illustrated by William Nicholson. Doubleday, 1991. (K-4)
The classic story of “becoming real” through faithfulness, perseverance, and love. Favorite stuffed rabbit sticks with his master through play, illness, and abandonment. Ultimately, the rabbit is rewarded by actually becoming real!
Wisniewski, David. Sundiata: Lion King of Mali.
Clarion Books, 1992. (4)
Startling cut-paper illustrations bring to life the story of legendary African king, Sundiata. As a child, Sundiata can neither talk nor walk and is ridiculed as “a crawling child unworthy of respect.” Sundiata’s determination and courage allow him to overcome his handicaps, banish the evil king from his empire, and usher in a bright age in which people learn to respect their fellows. Excellent themes of perseverance and courage as well. Works with medieval African unit.