Living Books of Today Middle Years (age 7-12 depending on the child)

Character


Bible Study & Devotionals

23rd Psalm by Tim Ladwig

The Lord's Prayer by Tim Ladwig

Biographies

Anastasia's Album by Hugh Brewster [Sadly, it may be out-of-print, but is available used]

Eleanor by Barbara Cooney


History

Nature Study & Natural History

One Small Square (series) by Donald M. Silve and Patricia Wynne [Series include: Woods, Coral Reef, Backyard, Night Sky and many more. They are EXCELLENT.]

Where the Lillies Bloom by Bill Cleaver and Vera Cleaver


Science

How the Body Works by Steve Parker

How Science Works by Judith Hann

How Weather Works by Michael Allaby

How Nature Works by Reader's Digest


Math

How Math Works by Carol Vorderman

Phantom Toolbooth by by Norton Juster and Jules Feiffer [Probably belongs in the Teen Years due to the math concepts, but it's a good read-aloud at this age]

For a HUGE list of GREAT math titles see "Living Math"


Geography


Boy Who Sailed Around the World Alone by Robin Lee Graham [sadly out-of-print and the used copies today are expensive. Try Interlibrary loan. It's really not to be missed!]

Children Just Like Me by

Kon Tiki for Young People by Thor Hyerdal (Out-of-Print. Try interlibrary loan. It's wonderful.)


Minn of the Mississippi by Holling C. Hollings

Tree in the Trail by Holling C. Hollings

[The other Hollings books are for slightly younger children, but can certainly be enjoyed by this age. Beautiful Feet sells a study guide and incredible maps to go with these books. The maps really do add to the experience.]

Literature


The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Belles on Their Toes by Frank Gilbreth and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

Caleb's Story by Patricia MacLachlan

Caps For Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank Gilbreth & Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliet

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

Grandfather's Story by Patricia MacLachlan

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling NOTE: This is the only one of the series I personally think is appropriate for this age group. You may disagree--that's fine! The rest of the series will be on the Teen--Adult list.

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke NOTE: I have not previewed the others in this trilogy. Some parents may object to this as it includes elements of fanatasy.

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell

Justin Morgan Had a Horse [and the other titles of hers] by Marguerite Henry

The Littles by John Peterson

Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

More Perfect than the Moon by Patricia MacLachlan

Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood

Skylark by Patricia MacLachlan

Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle

Composers & Music

Dance Me a Story: 12 Tales from Classical Ballets by Jane Rosenberg

Sing Me a Story: The Metropoitan Opera's Book of Opera Stories for Children by Jane Rosenberg

Story of the Orchestra by Robert Levine

Fine Arts

Poetry


Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost illustrated by Susan Jeffers

Hymns



Folksongs

This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land by Woody Guthrie

Turn, Turn Turn by Pete Seager