With the holiday season right around the corner, family traditions take center stage. Capitalize on this theme by having chapter books to read aloud or explore during literature circles that showcase strong families. There are so many options on the types of families and family situations to feature! Here is a list of my favorite family-focused chapter books to read aloud.
Esperanza Rising
A Chapter Book to Read Aloud about an Immigrant Family
Esperanza Rising is a heartwarming chapter book by Pam Munoz. It follows a family through a season of life as they immigrate from a life of wealth and comfort in Mexico to a life of hard work with little pay in the agricultural fields of California during the Great Depression. The title character learns many lessons along the way including the great worth of her family relationships.
Wonder
A Chapter Book to Read Aloud about a Traditional Family
Wonder, by R.J. Palacio, is the story of August Pullman, a 5th grader with facial deformities, and his transition from homeschooling to a traditional classroom. Through it all, August relies deeply on the support and encouragement of his family. The author tells the story from the point of view of the main character and then gives us a full picture of life as part of the Pullman family by switching the narrator’s point of view to Via, Auggie’s sister. I highly recommend this as a chapter book to read aloud to your class because of the many discussions that are sure to come up about kindness and being a person of character.
Flora and Ulysses
A Chapter Book to Read Aloud about a Divorced Family
Ten-year-old Flora is a self-described cynic and comic-book lover. She lives with her mother, with whom she struggles to see eye-to-eye. She also misses having her father closer. In an unlikely series of events involving a squirrel with supernatural powers, Ulysses, Flora learns that though her parents separated by divorce, they are united in their love and care for her. The wild imagination and masterful wordplay of the author, Kate DiCamillo, make Flora and Ulysses a great choice for your next read-aloud chapter book.
The Family Under the Bridge
A Chapter Book to Read Aloud about a Homeless Family
The Family Under the Bridge is a 1959 Newberry Classic by Natalie Savage Carlson. Armand who is accustomed to living alone under a bridge in Paris discovers three children in his “home”. He learns that they were evicted and their mother works a job during the day to keep her little family together. It doesn’t take long for the children and their mother to work their way into the heart of Armand and the readers as well. Have fun reading this book aloud to your class as you follow the family’s journey to stick together no matter what.
Savvy
A Chapter Book to Read Aloud about a Uniquely Talented Family
Everyone is special in their own way and this family is the proof. Savvy, by Ingrid Law, follows the story of Mibs who is about to turn 13. In Mibs’ family turning 13 means you discover your “savvy,” a special super-power. Unfortunately, her father’s coma-inducing car accident interrupts Mib’s birthday celebration. Through the journey to reunite the family, Mibs discovers that her family’s real superpower comes from being together.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
A Chapter Book to Read Aloud about a Culture-focused Family
This might be my absolute favorite chapter book to read aloud! Grace Lin’s Where the Mountain Meets the Moon tells the story of Minli who is on a quest to bring good fortune to her family. This beautiful story highlights the cultural traditions of Chinese families and weaves Chinese folktales throughout the story as lessons to teach Minli the importance of family. If you don’t read aloud another chapter book to your class this year, please choose this one! You will thank me later!
Tuck Everlasting
A Chapter Book to Read Aloud about a Immortal Family
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt introduces us to the Tuck family. The Tucks stumbled upon a fountain that turned them immortal. A family that lives forever, learns plenty of lessons about living together!
Because of Winn-Dixie
A Chapter Book to Read Aloud about a Single-Parent Family
In another great read-aloud option by Kate DiCamillo, we meet Opal. Even though Opal lives with her dad, she feels alone in the world. Until she meets Winn-Dixie, a mischievous dog who manages to help her make a whole cast of unlikely friends who band together to make a surrogate family for Opal and her father…all Because of Winn-Dixie.
A Long Way From Chicago
A Chapter Book to Read Aloud about an Extended Family
You can’t go wrong by choosing this Richard Peck chapter book to read aloud. You will definitely enjoy watching your students’ reactions to all the crazy antics of Grandma Dowdel as her two grandkids spend a week with her every summer in her tiny rural town A Long Way From Chicago.
Dash
A Chapter Book to Read Aloud about a Family Facing Oppression
Dash, by Kirby Larson, follows the story of Mitsi and her family who leave behind the life they know when they are forced to move into a Japanese internment camp after the WWII attack on Pearl Harbor. Under the harsh new conditions of the camp, the strong families ties of Mitsi’s family are put to the test.
How do you choose just one family-themed chapter book to read aloud?
Choosing just the right chapter book to read aloud is impossible! You must choose several and read them throughout the year. I like to choose read-aloud chapter books that are slightly above the independent reading level of most of my students. I love the opportunity to model reading skills an the kids enjoy the story being told without the task of decoding words that might otherwise slow them down.
Try this Leveled Guide to Chapter Books to Read Aloud
Need help finding the right level chapter book for your next read-aloud? Check out this leveled guide for 52 of my favorites!
P. S. Looking for more themed book lists? Check out the blog post about books with underdogs as main characters.
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