It is perhaps one of the most gratifying parts of my job: when a teacher comes into the library, practically jumping up and down because their read aloud is going so well- and I was the one to suggest the book they are reading.
I have a few qualifications for a good read aloud.
First, it can’t be very long. I have ADD. And I’m a fast reader. If a book runs too long, I will abandon it half way through and leave the kids hanging. That’s not good.
Second, it needs to be suspenseful. Every chapter should offer some action or important information.
Third, it can’t have too much detail. That gets real boring real fast. I understand that detail is great when you are reading to yourself, but for a read aloud? No.
These are the tried-and-true titles. The ones that multiple teachers have used multiple times and have always found them to work.
1. The Compound by S.A. Bodeen
2. Cryer’s Cross by Lisa McMann
3. Juvie Three by Gordon Korman
4. Mrs. Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
5. How They Croaked by Georgia Bragg and Kevin O’Malley
6. The Shadow Club by Neal Shusterman
7. Full Tilt by Neal Shusterman
8. Read All About It by Jim Trelease (this one was especially good for my Read-Aloud ADD)
9. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (some classics never get old)
10. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
If you decide to do any of these, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. As a matter of fact, I think you’ll love them!