5 Books For Each Year

Good, true, and beautiful books for each year, Kinder-12th.

I’ll be honest: I think one of the strongest antidotes to our vapid culture is filling the minds of young people with goodness and beauty through quality literature.

There are so many wonderful, life-changing books, and every time I attempt to narrow down my selections, I feel stressed because, inevitably, I have to leave an amazing title out. But I have felt such a need to fill my kids with only the very best because time is of the essence and they need beautiful and true ideas, inspiration, and stories in their hearts because the world they are heading out into….? Well, it’s anything but that.

I feel the freedom to admit that I don’t try to make comprehensive lists that are definitive. Instead, I attempt to highlight meaningful lists that whet the palette of the reader and introduce them to some of the best reads out there. With this list in particular, I endeavored to provide 5 books for each grade level that would meet the young one where he or she is at, given that specific year’s complexities and uniquenesses - both physical, emotional, and mental. A perfect level of challenge, adventure, sentiment, and encouragement to look back on in the days ahead. I could have picked any number of amazing reads for each grade level - thousands are out there! Heck, some of my personal favorites didn’t make the cut. Sigh.

Of course, I also sought out to pick books that the reader will not long forget - those special books that will stay with them for the long haul. After all, that is what makes a book a good book….one that instructs us long after we’ve closed the cover.

Enjoy and happy reading (for both you and your children!)