Children's Chapter Book Series - Recommendations

kinmir30

Hey Ladies,

I need some help with some ideas for books for some students in my class. I teach Grade 3 - 8/9year olds. I have this group of girls that has become very sassy and they are like frenemies. I think part of the problem is that they watch a lot of Disney channel shows and they read a lot of books with sassy characters like Junie B. Jones who does a lot of backtalk and rude behavior. I talked to the mom of one of these girls and she is concerned too because it's translating into her showing a lot of defiant behavior both to me, her teacher, and to her parents and then to her friends too.

These girls are really into reading, so I thought if I could find some books that had some great female characters in them that maybe it could help. I was thinking about books that really display great friendship between girls, etc. I thought of BSC, but it's too mature for this group. It would be cool if you knew of any series', but stand alone books would be fine.

Also, I teach in Kuwait, so there are some limitations. The books can't talk about Jewish anything, Christianity, boyfriends/girlfriends, kissing, or pork. Haha.

Any ideas? I appreciate any help!

lifeonthehill

What about books from American Girl? I am not sure if they meet all of your standards but they are books about girls and doing the right thing. That is really all I can think of. 

booknerd226

I had an advanced reading level in elementary school, so I'm not entirely sure what is and isn't 3rd grade reading level. But I loved:

American Girl books

Judy Blume wrote a book about friends: Just as Long as We're Together (or something like that)

Beverly Clearly's Ramona Quimby books

Little House books

Charlotte's Web (Not really a friendship book but man I loved it lol)

My young niece likes I, Amber Brown. My SIL says it's not as bad as Junie B. Jones but I haven't read them.

I was definitely reading Babysitter's Club in 3rd and 4th grade though.

booknerd226

Oh and Matilda

kinmir30

booknerd226 said:

I had an advanced reading level in elementary school, so I'm not entirely sure what is and isn't 3rd grade reading level. But I loved:

American Girl books

Judy Blume wrote a book about friends: Just as Long as We're Together (or something like that)

Beverly Clearly's Ramona Quimby books

Little House books

Charlotte's Web (Not really a friendship book but man I loved it lol)

My young niece likes I, Amber Brown. My SIL says it's not as bad as Junie B. Jones but I haven't read them.

I was definitely reading Babysitter's Club in 3rd and 4th grade though.

Charlotte's web is banned. They eat pork. *Gasp*

Amber Brown is also banned....I think she talks about kissing boys or something. I don't know, I actually haven't read that series, just know it's banned.

I wasn't sure about Ramona Quimby....couldn't remember if she was a little sassy too or not.

Thanks for the ideas!

kinmir30

I think I need to look into the American Girl series. See if we have any in these parts.

I like Matilda. A lot. One of my favorites...but she doesn't like her parents....so that doesn't really work for exactly what I am trying to embrace. Haha.

booknerd226

Lol I'm sorry. I'm really bad at recommendations for kids. I forgot about all that stuff that was in them.

kinmir30

booknerd226 said:

Lol I'm sorry. I'm really bad at recommendations for kids. I forgot about all that stuff that was in them.

Haha, don't worry about it. I only know about that stuff because my jobs requires me too....If I send home a book with students that is banned or should be banned because of a certain topic, I could instantly be fired, literally overnight. Sooo, I have learned to remember about those little things. But it's hard. I still forget a lot.

Being overseas has made me realize how much American children's book characters are really mean to their parents and teachers. Apparently it's something American kids can relate too...but I feel like it's hard to find a book where the child loves and respects their parents and actually likes their teacher. Most of the books have kids who talk about all the bad things they do in class or how their teacher is so boring, etc. etc. Playing pranks and how to backtalk. It's really interesting.

booknerd226

I thought of Matilda because it's my favorite ever she gets along really well with her teacher. But I forgot about the parents part lol.

booknerd226

kinmir30 said:

booknerd226 said:

Lol I'm sorry. I'm really bad at recommendations for kids. I forgot about all that stuff that was in them.

Haha, don't worry about it. I only know about that stuff because my jobs requires me too....If I send home a book with students that is banned or should be banned because of a certain topic, I could instantly be fired, literally overnight. Sooo, I have learned to remember about those little things. But it's hard. I still forget a lot.

Being overseas has made me realize how much American children's book characters are really mean to their parents and teachers. Apparently it's something American kids can relate too...but I feel like it's hard to find a book where the child loves and respects their parents and actually likes their teacher. Most of the books have kids who talk about all the bad things they do in class or how their teacher is so boring, etc. etc. Playing pranks and how to backtalk. It's really interesting.

Fired instantly? Wow that's harsh.

kinmir30

booknerd226 said:

kinmir30 said:

booknerd226 said:

Lol I'm sorry. I'm really bad at recommendations for kids. I forgot about all that stuff that was in them.

Haha, don't worry about it. I only know about that stuff because my jobs requires me too....If I send home a book with students that is banned or should be banned because of a certain topic, I could instantly be fired, literally overnight. Sooo, I have learned to remember about those little things. But it's hard. I still forget a lot.

Being overseas has made me realize how much American children's book characters are really mean to their parents and teachers. Apparently it's something American kids can relate too...but I feel like it's hard to find a book where the child loves and respects their parents and actually likes their teacher. Most of the books have kids who talk about all the bad things they do in class or how their teacher is so boring, etc. etc. Playing pranks and how to backtalk. It's really interesting.

Fired instantly? Wow that's harsh.

It's happened in the past......

I like to think of it like giving out a book on atheism or homosexuality at a hardcore Christian school.....might happen. Haha.

booknerd226

kinmir30 said:

booknerd226 said:

kinmir30 said:

booknerd226 said:

Lol I'm sorry. I'm really bad at recommendations for kids. I forgot about all that stuff that was in them.

Haha, don't worry about it. I only know about that stuff because my jobs requires me too....If I send home a book with students that is banned or should be banned because of a certain topic, I could instantly be fired, literally overnight. Sooo, I have learned to remember about those little things. But it's hard. I still forget a lot.

Being overseas has made me realize how much American children's book characters are really mean to their parents and teachers. Apparently it's something American kids can relate too...but I feel like it's hard to find a book where the child loves and respects their parents and actually likes their teacher. Most of the books have kids who talk about all the bad things they do in class or how their teacher is so boring, etc. etc. Playing pranks and how to backtalk. It's really interesting.

Fired instantly? Wow that's harsh.

It's happened in the past......

I like to think of it like giving out a book on atheism or homosexuality at a hardcore Christian school.....might happen. Haha.

Oh okay. I can see how that would cause a riot.

LaBellaBarv66

What about Nancy Drew or Harriet the Spy? Boxcar Children (IDK if those are still around?)

Jen748

How about the Fancy Nancy series? There are only three out now, but they have chapter books now.

There's also a younger Nancy Drew chapter book series, but I haven't read them yet.

InLovewSB

We recently read "Great Illustrated Classics: The Swiss Family Robinson" to our 5 year old. It has a close knit family- brothers and parents. No sassiness. No pork. No kissing. But... I think it refers to God once or twice.

Other stories I haven't read in a looooong time but remember liking - The Secret Garden, Little House on the Prairie series, Anne of Green Gables. But it's been sooo long I can't remember if God is mentioned.

Louise06

I remember reading The Famous Five series (British series, we lived in London for a summer) when I was that age. I don't know if it is within your parameters but I really loved the series.

LadyMacaron

Louise06 said:

I remember reading The Famous Five series (British series, we lived in London for a summer) when I was that age. I don't know if it is within your parameters but I really loved the series.

Yes! These are great! And I think it follows all the rules. As do the Nancy Drew books.

GilliC

A Wrinkle in Time? I hated it when I was a third grader, but tons of people love it, and it has a strong responsible female character and strong family bonds.

My favorite books when I was that age were the Carbonel series by Barbara Sleigh. It's a girl and a boy, but the girl is the main character and she's 50s eras sweet. She is, however, a witch. And there are talking cats. If that's going to be an issue.

Also, I recently read Below the Root after putting it off since I was 7! It has a mix of male and female characters, but it's kind of a 3rd-grade-appropriate dystopian society story, which makes it surprisingly contemporary given its publication date.

sonore32

I know I'm a bit late to the conversation but BSC actually has a younger version called Baby Sitter's Club Little Sister so that might be more age appropriate. I don't know if any of them are into horses but the "Saddle Club" series of books is about a group of girls who are friends and I don't remember them behaving badly to each other (it's also been a long time )

Double check these though in light of your requirements as I can't promise there are is no mention of God or boyfriends/girlriends

JenniatONU

sonore32 said:

I know I'm a bit late to the conversation but BSC actually has a younger version called Baby Sitter's Club Little Sister so that might be more age appropriate. I don't know if any of them are into horses but the "Saddle Club" series of books is about a group of girls who are friends and I don't remember them behaving badly to each other (it's also been a long time )

Double check these though in light of your requirements as I can't promise there are is no mention of God or boyfriends/girlriends

I wouldn't suggest this series. She's REALLY bratty. As a kid, I didn't realize it, but I remember my mom telling me how much she disliked Karen. She's very much 'I won't listen to my parents because I think I know what's best.'

cnthrdlywt2bwZ

Maybe try author Peggy Parish? There were some mystery books about three brothers and sisters that got along and loved their grandparents, etc. I loved Key to the Treasure as a kid.

cnthrdlywt2bwZ

There was also a kid sister baby sitters club series about Kristy's step-sister but I don't know their rules about discussing divorce or mixed families and that sort of thing.

Luckystar2

The Never Girl series? I'm reading it to my 5 year old but its listed ages 6-9. It's about 3 friends and one of their younger sister and they end up in Neverland with the faires. There are 4 books so far and another coming out in a couple months. I like them because they aren't sassy type stuff like you mentioned from Junie B Jones. The girls have some moments of bad behavior but learn a lesson. Not anything terrible. for example, one girl gets convinced by a bad fairy to steal some fairy dust. But there is a consequence and she understands the errors of her ways, ha! i think its more about friendship and helping each other out. The girls have to help each other or their new fairy friends.