📚 Brave Writer. This program’s Arrow and Boomerang unit studies offer a wonderful way to closely study literature and the choices that authors make. Based on carefully selected chapter books, Arrows are designed for students in Grades 3–6, while Boomerangs are targeted at Grades 7–10. The method: Choose a book that sparks interest in your child, and download the Arrow or Boomerang packet from the Brave Writer website. The books are meant to be read together over the course of 4 weeks. For each week, the unit study packet highlights a key passage from the book for close study, with a view toward examining key literary elements, such as metaphor, simile, and hyperbole (see Spelling & Vocabulary). On the website, you will find an impressive collection of unit studies to accompany many compelling contemporary and classic novels. These unit studies can also be used to teach Grammar & Punctuation. – All

📚 Five in a Row. The Five in a Row program introduces children to great literature from an early age and encourages students to discuss and analyze how authors write. The program is offered at three levels: Before Five in a Row (PreK); Five in a Row (4–8); and Beyond Five in a Row (8–12). The program is based on close and repeat readings of award-winning books from around the world. This is a multidisciplinary curriculum; the featured books connect to topics in science and social studies. However, the literature component of the program is so rich that it deserves a spot in our recommendations for literature curricula. The company offers teacher manuals alongside literature packs. From the manufacturer: “By gathering your family together each morning and snuggling as you read a wonderful story aloud to your children the tone of each teaching day is relational and fun rather than rigorous and sterile.” – Elementary • Middle

📚 MCT Language Arts by Michael Clay Thompson. If you're looking for a work-intensive, all-in-one Language Arts curriculum, then this program may be for you: "These exciting and demanding books are phenomenally successful both as stand-alones and as part of a longer term, progressive English Language Arts curriculum." At the core of the program is the grammar series, but the full curriculum interweaves vocabulary, poetics, writing, and literature. Levels 1-7 cover Elementary and Middle School Language Arts. – Elementary • Middle

📖 Deconstructing Penguins by Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone. "With the Goldstones help, parents can inspire kids’ lifelong love of reading by teaching them how to unlock a book’s hidden meaning. Featuring fun and incisive discussions of numerous children’s classics, this dynamic guide highlights key elements–theme, setting, character, point of view, climax, and conflict–and paves the way for meaningful conversations between parents and children." A good read and a fantastic resource for parents. – All

🔗 NEW! Best Picture Books. Check out our list of our 40 favorite picture books of all time.

📖 The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease. This is a must-read book for all parents. Trelease makes a compelling argument in favor of regularly reading aloud to children and encouraging kids to view reading as a pleasurable activity (that means no mandatory end-of-chapter written summaries or 'rehash-the-plot' book reports). Best of all is the priceless treasury of great books for kids of all ages. Highly recommended. – All

🔗 Content Connection: World History. Find excellent historical fiction across the World History pages.

🔗 Content Connection: US History. Browse the US History pages to find lots of great historical fiction.