TextProject
Strategies, tools, and texts to bring beginning readers and struggling readers to high levels of literacy
Teachers
Read-Aloud Favorites are an essential component of TextProject’s mission of providing appropriate texts for struggling and beginning readers. The Common Core State Standards bring increased focus to what it is that students are learning in schools and what they need to know. Through read-alouds, students can be introduced to topics and genres that they might otherwise not be able to read independently.
To read more about the importance of reading-aloud in a classroom, please read this blog entry in Frankly Freddy.
All Read-Aloud Favorites
Click on a cover or title to read TextProject's review
- Grade Level
- 2-3
- Genre
- Contemporary Realistic Fiction
- Format
- Picture Book
- Content
- Economics & Geography
- Societal Concerns
2 October 2014
Kyle Keeps Track of Cash
Written by Lisa Bullard, Illustrated by Mike Byrne
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Biography & Memoir
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- US History
- Societal Concerns
- Celebration
2 October 2014
Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade
Written and Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Contemporary Realistic Fiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- World History
- Adventure
2 October 2014
The 5,000-Year-Old Puzzle: Solving a Mystery of Ancient Egypt
Written by Claudia Logan, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
- Grade Level
- 2-3
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Life Science
- Animal Stories
1 October 2014
Dolphin Baby
Written by Nicola Davies, Illustrated by Brita Granström
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Insects
- Animal Stories
1 October 2014
Handle With Care: An Unusual Butterfly Journey
Written by Loree Griffin Burns, Illustrated by Ellen Harasimowicz
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Earth Science
- Societal Concerns
1 October 2014
One Well: The Story of Water on Earth
Written by Rochelle Strauss, Illustrated by Rosemary Woods
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Life Science
- Animal Stories
- Societal Concerns
1 October 2014
Wild Animal Neighbors: Sharing Our Urban World
Written by Ann Downer
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Physical Science
1 October 2014
What Is the World Made Of? All About Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Written by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld, Illustrated by Paul Meisel
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Contemporary Realistic Fiction
- Format
- Chapter Book
- Content
- Earth Science
- Life Science
- Peer Relationships
4 September 2013
Wild Wings
Written by Gill Lewis
- Grade Level
- 2-3
- Genre
- Biography & Memoir
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Physical Science
- Earth Science
- Women's Studies
4 September 2013
Look Up!: Henrietta Leavitt, Pioneering Woman Astronomer
Written by Robert Burleigh, Illustrated by Raúl Colón
- Grade Level
- 2-3
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- US History
- Animal Stories
18 March 2013
14 Cows for America
Written by Carment Agra Deedy; Illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez
- Grade Level
- 6-8
- Genre
- Contemporary Realistic Fiction
- Format
- Chapter Book
- Content
- World History
18 March 2013
A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story
Written by Linda Sue Park
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Math
18 March 2013
A Very Improbable Story
Written by Edward Einhorn; Illustrated by Adam Gustavson
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Earth Science
- Life Science
18 March 2013
Adventure Beneath the Sea: Living in an Underwater Science Station
Written by Ken Mallory; Illustrated by Brian Skerry
- Grade Level
- 2-3
- Genre
- Contemporary Realistic Fiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Earth Science
- Family Relationships
18 March 2013
Blackout
Written and Illustrated by John Rocco
- Grade Level
- 2-3
- Genre
- Folklore
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Fairy Tales
18 March 2013
Cinder Edna
Written by Ellen Jackson; Illustrated by Kevin O'Malley
- Grade Level
- High School
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- US History
18 March 2013
Flesh and Blood So Cheap: The Triangle Fire and Its Legacy
Written by Albert Marrin
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Contemporary Realistic Fiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Peer Relationships
18 March 2013
Goal!
Written by Mina Javaherbin; Illustrated by A.G. Ford
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- US History
18 March 2013
Lady Liberty: A Biography
Written by Doreen Rappaport; Illustrated by Matt Tavares
- Grade Level
- High School
- Genre
- Biography & Memoir
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- US History
18 March 2013
The Many Rides Of Paul Revere
Written by James Cross Giblin
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- US History
- Earth Science
- Poetry & Verse
18 March 2013
Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11
Written and illustrated by Brian Floca
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Animal Stories
- US History
18 March 2013
Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle
Written by Brian Dennis, Kirby Larson & Mary Nethery
- Grade Level
- 6-8
- Genre
- Biography & Memoir
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- World History
18 March 2013
Passage to Freedom: The Sugihara Story
Written by Ken Mochizuki; Illustrated by Dom Lee
- Grade Level
- 2-3
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Animal Stories
- Life Science
18 March 2013
Pierre the Penguin: A True Story
Written by Jean Marzollo; Illustrated by Laura Regan
- Grade Level
- 2-3
- Genre
- Contemporary Realistic Fiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Earth Science
- Peer Relationships
18 March 2013
Rain School
Written and illustrated by James Rumford
- Grade Level
- 2-3
- Genre
- Contemporary Realistic Fiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Peer Relationships
18 March 2013
The A+ Custodian
Written by Louise Borden; Illustrated by Adam Gustavson
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Biography & Memoir
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Earth Science
18 March 2013
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Young Readers Edition
Written by William Kamkwamba & Bryan Mealer; Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Historical Fiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- World History
- Adventure
18 March 2013
The Greatest Skating Race: A World War II Story from the Netherlands
Written by Louise Borden; Illustrated by Niki Daly
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Historical Fiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- World History
18 March 2013
The Little Ships: The Heroic Rescue at Dunkirk in World War II
Written by Louise Borden; Illustrated by Michael Foreman
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Contemporary Realistic Fiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- US History
18 March 2013
What Color Is My World?: The Lost History of African-American Inventors
Written by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar & Raymond Obstfeld; Illustrated by Ben Boos & A.G. Ford
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Science Fiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Physical Science
18 March 2013
You Are the First Kid on Mars
Written and illustrated by Patrick O'Brien
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Biography & Memoir
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Family Relationships
- Music & Art
3 November 2009
My Papa Diego and Me / Mi papa Diego y yo: Memories of My Father and His Art / Recuerdos de mi padre y su arte
Written by Guadalupe Rivera Marin; Artwork by Diego Rivera
- Grade Level
- 6-8
- Genre
- Biography & Memoir
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Life Science
3 November 2009
Darwin
Written by Alice B. McGinty; Illustrated by Mary Azarian
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Biography & Memoir
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- US History
- Language Studies
3 November 2009
Noah Webster: Weaver of Words
Written by Pegi Deitz Shae; Illustrated by Monica Vachula
- Grade Level
- High School
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- US History
- Civics
3 November 2009
Denied, Detained, Deported: Stories from the Dark Side of American Immigration
Written by Ann Bausum
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Contemporary Realistic Fiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Animal Stories
- Family Relationships
23 June 2009
Landed
Written by Milly Lee; Pictures by Yangsook Choi
- Grade Level
- High School
- Genre
- Historical Fiction
- Format
- Chapter Book
- Content
- US History
23 June 2009
Chains (Seeds of America #1)
Written by Laurie Halse Anderson
- Grade Level
- 2-3
- Genre
- Biography & Memoir
- Format
- Chapter Book
- Content
- Life Science
- Societal Concerns
23 June 2009
Mary On Horseback: Three Mountain Stories
Written by Rosemary Wells
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Biography & Memoir
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Earth Science
- Economics & Geography
11 March 2009
Wangari’s Trees Of Peace
Written by Jeanette Winter
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Contemporary Realistic Fiction
- Format
- Chapter Book
- Content
- Earth Science
- Life Science
11 March 2009
How The Forest Grew
Written by William Jaspersohn; Illustrated by Chuck Eckart
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Earth Science
- Life Science
- Peer Relationships
11 March 2009
Come Back, Salmon: How a Group of Dedicated Kids Adopted Pigeon Creek and Brought it Back to Life
Written by Molly Cone; Photographs by Sidnee Wheelwright
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Earth Science
- Life Science
11 March 2009
The Prairie Builders: Reconstructing America's Lost Grasslands (Scientists in the Field Series)
Written and photographed by Sneed B. Collard III
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Biography & Memoir
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- US History
8 January 2009
Dolley Madison Saves George Washington
Written and Illustrated by Don Brown
- Grade Level
- 6-8
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- US History
8 January 2009
Capital
Written by Lynn Curlee
- Grade Level
- 2-3
- Genre
- Fantasy
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Economics & Geography
11 November 2008
You Can't Buy a Dinosaur With a Dime: Problem-solving in Dollars and Cents
Written by Harriet Ziefert; Illustrated by Amanda Haley
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Contemporary Realistic Fiction
- Format
- Chapter Book
- Content
- Economics & Geography
11 November 2008
Lawn Boy
Written by Gary Paulsen
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Format
- Chapter Book
- Content
- Economics & Geography
10 November 2008
Beyond The Lemonade Stand
Written by Bill Rancic
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Music & Art
13 June 2008
Folding for Fun: Origami for Ages 4 and Up
Written by Didier Boursin
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Music & Art
13 June 2008
Asian Kites: Asian Arts and Crafts For Creative Kids
Written by Wayne Hosking
- Grade Level
- 2-3
- Genre
- Folklore
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Folktales
7 May 2008
Legend Of Chinese Dragon
Written by Maria Sellier; Illustrated by Catherine Louis, Calligraphy and chop marks by Wang Fei, Translated by Sibylle Kazeroid
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Contemporary Realistic Fiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Animal Stories
7 May 2008
Hachiko: The True Story of a Loyal Dog
Written by Pamela S. Turner; Illustrated by Yan Nascimbene
- Grade Level
- 2-3
- Genre
- Contemporary Realistic Fiction
- Format
- Chapter Book
- Content
- Family Relationships
- Growing Up
- Music & Art
7 May 2008
The Year Of The Dog
Written and Illustrated by Grace Lin
- Grade Level
- 6-8
- Genre
- Biography & Memoir
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- US History
- Societal Concerns
7 May 2008
Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story
Written by Paula Yoo; Illustrations by Dom Lee
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Historical Fiction
- Format
- Chapter Book
- Content
- Animal Stories
- Growing Up
- Societal Concerns
7 May 2008
The White Elephant
Written by Sid Fleischman; Illustrated by Robert McGuire
- Grade Level
- K-1
- Genre
- Folklore
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Poetry & Verse
4 April 2008
Pío Peep!: Traditional Spanish Nursery Rhymes
Selected by Alma Flor Ada & F. Isabel Campoy, English Adaptations by Alice Schertle; Illustrated by Viví Escrivá
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Poetry & Verse
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Family Relationships
4 April 2008
Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs
Written by Alan Katz; Illustrated by David Catrow
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Poetry & Verse
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Animal Stories
4 April 2008
Meow Ruff: A Story in Concrete Poetry
Written by Joyce Sidman; Illustrated by Michelle Berg
- Grade Level
- 2-3
- Genre
- Biography & Memoir
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Music & Art
3 March 2008
Family Pictures, 15th Anniversary Edition / Cuadros de Familia, Edición Quinceañera
Written and Illustrated by Carmen Lomas Garza
- Grade Level
- 6-8
- Genre
- Biography & Memoir
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Music & Art
3 March 2008
Four Pictures By Emily Carr
Written and Illustrated by Nicolas Debon
- Grade Level
- High School
- Genre
- Biography & Memoir
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- US History
- Music & Art
- Societal Concerns
3 March 2008
Restless Spirit: The Life and Work of Dorothea Lange
Written by Elizabeth Partridge
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Biography & Memoir
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Civics
- US History
12 February 2008
A Woman for President: The Story of Victoria Woodhull
Written by Katerine Krull; Illustrated by Jane Dyer
- Grade Level
- High School
- Genre
- Biography & Memoir
- Format
- Chapter Book
- Content
- US History
11 February 2008
George Washington Spymaster
Written by Thomas B. Allen; Featuring Illustrations by Cheryl Harness
- Grade Level
- High School
- Genre
- Biography & Memoir
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- US History
- Adventure
10 February 2008
The Remarkable Rough-Riding Life of Theodore Roosevelt and the Rise of Empire America
Written and Illustrated by Cheryl Harness
- Grade Level
- 2-3
- Genre
- Contemporary Realistic Fiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Poetry & Verse
- Family Relationships
16 January 2008
Oh, Brother!
Written by Nikki Grimes; Illustrated by Mike Berry
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Biography & Memoir
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- US History
- Family Relationships
16 January 2008
Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Written by Doreen Rappaport; Illustrated by Bryan Collier
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Historical Fiction
- Format
- Chapter Book
- Content
- US History
- Peer Relationships
- Growing Up
16 January 2008
Elijah, Of Buxton
Written by Christopher Paul Curtis
- Grade Level
- 6-8
- Genre
- Historical Fiction
- Format
- Chapter Book
- Content
- US History
- Growing Up
16 January 2008
Day Of Tears
Written by Julius Lester
- Grade Level
- K-1
- Genre
- Fantasy
- Format
- Picture Book
- Content
- Peer Relationships
30 November 2007
All You Need For A Snowman
Written by Alice Schertle; Illustrated by Barbara Lavallee
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Folklore
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Poetry & Verse
30 November 2007
Merry Navidad!: Christmas Carols in Spanish and English / Villancicos en espanol e ingles
Compiled by Alam Flor Ada & F. Isabel Campoy, English Versions by Rosalma Zubizarreta; Illustrated by Viví Escrivá
- Grade Level
- 2-3
- Genre
- Contemporary Realistic Fiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Family Relationships
30 November 2007
It's a Miracle!: A Hanukkah Storybook
Written by Stephanie Spinner; Illustrated by Jill McElmurry
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Contemporary Realistic Fiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Family Relationships
30 November 2007
Elijah's Angel: A Story for Chanukah and Christmas
Written by Michael J. Rosen; Illustrated by Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Contemporary Realistic Fiction
- Format
- Chapter Book
- Content
- Peer Relationships
- Language Studies
20 August 2007
Frindle
Written by Andrew Clements; Illustrated by Brian Selznick
- Grade Level
- 2-3
- Genre
- Contemporary Realistic Fiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Peer Relationships
20 August 2007
The New Girl… And Me
Written by Jacqui Robbins; Illustrated by Matt Phelan
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Contemporary Realistic Fiction
- Format
- Chapter Book
- Content
- Family Relationships
- Societal Concerns
20 August 2007
The Most Beautiful Place
Written by Ann Cameron; Illustrated by Thomas B. Allen
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Historical Fiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- World History
- Music & Art
11 July 2007
The Cello Of Mr O
Written by Jane Cutler; Illustrated by Greg Couch
- Grade Level
- 6-8
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- US History
11 July 2007
The American Story: 100 True Tales from American History
Written by Jennifer Armstrong; Illustrated by Roger Roth
- Grade Level
- High School
- Genre
- Historical Fiction
- Format
- Chapter Book
- Content
- World History
- Growing Up
- Family Relationships
11 July 2007
Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution
Written by Ji-li Jiang
- Grade Level
- High School
- Genre
- Biography & Memoir
- Format
- Chapter Book
- Content
- Family Relationships
- World History
11 July 2007
Tasting the Sky: A Palestinian Childhood
Written by Ibtisam Barakat
- Grade Level
- 2-3
- Genre
- Folklore
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Myths
- Animal Stories
28 June 2007
Ancient Thunder
Written and Illustrated by Leo Yerxa
- Grade Level
- High School
- Genre
- Poetry & Verse
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Adventure
28 June 2007
The Highwayman (Visions in Poetry)
Written by Alfred Noyes; Illustrated by Murray Kimber
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Contemporary Realistic Fiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Earth Science
- Growing Up
- Music & Art
28 June 2007
Solomon’s Tree
Written by Andrea Spalding; Illustrated by Janet Wilson
- Grade Level
- 2-3
- Genre
- Fantasy
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Adventure
28 June 2007
Imagine A Day
Written by Sarah L. Thomson; Illustrated by Rob Gonsalves
- Grade Level
- 4-5
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- Animal Stories
- Life Science
24 May 2007
Extreme Animals: The Toughest Creatures on Earth
Written by Nicola Davies; Illustrated by Neal Layton
- Grade Level
- K-1
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Format
- Picture Book
- Content
- Life Science
24 May 2007
Discovering Nature's Alphabet
Written by Krystina Castella & Brian Boyl
- Grade Level
- High School
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Format
- Picture Story Book
- Content
- US History
- Civics
24 May 2007