Freddy’s Favorites compile TextProject’s recommendations for read-aloud books 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. Our list of Read-Aloud Favorites can be searched by grade level, genre, format and subject.
To read more about the importance of reading aloud in a classroom, please read this blog entry in Frankly Freddy.
The Diamond Explorer
Malcolm is the youngest child in a Hmong American family who was born years after his siblings. At first, we see Malcolm through the eyes of others—family members who worry about him and teachers who misunderstand him as quiet or slow.
But as Malcolm begins to tell his own story, a different picture emerges. He is observant, thoughtful, and deeply attuned to the voices of his ancestors. He gathers family stories like treasures and searches for his place between contemporary America and the traditions of his Hmong heritage. His growing awareness of spiritual practices adds a powerful layer to his journey of identity and belonging.
The Diamond Explorer invites readers to reconsider what it means to be “seen” in school and in society. It offers a moving portrait of a boy as he finds strength in culture, family, and self-understanding. For middle-grade and middle-school readers, the novel opens space for conversations about identity, immigration, perception, and the quiet forms of intelligence that often go unrecognized.
For ages 9–13 — a reflective, culturally rich coming-of-age story
Rock by Rock: The True Story of Nek Chand and the Secret Garden
This inspiring true story follows Nek Chand, a man who lived through the partition of India and missed the beauty of his childhood village. Working as a road inspector in the city of Chandigarh, he began transforming a hidden clearing of jungle into a magical world. Using discarded materials—broken pottery, glass bangles, and river stones—he secretly built the Rock Garden of Chandigarh. When his secret was finally discovered by the government, the community rallied to save his masterpiece, which is now a world-renowned art site.
The book is a testament to how one person’s vision and persistence can turn “trash” into a kingdom of beauty. The vibrant illustrations capture the texture and scale of Chand’s work, making it an excellent resource for discussing perseverance, environmental art, and cultural history.
Condor Comeback
Condor Comeback tells the real, ongoing story of the California condor, one of North America’s largest birds, once on the brink of extinction. When the last wild condors were captured in the 1980s, scientists, volunteers, and everyday citizens joined forces to breed them in captivity, care for sick and injured birds, and slowly reintroduce them to the wild. The book follows these conservation efforts—showing fieldwork, zoo care, science labs, cultural connections, and the challenges the birds still face, like lead poisoning and habitat threats.
Condor Comeback is an inspiring look at how teamwork and conservation science can save a species. In short: Condor Comeback isn’t just a book about birds—it’s a vibrant look at science in action and the power of people working together in tune with nature.
Best for ages ~9–12 (upper elementary to middle grade), roughly Grades 3–7, with engaging text and rich visuals that support comprehension.
Clever Crow
If you have “irritating” crows living in the trees outside your house like I do, you know how loud and persistent they can be. I picked up this book because I realized I needed to get my facts straight about my noisy neighbors—and I am so glad I did!
Written by Chris Butterworth and illustrated by the brilliant Olivia Lomenech Gill, Clever Crow is a complete game-changer for the classroom. It moves past the “spooky” myths and shows kids (and adults!) that these birds are actually the “monkeys of the air.”
The book covers everything from their tool-using skills to their ability to recognize human faces. The artwork is stunning; it has a raw, sketchbook feel that won the 2025 Carnegie Medal for Illustration. It’s the perfect mentor text for blending science with art, or for simply teaching students to look at “common” nature with a bit more respect.
How to Talk to Your Succulent
Eleven-year-old Adara is grieving her mother’s death and struggling to adjust to life in Michigan after leaving sunny California. Everything feels unfamiliar—her dad’s quiet sadness, her new school, and the weight of unspoken grief between them.
Then a small purple succulent named Perle begins to speak to her. Adara discovers she’s inherited her mother’s magical ability to communicate with plants—a gift that helps her express the feelings she’s been holding inside. As she cares for Perle and forms a tentative friendship with classmate Winnie, Adara learns that listening—to others and to herself—matters just as much as being heard.
This beautifully illustrated graphic novel for middle grade to middle school readers uses gentle magic and whimsy to help middle-grade and middle-school readers navigate grief, empathy, and connection. With its blend of heart and imagination, How to Talk to Your Succulent opens doors for discussing feelings, relationships, and resilience when life changes.
Children Who Dance in the Rain
Children Who Dance in the Rain was awarded the 2023 Children’s Book of the Year Award, for a very good reason—it supports kindness, gratitude, hope, and possibility.
The story begins with Sophie, a girl of about 10 to 11 years, who is engrossed in her iPad. Her world takes a transformative turn when her family visits her parents’ home in India. On one occasion, Sophie encounters children in a humble mud colony, most specifically a girl about her own age named Nanaki, an orphan. Sophie is shocked to learn how Nanaki works to buy food and vitamins for her brother. Despite meager possessions, Nanaki and her peers in the mud colony radiate abundant joy and gratitude for life’s simple treasures.
As Sophie’s eyes open to the world beyond her iPad screen, she discovers the vastness of life and her own potential to make a real difference. Children Who Dance in the Rain is a heartwarming journey that not only impacts Sophie but also invites readers to reconsider their own perspectives, emphasizing the wealth found in gratitude rather than material possessions. And what is truly wonderful…is that the book is based on a true story. Because of her experience, Sophie became a doctor and returned to the mud colony to give children food and medicine.
The 5,000-Year-Old Puzzle: Solving a Mystery of Ancient Egypt
As the book describes, the people in the story are fictional, but the book is based on actual pictures and artifacts of the exploration of Queen Hetepheres’s tomb (identity revealed near the end of the book). In addition to the narrative, there are also sidebars loaded with facts about topics such as tools of the trade and jewelry found in the tomb. Queen Hetepheres’s mummy was never found, but many artifacts uncovered were the kinds of everyday items that scientists had never studied before. This book is a great way to bring the excitement and anticipation of a new discovery to the class.
Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade
Tony Sarg (rhymes with arrrg!) specialized in puppetry. He started his career making marionettes and even had a show on Broadway in New York City. So how did a puppeteer design one of the most popular American events, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? As this book shows, the parade did not start out as it is now. The giant balloons came when Tony Sarg realized that only the people nearest to the parade could see the puppets. This is a wonderful book about how something as grand as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade had humble beginnings but, with lots of work and creativity, became a beloved tradition.