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.
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.