Favorite Family Read Alouds of the School Year

As we wrap up 4th and 2nd grade, I am sharing our favorite read alouds of the school year:

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn a small commission on eligible purchases.

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett. In this art/mystery novel, the characters becoming involved in solving an international art scandal. Puzzles and pentominoes are part of the story as well. I love the way this novel got the kids talking about art and looking closely at paintings, and it was a perfect book leading up to our field trip to an art museum. The illustrations by Brett Helquist were a mystery of their own, with hidden clues that intersect with the story.

Winter (Growly series) by Philip Ulrich. The Growly series is the sweetest adventure series! My sensitive readers love that there is no “bad guy” but the characters persevere to overcome challenging odds in each novel (with a happy ending). This installment shows such a spirit of teamwork and working for the good of others, even at great personal cost.

Much Ado About Baseball by Rajani LaRocca. This novel mixes baseball, mathematics, and Shakespeare in a delightful way! My boys especially enjoyed the baseball scenes. Math puzzles/brain teasers are part of the story as well, along with lovely nods to Shakespeare’s works.

Knights of the Round Table by Gwen Gross. My boys enjoyed this intro to the classic tales of King Arthur, Merlin, Lancelot, Sir Gawain, and the round table. We read it in about two sittings.

The Vanderbeekers- series! by Karina Yan Glaser. Although these were re-listens, we enjoyed these thoroughly. It felt like visiting old friends. This series features a close-knit family with quirky siblings who love each other and look out for one another, fun plotlines that I enjoy listening to as well, and a fair share of deeper topics to chew on and discuss (through the series we see themes of community, forgiveness, grief, homelessness, and neglect (family friend) but they never feel unnecessarily heavy handed or hopeless).

Mom Reads

Parenting Book:

Novel:

Devotional:

What have you been enjoying? Currently building my TBR list for next year! Send me your recs! Connect with me in the comments below or on my socials: instagram / facebook.