Choosing Quality Texts For Upper Primary
It is just as important to use quality literature with upper primary as it is with lower primary students. When it comes to this stage, students may be reluctant readers so choosing quality texts that are relatable to your students can make a large difference in their attitude towards reading.
First thing is to be looking for texts that could make a great novel or author study. These texts can also be used by students to explore ethical and social relationships, delve into imagination and characterization, justify opinion and evaluate ideas, and develop an appreciation of books.
What you should be looking for in a quality text?
emotive and figurative language
vocabulary
relatable character
leaves an impression
Picture books recommendations to use with upper primary classes include;
Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore by William Joyce
The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers
How To Live Forever by Colin Thompson
Mirror by Jeannie Baker
The Lost Thing by Shaun Tan
The Red Tree by Shaun Tan
The Rabbits by Shaun Tan and John Marsden
Wolf by G Gross
Fox by Margaret Wild
The Arrival by Shaun Tan
The Little Refugee by Anh Do
Belonging by Jeanie Baker
The Island by Armin Grader
One Small Island by Alison Lester and Coral Tullock
Potato Music by Christina Booth
Upper primary novel recommendations;
Holes by Louis Sachar
Grimsdon by Deborah Abela
New City by Deborah Abela
Bridge To Terabithia by Kathrine Paterson
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Ruby Redfort: Look Into My Eyes by Lauren Child
Findle by Andrew Clements
The Indian In The Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks
Race To The Pole by Meredith Hooper
Rose Blache by Roberto Innocenti
Storm Breaker by Anthony Horowitz
The Carpet People by Terry Pratchett
Young Fredle by Cynthia Voigt
Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown
What books can you recommend that you have used with your class? We would love it if you joined the conversation and left a comment below.