Chapter Books and The Chicken Squad

One of my favorite times in my classroom is chapter book read aloud time.  I always turn out the lights, so that only our string of white lights is glowing.  The kids find their cozy spot on the rug, and when it's quiet and calm, I begin to read.  And sometimes act.  {It's impossible for me to read any book aloud without doing the character voices and sometimes acting out what the characters are doing.}

As far as read alouds go, I have several that are my old favorites--that I just can't stop reading year after year.   My must have chapter books for first grade:

1.  Junie B.  Jones First Grader (at last!):  Um, this one should be a given, due to the name of my blog!  ;)  Junie B. is one of my favorite book characters ever.  I think my book character "acting skills" are multiplied times 100 when I read this book.

2.  Mr. Popper's Penguins:  read this every winter!  I wasn't so sure about it the first year, but it has become an old favorite.  I want a little penguin shipped to me in a box from Antarctica.

3.  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory:  a classic!  Such an imaginative little book of adventure and great for discussing character.  AND... it gives us a wonderfully fun excuse to watch the movie and snack on chocolate.  Yes please.

4.  The Mouse and the Motorcycle:  just a cute little tale of friendship between a boy and a mouse.  We also HAVE to watch the movie for this one--the kids FLIP when seeing Ralph drive around on his little motorcycle!

Which brings me to my newest chapter book find, by one of my favorite authors, Doreen Cronin:

{click the book to take you to amazon to purchase!}

5.  The Chicken Squad:  a hilarious tale of four adorable little chickens:  Dirt, Sugar, Poppy, and Sweetie, who are on their first crime solving adventure.  A panicky squirrel sees something mysterious in the backyard and its up to the Chicken Squad to crack the case.  This book is also full of fun illustrations that I know my students will adore.  I found myself chuckling in the bookstore while reading it--always a good sign.  Can't wait to share this new book with my class this year!

I would really love some new chapter book read aloud suggestions!  Please leave me a comment with your absolute favorite chapter books for your class!

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