The Latest and Greatest Read-Alouds

In this accessible handbook, McElmeel brings together recent books (published since 1988) that she recommends for reading aloud to children. The section on books for younger children briefly describes 56 picture books, while the second, much fuller section includes 109 longer books. A few of these titles are anthologies of folktales, poetry, and stories, but most are novels selected with an eye for quality and appeal. McElmeel provides publication data, reading level, listening level, a description focusing on the plot, and a list of other books by the same author and/or books with a similar theme or subject. The final chapter presents suggestions for promoting reading at home and at school. Teachers seeking newer titles for reading aloud in the classroom will find this book a useful introduction, particularly for fiction.