Story Tags

Where the Watermelons Grow cover

Stay At Home Family Book Club Picks

Great Books for the Whole Family to Read & Discuss During Self-Quarantine

Being cooped up at home with your family 24/7 can be stressful, no matter how much you love them. Everyone needs entertainment and intellectual stimulation, and a bit of quiet time to themselves. During this self-quarantine period, it can be hard to find enough of the first two, and any of the third. So I’ve put together this list of 10 excellent middle grade books that the entire family can read and discuss. If you're seeking something that is educational, quiet, and promotes family bonding, then look no further! All the books on this list had to meet four simple criteria:

Lost Picnic

Tales of Summer

Picture Books on Family, Fun and Adventure

Summer can be a great time to enjoy a story or create one through experiences.  Below is a book list inspired by summer and the National Building Museum’s upcoming exhibit, Lawn.  Free admission is available to D.C. residents on their ward day, beginning in July.

Witches Abroad, by Terry Pratchett

Something For Both of Us

Books for you, and the young reader in your life

It’s sometimes hard to find a book that you and your child can tolerate. With that in mind, here is a list of chapter books that can be enjoyed by anyone, from your middle grade reader to your grandmother. It will certainly make reading before bed more fun, or you can read them on your own to recapture your inner child.  

Penderwicks

Read Aloud Chapters

Longer stories to read to young children

Picture books are a great resource for stories to read aloud to your child -- short, engaging and lusciously illustrated they are quite literally made to be shared together. However this list is for the reader and listener who are looking for something a bit more involved than a picture book but thematically still appropriate for younger listeners. (For picture book suggestions here is a link to a list I made of some of my favorites.) 

Lovely cover

Learning About Differences

Not just for adults any more!

In cities like Washington, D.C. there are so many people and they are all unique. This curated list contains a variety of protagonists and thoughts about differences. Let's celebrate the beautiful diversity of our city with diverse reads! Picture books for early readers Lovely by Jess Hong

Read Across America

Read Across America

Dr. Seuss Story Time

Sending a very special whooty who To all who’s and Cindy Lou’s No matter how small This is your call!   The time is now To celebrate Read Across America The Anacostia Library will show you how!   So go, go, go Run, run, run To the Anacostia Library to have Seuss fun, fun, fun!   You can come on skates You can come on skis You can come in a hat

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Graphic Novel Girls

I have always been interested in graphic novels that have a woman or young girl as the main character. Maybe it's because when I was younger, I did not see a lot of female lead characters. Well, that has definitely changed. Here are some of my favorite Juvenile Graphic Novels with strong young women as leads. Snow White written and illustrated by Matt Phelan

Fever 1793

History Meets Fiction

Great Historical Fiction for ages 9-14

The DC Public Library and the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History have teamed up to highlight some great novels all about American history! As we head back into the school year, dive into some great historical fiction and hear a new perspective throughout different periods in American history.

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Five Books That Got Me Interested in Reading

Reading used to be a chore for me. I used to cringe every time I had English/Literature class through my elementary/middle school years. I sat in the back and rarely raised my hand. I had done the reading required for that day. I had pretty good "reading comprehension" skills even though I didn't know it was even called that at that age. That wasn't the problem. I just was never interested in the books they had us reading at that time.

We came to America

Kids' American History Reads

In coordination with the Smithsonian National Museum of American History

Read about America with the Smithsonian National Museum of American History! These picture and chapter books are wonderful family reads and are a great tool to help your family develop a sense of home and aspiration for the future of the country. Whether you're a history buff or just avoiding summer slide, these picks will move you, inspire you, and wrap you up in a world that was, so that you can help to decide what the world will become.  Picture Books

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