Written by: Christopher A. Kearney

Middle school can be a time of change. Your child may have new interests, new friends and lots of new questions. Books are always the best way to explore the world – whether it's a book about different cultures or a book about the girl-next-door. Reading a book alone or together as a family can start a discussion about all those new emotions that are a part of growing up.

There are so many great books for fourth and fifth graders. Fantasy, adventure, mystery – we have all types of stories! Our staff loves reading children’s books, new and old, and we are excited to help you find the next book in a favorite series or recommend a few new books to try. Have fun reading some of our favorites listed below, and come visit us at the library for even more reading recommendations.

Children learn so much during the first few years of elementary school – especially when it comes to reading. These are the years when many children become independent readers and transition from picture to chapter books. Reading on his own will open up the world for your child, but reading as a family is important, too. At Richland Library we believe you are never too old to enjoy a good book read aloud!

Summer is still going strong, but school is just around the corner. Soon, the stores will be filled with backpacks and lunchboxes. I love all those displays. They make me nostalgic for the days of number 2 pencils. Those that are going to school for first time may be feeling a mix of excitement and dread at the sight of all those supplies. The best way to capitalize on the excitement and downplay the dread is to talk and read about school, and even play school. Knowing what to expect goes a long way. And, the library will go a long way to help support you through the school year with good books and resources. So, don’t forget to get my favorite school supply – a library card.

Make learning letters fun!  Experiment with various books and hands-on activities to help children learn their alphabet.  Knowing that letters are different from each other, knowing their names and sounds and being able to recognize letters everywhere in kindergarten is a strong predictor of reading ability in tenth grade.