I’ve read a lot of books to my son, William, over the years. In part because of his reading challenges, in part because there are some VERY good books out there for younger folks that I didn’t read but are still very edifying for me today, and in part because of what I have read about the value of reading to our children–even as they progress into their teen years. So I thought that I’d put together a list of those books (plus some I haven’t read but plan on doing so or plan on having William read himself). I pray you find some books for you to read to your children or for them to read to themselves. Or for you to read on your own!

Books are listed in order of the age of the potential reader, from youngest to oldest in each section. Reading books aloud to children that are above their reading level is a great way to stretch their vocabulary and comprehension, and to spend special time with them.

All the books are recommended, but if I had to pick just one series of books on the fiction list, it would be the Mr. Pipes books by Douglas Bond (anything that Bond writes is worth reading). The Wingfeather series by Andrew Peterson; Dangerous Journey: The Story of Pilgrim’s Progress by Oliver Hunkin; and Wise Words: Family Stories That Bring the Proverbs to Life by Peter J. Leithart would be the runner-ups. In the biography, etc. section—which has some adult books that many preteens might enjoy, my favorites are The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien and Beowulf by Douglas Wilson. In the study section, I really like Created for Work: Practical Insights for Young Men by Bob Schultz (fathers should read it too) and also like Boys & Girls Playing by J.C. Ryle.

Here’s the list:

Fiction

An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco

Sammy and His Shepherd by Susan Hunt and Cory Godbey

Big Truths for Little Kids: Teaching Your Children to Live for God by Susan Hunt and Richie Hunt

My ABC Bible Verses: Hiding God’s Word in Little Hearts by Susan Hunt and Yvette Banek

The Priest with Dirty Clothes by R.C. Sproul

The King Without a Shadow by R. C. Sproul

The Lightlings by R. C. Sproul

The Prince’s Poison Cup by R. C. Sproul

The Barber Who Wanted to Pray by R. C. Sproul

The Donkey Who Carried a King by R.C. Sproul

God’s Servant Job: A Poem with a Promise by Douglas Bond

The Dragon and the Garden (Old Stories) by N.D. Wilson

In the Time of Noah (Old Stories) by N.D. Wilson

The Sword of Abram (Old Stories) by N. D. Wilson

Blah Blah Black Sheep by N. D. Wilson

James Herriot’s Treasury for Children by James Herriot

In Search of the Lost Missionary (Bob & Arty #1) by Jeff Barth

Trapped in an Abandoned Mine (Bob & Arty #2) by Jeff Barth

Mission Alaska! (Bob & Arty #3) by Jeff Barth

The Storm (Bob and Arty #4) by Jeff Barth

The Lighthouse Mystery (Bob and Arty #5) by Jeff Barth

Annie Henry and the Secret Mission: Adventures in the American Revolution – #1 by Susan Olasky

Annie Henry and the Birth of Liberty: Adventures in the American Revolution – # 2 by Susan Olasky

Annie Henry and the Mysterious Stranger: Adventures in the American Revolution – # 3 by Susan Olasky

Annie Henry and the Redcoats: Adventures in the American Revolution – #4 by Susan Olasky

Will Northaway and the Quest for Liberty (Young American Patriots #1) by Susan Olasky

Will Northaway and the Fight for Freedom (Young American Patriots #2) by Susan Olasky

Will Northaway and the Price of Loyalty (Young American Patriots #3) by Susan Olasky

Will Northaway and the Gathering Storm (Young American Patriots #4) by Susan Olasky

Adam and His Kin: The Lost History of Their Lives and Times Jul 2, 1990 by Ruth Beechick

Mr. Pipes and The British Hymn Makers by Douglas Bond

Mr. Pipes and Psalms and Hymns of the Reformation by Douglas Bond

Mr. Pipes Comes To America by Douglas Bond

The Accidental Voyage: Discovering Hymns of the Early Centuries (Mr. Pipes Books) by Douglas Bond

The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis

Dangerous Journey: The Story of Pilgrim’s Progress by Oliver Hunkin

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness (The Wingfeather Saga #1) by Andrew Peterson

North! Or Be Eaten (The Wingfeather Saga #2) by Andrew Peterson

The Monster in the Hollows (Wingfeather Saga #3) by Andrew Peterson

The Warden and the Wolf King (Wingfeather Saga #4) by Andrew Peterson

The Bark of the Bog Owl (Wilderking Trilogy) by Jonathan Rogers

The Secret of the Swamp King (Wilderking Trilogy) by Jonathan Rogers

The Way of the Wilderking (Wilderking Trilogy) by Jonathan Rogers

The Wright Brothers: They Gave Us Wings (Sowers Series) by Charles Ludwig

Isaac Newton: Inventor, Scientist, and Teacher (Sower Series) by John Hudson Tiner

Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims by Rush Limbaugh

Rush Revere and the First Patriots by Rush Limbaugh

Rush Revere and the American Revolution by Rush Limbaugh

Rush Revere and the Star-Spangled Banner by Rush Limbaugh

The Battle of Seattle by Douglas Bond

Duncan’s War (Crown and Covenant #1) by Douglas Bond

King’s Arrow (Crown and Covenant #2) by Douglas Bond

Rebel’s Keep (Crown and Covenant #3) by Douglas Bond

Guns of Thunder (Faith & Freedom #1) by Douglas Bond

Guns of the Lion (Faith & Freedom #2) by Douglas Bond

Guns of Providence (Faith & Freedom #3) by Douglas Bond

Hostage Lands (Heroes & History) by Douglas Bond

Hand of Vengeance (Heroes & History) by Douglas Bond

Hammer of the Huguenots (Heroes & History) by Douglas Bond

Wise Words: Family Stories That Bring the Proverbs to Life by Peter J. Leithart

Blackthorn Winter (Veritas Maritime #1) by Douglas Wilson

Susan Creek (Veritas Maritime #2) by Douglas Wilson

Two Williams (Veritas Maritime #3) by Douglas Wilson

Kingdom’s Dawn (Kingdom, #1) by Chuck Black

Kingdom’s Hope (Kingdom, #2) by Chuck Black

100 Cupboards (100 Cupboards #1) by N.D. Wilson

Dandelion Fire (100 Cupboards #2) by N. D. Wilson

The Chestnut King (100 Cupboards #3) by N. D. Wilson

The Cat of Bubastes: A Tale of Ancient Egypt by G. A. Henty

For the Temple: A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem by G. A. Henty

Or any of the G.A. Henty historical fiction for young men

Biography, History, Literature, and Economics

Lady Jane Grey (Christian Biographies for Young Readers) by Simonetta Carr

John Calvin (Christian Biographies for Young Readers) by Simonetta Carr

Jonathan Edwards (Christian Biographies for Young Readers) by Simonetta Carr

Athanasius (Christian Biographies for Young Readers) by Simonetta Carr

Ignatius of Antioch (Heroes of the Faith) by Dr. Sinclair Ferguson

Irenaeus of Lyons (Heroes of the Faith) by Dr. Sinclair Ferguson

Polycarp of Smyrna (Heroes of the Faith) by Dr. Sinclair Ferguson

Ten Boys Who Made History (Lightkeepers) by Irene Howat

Ten Girls Who Made History (Lightkeepers) by Irene Howat

The White Horse King: The Life of Alfred the Great by Benjamin R. Merkle

Alexander the Great: Makers of History by Jacob Abbott

King Alfred of England Makers of History by Jacob Abbott

Hannibal: Makers of History by Jacob Abbott

What I Learned in Narnia by Douglas Wilson

Lessons for the Young Economist by Robert Murphy

Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History by Richard M. Hannula

Radiant: Fifty Remarkable Women in Church History by Richard M. Hannula

Jane Austen: Christian Encounter Series by Peter Leithart

Miniatures and Morals: The Christian Novels of Jane Austen by Peter Leithart

Galileo: Christian Encounter Series by Mitch Sykes

The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Beowulf by Douglas Wilson

The Thunder: A Novel on John Knox by Douglas Bond

The Betrayal: A Novel on John Calvin by Douglas Bond

Foundation of Economics: A Christian View by Shawn Ritenour

Christian Study Materials

The Child’s Story Bible by Catherine F. Vos

Boys & Girls Playing by J.C. Ryle

Genesis: Finding Our Roots by Ruth Beechick

Created for Work: Practical Insights for Young Men by Bob Schultz

Stand Fast in the Way of Truth: Fathers and Sons Volume 1 by Douglas Bond

Hold Fast in a Broken World: Fathers and Sons Volume 2 by Douglas Bond

Thoughts for Young Men by J. C. Ryle

Discovering Jesus in Genesis (Covenant Promises for Covenant Kids) by Susan Hunt and Richie Hunt

Discovering Jesus in Exodus (Covenant Promises for Covenant Kids) by Susan Hunt and Richie Hunt

Genesis: A Commentary for Children by Nancy Ganz

Exodus: A Commentary for Children by Nancy E. Ganz

Future Men by Douglas Wilson