Two weeks before we let out for Spring Break, the library had been closed for benchmark testing. Needless to say, many students were not happy, and one 5th grader approached me and said, “I have rights”! His class in particular, Room 34, happens to be a group of reluctant readers gone avid. I knew they would appreciate house calls so I had been taking them books during the two-week period.

The Thursday before Spring Break, I was mulling over what to take them when my eyes fell on the Beverly Cleary section. I began to wonder what would happen if I took them books I had read as a kid, so I grabbed some of my favorites and their teacher’s favorites, and we challenged them to read one of these titles during Spring Break. Their teacher, Mrs. Castaneda, and I told them that if they read one, they could leave a comment on the blog when they came back.They have no idea about copyright and little do they know how far back the books date. I can’t wait to see their faces when they do the math!

If any of these titles were your favorites as a child, please leave your comments below. The kids would love to hear from you.

Matilda by Roald Dahl, 1988
Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret by Judy Blume, 1970
Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary, 1968
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, 1961
Ralph S. Mouse by Beverly Cleary, 1982
Stuart Little by E. B White, 1945
Charlotte’s Web by E. B White, 1952
Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, 2000
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh 1964
Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary, 1973
Runaway Ralph by Beverly Cleary, 1970
How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell, 1973
Bunnicula by James Howe, 1979
Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary, 1965