'The Kissing Hand' by Audrey Penn is also a great choice. It's about a little raccoon who is nervous about going to school. His mother gives him a special 'kissing hand' to make him feel better, which is a very touching story for young children starting school.
Some popular first grade realistic fiction books include 'Frog and Toad Are Friends' by Arnold Lobel. It tells simple yet heartwarming stories about the friendship between Frog and Toad.
Another one is 'Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus' by Barbara Park. Junie B. Jones is a very relatable character for first graders with her funny adventures. This book shows her first day of school experiences on the school bus in a humorous way.
One great 5th grade realistic fiction book is 'Because of Winn - Dixie' by Kate DiCamillo. It tells the story of a girl and her dog, and the friendships she forms. Another is 'Ramona Quimby, Age 8' by Beverly Cleary which shows the everyday adventures of a young girl. Also, 'The One and Only Ivan' by Katherine Applegate is wonderful. It's about a gorilla in a mall and his journey towards a better life.
A great option is 'Frindle' by Andrew Clements. It's about a boy who invents a new word. 'The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane' by Kate DiCamillo is a beautiful story. Edward, a china rabbit, goes through many experiences and learns about love. Also, 'My Father's Dragon' by Ruth Stiles Gannett is an interesting read. It has elements of adventure and friendship, which third graders usually enjoy.
They often have simple storylines. For example, in 'Frog and Toad Are Friends', the stories are short and easy to follow, which is suitable for first graders' short attention spans.
One great book is 'Wonder' by R.J. Palacio. It tells the story of Auggie, a boy with facial differences who enters mainstream school for the first time. Another is 'The Outsiders' by S.E. Hinton. It shows the divide between two groups, the Greasers and the Socs. 'Stargirl' by Jerry Spinelli is also a wonderful choice. It's about a unique girl named Stargirl who is different from the other students at her school.
There are several good first grade fiction books. For example, 'Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?' by Bill Martin Jr. This book has colorful illustrations and simple text that helps young children learn about different animals. 'Corduroy' is another great choice. It's about a little bear in a department store, and it's a very sweet story that first graders can enjoy.
Some great first grade fiction books include 'The Cat in the Hat' by Dr. Seuss. It has simple rhymes and fun characters that first graders love. Another is 'Green Eggs and Ham' also by Dr. Seuss. The repetitive text helps kids with early reading skills.
'Charlotte's Web' can also be a good choice for first graders. It tells a heartwarming story about friendship between a pig and a spider. The language is not too difficult, and it can introduce children to deeper themes in a gentle way.
Another one is 'The Kissing Hand' by Audrey Penn. This book is very popular among first graders. It's about a little raccoon who is nervous about going to school and his mother gives him a special 'kissing hand' to comfort him. The story is both sweet and relatable for young children.
I think 'The Kissing Hand' is very popular. It's a story that many first graders can connect with as they might be feeling a bit nervous about starting school, and it gives them comfort.
Some great realistic fiction books include 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' by Betty Smith. This book beautifully depicts the life of a young girl in a poor neighborhood in Brooklyn. 'The Grapes of Wrath' by John Steinbeck is a masterpiece that shows the struggles of a family during the Great Depression. And 'Anne of Green Gables' by L.M. Montgomery, which is about an orphan girl's adventures in rural Canada.