What does art have to do with fostering a love of reading? As children move into upper elementary and middle school, can we put actual art into language arts?
It’s tempting to think of comprehension questions, copywork, or dry discussions as the correct ways to build young readers’ success. But what if we could make their reading experience a little richer? A little more, dare I say, fun?
Chapter books deserve some love, just like beautiful picture books! We choose one novel a month to go along with each new bundle theme.
That means we have a book list ready for your new year! Glitterbombs members get a book-inspired project, discussion questions, study connections, and a curated list of projects and art extension activities. It’s a mini unit study, a done-for-you book club, or just a list of great books to look to when you aren’t sure what to pick up next.
Our 2024 Must Reads
Our first bundle to kick off the year is all about games, and Mr. Lemoncello’s library presents the ultimate escape game to the characters working on the clues and puzzles. This book keeps you guessing, thinking, and laughing.
Next up is our Mixed Up Masters bundle where kids can explore famous works of art – a little differently!
Arguably the most famous piece of art ever made, the Mona Lisa and its painter both have a curious past. This non-fiction book reads more like a fast-paced mystery. The plot trades off between Da Vinci’s life in 16th century Italy, and Paris in 1911, the year the painting was stolen.
Our members loved our Kid Book Favorites bundle so much, we’re bringing back a sequel!
I loved Mrs. Frisby as a kid, and I was happy to see it held up beautifully when I read it to my kids 30 years later. You’ll meet a mouse family in need of a safe home, a group of genius rats who help them, and a slew of other woodland creatures featured in their adventures.
Dive into the fantasy world of Dungeons and Dragons with this new series written for middle grades. This book follows a human finding her place at an academy that doesn’t allow her kind! This bundle is all about the worlds we can build in art, and this book is rich with elements that make you feel part of the adventure.
Our bundle Fantastical Worlds is guaranteed to get kids not only creating art, but also writing their own stories – and there is nothing more beautiful than storytelling and art together.
Landforms is always a top request, especially for our homeschooling members so we thought we would pair it with landscapes!
The book Music for Tigershas a unique setting, this book follows a girl visiting her uncle in the mountains of Tasmania. A girl visits her uncle for the summer. She ends up befriending the boy next door and solving a mystery about a disappearing species. On the shorter side for chapter books, this is a really sweet book with characters that have something to teach each of us.
This book had my kids and me in stitches! It’s a hilarious story about a group of pets making a plan to support themselves financially after their elderly owner has to go to the hospital. They plan a heist and of course it goes wrong. The pets’ personality differences are highlighted humorously, but in the end, it’s cooperation that saves the day.
It’s perfect for our Cats vs. Dogs bundle – whose side are you on?
We like to mix a graphic novel in, and this one tells the tale of an odd couple of wombats in the great outdoors- one is of course used to luxury and one can’t stand being outside. The plot thickens when they find a lost baby koala and also realize there’s a predator nearby to worry about. My 8 year old carried this book around for weeks!
If you’re not familiar with the term Up North, this is a bundle that talks to everything camping and vacationing in the great outdoors – waterfalls, s’mores, and stars.
Told from the camel’s perspective, this book follows Zada on a journey with two baby birds she rescues in a Texas dust storm. Because she gives glimpses of her earlier life in Turkey as well, it’s a good book to compare deserts on two different continents. This shorter chapter book is both heartwarming and exciting.
I couldn’t pass up this iconic choice for a bundle about fun on the farm. This is a classic, lovely story everyone can enjoy. Look for a bit of a non-traditional way of digging into this book, both with art and discussion questions.
Surrealist artists explored how to translate a dreamlike quality to their work. This book does the same, in a flowing journey of a girl who must rescue her parents. They own a dream shop, full of mystery in itself, and an eccentric monster best friend tops it off! It’s the perfect bundle and book read for October’s spooky season.
The first book in the series Bravelands, Broken Pride is full of rich details about the animals of the African plains. A lion, an elephant, and a baboon come together using their wits and a little bit of magic to help their lands. Written by Erin Hunter, who wrote the Warrior series, this fast paced book will be a hit with animal loving kids. We’re pairing this book with some artists from favorite safari locations in Africa.
The Geronimo and Thea Stilton books are written by an Italian author, and are known for their bright and colorful pages, with certain words printed in special fonts and colors. This shorter chapter book features Thea Stilton and her friends on a trip to Rome. This short, eye-catching book is great for younger chapter book readers, as well as for learning about one of Italy’s most famous cities!
We’re also going to be diving into Ancient Rome in this bundle – and of course, having pizza.
Need our 2024 Chapter Book List to take to the library?
Click the link below and grab your free copy!
The Glitterbombers Membership is enrolling for a limited time. Members enjoy the full PEP Curriculum when they join, as well as hundreds of art projects, art videos, and art resources and activities. Click HERE to join this week before we close again until August!
I absolutely loved this book list and project ideas. We are loving the books we’ve read so far! I hope you do this again!
Thank you so much for the feedback! I’ll definitely plan on one for next year!