It’s here! What are your plans? Hopefully it involves family time and some relaxation. That is the hope right? Summer reading is an essential activity and like many of you, I have received great book recommendations from my kids’ teachers. But what about book recommendations that promote the themes of grit? Well, it’s funny you ask. The Grit Moms Hangout Guide contains a list of Grit book recommendations for kids in grade Kindergarten thru Eighth grade. Each book in our list includes a book summary, word count and grade level.
Below is a little flavor of the many books in our guide that promote the themes of perseverance, character and determination. Take some time to read a few with your kids this summer. Then let us know what you think of them by sharing some of the discussions you had with your child on the various books.
Kindergarten:
| Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen
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Author: Cari Best | Book summary:
Sally Jean has outgrown her old bike, Flash. She decides to make and collect old bicycle parts to make a new one. |
Book Themes:
Creativity Goals Motivation Curiosity |
First Grade:
| The Little Red Hen and the Ear of Wheat
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Author: Mary Finch
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Book summary
The little red hen finds a grain of wheat and works hard to plant, water, and knead the dough. But, none of her friends will help her. She reaps the benefits of all her hard work with a yummy loaf of homemade bread.
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Book themes:
Motivation Focus Goals Ambition Reaching Long Term Goals |
Second Grade:
| Playing Right Field
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Author:
Willy Welch
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Book summary:
A young boy is positioned in right field when the more athletic players share center field. He dreams of making the catch of his life and being a hero. Then he hears the crowd cheer and sees the ball coming his way… |
Book themes:
Resilience Ambition Perseverance
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Third Grade:
| Oh the Places You’ll Go
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Author:
Dr. Seuss
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Book summary:
Dr. Seuss gives out life lessons as he directs a boy through life’s up and downs.
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Book themes:
Ambitions Goals Resilience Motivation Drive Focus |
Fourth Grade:
| Wilma Unlimited
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Author:
Kathleen Krull
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Book Summary:
Wilma Ruldoph had polio when she was a child that left her paralyzed in one leg. She overcomes many obstacles and proves her critics wrong when she runs in the Olympics and wins three gold medals.
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Book themes:
Dedication Resilience Goals Ambition
Motivation |
High quality summer learning like reading is essential to preventing “summer learning loss” and improving students’ academic achievement and readiness/grittiness to learn. In addition, quality summer learning programs are changing students’ lives for the better each and every summer. For more information about the value of quality activities with your child in the summer months, check out: http://summermatters2you.net/
Keep reading and keep finding opportunities to model grit qualities with your child this summer!
Grit Moms 