Reading Lists

Over its thirty years of existence, Providence has cultivated a culture that delights in reading.

Parents love to read to their children and to share book titles with each other. These same children go to the library excitedly, recommending titles to each other. Our dedicated teachers also encourage their students by reading the best in children’s literature throughout the year.

We recognize that it is a laborious task to, amidst the twaddle that exists today, find good literature—books that have strong moral lessons, complex sentence structure, rich vocabulary, beautiful illustrations, and meaningful stories. We have collected our absolute favorite books, those we think every child should read, into our "35 Great Books by Grade" lists. In addition, we have much longer lists by grade. We invite you to use these as a resource to find books for your children and family.

“The reading of all good books is like conversation with the finest (people) of the past centuries.”

DESCARTES

Supplemental Reading

Supplemental Reading Lists

These lists include over 1,700 titles compiled by the Providence Book Committee. They can be used to find books for your children and family. The objective of our Book Committee is to provide a list of books that reflect the School’s Core Values, as well as to promote educational stimulus appropriate to each grade level.

ALL GRADES

PREKINDERGARTEN AND KINDERGARTEN

CLASSES ONE AND TWO

CLASSES THREE AND FOUR

CLASSES FIVE AND SIX

CLASSES SEVEN AND EIGHT

35 GREAT BOOKS BY GRADE

35 Great Books by Grade

We created a more concise listing of the top thirty-five recommended books for each grade level. While there is an ever-growing list of well-written books, we included as a priority, titles that we have most consistently heard were Providence favorites. Below are some thoughts on why we chose these specific books:

A Balance of Books: An attempt has been made to provide a balance of books that encourage slower, more thoughtful digestion, as well as those that are beautiful in conception, but less demanding in terms of time to read, or those that provide a more light-hearted approach to character instruction.

Fantasy and Fairy Tale Books: There has also been a deliberate inclusion of books in the fantasy and fairy tale genre. Today’s children are being bombarded with fantasy fiction that overtly seeks to impart a paganism where symbols that have traditionally represented real evil display good, and good displays evil. To counter such a predominant cultural influence, each class list intentionally includes the fantasy works of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and George MacDonald. These works reveal and reflect the spiritual realities God reveals to us in all of scripture.

Historical Fiction Books: To support what the student is learning in the classroom, this list also includes what we consider to be the best books in historical fiction in the area of history each class is studying that year.

Poetry and Other Books: We have also included some poetry, as well as at least one Christmas-season story, since the available titles in these areas are so rich and enriching.

By the time any given student finishes reading all of the books on each of the lists of the Top 35, he or she will have read what we consider the best in children’s literature. It is our hope that this list is just one more way to keep our children and their parents in the written word, enjoying the wonders of God’s creation and the joys of family and work, as well as constructing one small section of the beautiful Temple of God that He is building up for His own glory.

Summer Reading

One of the joys of summer is the extra leisure time to enjoy many activities and hobbies. At Providence, we seek to cultivate a love of reading, encouraging students to use the summer months to delve into new, enriching literature. We believe that summer reading assignments make for purposeful use of children's free time, while continuing to stimulate their minds until they return to school in the fall.

Each grade level’s requirements can be found below. There is also a record sheet, to be used for Prekindergarten through Class Four students. All reading assignments are due on the first day of school, so please remember to send your child with their assignment or reading record sheet.

SUMMER BIBLE READING GUIDE

SUPPLEMENTAL READING LISTS

Our Library

Our library collection includes classroom literature selections, summer reading, and supplemental reading list books that represent the finest of children’s literature—works that ennoble the spirit as well as advance the understanding and fire the imagination of the young.

SEARCH OUR LIBRARY

SCHOOL-YEAR LIBRARY HOURS:

Monday through Friday – 7:35 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The Library is not open during the summer.

LIBRARY SCHEDULE FOR STUDENTS:

Class One visits the Library bi-weekly.
Classes Two through Six visit the Library once per week.
Classes Seven and Eight may visit the Library before school starts (7:35 a.m. to 7:55 a.m.), during break, and during lunch. Students may also visit at other times during the school day if a teacher gives them permission.

CHECK-OUT BOOKS

Related Pages

FAMILY DISCIPLESHIP

COMMUNITY EVENTS

SCHOOL CALENDAR

Landing Nav

eeducation Slideshow

READING LISTS

A Culture that Delights in Reading

Reading Lists

Supplemental Reading

Supplemental Reading Lists

35 GREAT BOOKS BY GRADE

35 Great Books by Grade

Summer Reading

Summer Reading

Our Library

Our Library

SCHOOL-YEAR LIBRARY HOURS:

LIBRARY SCHEDULE FOR STUDENTS:

Related Pages

ADDRESS

Need Help?

Calendar

Partner With Us

Alumni

Parents