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One important comprehension strategy we want to teach our kids is asking questions. Questions like, “I wonder why…?” or “What does ___ mean?” keep us wanting to read to find out answers. Our curiosity compels us to find the answers. Today, I’m sharing a book list for asking questions. These texts are written in such a way that it makes kids want to ask questions. You can read more about asking questions over at The Measured Mom.
The Empty Pot by Demi is a fantastic little book that teaches the value of honesty, but the author gets kids guessing along the way. Why didn’t his seed grow? What will happen when he goes before the Emperor? Why did all the other kids’ seeds grow into beautiful flowers? Perhaps my favorite way to use the book is to launch into a little science experiment on growing regular seeds vs. trying to grow cooked seeds. Pretty cool!
More Than Anything Else by Marie Bradby will get kids asking questions simply because it is not written in our time period. It’s also great because kids have to infer what exactly he wants to do more than anything as it’s not completely revealed until the end of the book.
The Wise Woman and Her Secret by Eve Merriam has been a favorite of mine when teaching kids to ask questions while reading. The woman’s secret is a mystery and kids will find themselves asking questions left and right along the way until they discover it at the end.
The Stranger by Chris Van Allsburg is indeed a very strange book, but I feel that way about most of Chris Van Allsburg’s books. When picking books for asking questions, almost any of his books would be a good fit.
Just like Chris Van Allsburg, almost any of William Steig’s books foster the strategy of asking questions. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig is probably my favorite, but I simply love Steig’s way with stories and his way with words.
Oh, my! If there was ever a book that compelled kids to ask questions, Grandfather Twilight by Barbara Helen Berger would be it! The front cover alone elicits a multitude of questions. And it’s that way all through the book.
You Are Special by Max Lucado is written by a Christian author and the underlying theme is Christian, although subtle. It is a great discussion starter for kids. For example, “Who do you think Eli represents?” or “Why didn’t the stickers stick to Lucia?” Max Lucado has an entire series of books like this that get kids really thinking and asking questions.
Mysteries and books that are full of suspense make GREAT books for getting kids to asking questions. You really can’t help but ask questions with a mystery book and you really do want to keep reading to find out the answers! Young readers may enjoy Nate the Great, Cam Jansen, Magic Tree House, or A to Z Mysteries. The Hatchet series was a favorite of the older kids that I tutored.
The Who Was? series is a great chapter book series that has titles that are formed as questions to guide kids into asking questions about these people, when they lived, and their role in history. You can find the Who Was? listed in our favorite nonfiction series book list along with some other nonfiction texts that would fit nicely into asking questions.
More Books Lists You May Enjoy:
- 50+ Books for Modeling Comprehension Strategies
- Favorite Nonfiction Book Series
- Favorite Chapter Books for 2nd/3rd Grade
- Favorite Chapter Books for 4th/5th Grade
~Becky
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