Outside of a Dog Booklist

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"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."
—Groucho Marx

We are frequently asked to recommend literature to kids, and while there's nothing better than taking the time to know what the individual likes and recommend for their tastes, we've definitely settled on a number of books that are our personal favorites. This list is meant to promote books that will branch kids beyond the latest pop-fiction, and beyond many of the curricular lists you'll find floating around.

The PDF version of Outside of a Dog offers a page of links helping you navigate the overwhelming resources scattered throughout this website. It includes recommended read-alouds for preschoolers and kindergartners and contains 50+ titles for grades 1-8, offering you summer reading aplenty for years on end. It doesn't promote a liberal agenda, cater to the lowest common denominator, or present books designed to make anyone look smart. We haven't limited ourselves to classics or "must-read" titles. There are plenty of those, but just as many are personal favorites that have kindled our own love of reading. These are books that will open the wide doors of reading to kids turned off by more than standard fare. Throughout the list, author names are links, often taking you to short biographies, links to more information, and a list of what we have.

It's also intended to challenge older readers, with two lists for high school students and two for adults:

150+ great literature and fiction titles
150+ non-fiction titles, containing history, biographies, basic philosophy, and titles that focus on spiritual matters and practical Christian living. We want to encourage you to be culture-changers for Christ

The printed version is a little different. It doesn't include the links, of course, nor does it have the preschool/kindergarten reading lists or the adult lists. It does include an "advanced" high school list, which is what was adapted into the adult lists. Also, in the digital version, the grade level lists have been tweaked, with some new favorites added, and some reading level suggestions adjusted.

This category on our site offers all of our recommended books in one place. We are working on adding an Exodus rating to every single one. Browse the list, or filter by grade with the sidebar.

Whether you're six or sixteen (or sixty!), whether you're a dog person or not, some new best friends are waiting!

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Outside of a Dog Booklist

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1st Grade Outside of a Dog Booklist

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3rd Grade Outside of a Dog Booklist

4th Grade Outside of a Dog Booklist

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6th Grade Outside of a Dog Booklist

7th Grade Outside of a Dog Booklist

8th Grade Outside of a Dog Booklist

9th-12th Outside of a Dog - Fiction

9th-12th Outside of a Dog - Nonfiction

Adult Fiction Outside of a Dog Booklist

Adult Nonfiction Outside of a Dog Booklist

82 Items found Print

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Realistic Fiction,

9th grade (Ages 14-15)

	Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt from Berkley Books Historical Fiction for 6th-9th grade 1965 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99 $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Puffin Classics by Mark Twain from Puffin Books for 6th-10th grade in Puffin Classics (Location: FIC-PUF) $8.99
	Adventures of Tom Sawyer Puffin Classics by Mark Twain from Puffin Books Realistic Fiction for 6th-10th grade in Puffin Classics (Location: FIC-PUF) $8.99
	Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon from HarperCollins Historical fiction for 9th-12th grade in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $14.95
	Anne of Green Gables Anne #1 by L. M. Montgomery from Bantam Books Orphan Stories for 5th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99
	Anne of Green Gables Anne #1 by L. M. Montgomery from Tundra Books (NY) Orphan Stories for 5th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $19.99
	Anne of Green Gables Anne #1 by L. M. Montgomery from Tundra Books (NY) Orphan Stories for 5th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $9.99
	Anne of Green Gables Anne #1 by L. M. Montgomery, illustrated by Eric Kincaid from Wordsworth Editions Orphan Stories for 5th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
	Ark, The by Margot Benary-Isbert 2021 Revision from Purple House Press for 3rd-10th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $23.00
	Belles On Their Toes by Frank Gilbreth & Ernestine Gilbreth Carey from HarperCollins Family Stories for 4th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $12.99
	Book Thief by Markus Zusak from Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. for 8th-12th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $14.99
	Captains Courageous Signet Classics by Rudyard Kipling from Living Book Press Nautical Fiction for 7th-10th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $8.99
	Cheaper By the Dozen by Frank Gilbreth & Ernestine Gilbreth Carey from HarperCollins Family Stories for 4th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $16.99
	Cheaper By the Dozen by Frank Gilbreth & Ernestine Gilbreth Carey 1st edition 1st printing from HarperCollins Family Stories for 4th-9th grade in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC)
	Daddy-Long-Legs Puffin Classics by Jean Webster from Puffin Books Orphan Stories for 6th-9th grade in Puffin Classics (Location: FIC-PUF) $7.99
	Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction for 5th-9th grade 1984 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $6.39
	Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary from William Morrow & Company Realistic Fiction for 5th-9th grade 1984 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $3.20 (1 in stock)
	Dicey's Song by Cynthia Voigt from Atheneum for 6th-10th grade 1983 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $12.99
	Dry Divide Little Britches Series #7 by Ralph Moody from University of Nebraska Biography for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $16.95
	Emma by Jane Austen, Illustrated by Hugh Thomson 200th Anniversary from SeaWolf Press Romantic Realistic Fiction for 8th-12th grade in Seawolf Illustrated Classics (Location: FIC-SW) $12.99
	Fields of Home Little Britches Series #5 by Ralph Moody from University of Nebraska Biography for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $16.95
	Fields of Home by Ralph Moody Book Club from People's Book Club for 5th-9th grade in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC) $12.00 (1 in stock)
	Freckles by Gene Stratton-Porter from Indiana University Press Romance for 7th-10th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
	Freckles by Gene Stratton-Porter from Dover Publications Romance for 7th-10th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99
	Freckles by Gene Stratton-Porter from Living Book Press Romance for 7th-10th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
	Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter from Indiana University Press Realistic Fiction for 7th-10th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
	Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter from Dover Publications Realistic Fiction for 7th-10th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $9.99
	Going Solo by Roald Dahl from Puffin Books for 7th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $8.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman from HarperCollins for 6th-9th grade 2009 Newbery Medal winner, 2010 Carnegie Medal in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $10.99
	Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman from HarperCollins for 6th-9th grade 2009 Newbery Medal winner in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $10.00 (1 in stock)
	Home Ranch Little Britches Series #3 by Ralph Moody from University of Nebraska Biography for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $14.95
	Home Ranch Little Britches Series #3 by Ralph Moody from Purple House Press Biography for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
	Horse of a Different Color Reminiscences of a Kansas Drover Little Britches Series #8 by Ralph Moody from University of Nebraska Biography for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $16.95
	It's Like This, Cat by Emily Neville from Harper & Row for 7th-9th grade 1964 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $5.99
	It's Like This, Cat by Emily Neville from Dover Publications for 7th-9th grade 1964 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $5.95
	Jane Eyre Puffin Classics by Charlotte Bronte from Puffin Books Realistic Romantic Fiction for 8th-Adult in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.19
	Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Illustrated by F. H. Townsend from SeaWolf Press Realistic Romantic Fiction for 8th-Adult in Seawolf Illustrated Classics (Location: FIC-SW) $11.19
	Little Britches Father and I Were Ranchers Little Britches Series #1 by Ralph Moody from University of Nebraska Biography for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $16.95
	Little Britches Father and I Were Ranchers Little Britches Series #1 by Ralph Moody from Purple House Press Biography for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
	Little Britches Father and I Were Ranchers Little Britches Series #1 by Ralph Moody from Purple House Press Biography for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $24.99
	Little Women Reader's Digest World's Best Reading by Louisa May Alcott, illustrated by Hodges Soileau and Louis Jambor from Reader's Digest Realistic Romantic Fiction for 6th-10th grade in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19)
	M. C. Higgins, the Great by Virginia Hamilton from Aladdin Paperbacks for 6th-10th grade 1975 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Mama's Bank Account by Kathryn Forbes from Harcourt Realistic Fiction for 7th-10th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $15.99 $7.00 (1 in stock)
	Man of the Family Little Britches Series #2 by Ralph Moody from University of Nebraska Biography for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $16.95 $10.00 (1 in stock)
	Man of the Family Little Britches Series #2 by Ralph Moody from People's Book Club Biography for 5th-9th grade in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC) $15.00 (1 in stock)
	Man of the Family Little Britches Series #2 by Ralph Moody from Purple House Press Biography for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $23.00
	Man of the Family Little Britches Series #2 by Ralph Moody 1^st edition from W. W. Norton and Co. Biography for 5th-9th grade in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC) $15.00 (1 in stock)
	Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli from Little, Brown & Company Realistic Fiction for 5th-9th grade 1991 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $8.99 $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, Illustrated by Hugh Thomson 200th Anniversary from SeaWolf Press Romantic Realistic Fiction for 8th-12th grade in Seawolf Illustrated Classics (Location: FIC-SW) $12.95
	Mary Emma and Company Little Britches Series #4 by Ralph Moody from University of Nebraska Biography for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $14.95
	Mary Emma and Company Little Britches Series #4 by Ralph Moody from Purple House Press Biography for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
	My Heart Lies South The Story of My Mexican Marriage by Elizabeth Borton de Treviño from Bethlehem Books Biography for 8th-12th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $14.95
	Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, illustrated by Hugh Thomson 200th Anniversary from SeaWolf Press Romantic Realistic Fiction for 8th-Adult in Seawolf Illustrated Classics (Location: FIC-SW) $8.95
	Onion John by Joseph Krumgold from HarperCollins for 6th-9th grade 1960 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99
	Persuasion by Jane Austen, Illustrated by Hugh Thomson 200th Anniversary from SeaWolf Press Realistic Romantic Fiction for 8th-12th grade in Seawolf Illustrated Classics (Location: FIC-SW) $8.95
	Peter Duck A Treasure Hunt in the Caribbees Swallows and Amazons #3 by Arthur Ransome from David R. Godine for 5th-9th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $15.95
	Peterkin Papers by Lucretia P. Hale from Dover Publications Humorous Fiction for 7th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99
	Peterkin Papers by Lucretia P. Hale from Living Book Press Humorous Fiction for 7th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $8.95
	Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Illustrated by Hugh Thomson 200th Anniversary from SeaWolf Press Realistic Romantic Fiction for 8th-12th grade in Seawolf Illustrated Classics (Location: FIC-SW) $11.95
	Pushcart War by Jean Merrill 50th Anniversary Edition from New York Review of Books Satire for 6th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
	Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier from Avon Books Mystery/Suspense for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $8.99
	Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier from Avon Books Mystery/Suspense for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $16.99
	Red Badge of Courage and An Occurrence at Owl Bridge by Stephen Crane & Ambrose Bierce from SeaWolf Press Historical Fiction for 7th-10th grade in Seawolf Illustrated Classics (Location: FIC-SW) $7.45
	Rowan Farm by Margot Benary-Isbert from Purple House Press for 3rd-10th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $23.00
	Shaking the Nickel Bush Little Britches Series #6 by Ralph Moody from University of Nebraska Biography for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $16.95
	Sir Gibbie Classics for Young Readers by George MacDonald from P&R Publishing Realistic Fiction for 6th-10th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
	Slave Dancer by Paula Fox from Aladdin Paperbacks Historical Fiction for 6th-10th grade 1974 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $6.99
	Slave Dancer by Paula Fox from Simon and Schuster Historical Fiction for 6th-10th grade 1974 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Slave Dancer by Paula Fox from Simon and Schuster Historical Fiction for 6th-10th grade 1974 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Slave Dancer by Paula Fox from Bradbury Press Historical Fiction for 6th-10th grade 1974 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Slave Dancer by Paula Fox, illustrated by Eros Keith from Bradbury Press Historical Fiction for 6th-10th grade 1974 Newbery Medal winner in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC) $12.00 (1 in stock)
	Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp from HarperCollins Biography for 7th-10th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $16.99
	Swallows and Amazons Swallows and Amazons #1 by Arthur Ransome from Overlook Press Family stories/boating for 5th-9th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV)
	To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee from Harper Perennial Realistic Fiction for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $16.99
	Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric P. Kelly from Aladdin Paperbacks Historical Fiction for 6th-9th grade 1929 Newbery Medal winner in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $8.99
	Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric P. Kelly, illustrated by Angela Pruszynska from Macmillan Historical Fiction for 6th-9th grade 1929 Newbery Medal winner in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC) $25.00 (1 in stock)
	Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt from Berkley Books Realistic Fiction for 6th-9th grade 1967 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $5.99
	Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt from Follett Realistic Fiction for 6th-9th grade 1967 Newbery Medal winner in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC)
	View From Saturday by E. L. Konigsburg from Aladdin Paperbacks for 5th-9th grade 1997 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $4.50 (3 in stock)
	Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech from HarperCollins for 7th-10th grade 1995 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99
	When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead from Yearling for 5th-9th grade 2010 Newbery Medal winner in Science Fiction (Location: FIC-SCI) $7.99
	Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck from Puffin Books Humorous Family Stories for 5th-9th grade 2001 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $8.99 $5.00 (1 in stock)

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