Hand That Rocks the Cradle

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If you're not into lists, don't buy this book. Hand That Rocks the Cradle is one of the longest lists you'll encounter, but it's also one of the most helpful and (if you're a list lover) most fun. What's in the list? 400 classic books to read aloud with your children. It might not be a comprehensive list, and not every title will appeal to every reader, but this is a great place to start if you're looking for great books to read and discuss as a family.

There are many reasons to read out loud. Many of the reasons author Nathaniel Bluedorn offers simply relate to literature in general, whether read aloud or not—good books teach good writing, good character, and comprehension skills. But he also suggests that reading aloud as a family is a great way to build familial bonds and memories. We'd like to add that reading aloud is a great way to teach children how to be attentive.

The books in Hand That Rocks the Cradle appeal to a variety of ages (pre-K to teens) and interests (adventure novels, historical fiction, family dramas, fantasy, etc.). There is only one list, arranged alphabetically by author, with brief synopses of the selected works as well as symbols representing suggested age-range, time and geographic setting of the story, and the book's publication date.

Titles range from classics like Charlotte's Web and Ben-Hur to lesser-knowns like Beau Geste and the true-life adventure Kon-Tiki. Each book is selected for the quality of its writing and the moral character of its content; that's not to say, however, that there aren't moral dilemmas and difficult concepts in these stories to provide fodder for excellent and wide-ranging family discussions.

Every title we carry is listed below. While we'd like to carry all of them (Hand That Rocks the Cradle is an excellent list), some of them simply aren't available or are very difficult to get. If you find one you particularly want and we don't have it, let us know and we'll do our best to bring it in. The author identifies this list as one his parents compiled during years of reading aloud; we're sure it will lead to many hours of enjoyment for your family as well, and maybe you'll find your own favorites to add.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he is a husband and father, teaches adult Sunday school in his Presbyterian congregation, and likes weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.

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Hand That Rocks the Cradle

Hand That Rocks the Cradle

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	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 Pinocchio Illustrated Junior Library Series 2 by Carlo Collodi, translated by M.A. Murray and illustrated by Fritz Kredel from Grosset & Dunlap for 3rd-8th grade in Illustrated Junior Library (Location: VIN-IJL) $8.00 (1 in stock)
	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 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Bambi A Life in the Woods by Felix Salten, illustrated by Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher from Charles Scribner's Sons Animal Stories: Fantasy for 4th-6th grade in Scribner Illustrated Classics (Location: FIC-SCRIB) $29.99 $18.00 (1 in stock)
	Ben and Me New and Astonishing Life of Ben Franklin as Written by His Very Good Mouse Amos by Robert Lawson from Little, Brown & Company Humor/historical fiction for 2nd-5th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $8.99 $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Blind Colt by Glen Rounds from Holiday House for 3rd-6th grade in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Blind Colt A World Famous Horse Story Library selection by Glen Rounds from Holiday House for 3rd-6th grade in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC) $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare from Houghton Mifflin Historical Fiction for 5th-9th grade 1962 Newbery Medal winner in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $9.99 $5.00 (2 in stock)
	By the Shores of Silver Lake Little House Series #5 by Laura Ingalls Wilder from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction/Pioneers for 3rd-6th grade 1940 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $18.99 $8.00 (2 in stock)
	Cabin Faced West by Jean Fritz from Puffin Books Historical fiction for 4th-6th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $4.00 (2 in stock)
	Calico Bush by Rachel Field from Aladdin Paperbacks Realistic Fiction for 5th-8th grade 1932 Newbery Honor Book in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $4.00 (2 in stock)
	Call it Courage by Armstrong Sperry from Aladdin Paperbacks Realistic Fiction for 2nd-6th grade 1941 Newbery Medal winner in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $4.99 $3.00 (2 in stock)
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	David Copperfield Signet Classics by Charles Dickens from Dover Publications Realistic Fiction for 10th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $3.50 (1 in stock)
	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)
	Downright Dencey by Caroline Dale Snedeker, illustrated by Maginel Wright Barney from Doubleday & Company Realistic Fiction for 6th-9th grade 1928 Newbery Honor Book in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC) $22.00 (1 in stock)
	Emily's Runaway Imagination (Krush illustrations) by Beverly Cleary, illustrated by Beth and Joe Krush from HarperCollins for 2nd-4th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $2.40 (2 in stock)
	Emma Penguin Classics by Jane Austen from Penguin Classics Romantic Realistic Fiction for 8th-12th grade in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $9.00 $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Ersatz Elevator Series of Unfortunate Events #6 by Lemony Snicket from HarperCollins Morbid Humor for 4th-8th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	First Four Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction/Pioneers for 3rd-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $18.99 $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Good Master Puffin Newbery Library by Kate Seredy from Puffin Books Realistic fiction for 4th-6th grade 1936 Newbery Honor Book in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $4.50 (2 in stock)
	Great Expectations by Charles Dickens from Dover Publications Realistic Fiction for 10th-12th grade in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $3.50 (1 in stock)
	Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge from Puffin Books Realistic Fiction for 4th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Hawk That Dare Not Hunt By Day by Scott O'Dell from Bob Jones University Press Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99 $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Horse and His Boy Chronicles of Narnia Book 3 by C. S. Lewis from HarperCollins Allegorical Fantasy for 3rd-9th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $8.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	I, Juan de Pareja by Elizabeth Borton de Treviño from Square Fish Publishing Realistic Fiction/Slavery for 5th-8th grade 1966 Newbery Medal winner in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99 $4.50 (3 in stock)
	In His Steps by Charles M. Sheldon from Revell Publishing for 9th grade-Adult in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $6.99 $3.50 (1 in stock)
	Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell from Yearling Realistic Fiction for 5th-8th grade 1961 Newbery Medal winner in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $3.50 (1 in stock)
	Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell from Houghton Mifflin Realistic Fictio for 5th-8th grade 1961 Newbery Medal Winner in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $12.00 (2 in stock)
	Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell Anv from Sandpiper Books Realistic Fiction for 5th-8th grade 1961 Newbery Medal winner in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99 $5.00 (2 in stock)
	Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne, illustrated by Edouard Riou from Dover Publications Science Fiction for 6th-10th grade in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $2.00 (6 in stock)
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	Last Battle Chronicles of Narnia Book 7 by C. S. Lewis from HarperCollins Allegorical Fantasy for 3rd-9th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $5.00 (1 in stock)
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	Long Winter Little House Series #6 by Laura Ingalls Wilder from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction/Pioneers for 3rd-8th grade 1941 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $19.99 $9.50 (1 in stock)
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	Old Yeller by Fred Gipson from HarperCollins Realistic Animal Stories for 4th-8th grade 1957 Newbery Honor Book in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $9.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Oliver Twist (abridged) Puffin Classics by Charles Dickens from Puffin Books Realistic Fiction for 6th-9th grade in Puffin Classics (Location: FIC-PUF) $8.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	On the Banks of Plum Creek - Audio CD Little House Series #4 by Laura Ingalls Wilder from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction/Pioneers for 3rd-6th grade 1938 Newbery Honor Book in Audio Books & Dramas (Location: CD-AUDIO) $16.00 (1 in stock)
	Penrod by Booth Tarkington, illustrated by Gordon Grant from Grosset & Dunlap Realistic Fiction for 7th-Adult in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC) $14.00 (1 in stock)
	Peter Pan Puffin Classics by J. M. Barrie from Puffin Books Fantasy for 4th-8th grade in Puffin Classics (Location: FIC-PUF) $7.99 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Pinocchio Puffin Classics by Carlo Collodi, translated by E. Hardin and illustrated by Gioia Fiammenghi from Puffin Books Fantasy for 3rd-8th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $2.50 (4 in stock)
	Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary from HarperCollins for 2nd-4th grade 1982 Newbery Honor Book in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $6.39 $2.40 (1 in stock)
	Rascal Memoir of a Better Era by Sterling North from Puffin Books Biography for 4th-8th grade 1964 Newbery Honor Book in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $8.99 $4.00 (2 in stock)
	Rascal Memoir of a Better Era by Sterling North from Puffin Books Biography for 4th-8th grade 1964 Newbery Honor Book in Puffin Classics (Location: FIC-PUF) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan 30th Anniversary from HarperCollins Family Stories for 2nd-6th grade 1986 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $3.50 (1 in stock)
	Sea Star by Marguerite Henry from Aladdin Paperbacks for 2nd-5th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $1.60 (1 in stock)
	Sign of the Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, illustrated by Leonard Vosburgh from Hart Publishing Company Mystery for 8th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Story of King Arthur and His Knights & The Story of the Champions of the Round Table by Howard Pyle 3rd Print from Fall River Press Fairy Tales, Fables, and Legends for 7th-9th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $7.00 (2 in stock)
	Story of the Treasure Seekers Puffin Classics by E. Nesbit, illustrated by Cecil Leslie from Puffin Books Family Stories for 4th-8th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $3.50 (1 in stock)
	Study in Scarlet & The Sign of Four Dover Thrift Editions by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle from Dover Publications Mystery for 8th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $5.00 $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Swallows and Amazons for Ever! containing abridged editions of Coot Club and The Big Six by Arthur Ransome from Red Fox Family stories/boating for 7th-9th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Talisman Adventures in History Series by Sir Walter Scott from A Beka Books Historical Fiction for 7th-10th grade in A Beka Book Report books (Location: REA-ABK) $9.50 (1 in stock)
	Terrible Wave by Marden Dahlstedt from Richard R. Dahlstedt the Attic in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.00 (5 in stock)
	Time Machine by H. G. Wells from Penguin Classics for 10th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $11.00 $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, Michael Clay Thompson from Royal Fireworks Press Action/Adventure for 5th-9th grade in Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts (Location: GRA-MCT) $9.00 (1 in stock)
	Treasures of the Snow (adapted) by Patricia St. John, adapted by Mary Mills 2^nd edition from Moody Press Realistic Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $8.99 $6.00 (1 in stock)
	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)
	Twenty and Ten by Claire Huchet Bishop from Puffin Books Historical Fiction for 4th-6th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $6.99 $3.50 (1 in stock)
	Twice-Told Tales Reader's Digest World's Best Reading by Nathaniel Hawthorne 1st THUS from Reader's Digest for 10th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $8.00 (2 in stock)
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	Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls from Bantam Books Realistic Animal Stories for 4th-8th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $8.99 $5.00 (1 in stock)
	White Stag Puffin Newbery Library by Kate Seredy from Puffin Books Heroic Legend for 4th-6th grade 1938 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $6.99 $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, illustrated by John Burningham from Viking Kestrel Books Humorous Animal Fantasy for 4th-8th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $10.00 (1 in stock)
	Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, illustrated by James Lynch from The Folio Society Humorous Animal Fantasy for 4th-8th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $25.00 (1 in stock)

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