K-5 Core Literature List
The K-5 reading list at Philo Classical Academy introduces young learners to timeless stories, fables, and classics that foster a love for reading while emphasizing virtue, courage, and wisdom. Each grade builds on the previous, encouraging moral reflection and historical awareness through engaging narratives.
Kindergarten
- Mother Goose Rhymes (selected rhymes, e.g., “Humpty Dumpty,” “Jack and Jill”) – Short, memorable verses for recitation and joy.
- The Three Billy Goats Gruff (Paul Galdone version) – A tale of bravery and cleverness as three goats outsmart a troll.
- Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Paul Galdone version) – A curious girl learns respect for others’ belongings in this classic story.
- The Gingerbread Man (Karen Schmidt version) – A lively chase tale teaching caution and quick thinking.
- The Little Red Hen (Paul Galdone version) – A lesson in hard work and responsibility as the hen reaps what she sows.
- Jack and the Beanstalk (Steven Kellogg retelling) – Adventure with themes of courage and greed.
1st Grade
- Aesop’s Fables (selected stories, e.g., “The Tortoise and the Hare,” “The Boy Who Cried Wolf,” Milo Winter illustrations) – Core fables for memorization and discussion.
- The Ant and the Grasshopper (Amy Lowry retelling) – Highlights planning vs. idleness.
- The Lion and the Mouse (Jerry Pinkney version) – Emphasizes kindness and reciprocity.
- The Dog and His Reflection (from Aesop, Ann McGovern collection) – Warns against greed.
- The Fox and the Grapes (Aesop, V.S. Vernon Jones translation) – Introduces rationalization.
- The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs (Aesop, Michael Hague illustrations) – Explores gratitude and moderation.
2nd Grade
- D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths (selected stories, e.g., “Theseus and the Minotaur,” “Daedalus and Icarus”) – Vivid retellings with rich illustrations.
- The Golden Fleece (Padraic Colum retelling) – Jason’s quest for heroism and teamwork.
- Persephone and the Pomegranate Seeds (Kris Waldherr version) – Explains seasons, explores family ties.
- King Midas and the Golden Touch (Charlotte Craft retelling) – Warns against greed, visually engaging.
- Arachne the Weaver (from Favorite Greek Myths, Mary Pope Osborne) – Pride and consequences.
- Pandora’s Box (Jean Warren retelling) – Curiosity and hope, sparks discussion.
- Norse Myths (selected stories, e.g., “The Theft of Thor’s Hammer,” D’Aulaires’ version) – Courage and wit in tales of gods and giants.
- Eastern Myths (selected stories, e.g., “The Monkey King,” Aaron Shepard retelling) – Adventure and wisdom from ancient traditions.
3rd Grade
- Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White) – Friendship, sacrifice, and life cycles.
- The Velveteen Rabbit (Margery Williams) – Love, authenticity, and becoming “real.”
- The Tale of Peter Rabbit (Beatrix Potter) – Disobedience and consequences, rich language.
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (C.S. Lewis) – Good vs. evil, redemption (abridged for pacing if needed).
- Pinocchio (Carlo Collodi, simplified retelling) – Honesty and personal growth.
- The Princess and the Goblin (George MacDonald, adapted version) – Courage, faith, and adventure in a magical world.
4th Grade
- The Courage of Sarah Noble (Alice Dalgliesh) – A girl’s bravery in colonial Connecticut, 1707.
- The Sign of the Beaver (Elizabeth George Speare) – Friendship and survival in 1768 Maine.
- The Fighting Ground (Avi) – A boy’s experience in the Revolutionary War, 1778, exploring courage.
- Paul Revere’s Ride (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow) – A poetic retelling of the 1775 ride, inspiring patriotism.
- Rip Van Winkle (Washington Irving) – A magical tale of change in post-Revolutionary America, 1780s.
- The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Washington Irving) – Early American folklore in 1790s New York, with Ichabod Crane.
- American Tall Tales (Mary Pope Osborne collection) – Larger-than-life heroes like Paul Bunyan, teaching resilience.
- Little House on the Prairie (Laura Ingalls Wilder) – Pioneer life in 1870s Kansas, showcasing family and perseverance.
- Sarah, Plain and Tall (Patricia MacLachlan) – Love and belonging in the 1880s Midwest.
5th Grade
- Little Women (Louisa May Alcott) – Sisterhood, growth, and virtue in Civil War-era New England.
- Tom Sawyer (Mark Twain) – Adventure and mischief in 1840s Missouri, exploring friendship.
- The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (L. Frank Baum) – Dorothy’s journey of courage and self-discovery in a magical land.
- Pollyanna (Eleanor H. Porter) – Optimism and resilience in early 20th-century Vermont.
- Where the Red Fern Grows (Wilson Rawls) – Loyalty and loss through a boy’s bond with his dogs in the Ozarks.
- Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (Mildred D. Taylor) – Racial injustice and family strength in 1930s Mississippi.
- Bridge to Terabithia (Katherine Paterson) – Friendship, imagination, and coping with loss in 1970s Virginia.