Helping Your Child Become a Responsible Citizen: Resources I

Books That Can Support Character Development

The books in this section are arranged alphabetically by author. They are separated into three lists according to age group: Beginning(ages 1-6); Intermediate(ages 6-9); and Advanced (ages 9 and up). Please note that the age levels overlap and should be viewed only as rough guides—some books may appeal to younger or older children as well as those in the age group indicated.

Each entry notes the quality or qualities of character that the book illustrates. Some entries also indicate books that are available in Spanish, although all available titles may not be noted. Several books may also be available in other languages. Please check with your local librarian to find more books in a particular language.

Beginning:
Ages 1-6

Acierno, Maria Armengol. Children of Flight Pedro Pan. New York, Silver Moon Press, 1994. (Spanish/English) [Courage; Responsibility; Self-discipline]

Alcott, Louisa May. Little Women. (Various editions.) [Responsibility; Self-discipline]

Arnold, Caroline. Children of the Settlement Houses. Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books, 1998. [Compassion; Courage; Self-discipline]

Avi. Nothing but the Truth. New York: Orchard Books, 1991. [Self-discipline; Responsibility; Citizenship]

Bauer, Marion D. On My Honor. New York: Yearling Books, 1987. [Responsibility; Honesty; Good Judgment]

Brooks, Bruce. The Moves Make the Man. New York: Harper Trophy, 1996. [Honesty; Courage; Responsibility; Good Judgment]

Butterworth, William. Leroy and the Old Man. New York: Scholastic, 1995. [Respect for Others; Self-respect]

Castilla, Julia Mercedes. Emilio. Houston, TX: Arte Publico Press, 1999. (Available in English and Spanish.) [Courage; Responsibility; Self-discipline]

Choldenko, Gennifer. Notes from a Liar and Her Dog. New York: Putnam, 2001. [Honesty; Good Judgment]

Clifton, Lucille. The Boy Who Didn't Believe in Spring. New York: E. P. Dutton, 1992. (Also available in Spanish.) [Courage; Responsibility; Self-discipline]

The Constitution of the United States of America. (Various editions.) [Citizenship]

Cousins, Margaret. The Story of Thomas Alva Edison. New York: Random House, 1997. [Courage; Self-discipline; Responsibility]

Defoe, Daniel. Robinson Crusoe. (Various editions.) [Self-discipline]

de Saint-Exupery, Antoine. The Little Prince. (Various editions.) [Self-discipline; Responsibility]

Dickens, Charles. David Copperfield. (Various editions.) [Compassion; Self-discipline]

Dodge, Mary M. Hans Brinker, or the Silver Skates. (Various editions.) [Courage; Self-discipline; Honesty; Good Judgment]

Fitzpatrick, Marie-Louise. Long March: The Choctaw's Gift to Irish Famine Relief. Tricycle Press, 2001. [Compassion; Courage]

Fox, Paula. One-Eyed Cat. New York: Aladdin Library, 2000. [Responsibility; Honesty]

Frank, Anne. Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. (Various editions.) [Courage; Compassion; Responsibility]

Franklin, Benjamin. Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. (Various editions.) [Self-discipline; Responsibility]

Hamilton, Virginia. The House of Dies Drear. Illustrated by Eros Keith. New York: Macmillan Child Group, 1984. [Courage; Compassion]

Henry, O. Stories. (Various editions.) [Compassion; Responsibility; Self-discipline]

Herrera, Juan Felipe. Laughing Out Loud, I Fly: A Carcajadas Yo Vuelo (poetry). Illustrated by Karen Barbour. New York: HarperCollins, 1998. (Spanish/English) [Courage; Respect for Others; Responsibility]

Heyerdahl, Thor. Kon-Tiki. (Various editions.) [Courage; Self-discipline]

Highwater, Jamake. Anpao: An American Indian Odyssey. Illustrated by Fritz Scholder. New York: HarperCollins, 1992. [Courage; Responsibility; Self-discipline]

Ho, Minfong. The Clay Marble. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1991. [Compassion; Courage; Responsibility]

Hurwitz, Johanne. Hot and Cold Winter. New York: William Morrow & Co., 1988. [Honesty; Responsibility]

Keller, Helen. Story of My Life. (Various editions.) [Courage; Self-discipline]

Kipling, Rudyard. Captains Courageous. New York: Classic Books, 2000. [Courage; Responsibility; Self-discipline]

Lincoln, Abraham. The Gettysburg Address. (Various editions.) [Courage; Citizenship; Responsibility]

Lord, Bette Bao. In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson. Illustrated by Marc Simont. New York: Harper Trophy, 1986. [Courage; Self-discipline]

Milton, Joyce. Marching to Freedom: The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. New York, Yearling Books, 1987. [Courage; Citizenship; Self-discipline; Responsibility]

Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. Eddie, Incorporated. Illustrated by Blanche Sims. New York: Atheneum, 1980. [Self-discipline]

New York Times Staff. The New York Times: A Nation Challenged, Young Reader's Edition. New York: Scholastic, 2002. [Courage; Self-discipline; Responsibility]