Midweek Mini: What to Read This Fall — A Book List for Every Reader in Your House
September is finally here! For some of us it’s starting to feel like fall with crisp mornings and the turning leaves. For others it still feels like summer, but cooler weather will soon arrive. With school in session and the season shifting, there is no better time to settle in with a good book. Here are some of my favorites to enjoy this fall — one for every reader in your house.
Picture Books
Here are eight books for your youngest readers — preschool through Grade 2. These are wonderful read-alouds for the whole family.
The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming
A squirrel is convinced someone is stealing the leaves from the trees. And he can’t quite believe that autumn itself might be the guilty party. Funny, warm, and perfect for talking about how seasons change with little ones.
We're Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger
A playful take on the classic adventure format. Instead of hunting a bear, this book sends children tramping through fields and forests in search of fall leaves. Great for reading aloud with actions.
Pete the Cat Falling for Autumn by Kimberly and James Dean
Who doesn’t love Pete the Cat? In this book, he discovers all the best things about fall like corn mazes, apple picking, and family fun. A cozy and cheerful read for all.
Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert
Lois Ehlert’s signature cut-paper collages bring the colors of fall to life in this simple, stunning story of a child and a sugar maple tree. This classic is a wonderful addition to any fall reading list.
Sweater Weather by Matt Phelan
Papa Bear wants to take his cubs outside for a perfect fall day. But first he must get them all into their sweaters. Nearly wordless but charming and laugh-out-loud funny.
Wonderfall by Michael Hall
Michael Hall follows a single oak tree through the fall season, from the end of summer to winter’s first snowfall. Each page features a short poem with a clever invented word — thankFALL, plentiFALL — that children will delight in. And they will learn a little bit of science too!
Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall
A Caldecott Medal winner, illustrated by Barbara Cooney, and a true classic. A New England farmer packs his ox cart with everything his family has made and grown through the year and sets off for market. Simple, rhythmic, and beautiful.
If You Find a Leaf by Aimée Sicuro
A young artist finds a fallen leaf and begins to imagine — a boat, a swing, a hot air balloon. Sicuro’s illustrations are made from real leaves of vibrant hues. Each page is a true visual delight, perfect for sparking imagination.
Chapter Books
Two lists for this section. The first is for children who are reading independently. The second is for books that work best when read together (either aloud or alongside a parent who can talk through the bigger ideas). All of them are set at least partly in fall and are books I love.
Read Independently — Grades 3–5
Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk
Set in the autumn of 1943 in a small Pennsylvania town, a new girl arrives, a gentle war veteran becomes a suspect, and Annabelle must find the courage to tell the truth. This book is beautifully written and unforgettable.
A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck
Mary Alice is sent to spend a year with her unforgettable Grandma Dowdel in rural Illinois during the Depression. The book opens in September and moves through the fall and winter seasons with warmth and more than a few outrageous schemes. Read A Long Way from Chicago first if you haven’t — it’s just as fun! Newbery Medal winner.
Shiloh Season by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
The second book in the Shiloh quartet picks up as the fall hunting season approaches and Marty fears for his beloved beagle. Fall weather and the landscape of rural West Virginia are woven throughout. Read Shiloh first. But if your child has already fallen in love with Marty and his dog, this is the perfect fall follow-up.
Read Together or With Support
These three are classics that reward patient reading and a grown-up nearby to talk through the bigger ideas. Each is absolutely worth the extra effort.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Anne Shirley arrives at Green Gables in the lush beauty of late spring, but the story transitions beautifully into autumn as she settles into school. It is a story about imagination and belonging. As Anne famously muses, "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." Read it together and savor every page. It has rightfully become a beloved fall read for many.
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
Kit Tyler arrives in Puritan Connecticut in spring and immediately doesn't fit. By the time autumn arrives, her differences have made her a target of suspicion and fear. A story about having the courage to be different when everyone around you wants you to be the same. Rich historical detail, a morally complex plot, and one of the great heroines in children's literature. Newbery Medal winner.
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
Twelve-year-old Sam Gribley runs away from his New York City apartment to live alone in a hollowed-out tree in the Catskill Mountains. His falcon, Frightful, becomes his hunting companion as fall sets in and Sam prepares for winter. A story about survival, nature, and independence. Newbery Honor.
One More Thing
Most of these titles should be available at your local library, and fall is a wonderful time to make a library trip part of your family’s weekly routine. If you’d like to own a copy, consider supporting your local independent bookstore. They know books, and they will almost certainly have a recommendation or two to add to this list.
Your Turn
What is the book your family reaches for every fall? I’d love to add to this list.
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