26 Fairmount Avenue
by Tomie dePaola
26 Fairmount Avenue is a series of ADORABLE early chapter books by the much loved children's book author and illustrator Tomie dePaola. His first chapter book ever, 26 Fairmount Avenue, was such a hit with fans and critics that dePaola followed it up with seven sequels... each one as absolutely delightful as the first!
This is definitely not a book heavy on plot. Instead, it is a gentle story that provides a glimpse into little Tomie's childhood and into life in the late 1930s as seen from the eyes of an energetic little boy. This title, and the entire series, tells the cute story of Tomie DePaola's childhood in the 1930s and 1940s.
dePaola writes in an
authentic, childlike voice and focuses on the details that a child of
that age would notice. Once you read this book, like us, you will be excited to read the next
in
the series, and then the next one after that.
There are eight books
total,
each as charming and endearing as the former.
The first book is "a thoroughly entertaining and charming story" (School Library Journal), focusing on the construction of dePaola's family house on, you guessed it, Fairmount Avenue, including many of the problems they had to endure (ie: a hurricane!)
These
books are quite short and could be read aloud to a class in under two
weeks (if you read a chapter a day.) Then...you can launch
right
into
the next one! And the reading levels are just right for kids to get hooked and starting picking this series up to read on their own as well.
There
are eight books in the
series. Together, they cover about a ten year period of dePaola's
childhood
years. Below are the books of the series, in order, plus the book cover
of each one:
(1) 26
Fairmount Avenue
(2) Here We All Are
(3) On My Way
(4) What a Year!
(5) Things
Will Never be the Same (The War
Years)
(6) I'm Still Scared (The War
Years)
(7) Why? (The War
Years)
(8) For the Duration (The War
Years)
Reading Levels for 26 Fairmount Avenue
Interest
Level: Grade 2-5
DRA Level: 30-34
Lexile Measure: 760L
Grade Level Equiv: 3.8
Guided Reading: N
Awards Won by this series
- American Library Association Notable Children's Book 2000
- Newbery Honor Book 2000
- Horn Book Magazine Fanfare Children's Book Award 2000
See Inside 26 Fairmount Avenue
These
books are chapter books, not a picture books. However, there
are small
black and white illustrations in virtually every spread,
each one adding
additional fun and information to the content of the
text. This
illustration below is from the first title and
depicts Tomie with Nana Upstairs, who is lovingly tied
to her chair each day by Nana Downstairs so that she doesn't fall out.
Tomie, who has a special relationship with Nana Upstairs, requests the
same treatment when he visits, although his bow is
tied in the front so he can easily get into and out of the chair. His
relationship with his grandparents is adorable!
26 Fairmount Avenue Lesson / Activity Ideas
Tommie dePaola has put out a "comprehensive educator's guide" for his books (this series and many others that he has written and illustrated). We love his books so this lesson / activity packet is a goldmine!! :) Just click on the link to access this FREE resource yourself.
And, there are A LOT of lesson / activity packs available on Teachers Pay Teachers. We haven't personally used them with our classes, but some have a lot of positive reviews. To see these 26 Fairmount Avenue lesson / activity ideas, click the link or the pictures below.
