Since my daughter reads far beyond her "proper" reading level, it has been a challenge to find books that she enjoys reading . . . that is to say, ones that capture her interest without being inappropriate for her age. Here is a list of some of the books that she has enjoyed reading these past two years. Many of these are also perfect for reading aloud to children of this age who are "normal" readers. (I apologize for the punctuation; apparently ebay's program does not allow me to italicize or underline book titles!)

• Beverly Cleary's RAMONA QUIMBY series. The reading level of these vary greatly from book to book, but almost all hold the interest of an advanced young reader by presenting scenarios that they can appreciate, along with a vocabulary just broad enough to "stretch their minds" a bit. However, the series is "dated" enough now so that some of the once-familiar situations depicted in the book may require some parental interpretation.
• INKHEART and INKSPELL by Cornelia Funke. My daughter loved these books and read them several times each. I think she found them especially endearing because, as an avid reader, she loved the idea of characters' being able to come alive and move back and forth between the world of books and the real world.
• HARRY POTTER series. Of course, these need no introduction! My daughter discovered the series and read the whole thing, back to back, in the month before starting third grade. However, I really think that the last book in the series is inappropriate for children of this age, and should be put "on hold." J.K. Rowling was originally able to increase the "content advisory" level of her books as her readers aged in real time, but, unfortunately, this creates a difficulty for children who are just now reaching the age to enjoy the series.
• THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX by Kate DiCamillo. This book appeals to a wide range of ages. Some of DiCamillo's other books, such as "Tiger Rising" and "Because of Winn-Dixie" were a bit too dark for my daughter's taste; she found them depressing and upsetting.
• Dave and Neta Jackson's TRAILBLAZER series. It is hard to find well-written books that help a young reader celebrate her heritage, if her heritage happens to be Christian! My daughter just "soaked up" the books in this series. Some of her favorites were LISTEN FOR THE WHIPPOORWILL (about Harriett Tubman); ESCAPE FROM THE SLAVE TRADERS (about David Livingstone, her favorite missionary); and FLIGHT OF THE FUGITIVES (about Gladys Aylward).
• THE BIRCHBARK HOUSE and its sequel, by Louise Ehrdrich
• THE BFG by Roald Dahl. What kid doesn't enjoy this book? :)
• MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS by Richard and Florence Atwater. You don't see this book on lists of recommendations anymore, but when my daughter read this book near the end of second grade, she announced that it was the best book she had ever read! Stated reading level is 6.3.
• Hugh Loftig's DOCTOR DOLITTLE books.
• POLLYANNA. Again, this book has dropped off the modern radar screen, but my daughter really enjoyed reading it and asked me whether I could help her locate some more like it. (Unfortunately, I couldn't!)
• ELSIE DINSMORE by Martha Finley. There are far too many books in this series, but just the first one (or two) are very capable of holding a little girl's attention, and of encouraging a child's resolve to be brave enough to keep doing the right thing in spite of cruel circumstances.
• MARY JEMISON, INDIAN CAPTIVE. I'm not sure whether this book is still available. Other versions of this true story have been written by other authors, and are probably worth reading, but this book was the one that enthralled my daughter.
• Laura Ingalls Wilder's LITTLE HOUSE series. DON'T WAIT TOO LONG to introduce these books to your children! I had thought this series was good reading for, oh, fourth-graders, but my daughter enjoyed them most as a second grader.
• CHILDREN'S MISCELLANY and its sequel, CHILDREN'S MISCELLANY TOO. Hoo, boy! Hours of complete absorption! :)
• ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS by Scott O'Dell.