Since everyone was so positive about my last article, I decided to make it a series of sorts. Different themes, maybe one article a month. I am 23 and I still love all of the following books. People can enjoy them at any age, but these are especially great ones for kids and teens. There were so many to choose from, so I apologize that I had to leave out so many of my favorites. Let's all recapture youth! As always, these are in no particular order.
1. The Neverending Story by Michael Ende
This is one of the few fantasy novels that isn't an entire series. Not to offend anyone, but I do not like this movie at all. So when a friend told me the book was great, I was quite surprised. I didn't read this until I was in college, but I think it's a great one for young fantasy lovers.
2. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
I find this book completely amazing. It is full of hope and magic. It makes me want a garden of my own. It's a thick book, but very easy to get through.
3. The Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter
I completely loved this book when I read it in middle school. It's about a very strong girl who becomes an even stronger woman. I don't want to give too much away, but it's a beautiful an unexpected story.
4. The Giver by Lois Lowry
I am always in shock when people tell me they haven't read this book. I was in elementary school when I read this one and I know it was the first book that really made me think and analyze on my own. It is unlike any other and a fantastic introduction to great literature. The story of a family living in a futuristic world without color or memories of times past, where little kids are assigned jobs and imperfection isn't tolerated.
5. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
I have a soft spot in my heart for Little Women. The book is much better than the movie. It is a classic and a beautiful story of family, sisters and love. I always related well to Jo as a kid because I wanted to be a writer.
6. Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
On the same theme, this is a book about a girl who wants to write. After I read this in third grade I started keeping a journal everyday (which I still do over a decade later) and I carried a red notebook around spying on people. This is a really fun, humorous book.
7. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
We read this one in school as I'm sure many of you did. It was my favorite book in fourth grade. It's about a couple of kids who create their own magical world. I don't want to give anything away, but it's completely amazing and the first book to ever make me cry.
8. The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
A kid's first mystery that doesn't feature Encyclopedia Brown. This one keeps you guessing until the very end. Many colorful characters, I remember whodunit even after over a decade.
9. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
This book must be read early for the full effect. It's a sad look at what it's like living on the proverbial other side of the tracks. I love it.
10. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
This is one of the most original stories I've ever read. It teaches good values and embraces childhood. People should be rereading this in their 40s as well.
1. The Neverending Story by Michael Ende
This is one of the few fantasy novels that isn't an entire series. Not to offend anyone, but I do not like this movie at all. So when a friend told me the book was great, I was quite surprised. I didn't read this until I was in college, but I think it's a great one for young fantasy lovers.
2. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
I find this book completely amazing. It is full of hope and magic. It makes me want a garden of my own. It's a thick book, but very easy to get through.
3. The Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter
I completely loved this book when I read it in middle school. It's about a very strong girl who becomes an even stronger woman. I don't want to give too much away, but it's a beautiful an unexpected story.
4. The Giver by Lois Lowry
I am always in shock when people tell me they haven't read this book. I was in elementary school when I read this one and I know it was the first book that really made me think and analyze on my own. It is unlike any other and a fantastic introduction to great literature. The story of a family living in a futuristic world without color or memories of times past, where little kids are assigned jobs and imperfection isn't tolerated.
5. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
I have a soft spot in my heart for Little Women. The book is much better than the movie. It is a classic and a beautiful story of family, sisters and love. I always related well to Jo as a kid because I wanted to be a writer.
6. Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
On the same theme, this is a book about a girl who wants to write. After I read this in third grade I started keeping a journal everyday (which I still do over a decade later) and I carried a red notebook around spying on people. This is a really fun, humorous book.
7. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
We read this one in school as I'm sure many of you did. It was my favorite book in fourth grade. It's about a couple of kids who create their own magical world. I don't want to give anything away, but it's completely amazing and the first book to ever make me cry.
8. The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
A kid's first mystery that doesn't feature Encyclopedia Brown. This one keeps you guessing until the very end. Many colorful characters, I remember whodunit even after over a decade.
9. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
This book must be read early for the full effect. It's a sad look at what it's like living on the proverbial other side of the tracks. I love it.
10. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
This is one of the most original stories I've ever read. It teaches good values and embraces childhood. People should be rereading this in their 40s as well.
