MORE 'BEST-BOOKS' POSTS
#49 Press Here by Herve Tullet (2011) 38 points When I first read this, I thought kids might not get it. I was completely wrong. Captivating and fun. Interactive without the gimmicks. – Stacy Dillon An overwhelming hit at story time. The kids crawl over me to interact with this book. – Martha Sherod Martha’s […]
#50 The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg (1984) 38 points This is such a great mysterious book. I love sharing this book with a group of students who think they have it all figured out. This book never fails to stop them in their tracks. After we read it, they always have […]
#41 The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (1900) 48 points Oz is too overwhelming for a single post. Indeed, there are whole websites, blogs, and societies out there solely dedicated to its existence. With that in mind, here is a quick overview of the title and its impact on America at this […]
#42 Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright (1957) 47 points What child has not wanted to discover a lost place and create a special hidden retreat known only to herself and maybe a few friends? That’s what we read about here: cousins finding an abandoned summer colony of houses, with two older characters that have retreated […]
#43 Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson (1980) 47 points I adored this one as a teenager; it spoke profoundly to me. I read it as an adult, and it still spoke profoundly to me. I’ve found that’s rare, since my adult self has different sensibilities than my teenage self, and because it’s rare, […]
#44 Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt (2011) 45 points Can’t get this book out of my head. There’s not one big lobbing story arc here. It’s a rollercoaster. Very high highs immediately followed by the lowest of lows. Coming in rapid fire. At one point I involuntarily yelled “noooooooooooo” right out loud. You […]
#45 Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell (1960) 45 points This book took me to another time and place, unlike any other book. Haunting. Before Katniss, there was Karana. – DeAnn Okamura Oo. Leave it to DeAnn to come up with the best line of them all. “Before Katniss, there was Karana”. I […]
#46 The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi (1990) 44 points This is by far the best of Avi’s books. Non-stop adventure and a girl protagonist. Who could ask for anything more? – Martha Sherod When I read this book for a children’s literature course I was completely blown away. I had never read […]
#47 Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (1868) 43 points So ahead of her time, it makes you think her father was doing something right. – Susan Van Metre I still think Jo should have married Laurie. – The Sauls Family And at last the oldest children’s book to appear on this list makes its […]
#48 The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket (1999) 43 points Also brought me a huge list of new readers – boys and girls and teachers loved to read them out loud to the class. – Cheryl Phillips I’m a Snicket girl, loving the play with wit and words in this Series of Unfortunate Events. – […]