I love a great variety of books, and I tend to love reading books as an adult that I enjoyed as a child. Also, if I hear of a “kids” book that was fantastic (e.g. The Phantom Tollbooth) I will go and read it. I have already mentioned some other favorites, like The Chronicles of Narnia and The Harry Potter series, but here are more great books written (in theory) for kids apprx. 8-13 years old.
These are timeless kids books I remember and still love.
(click any photo or title for more info.)

Charlotte’s Web
We all know the tale of the radiant pig Wilbur. The book written by E.B. White is such a great story, filled with great characters. It is an endearing book about friendship and love. The best message I took from it was that we make sacrifices for the people that we love. It teaches what friendship really consists of; not just good vibes, but the care and time we give another person.
Rated: 4.7 on amazon.com

Number The Stars
This is a great book by Lois Lowry that is very educational. I read this book in I believe 3 or 4th grade, and I still have and love it. I love that by reading a book you can learn about the Holocaust at an early age. It was very well written to give just the right amount of information for the age group targeted. This book had a big impact on me. To this day I have a bit of an obsession with books (and documentaries) related to WW2 and especially the Holocaust.
Rated: 4.7 on amazon.com
The Boxcar Children
The wonderful adventures of a family of orphan children who stick together, and find there way through many exciting obstacles. I love these stories written by Gertrude Chandler Warner because it puts an emphasis on the importance of family; working and taking care together. It also sets an example for resourcefulness. Of all the stories I read growing up I think I used to make believe about this one the most.
Rated: 4.8 on amazon.com

Amelia Bedelia
I don’t know if anyone remembers these from back in the day, but I absolutely adore Amelia Bedelia! She is so inspiringly silly. This lovely character was created by Peggy Parish and Fritz Siebel. She has an extremely simple way of looking at the world, and it get’s her into lots of trouble (and fun.) I think part of my attachment is how much of myself I can see in her. What I love about this story is that despite her shortcomings she is loved and appreciated. The original, as well as other stories, are a hoot!
Rated: 4.8 on amazon.com
The Little House Collection
These are timeless classics written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. They are books that I cherish and love. I have fond memories of my mother reading these to me. They belonged to my older sister and they were so prized. When I was old enough to read one for the first time I felt so special. These stories make you feel like you are part of another family. They are warm and inviting, and I for one got very emotionally attached to the characters. I also grew up loving the T.V. series Little House On The Prairie.
Rated: 4.7 on amazon.com

Pippi
Who doesn’t know of and love this freckle faced quirky girl! This was written by Astrid Lindgren and Michael Chesworth. Pippi is so classic and lovable. You will especially like it if you can relate to her spunky fun loving attitude. This is a story that anyone can enjoy. It’s full of humor and adventure. She’s daring and has a brilliant outlook on life.
Rated: 4.6 on amazon.com
Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher
This book was written by Bruce Coville and Gary A. Lippincott. I imagine no one has heard of this book (please tell me if you have!) I am including it because it is such a great little story. This book helped shape my reading style. It was one of the first chapter books I ever read, so partly I’m sharing it for sentimental reasons. This books fueled my adolescent love for books and dragons. If you like books about dragons check this one out. It is a quick read and I love it.
Rated: 4.6 on amazon.com

Anne of Green Gables
Another fiery red-headed beauty that steals are hearts with spunk and charm. I love Anne and her story, I wanted to be her. This story was written by the very talented L.M. Montgomery. Anne Shirley is full of passion and dreams. I have always been an overly passionate dreamer, but I never had the spit-fire guts that Anne had, to see them through. I have been more of a slowly but surely gal, I always envied her tenacity. Great books filled with poetry and excitement.
Rated: 4.7 on amazon.com

A Wrinkle in Time series by Madeleine L’Engle
and Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan

I have not read these 2 series but I wanted to include them because they are so well known. I am always hearing how great they are. So they are on my to-read list, and if you have read them I welcome your feedback
(just no spoilers.)
A Wrinkle in Time Rated 4.3 on amazon.com and Percy Jackson Rated: 4.8.
Book Beans: (for the child at heart) 3 delicious unloaded delights;
Dragon’s Egg Cocoa
Marshmallows tossed with (slightly heated) crushed peppermint candy, add to dark chocolate cocoa.
Prairie Tea
White tea with a dash of cream and nutmeg.
Fiery Steamer
Puree grenadine, dash of cinnamon, beets, and hot milk till smooth and frothy! For the less daring substitute beets for cherries or strawberries.
We have read all but the Jeremy book. I had never heard of that one before. We also like My Side of the Mountain series and Mrs. Piggle Wiggle series though the language is a bit out of date.
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I love out of date language 😀
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Oh my goodness! Love this list! It’s like going down memory lane! I loved the Phantom Tollbooth as a child. And Charlotte’s Web! And Little House In the Big Woods 🙂
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I’m glad you enjoyed it, it was so fun to bring it all together. Reading has brought me so many wonderful and warm memories.
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Charlotte’s Webb was one of my favourites – I named one of the spiders that lived in the barn Charlotte because of it!
The Tale of Peter Rabbit has always been my favourite. I loved it as a child and now I love how it reminds me of many happy moments.
Have a great week!
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I love Peter Rabbit 🙂 https://cafebookbean.wordpress.com/2015/11/25/charming-childrens-classics/
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A Wrinkle in Time is especially dear to my heart as it was the first SciFi story that I had ever read as a kid and in a sense, started my particular journey toward being the writer that I am today. 🙂
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That’s awesome 🙂
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It’s still one of my favorite books. 🙂
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I LOVE Anne of Green Gables and just recently read A Wrinkle in Time for the first time. You’ve inspired me to reread Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry, my all time childhood favorite!
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I haven’t read that one! You may have inspired me 🙂
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I loved People Might Hear You by Robin Klein, and anything by Paul Jennings and Morris Gleitzman.
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Morris Gleitzman’s books all look really intriguing.
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The Silver Sword by Ian Serailler
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I would really like to read Silver Sword.
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Charlotte’s Web, Amelia Bedelia, Anne of Green Gables, the Little House books… so many happy childhood memories for me! Really enjoyed your post.
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I’m glad 🙂 What’s your favorite?
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I’d have to say the Little House books are my favorite, by a very slim margin. I’ve read the series so many times through my life. Anne of Green Gables (the entire series) is a very close second, though!
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That is a tough choice 🙂
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A trip down memory lane….
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🙂 What childhood book had an influence on you?
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The Little Prince had (and still has) an enormous impact on my life. It is such a beautiful tale of “what is important” that changes just a bit as we age and reread. Keeps reminding me of what love and life should be.
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That’s great!
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I actually didn’t read any Ric Riordan books until college and I loved them. When it comes to childhood memories though, I’ll always love Anne of Green Gables!
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She is shirley a bosom friend and kindred spirit 😉
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What a beautiful blog! Love it ❤
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Thank you!
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Hm… “A Wrinkle in Time” is the only one I’ve read of your list. It sparked my passion for both fantasy AND science fiction. My favorite books to read were the Trixie Belden books started by Julie Campbell. She was so much cooler than Nancy Drew.
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I haven’t heard of it… Now I’m intrigued 🙂
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There was a whole set. I think I read all but the last three or four. The book changed authors a couple times and it made a difference for me in the overall feel of the books.
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I looked them up, they look like something my niece would love!
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Nancy Drew did so many things that seemed inappropriate to her age (JMO). Trixie Belden and her friend Honey just plain got in hot water and sorted it all out.:D Plus they were books were there was just beginning to be a hint of romance in them between Trixie and Jim.
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I still love The Little Prince.
And Harry Potter.
And Eragon.
:))
https://cybabe.wordpress.com/
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All great. 🙂
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I’ve only read Anne of Green Gables. Where’ve I been?
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But Anne of Green Gables is such a great one! Some have never even read that, sadly.
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It certainly is
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I still love Charlotte’s Web too!
xx
Yvonne
http://tellmeyblog.com
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This post is timely. My granddaughter just turned 8 and I haven’t sent her a Christmas present yet. I think I just found the presents for her from reading your reviews. Thanks. 🙂
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That’s so wonderful, they are all great reads for an 8 years old 🙂 Books are the gifts that keep on giving 🙂
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I read some of these book (from my childhood) to my son at bedtime, 🙂
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It’s so awesome to be able to pass them on!
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I’ve never returned to their world as an adult, but I used to sit enthralled at the goings on within any Bobbsey Twins book. I think I read them all.
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I just looked them up. They look great, only available on kindle though
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Yes these are amazing and I appreciate you stopping by my blog today. I have not given you the ending to the book today so you know. I have not finished it yet, LOL. It was just a great little book. I love reading children’s and young adult fiction and fantasy but perhaps that’s because I still live in that world sometimes. My mom always says I will be a great mother but it was because she was the same way with me. I think it’s because my mom still lives in that same world. I love it!
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Sounds like you had a great mom, and I’m sure she’s right about you 😉
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Aww thanks! I just enjoy staying curious, excited, and loving about life and people at my very core and that’s how life should be I feel it in my soul. So I read books that tend to share those beliefs. I read some adult things too like mystery books by robert gailbraith (aka jk rowling) and some real life situations fiction but otherwise I like to be in my own land of fantasy its more fun that way, LOL.
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I agree 🙂
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Oh Amelia! I loved those books! I seem to remember ‘childrens’ books better when talking about the ones I read to and with my son while he was growing up. Junie B jones was a bog one for us. Also The Magic Tree House! Of those were fun. As far as when I was a child…I remember loving Where the Red Fern Grows.
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I need to read “Where the Red Fern Grows. Oh so many good books!
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We’ve read so many on this list. lots of good ones! we just picked this wild animal book the other day, so we’re pretty excited for it to be delivered.
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I loved Amelia Bedelia…the rhymes, the wit. I loved all the Frances the Badger books, and also The Little Witch by Anna Elizabeth Bennett–do you know that last one? It is good to read as an adult, too!
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I don’t know it, but I’m definitely looking it up now 🙂
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You would love it…A witch kidnaps a little girl and adopts her as daughter/makes her work like a slave. But the little girl is very gentle, doesn’t want to be a witch and is always looking for her real mother…
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Sounds like something I will enjoy 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
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Oh yes, I so loved Amelia Bedelia and Charlotte’s Web.
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I’m so glad to know other people who enjoyed Amelia as well 🙂
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Your shelf of books brings back many happy reading memories.
We so love “A Child’s Garden of Verses” by Robert Louis Stevenson.
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That looks like a great one to have! 🙂
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I love each and every book written by Roald Dahl. His characters are the perfect blend of quirky and interesting.
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I agree, he has written so many amazing books. I Loved The BFG!
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Yes, and its being made into a movie next year! I’m so excited for it! 😁
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I saw that! I hope they do it justice. 🙂 The first Charlie was awesome, and Fantastic Mr. Fox.
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Yeah true!
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You are a reader with good taste. I have read EVERY Box Car children book. Their antics kept me sane and entertained as a child. I also adore Amelia Bedlia. I am sure it was the first time I laughed out loud at a book, and to this day when someone offers me sponge cake I think of her.
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Yes! It’s the same for me. I just adore Amelia.
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Anne of Green Gables 😍 I will always love her stories. .. she is so silly and nice in one ☺ Thanks for reminding me..!
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She sure is!
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Oh, Amelia bedelia was the best when I was younger too!
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