Favorite books when you were a kid

[capcat]

My youngest daughter and I are reading Nancy Drew books together and she has enjoyed the Harry Potter books. My oldest liked the Little House on the Prairie series, Babysitter Club booksand anything by Judy Blume. My son liked the "Goosebumps" series.A friend donated some Goosebumps booksto our hurricane family tonight and they werethrilled to get them. Anyway, books mean a lot to kids, what were your favorites or your children's favorites?

[oruacat2]

Whata timely thread, since I'm about to embark on a Barnes-and-Noble and Amazon.com quest for two trilogies that I loved as a kid. I'd like to buy them as a Christmas gift for my 12 and 10-year-old nephews.

The author is John Christopher.

The first trilogy is "The Tripods" series, starting with book one, The White Mountains.

The second trilogy is "The Sword and the Spirits" series, starting with "The Prince in Waiting".

Two great stories. Anyone else ever read these?

A few years ago I went into the childrens' section of the Lexington Public Library and re-read them both, mainly to see if both were as good as I remembered. Of course the writing is geared towards children/young adults, but the plots hold up.

KD

[WildcatGirl]

I seriously can't remember what I read as a kid...I read a lot of different stuff...I do recall a Newberry Award Winner called Rifles for Waite that I read more than once...so I must have liked it...lol.

Both of my kids favorite book when they were really little (like reading to them age...or just learned how to read age) was Rainbow Fish...that and they liked One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish...I don't know what it was with them and fish books...lol.

[capcat]

Here's a list of this year's Bluebonnet Award nominees from the Texas Library Association in case anyone elseis interested in books for Christmas.They're appropriate for mid to upper elementaryand usually contain a mix of picture and chapter books.You might want to read before you buy, but they'realmost alwayswell-written and interesting. Kids seem to like them....they read the booksin school and then vote on their choice to win the Bluebonnet Award in January. Past year's lists are also available on the TLA website. The descriptions of some of these books make me want to read them, just for myself.


2005-2006
Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List
Voting: January 2006[/i][/i]


The Texas Library Association sponsors the
Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List solelyto encourage free voluntary reading.][/i][/i]

Anderson, Janet S. 2003. The Last Treasure[/i]. New York: Dutton. ISBN 0-525-46919-2, $17.99. ]

After receiving a mysterious summons from a distant cousin, Ellsworth Smith returns to his father’s family home and quickly becomes embroiled in a quest to find an elusive treasure.

Balliett, Blue. 2004. Chasing Vermeer[/i]. Illustrated by Brett Helquist. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0-439-37294-1, $16.95. Audio Cassette: Listening Library, ISBN 0-3072-0672-6, $25.00. Audio CD: Listening Library, ISBN 0-3072-0673-4, $28.00. ]

Coincidences and puzzles abound in this fast-paced mystery as two eleven-year-olds, Petra and Calder, search for clues to a missing Vermeer.

Borden, Louise. 2004. Sea Clocks: The Story of Longitude[/i]. Illustrated by Erik Blegvad. New York: McElderry. ISBN 0-689-84216-3, $18.95. ]

Spare prose and delicate pen and ink watercolors (reminiscent of the eighteenth century setting), capture John Harrison’s persistent and dedicated forty-year quest to make an instrument that determines longitude on a moving ship.

Brown, Don. 2003. Mack Made Movies[/i]. Illustrations by the author. Brookfield, Conn.: Roaring Brook Press. Library Edition: ISBN 0-7613-2504-2, $23.90. Trade Edition: ISBN 0-7613-1538-1, $16.95. ]

The story of silent movies and Mack Sennett, “the King of Comedy” who began his slapstick career as a horse and later became the owner of his own studio, unfolds in this illustrated biography.

Collins, Suzanne. 2003. Gregor the Overlander[/i]. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0-439-43536-6, $16.95. ]Paperback Edition: Scholastic, ISBN 0-439-67813-7, $5.99.

When Gregor’s sister tumbles through a portal in their New York City apartment complex, he follows her to a parallel world called Underland. There, Gregor discovers that the inhabitants believe him to be their prophesized hero, the “Overland warrior,” sent to save their civilization.

Divakaruni, Chitra Banerjee. 2003. The Conch Bearer[/i]. Brookfield, Conn.: Neal Porter/Roaring Brook Press. Library Edition: ISBN 0-7613-2793-2, $23.90. Trade Edition: ISBN 0-7613-1935-2, $16.95. Audio Cassette: Listening Library, ISBN 0-8072-1959-2, $26.00. ]

India provides the backdrop for this adventure fantasy wherein a young boy, his street urchin cohort, and the mysterious Abhaydatta set off on a quest to return a magical conch shell to its rightful place.

George, Kristine O’Connell. 2004. Hummingbird Nest: A Journal of Poems[/i]. Illustrated by Barry Moser. San Diego: Harcourt. ISBN 0-15-202325-9, $16.00. ]

This kinetic and keen journal of poems traces one family’s experiences with a hummingbird and her young throughout their seasonal activities of nest building, egg hatching, and flying lessons. ]

Hannigan, Katherine. 2004. Ida B . . . and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World.[/i] New York: Greenwillow. Library Edition: ISBN 0-06-073025-0, $16.89. Trade Edition: ISBN 0-06-073024-2, $15.99. Audio Cassette: Listening Library, ISBN 1-4000-9093-8, $ 18.00. ]

Ida B details her struggles as her insular, home-schooled world on an idyllic Wisconsin farm with her loving and devoted parents is replaced by public schooling, the sale of part of their land, and her Mother’s battle with cancer.

Henkes, Kevin. 2003. Olive’s Ocean[/i]. New York: Greenwillow. Library Edition: ISBN 0-06-053544-X, $16.89. Trade Edition: ISBN 0-06-053543-1, $15.99. Audio CD: Harper Children’s Audio, ISBN 0-06-074814-1, $22.00. ]

Over the course of one memorable summer, Martha experiences a myriad of events and emotions as she embarks on an affirming rite of passage from childhood innocence to adolescent awareness of her world.

Hopkinson, Deborah. 2004. Sailing for Gold: The Klondike Kid, Book 1[/i]. Illustrated by Bill Farnsworth. New York: Aladdin. Library Edition: ISBN 0-689-86032-3, $11.89. Paperback Edition: Aladdin, ISBN: 0-689-86031-5, $3.99. ]

Amidst the chaos in Seattle at the beginning of the Klondike gold rush, orphaned Davey overcomes a multitude of obstacles as he searches for his only living relative, an uncle who lives somewhere in the newly discovered gold fields.

Krull, Kathleen. 2004. The Boy on Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Become Dr. Seuss[/i]. Illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher. New York: Random House. Library Edition: ISBN 0-375-92298-9, $18.99. Trade Edition: ISBN 0-375-82298-4, $16.95. ]

Biographer Krull introduces readers to the first twenty-two years in Ted Geisel’s life; spot art reproductions of familiar characters from Dr. Seuss’s many works remind children of these favored books and tie into detailed backmatter concerning Dr. Seuss’s later life and work.

Follow the Trail: A Young Person’s Guide to the Great Outdoors[/i]. Photographs by the author. New York: Holt. ISBN 0-8050-6195-9, $18.95. ]

Filled with numerous ideas, safety rules, and games, as well as ways to identify animal tracks, wildflowers, and constellations, this outdoor guide provides a roadmap for camping fun and excitement.

Mann, Elizabeth. 2003. Empire State Building[/i]. Illustrated by Alan Witschonke. New York: Mikaya. ISBN 1-931414-06-8, $19.95. ]

From inception to completion, Mann tracks the wonders of architecture, engineering, and construction that went into the creation of the Empire State Building. Social and political profiles of both millionaires and laborers capture the essence of the individuals who dreamed of and built this landmark.

Marsden, Carolyn. 2004. Silk Umbrellas[/i]. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick. ISBN 0-7636-2257-5, $15.99. ]

At eleven, Noi, like her grandmother, paints delicate designs on silk umbrellas that she sells in the local Thai market. But, when this income fails to sustain the family, she must struggle to reconcile her own dreams with her mother’s plan for her to work in a factory.

Montgomery, Sy. 2004. The Tarantula Scientist[/i]. Photographs by Nic Bishop. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0-618-14799-3, $18.00. ]

Follow scientist Samuel Marshall at work in the field in French Guiana, as well as in the Hiram College lab in Ohio, while he studies all kinds of tarantulas, including the Goliath birdeater, native to French Guiana and as big as a dinner plate.

Raven, Margot Theis. 2004. Circle Unbroken: The Story of a Basket and Its People[/i]. Illustrated by E. B. Lewis. New York: Melanie Kroupa/Farrar. ISBN 0-374-31289-3, $16.00.]

Through her grandmother’s tales, a young girl learns the story of her African-American heritage as well as the art of making traditional Gullah sweetgrass baskets.

Sandin, Joan. 2003. Coyote School News[/i]. Illustrated by the author. New York: Holt. ISBN 0-8050-6558-X. $17.95. ]
Monchi Ramirez guides readers through the 1938 school year in a small school in rural Arizona. Students celebrate La Fiesta de los Vanqueros and strive to win baseball games as well as a Perfect Attendance Award in this illustrated historical fiction.

Wheeler, Lisa. 2004. Seadogs: An Epic Ocean Operetta[/i]. Illustrated by Mark Siegel. New York: Richard Jackson/Atheneum. ISBN 0-689-85689-X, $16.95. ]

Staged as an operetta, the final voyage (including a pirate attack and a search for buried treasure) of a small but courageous canine crew plays out in lively verse and comic book like illustrations.

Wise, William. 2004. Christopher Mouse: The Tale of a Small Traveler[/i]. Illustrated by Patrick Benson. New York: Bloomsbury. ISBN 1-58234-878-2, $15.95. ]

In this firstmouse narrative, young Christopher relates episodes of his life in short, fast-paced chapters as he deals with a dangerous cat, a scheming boy, and a young taxidermist.

Youme. 2004. Sélavi, That Is Life: A Haitian Story of Hope[/i]. Illustrated by the author. El Paso, Texas: Cinco Puntos. ISBN 0-938317-84-9, $17.95. ]

Through a moving text and the beauty of batik, collage, and photographs, Youme presents the circumstances of a group of street children in Haiti and shows how together they build a home in the midst of civil unrest.

[CoquieKat]

I loved the Little House and Ramona books. I also owned quite a few Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley books. And Judy Blume was definitely a favorite.

I was a child of the 80s and a teenager of the 90s.

[WildcatGirl]

Oh...Judy Blume...forgot about her...I loved her books...the SVH books were a little after I got too old for them, but Ciera used to read them in middle school.

[bleedbluelady]

My very favorite book was "The Secret Garden". "Little Women" was a close second. I read a series of books that were biographies on all the First Ladies. I can't remember what the series were called. I've always loved to read.

[capcat]

Did any of you ladies who mentioned Judy Blume read her book, Summer Sisters? I heard that it waswritten for women who grew up reading her books. Anyway, I bought it for my daughter when she was in her early 20's and she loved it. She passed it on among her circle of friends andthey felt the same way.

[WildcatGirl]

I've never heard of it Capcat...but I'll have to check it out sometime...I loved her books.

[capcat]

Gillia, my youngest daughter and I spent some time reading what I consider the classics in children's literature...I think I enjoyed it as much as she did. It brought back memories. We picked up an original version of Peter Pan, which I had never read before, andwe were bothsorry to see it end. Some of the humor in it I wouldn't have gotten as a child, but I appreciated as an adult. Guess I shouldrevisit that with her someday.

[bleedbluelady]

Judy, When I was in the sixth grade I had a very bad break on my left leg. I was in a cast up to my hip and confined to bed for six weeks. My next door neighbor was the school librarian. She kept me supplied with books. :) I probably read 10 books a week. I hated missing school and seeing my friends all the time. Books were my escape and I still love them to this day.

[PsychoCat]

Wow this brings back memories….reading has always been a special part of our family….from the time our girls were born we read to them and long past when they could read on their own…..we always had a special chapter book we read each night…these are a fewfavorites that come to mind that we enjoyed together

Winnie the Pooh Series (which I still love reading)

Anne of Green Gables

A Little princess (great movie also on PBS)

Little Women (My oldest finally after much searching found a very old hard cover copy in used book store which she treasures)

Secret garden

Little House series

Misty of Chincoteague series

The Chronicles of Narnia

Charlottes Web

Island of The Blue Dolphin

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (for some reason this book is one I have remembered from my childhood reading)

Pocket for Corduroy was a favorite when they were little which we read over and over and over

[capcat]

bleedbluelady wrote: Judy, When I was in the sixth grade I had a very bad break on my left leg. I was in a cast up to my hip and confined to bed for six weeks. My next door neighbor was the school librarian. She kept me supplied with books. :) I probably read 10 books a week. I hated missing school and seeing my friends all the time. Books were my escape and I still love them to this day.I wish I would have slowed down and read more when I was young, but not the way you had to!This summer when we went to Virginia, my youngest went through about a book a day.She read everywhere we went. It was all I coulddo tokeep up with her habit ;).

[capcat]

PsychoCat wrote: long past when they could read on their own…..we always had a special chapter book we read each night…

I'm glad to hear you say that...we do too.

[catfeverintennessee]

I LOVED to read when I was little! My mom would always take us to the bookmobile that came every 2 weeks and we could get 6 books at a time. I would have mine and some of my brother's as well since he hated to read:). I would go through them before it was time for the bookmobile to come back. In fact I used to get in more trouble for lying in bed with a flashlight reading when I was supposed to be asleep than for fighting with my brother!

I would read anything Trixie Belden mystery books.( Always wanted to be like Honey but was more like Trixie!;))Never was a Nancy Drew fan though. I also loved all the historical books like Dolly Madison, Florence Nightengale, Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, Helen Keller, Little Women, Little House on the priaire, etc.. Guess that was the start of my love for history and geneaology.

I make sure that my 3 and 4 year olds at preschoolhave access to books even if they are just looking at the pics. I even have special cassettes and books for special reading times and am getting together a listening center with the headphones wiht read along books. They love it when my "special helper" for the day holds the books and turns the page for everyone when the tape beeps. Never too young to get interested in books. I tell them that books can let you go anywhere and be anything anytime of the day! Sad that too many just want to watch videos and play games now.:cry:

Fun thread! Oh the memories you have brought up of those warm summer days under the big oak tree in my backyard with lemonade and a book and my brother aggravating me to play with him instead of reading.

"In a minute. Just one more page too go!!!"

[trublu]

PsychoCat, I can't believe that you mentioned "Misty of Chincoteague". I was a horse nut when I was growing up and loved that series. I, also, read Black Beauty books.

[Calsegs]

Sweet thread.

Thanks for the current list, capcat. I recognized not a single author, which lets me know it's time to revist the subject.

I love to read, have since I learned to --50 years ago.
I've enjoyed all the books so far mentioned, from Nancy Drew , the Bobbsey Twins, Trixie Belden, Cherry Ames, the Hardy Boys,the Pippi books, the Black Stallion books, (also Walter Farley's other books), the Anne books, biographies of famous Americans, mythologies of the Norse, Greek, Roman, and Celtic traditions. A book series I loved, that I've not seen for decades, had a main character named Bill Bergman, Master Detective. anyone else ever read these?

The Lexington Public Library, the bookmobiles, such wonderful memories,I loved the librarians too.
One of my favorite authors is Madeleine L'Engle, her Time Trilogy was high on my all time favorites list. I read "A Wrinkle in Time " when I was in the 8th grade, maybe the year it was published. From there I began reading straight up sci fi , a love that continues.
Another favorite was "The Once and Future King' by T.H .White, the first of many tellings of the Arthurian legend that I have loved.

I read voraciously as a child/adolescent/teenager/college student. Motherhood slowed me down some, so of course, I read to the kids from very early... until they went to university .
We read the T.H.White book , Huckleberry Finn, A Wrinkle in Time, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory , The Phantom Toll Booth, Watership Down, the 13 Clocks, Finn Family Moomintroll, and more.
My kids read among others: a zillion Sweet Valley High books, the 3 Detectives, the Redwall books, the John Christopher books, Lloyd Alexander , Ralph the Motorcycle Mouse, Kurt Vonnegut, Pat Conroy(!!?), Marion Zimmer Bradley and all manner of other inappropriate novels.
Plus copious Mad Magazine books and magazines, all the Gary Larsen material, all of Calvin and Hobbes, Foxtrot, Dilbert and that habituating series ,the Adventures of Tin Tin.

Our bookshelves are still stuffed with kiddie lit, waiting for the next generation. I just can't part with most of it, too many precious memories of the hours spent answering the request " read me a story , Mom?"

[capcat]

Carmen, I'll bet you recognize some authors and don't realize it....for example, Kevin Henkes wrote the "Lilly" (purple plastic purse) books, and also Chrysanthemum. That's going to be afortunate next generation, btw :).

(I have tomention a coincidence...Watership Down is next on our list!)

[oruacat2]

I resisted reading Watership Down for years ("I'm not reading a book about rabbits, damnit!"). Finally, during my PLDC training at Ft. Jackson, I tore through all my own books, so my bunkmate loaned me his copy. I loved it, and I have to say it's one of my Top 20 of all time.

KD

[capcat]

My older daughter's fiance sent this copy tous. It was one of his favorites, too. I'mlooking forward to reading it.

[Calsegs]

I hope the men who read as kids will notice this thread and feel free to post. :D

[WildcatGirl]

They probably wouldn't admit if they did...or what books they liked...because they wouldn't seem 'manly' enough now...lol.

[capcat]

That sounds like a challenge, Lisa ;).

[Calsegs]

yeah, Lisa, I had that thought too. Still, I know there are some dedicated readers out there who probably began when they were young and impressionable.

[WildcatGirl]

capcat wrote: That sounds like a challenge, Lisa ;).
What better way to get a guy to do something than to challenge them...they'll do all sorts of stupid stuff if someone challenges them and tells them they can't/won't...lol.

[capcat]

WildcatGirl wrote: capcat wrote: That sounds like a challenge, Lisa ;).
What better way to get a guy to do something than to challenge them...they'll do all sorts of stupid stuff if someone challenges them and tells them they can't/won't...lol.
Okay...but don't tell.Do you mean like "You couldn't make dinner for all of us for one week if your life depended on it!" ;):D Kidding. I gotta be nice, mine just bought me a nifty computer. He's alright :).