Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls WilderThese were probably some of the first "chapter books" that I read. Mom and I read them at night for a year. I even dressed up as Laura for Halloween one year ... and again for a book report. Yes, I was a nerd.
Charlotte's Web by E.B. WebbClassic! Don't act like you didn't love this one! I think everything he ever wrote was probably awesome, though. The Trumpet of the Swan and Stuart Little were his too.



Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, The Bobbsey Twins, The Boxcar ChildrenI totally loved mysteries. (And still do!) As far as Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys go, I'm not particular. I liked the originals, case files, super mysteries, combined ones, whatever. I always wanted Nancy to fall in love with Frank.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald DahlAnother great classic. I helped out with a 2nd grade class one year in elementary school ... maybe 4th grade? ... while kids waited on the bus. I read this book to them over several weeks.
The Babysitters Club by Ann M. MartinOh yes. I had every single one of these. I even joined a book club where they would send them to you in the mail. I did NOT realize that they would charge you for these books. Oops! I wanted to be Claudia because she was Japanese and Stacy because she was fashionable and from New York.
The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid BanksAwesome book. I love how the little people come alive!
Maniac Magee by Jerry SpinelliMy fifth grade teacher introduced me to this author. I actually got to meet him at a young author's conference. I think he signed my book.
Cricket in Times Square by George SeldenI'm not sure why I love this one so much. My copy is well-worn and well-loved, though!
Ramona Books by Beverly ClearyAll of these were so great! I know people who don't like them because they call each other stupid, but I enjoyed them so much! Use them for teaching moments or whatever. :)
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. MontgomeryI loved these so much! And the movies!!! A friend and I read these all the time and traded them back and forth. Oh, the memories!
Little Women by Louisa May AlcottI was probably a little older when I read this book. But it's probably my all-time favorite book. Ever. I cry every time I read it. And I always wish that Jo and Laurie would fall in love and get married. And why, oh why, does Beth have to die??? But I still love it every time I read it. I then got turned on to Lurlene McDaniel's terribly sad novels about children with cancer. Intense!
A Summer to Die by Lois LowryI can still remember sobbing in my sixth grade reading class while I read this book. And then reading it again. I probably checked this one out of the school library every 2-3 months for several years.
A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L'EngleI wanted to swim with those dolphins so badly. Of course, I had a chance years later and completely freaked out ... but that's a story for another day.



I just finished reading the first chapter book to my 3y3m old twins.
ReplyDeleteThe Enchanted Wood (from The Faraway Tree series) by Enid Blyton - it captured their imagination even though it has precious few illustrations.
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