Brian’s fun post got me thinking about the books I’ve read with Ben, so I had to make a top ten list of my own. I’ll out myself right here – juvenile fiction is my favorite genre. Nowhere do adventure, humor, and character come together more effectively to tell a true story. Some of the happiest hours of my life with Ben have been spent cuddled up on the couch, cup of coffee at my side, delightfully lost together in another world. We’ve read 65 books together so far – here are my favorites:
- The Tale of Despereaux – Kate DiCamillo: This tale has the wonderful sense of chivalry and adventure I loved in Princess Bride, and was a delight to read aloud.
- Doll People – Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin: I am a sucker for any story about secret life in hidden (preferably smaller) worlds – this one was exciting, funny and fast-paced.
- Four Story Mistake – Elizabeth Enright: One of four in a series of books about the Melendy children, that started with the Saturdays. We are on the third one right now and they tell great stories of childhood shared by four siblings.
- Pollyanna – Eleanor H. Porter: I never read this as a child, and I think I appreciate it now more than I would have then. Far more meaningful than the cliche (or the movie), this book has amazing lessons about persevering in joy.
- The Wheel on the School – Meindert deJong: Kind of an odd plot, but strangely compelling and a great example of kids showing leadership.
- The Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson Burnett: I don’t know how I missed this when I was younger, but it’s a classic for a reason!
- Betsy-Tacy and Tib – Maud Hart Lovelace: One of the many in the Betsy-Tacy series, we’ve read 3 or 4 of these – had to stop when they started getting romantic
These earlier ones are deliciously old-fashioned stories of smart, sometimes mischievous, girls. - Ginger Pye – Eleanor Estes: Funny, exciting and wholesome, with a tiny touch of sinister.
- Caddie Woodlawn – Carol Ryrie Brink: This tomboy-on-the-frontier story is hard to beat.
- Little House on the Prairie – Laura Ingalls Wilder: Yet another classic series I didn’t read when I was younger (that’s what happens when you judge a book by its cover – I never did like that gingham!). We read the whole series together and learned so much – one of the best examples of educational yet entertaining storytelling.
