My Favorite Childhood Chapter Books

The first chapter books I recall reading was The Happy Hollisters mystery series, when I was in the 3rd grade.  Funny that I don’t own any of them; in fact, I don’t think I’ve read them since 3rd grade!  That did get me interested in mystery series, but maybe that’s another topic.  The question is, which chapter books that I remember reading as a child (or had read to me) have really stood out as all-time favorites?  Which ones did I read over and over?  I have chosen 10 books for this list…well, technically it’s more than 10 since 2 entries are series!  Here’s my list in no particular order:

1.  Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (Robert C. O’Brien)—I was introduced to this book by my 4th grade teacher, but I later read it myself.  I think any child is intrigued by the what-if’s in the animal world.  What if animals could talk?  What if animals could do things we don’t know about?  Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is about a mouse who seeks help from a colony of extremely intelligent rats, who were once victims of laboratory research (which is what led to them becoming so intelligent).  There is a brief reference to evolution, but I had no problems with letting my son read it.  He absolutely loved it!  This book is a Newbery Medal winner.

2.    Where the Red Fern Grows (Wilson Rawls)—My 4th grade teacher read us this one, too.  It’s the story of a boy in Oklahoma who works hard to earn money so he can buy a coonhound.  He ends up with two coonhounds, and the three become inseparable.  It’s a wonderful “growing up” story with lots of values.  Unfortunately, it does have a sad ending.  Isaac read this one, too.  When he finished, there were tears in his eyes and he was all choked up.  He really did like it, though.

3.  Misty of Chincoteague (Marguerite Henry)—I love this author.  I have at least 6 of her books now, but I only had two of them when I was a child, and this was my favorite.  Like a lot of young girls, I went through a horse phase.  My obsession only got as far as books and a collection of horse figures; I never learned to ride a real horse.  This story takes place on two islands off the coast of Virginia and was inspired by a true story.  Two children want to capture a certain wild mare to have as their own.  They work hard to save their money to buy the horse they hope to catch, but when the mare and her foal are rounded up, will the children be able to keep them?

4.  Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White)—Charlotte’s Web is a true children’s classic. The story of a spider saving the life of a pig is truly heartwarming. I have read it to my two older children.

5.  The Door in the Wall (Marguerite de Angeli)—I’ve always enjoyed history, especially medieval history with knights and castles.  This wonderful Newbery Medal winner is about a young boy who loses the use of his legs through an illness and must learn to rise above his handicap to find his destiny.  When the castle he is staying at is attacked by the Welsh, who will save it?  I read this book to Isaac a few years ago, and I’m currently reading it to Moriah.

6.  The Chronicles of Narnia (C.S. Lewis)—How can I possibly pick just one of these beloved books?  I simply must list the whole set!  I’m sure most of you are very familiar with these books, especially since three have recently been made into films.  If you haven’t read them, you’re missing out!  If you’ve seen the movies but not read the books, definitely read them!  C.S. Lewis was a Christian, and while these books were not intended to be Biblical allegories, they contain allusions both from the Bible and from mythology.  I was in 6th grade before I discovered these books, and I’m pretty certain that I’ve read these books more times than any other book out there (except maybe certain books of the Bible).  Each book involves children finding themselves in the wonderful land of Narnia and having amazing adventures.  My favorite is probably The Horse and His Boy, which is actually the only book where the main characters already live in that world, rather than visiting from this world.  Isaac has read all 7 books, and I’ll be reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to Moriah this year.

7.  Little House series (Laura Ingalls Wilder)—This is another series I have a hard time picking a favorite from!  My favorites are probably Little House in the Big Woods, Farmer Boy, and Little Town on the Prairie.  I have read a few of these to my children.  Most of my collection is in storage in America.  

8.  Island of the Blue Dolphin (Scott O’Dell)—I read a number of Scott O’Dell books as a child, but this was my favorite (and it’s a Newbery Medal winner).  It’s the story of a young woman who becomes stranded on her native island after the rest of her tribe leaves.  She spends 18 years alone, with only a dog for company.  It’s the typical survival tale (like Robinson Crusoe, Swiss Family Robinson, and Jules Verne’s The Mysterious Island), but this one is based on a true story.

9.  Miss Pickerell Goes to Mars (Ellen MacGregor)—I love Miss Pickerell!  I have read other books in the series, but this was the first one I read and my favorite.  I have always been intrigued by space travel, so that’s one reason I liked it.  It may not be very realistic, but it is meant to be a humorous fictional story.  It was written in 1951, a good ten years before the Soviet Union launched their first cosmonaut into space.

10.  Stories of the Pilgrims (Margaret B. Pumphrey)—The version I read as a child was titled Margaret Pumphrey’s Pilgrim Stories, which was revised and expanded by Elvajean Hall.  It wasn’t until I began homeschooling that I found the original.  Anyway, I loved history even as a child, and I’ve never forgotten this book.  In fact, since I currently live in England, I am determined to visit the village of Scrooby someday!

When it comes to writing blog posts about children’s books, I have more ideas than I know what to do with.  In fact, I am working on 14 more posts at the moment!  So, if you love children’s books as much as I do, keep your eyes on my blog for more lists and reviews to come.

I’m linking this post to “The Children’s Bookshelf” at What Do We Do All Day?