85 Must-Read Books (for all ages)

Hey everyone! Happy Father's Day!

So, funny story. A friend of mine pinned a link to this webpage on Pinterest a week or two ago, where the author of the blog post lists some of her favorite books to read aloud to kids. At the end of the post, she asks for suggestions. I was going to post a comment, and in the middle of typing out the comment, I realized that in order to add all my favorites that hadn't been listed, I would have to write a novel. Don't get me wrong - she has a great list of books, some of which I have read, and I'm going to go read some of them after this. I'm just sayin' - she inspired me to make a list of all my favorites that I read as a kid/teen, along with a few gems I've read since.

Disclaimer: I don't have kids yet, but I remember being a kid and loving these books as a kid (not to mention re-reading and loving many of them again as an adult). So my age estimates for the appropriateness of the books, if I give them, may not be very accurate. Just a heads-up.

1-7. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

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OK, maybe I'm a bit biased because I was raised on these books, but in my opinion these are the best children's books of all time. They are written for younger children, but I've read and re-read them many times as a teen and adult, and they just get better and better. There is a lot of Christian symbolism, which is awesome to talk to your kids (or spouse) about. Plus, they're witty and clever.

Here's the list (in reading order):

1. The Magician's Nephew (prequel that was actually written as #6 in the series, but makes the most chronological sense as #1)
2. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
3. Prince Caspian
4. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
5. The Silver Chair
6. The Horse and His Boy 
7. The Last Battle

8. The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

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This is a historical fiction about the Salem, Massachusetts witch trials. It is an excellent read for older kids, although some younger kids might do well with it too.




















9. The Bronze Bow, also by Elizabeth George Speare

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Another excellent historical fiction for older kids, this one is set in Jesus' time and chronicles the life of a fictional follower of Jesus. Super, super interesting and moving read.

10. Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes

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While I'm thinking about good historical fiction books, I ought to list this one. Johnny Tremain is about a boy growing up as an apprentice during the American Revolution. I haven't read it in a while, but I remember reading it at least three times in older elementary-middle school, it was that good.

11. A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears by Jules Feiffer

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This one is great for all ages. It's an absolutely hilarious fantasy book about a prince and his adventures. It was our family tradition growing up to check out the book on tape/CD version to listen to every time we went on a long road trip, and the guy who reads the book is hilarious. The book version is fun too, of course. :-)

12-15. Enchanted Forest Chronicles (Dealing with Dragons) by Patricia C. Wrede

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This is an awesome fantasy series about a not-so-princesslike princess and her adventures with dragons, wizards, princes, knights, and a witch and her cats. It's probably good for most kids elementary school on. And kids at heart of all ages, too - Michael and I are actually reading through this series together now, and he is devouring them.

The four books in the series are:

1. Dealing with Dragons
2. Searching for Dragons
3. Calling on Dragons
4. Talking with Dragons

16-20. The Dark is Rising Series (Over Sea, Under Stone)

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I haven't read this series in a LONG time, so I don't remember what age group it would be best for, but I read them at least a couple times as an older elementary schooler. This series is another fantasy series that is about some kids that go on adventures to fight the rise of evil forces.

The books are:

1. Over Sea, Under Stone
2. The Dark is Rising
3. Greenwitch
4. The Grey King
5. Silver on the Tree

21-27. Ramona Quimby series by Beverly Cleary
As is evidenced by the huge chunk of this list that's made up of her books, I am a huge fan of Beverly Cleary and have been since I was a really young kid (as in, as soon as I was reading chapter books I was reading her books). The Ramona series is about a little girl and her family and all the wacky things that happen to them (aka life!). Great for young kids.

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The books are, in order:

1. Beezus and Ramona
2. Ramona the Pest
3. Ramona the Brave
4. Ramona and her Father
5. Ramona and her Mother
6. Ramona Quimby, age 8
7. Ramona Forever
8. Ramona's World

28-33. Henry Huggins series by Beverly Cleary

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Another series by Beverly Cleary, this one is about a young boy and his adventures growing up. Also great for young kids, but older elementary school-aged kids would probably get more of the humor.

Books:

1. Henry Huggins
2. Henry and Beezus
3. Henry and Ribsy
4. Henry and the Paper Route
5. Henry and the Clubhouse
6. Ribsy

34-35. Ellen and Otis Series by Beverly Cleary
This 2-book series is great for young kids. It's about the antics of a mischievous boy and the problems of a well-behaved girl, how they don't get along and how they eventually make up.

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36-38. Ralph S. Mouse series by Beverly Cleary

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Super cute story about a talking mouse who befriends a boy, and his adventures.

The Series:

1. The Mouse and the Motorcycle
2. Runaway Ralph
3. Ralph S. Mouse

39. Mitch and Amy by Beverly Cleary

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This is a gem of a book that tells the story of twins in elementary school. Great for kids of all ages.

40. The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

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This messes up my list, because there are dozens of books in this series. These are easy-to-read mystery books for kids of all ages. 

41-47. Shadow Children series by Margaret Peterson Haddix

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Fantastic series (for older kids - probably middle school or older) about a future in which no one is allowed to have more than two children. 

The Books:

1. Among the Hidden 
2. Among the Impostors
3. Among the Betrayed
4. Among the Barons
5. Among the Brave
6. Among the Enemy
7. Among the Free

48. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

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This one is a classic for girls (and boys, really) of older elementary school age and older. I've read it several times - it's a twist on the Cinderella story about a girl who was cursed by an evil fairy with the curse of obedience. 

(P.S. Don't base your judgment of the book on the movie you may have seen - the book is way better!)

(P.P.S. Also, all of the princess books I've read by Ms. Levine are fabulous. I don't think I've read all of them though, which is why I don't list the rest here.)

49. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls 

This is one of the few dog books that I've actually enjoyed. It's about a boy and his two hunting dogs.

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50. Summer of the Monkeys, also by Wilson Rawls

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Hilarious book about a boy who, in an effort to earn a reward, tries to catch monkeys that had escaped from a circus. Good for kids who can handle hearing about alcohol (since there is an incident where the boy accidentally finds some alcohol and experiences the aftereffects).

51. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Oddly enough, this is one where the movie is, in my opinion, just as good as the book. I read this book in a single day as a middle schooler. 

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52. Holes by Louis Sachar

Awesome book about a boy who was sent to a youth detention center camp for a crime he didn't commit. Probably best for middle schoolers.

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53. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

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Classic. Good for girls (or boys) of all ages. It's about a little girl whose father goes away to war, leaving her at a boarding school where she has to cope without him.

54-60. The Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage

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So I have to clarify that I have only read through the first three or four of this series, because at the time I discovered them I was in the last couple semesters of college and ridiculously busy. However, they are hilarious and very fun reads, probably for kids 10 and up. 

The series:

1. Magyk
2. Flyte
3. Physik
4. Queste
5. Syren
6. Darke
7. Fyre

61-63. The Bartimaeus Sequence by Jonathan Stroud

This is an excellent fantasy trilogy for middle schoolers and older. Any description I give won't do it justice.

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The Series:

1. The Amulet of Samarkand
2. The Golem's Eye
3. Ptolemy's Gate

64-71. Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery

So admittedly, I haven't read the full series, probably because when I initially read the first few books in late elementary school I wasn't interested in reading about ancient married people... haha. But the ones I have read are awesome. It's about an orphan girl who has a quite rosy outlook on life, and her story after she is adopted by mistake. 

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Books:

1. Anne of Green Gables
2. Anne of Avonlea
3. Anne of the Island
4. Anne of Windy Poplars
5. Anne's House of Dreams
6. Anne of Ingleside
7. Rainbow Valley
8. Rilla of Ingleside

72. Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter

Classic story about a girl who is always playing the Glad Game. Great for older elementary school kids.

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73. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Fascinating fantasy/sci-fi book for middle schoolers & up - I've re-read it several times. It also has some sequels that I don't think I've read. 

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74-80. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

OK, so I'm a total Harry Potter geek, but this list just wouldn't be complete without these amazing books. Because of the dark nature of some of them, they probably are appropriate for high schoolers and older. 

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 Books:

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

81. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Awesome book - I remember enjoying it in middle school.

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82-84. Little Women Series by Louisa May Alcott

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Classic series about four sisters in 19th-century New England, and their coming-of-age and falling-in-love stories. The writing style is probably best understood by high schoolers (or precocious middle schoolers).

In the series:

1. Little Women
2. Little Men
3. Jo's Boys

85. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

This is an obvious classic, and one of my favorites. It's best for high schoolers, since the writing style is pretty heavy and younger kids probably won't pick up on some of the humor. Awesome book.

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OK folks, that's all I've got for you! I'm probably missing tons, but I'm pretty sure I covered most of my all-time favorites. What books would you recommend?