Recommended Books for Young Readers

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Say you've spent the first 10 years of your life sleeping under the stairs of a family who loathes you. Then, in an absurd, magical twist of fate you find yourself surrounded by wizards, a caged snowy owl, a phoenix-feather wand, and jellybeans that come in every flavor, including strawberry, curry, grass, and sardine. Not only that, but you discover that you are a wizard yourself! This is exactly what happens to young Harry Potter in J.K. Rowling's enchanting, funny debut novel.
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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

It's hard to fall in love with an earnest, appealing young hero like Harry Potter and then to watch helplessly as he steps into terrible danger! And in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the much anticipated sequel to the award-winning Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, he is in terrible danger indeed.
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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

The third book in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series catapults into action when the young wizard "accidentally" causes the Dursleys' dreadful visitor Aunt Marge to inflate like a monstrous balloon and drift up to the ceiling. Fearing punishment from Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon (and from officials at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry who strictly forbid students to cast spells in the nonmagic world of Muggles), Harry lunges out into the darkness with his heavy trunk and his owl Hedwig.
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A Stranger Came Ashore : A Story of Suspense by Mollie Hunter

Twelve-year-old Robbie becomes convinced that the stranger befriended by his family is one of the Selkie Folk and tries to get help against his magical powers from the local wizard.
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A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

It was a wild, stormy night when the unearthly visitor arrived to change the lives of Meg, her small brother, Charles, and their scientist mother. A story about time travel and more. 1963 Newbery Medal winner.
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Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

In this classic novel, the friendship between young Jess and Leslie grows as they meet in Terabithia--their secret hiding place--and only ends with the tragic death of one of them.
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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, Joseph Schindelman (Illustrator)

Four nasty, repulsive children and one honest, loyal, and starving boy win a tour of the world's most fantastic chocolate factory from the world's most eccentric chocolatier.
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Charlotte's Web by E. B. White, Garth Williams (Illustrator)

E.B. White has created a classic children's tale of responsibility, courage, friendship and trust. Great for reading aloud to the whole family.
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Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary

In his letters to his favorite author, ten-year-old Leigh reveals his problems in coping with his parents' divorce, being the new boy in school, and generally finding his own place in the world.
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Dicey's Song by Cynthia Voigt

A young girl struggles to cope with her mother's mental illness and, at the same time, hold her troubled family together as they begin a new life with their grandmother in Chesapeake Bay country. Newbery Honor Book.
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From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg

When Claudia and Jamie plan to run away from home, they decide that the Metropolitan Museum of Art would be a very comfortable place to live. So they settle in and soon find themselves in the middle of a controversy over the authenticity of a new statue.
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Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks

What child wouldn’t love to have a plastic Indian that comes to life in a cupboard in his room. What’s more, this one has real friends and experiences to share!
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Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson

Sara Louise recalls her turbulent adolescence on Rass Island and her intense jealousy of her own twin sister with sensitivity and humor that all ages appreciate. 1991 Newbery Medal; ALA Notable Children's Book; ALA Best Book for Young Adults.
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Mandy (Reading Rainbow) by Julie Edwards

Lonely for a place of her own, a ten-year-old orphan creates a secret home in a deserted cottage. paperback

Maniac McGee by Jerry Spinelli

After his parents die, Jeffrey Lionel Magee's life becomes legendary as he accomplishes athletic feats and other extraordinary exploits that awe his contemporaries. 1991 Newbery Medal. 1990 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Fiction.
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Matilda by Roald Dahl

Classic from master storyteller Roald Dahl. Matilda applies her untapped mental powers to rid the school of the evil, child-hating headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, and restore her nice teacher, Miss Honey, to financial security.
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Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry

The determination of two youngsters to win a Chincoteague pony is greatly increased when the Phantom and her colt are among those rounded up for the yearly auction.
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Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C. O'Brien

Having no one to help her with her problems, a widowed mouse visits the rats whose former imprisonment in a laboratory made them wise and long lived.
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Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

When the Jews of Denmark are "relocated", Ellen moves in with her friend Annemarie Johansen and pretends to be one of the family. Soon Annemarie is asked to go on a dangerous mission to save Ellen's life. 1990 Newbery Medal recipient.
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Redwall by Brian Jacques

The first novel in a fantasy epic series with a mouse for a hero and a rat for a villain, that will keep Tolkein enthusiasts rivetted.
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Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

A black family living in the South during the 1930's are faced with prejudice and discrimination which their children don't understand.
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Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

When Papa's new wife, Sarah, arrives from Maine, the children begin to love her but fear that she will one day leave them.
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Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

A young boy saves a mistreated dog by facing down a bullying adult and standing on principles he knows are right - in the face of laws that may be wrong.
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The Cay by Theodore Taylor

When the freighter on which they are traveling is torpedoed by a German submarine during World War II, an adolescent white boy, blinded by a blow on the head, and an old West Indian sailor are stranded on a tiny Caribbean island.
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The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Edwards

Until Professor Savant told them about the Whangdoodles--the wise and magical creatures who disappeared to live apart from and forgotten by people--the Potter children led ordinary lives.
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The Pinballs by Betsy Cromer Byars

"Three unwanted kids--Pinballs, as wisecracking Carly dubs them--collide in a warm and caring foster home and learn to pin their hopes on each other."--School Library Journal. ALA Notable Children's Book; School Library Journal Best Books of 1977.
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Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

The Tuck family is confronted with an agonizing situation when they discover that a ten-year-old girl and a malicious stranger now share their secret about a spring whose water prevents one from ever growing any older.
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Walk Two Moons (Trophy Newbery) by Sharon Creech

While traveling from Ohio to Idaho with her eccentric grandparents to visit her mother, who left the year before and has never returned, thirteen-year-old Salamanca Hiddle tells them about her new friend, Phoebe Winterbottom, whose mother also left without explanation. 1995 Newbery Medal Winner.
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