Happy International Children’s Book Day!

I have loved reading my entire life. From the moment I learned how, I haven't stopped. Both of my parents are avid readers, and they definitely passed it on to all three of their children. In honor of International Children’s Book Day, I want to share with you some of my absolute favorite books that I read from elementary to middle school.

Have you read any of the books listed? What was the first book you ever remember reading?

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

First Published: September 1, 1990

Historical Fiction | Young Adult | Middle Grade | Adventure

An ocean voyage of unimaginable consequences... Not every thirteen-year-old girl is accused of murder, brought to trial, and found guilty. But I was just such a girl, and my story is worth relating even if it did happen years ago. Be warned, however: If strong ideas and action offend you, read no more. Find another companion to share your idle hours. For my part I intend to tell the truth as I lived it.

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

First Published: January 1, 1975

Fantasy | Young Adult | Middle Grade | Romance

Doomed to - or blessed with - eternal life after drinking from a magic spring, the Tuck family wanders about trying to live as inconspicuously and comfortably as they can. When ten-year-old Winnie Foster stumbles on their secret, the Tucks take her home and explain why living forever at one age is less a blessing that it might seem. Complications arise when Winnie is followed by a stranger who wants to market the spring water for a fortune.

Nightmare Mountain by Peg Kehret

First Published: January 1, 1989

Realistic Fiction | Young Adult | Middle Grade | Adventure

As soon as Molly arrives at her aunt and uncle's ranch in rural Washington, things start to go very wrong. Her cousin hates her on sight. Her aunt falls into a mysterious coma. Then, left alone on the huge property, Molly and her cousin discover an intruder lurking in the barn! Armed and desperate, he drags them to the top of a nearby mountain--and triggers an avalanche with a gunshot. Can they make it down the mountain alive?

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

First Published: August 25, 1999

Mystery | Adventure | Middle Grade | Young Adult

If you have not read anything about the Baudelaire orphans, then before you read even one more sentence, you should know this: Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are kindhearted and quick-witted, but their lives are filled with bad luck and misery. All of the stories about these three children are unhappy and wretched and will most likely fill you with deep despair.

Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan

First Published: January 1, 2000

Fantasy | Horror | Middle Grade | Young Adult

Darren Shan and his best friend, Steve, get tickets to the Cirque Du Freak, a wonderfully gothic freak show featuring weird, frightening half human/half animals who interact terrifyingly with the audience. In the midst of the excitement, true terror raises its head when Steve recognizes that one of the performers-- Mr. Crepsley-- is a vampire!

Steve remains after the show finishes to confront the vampire-- but his motives are surprising! In the shadows of a crumbling theater, a horrified Darren eavesdrops on his friend and the vampire, and is witness to a monstrous, disturbing plea. As if by destiny, Darren is pulled to Mr. Crepsley and what follows is his horrifying descent into the dark and bloody world of vampires.

This is Darren's story.

Bunnicula by Deborah and James Howe

First Published: March 1, 1979

Fantasy | Horror | Humor | Children's

Bunnicula is a children's book series written by James Howe (and his late wife Deborah in the case of the first book, "Bunnicula") about a vampire bunny that sucks the juice out of vegetables.

The story is centered on the Monroe family and their pets and is told from the perspective of their dog Harold. The Monroes find a bunny at the theater where they were watching a Dracula film. Because of this, they name him Bunnicula. Their cat Chester, however, is convinced Bunnicula is a vampire and attempts to get Harold to help save the Monroes from the perceived menace.

Ramona Quimby by Beverly Cleary

First Published: July 1, 1955

Realistic Fiction | Humor | Young Adult | Middle Grade

Nine-year-old Beezus Quimby has her hands full with her little sister, Ramona. Sure, other people have little sisters that bother them sometimes, but is there anyone in the world like Ramona? Whether she's taking one bite out of every apple in a box or secretly inviting 15 other 4-year-olds to the house for a party, Ramona is always making trouble--and getting all the attention. Every big sister can relate to the trials and tribulations Beezus must endure. Old enough to be expected to take responsibility for her little sister, yet young enough to be mortified by every embarrassing plight the precocious preschooler gets them into, Beezus is constantly struggling with her mixed-up feelings about the exasperating Ramona.

Stellaluna by Janell Canon

First Published: April 30, 1993

Children's | Family | Animals | Picture Books

Stellaluna is the tender story of a lost young bat who finally finds her way safely home to her mother and friends. This award-winning book by Janell Cannon has sold over 500,000 copies and was on the bestseller list for more than two years.

Little Critter by Mercer Mayer

First Published: January 1, 1975

Children's | Family | Animals | Picture Book

Little Critter is trying his best to be a help to his mother in this classic, funny, and heartwarming book.

Whether he's trying to make breakfast, mow the lawn, or carry the groceries, both parents and children alike will cheerfully relate to this beloved story.

Mercer Mayer's Little Critter stories, which address all the major issues of growing up, are perennial favorites to generations of readers of all ages.

Into the Land of Unicorns by Bruce Coville

First Published: January 1, 1994

Fantasy | Adventure | Middle Grade | Young Adult

One unicorn dwells on Earth.

Hundreds fight in Luster.

Their legends are recorded in

THE UNICORN CHRONICLES

Into the Land of the Unicorns

As each chime sounds, Cara climbs faster up the steep bell tower. Eleven! She must be on the roof when the next bell tolls. Twelve! With a deep breath, and only half believing she will survive, Cara jumps off the church roof and into Luster, land of the unicorns.

In Luster, Cara meets many wonderful creatures, but the most magnificent of all is Lightfoot, a rebellious young unicorn. Cara's band of friends comes to include a hairy creature named the Dimblethum and the monekey-like Squijim. Together, they set out to reach the Unicorn Queen before the mysterious man who is following them does - to prevent the destruction of all unicorns forever.

Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech

First Published: January 1, 1997

Coming of Age | Adventure | Young Adult | Middle Grade

To Zinny Taylor, life is like trying to untangle spaghetti—she needs to escape the chaos of her family. So when she finds a long-forgotten trail in the wild woods near her home, she resolves to follow it. It's a journey that leads her to unravel the dark secrets of her aunt's life—and her own. And while Zinny chases ghosts in the woods, gorgeous Jake Boone is determined to chase her...

The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

First Published: June 1, 1989

Mystery | Adventure | Middle Grade | Young Adult

The Aldens begin their adventure by making a home in a boxcar. Their goal is to stay together, and in the process they find a grandfather.

Holes by Louis Sachar

First Published: August 20, 1998

Mystery | Adventure | Middle Grade | Young Adult

Stanley Yelnats is under a curse. A curse that began with his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather and has since followed generations of Yelnats. Now Stanley has been unjustly sent to a boys’ detention center, Camp Green Lake, where the boys build character by spending all day, every day digging holes exactly five feet wide and five feet deep. There is no lake at Camp Green Lake. But there are an awful lot of holes.

It doesn’t take long for Stanley to realize there’s more than character improvement going on at Camp Green Lake. The boys are digging holes because the warden is looking for something. But what could be buried under a dried-up lake? Stanley tries to dig up the truth in this inventive and darkly humorous tale of crime and punishment—and redemption.

The Royal Diaries: Anastasia: The Last Duchess, Russia, 1914 by Carolyn Meyer

First Published: September 1, 2000

Historical Fiction | Middle Grade | Young Adult

Award-winning author Carolyn Meyer introduces readers to the unforgettable Anastasia Romanov whose idyllic life is forever changed with the coming of World War I.

Kat the Time Explorer by Emma Bradford

First Published: August 1, 1998

Action | Adventure | Middle Grade | Young Adult

Stranded in Victorian England, Kat tries to locate the inventor who can restore her time machine and send her home.

(Yes, I had and still have the accompanying doll with both her pink party dress and her burgundy traveling suit.)

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