Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. I love this topic! I had a lot of difficulty picking out 10, though. I went with the ones that stand out in my memory today, and I decided to stick with middle-grade fiction and skip the picture books and the YA. Ask me tomorrow, and I’ll probably give you a different set.
Except Phantom Tollbooth will still be on it. Always.
Top Ten Childhood Favorites
Ozma of Oz by L. Frank Baum
In elementary school, we went to the school library once a week. My closest friend, D*, and I raced each other through this whole series. I remember having a big discussion with the Librarian to convince her I would, in fact, read more than one book over the course of the week before she would let me check out two books.
I loved the whole series, but Ozma is the one that stands out in my memory. It’s that whole scene with the Nome King.
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
I worked my way through just about all of Blume’s books as a kid (Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great is also a stand-out memory). Growing up in the suburbs, I wanted more than anything to live in a Big City. I was fascinated by Peter’s New York City life.
Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary
I loved all the Ramona books. As an older sister myself, though, I always had a certain sympathy for Beezus (and Judy Blume’s young Peter Hatcher). Ramona and her Father was also a favorite in the series. I remember reading that one during the summer at my grandparents’ house. I wanted to make coffee can stilts like Ramona and Howie. My Grandpa went one better and made me a set of wooden stilts instead.
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
Ah, Harriet. Always observing, writing down everything in that little notebook. Since I was a rule-following sort of kid, I got a vicarious thrill from Harriet’s sneaking into Mrs. Plummer’s house via the dumbwaiter. (And, for that matter, I learned what a dumbwaiter was.)
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
What can I say about my very favorite children’s book? From King Azaz the Unabridged to the Princesses Rhyme and Reason and everything in between, I enjoy Milo’s adventure more every time I return to it.
And any time I hear the phrase “killing time”, I think of Tock the Watchdog.
Lottie and Lisa by Erich Kastner
This is the book that inspired the movie The Parent Trap, but I didn’t know that when I first read it. I stumbled on it in the library because I was looking for books about kids going to summer camp. The story of twins trading places was a bonus.
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
What bookish kid didn’t fantasize about running away to the museum after reading this one?
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
The books in this trilogy were the topic of many playground discussions with D*. I’d like to reread this one sometime soon.
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald
She could solve any problem with some clever reverse psychology. I still want to visit her upside-down house.
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
I’m not sure I ever actually read all the books in the series, but I loved this one. Wendy McClure’s Wilder Life is on my TBR list. I think it’ll be interesting to revisit Wilder’s books from my adult perspective.
What are your top 10?
