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
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?