10 Classics for Kids (That They’ll Actually Enjoy Reading)
by Melissa Taylor
Children’s classics are those dog-eared, note-filled books that young readers love, share, and remember for years to come. They’re books that compel thinking, rereading, relating, and enjoying. They’re books that endure for generations because of their universal themes.
I know what you might be thinking. No, classics are not boring. At least, they don’t have to be.
Though literary scholars may disagree with my layman’s definition of a classic book, the eleven classics listed here all share an important characteristic: they’re interesting to real readers!
At least one of these timeless stories is sure to pass muster with your young critic.
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For the Time Traveler:
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A Wrinkle in Time
Meg, along with her brother Charles Wallace and friend Calvin, travel through time to rescue her father who is being held on a distant planet by an evil presence known as “IT.” They meet up with a very interesting trio, named Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which along the way.
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For the Miniaturist:
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The Borrowers
A tiny family of borrowers are discovered when a boy “human bean” sees the daughter, Arrietty. Despite Arrietty’s friendship with the boy, the family is forced to leave their home to escape the cruel human housekeeper.
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For the Artist:
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Bridge to Terabithia
When Leslie ventures to the secret place of Terabithia in the woods she created with Jess, she’s tragically killed. Jess learns to cope with his grief through art, imagination, memories, and running.
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For the Animal Lover:
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Charlotte’s Web
In the barn on Zuckerman’s farm, little Wilbur the pig befriends Charlotte the spider. When Wilbur learns that he will be killed, Charlotte tries to save his life by writing messages in her web.
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For the Musician:
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The Cricket in Times Square
Mario’s parents own a failing newsstand in busy, noisy Times Square, New York City. With the help of his new musical best friend, Chester the cricket, Mario helps make the newsstand profitable.
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For the Observer:
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Harriet the Spy
Available from:Harriet is an observant tween who writes her observations and thoughts in a spy notebook. When her notebook is found and read by her classmates, Harriet becomes a social outcast, and learns hard lessons about friendship and telling the truth.
Also available from:
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For the History Buff:
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Little House on the Prairie
In the days of western expansion, journey with Laura Ingalls and her family as they travel from Wisconsin to Kansas in a covered wagon, and build their home on the prairie.
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For the Dreamer:
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
A magical wardrobe transports four siblings into another world, the world of Narnia, where an evil queen rules and it’s always winter. The children, along with their new talking animal friends, must destroy the queen to save Narnia for the true ruler, Aslan.
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For the Scientist:
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Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
Genetically modified, brilliant lab rats escape from their lab (NIMH) and build an advanced community under the rosebush on a farm. The rats race to help a field mouse named Mrs. Frisby who needs to move her sick child and her home before the farmer plows the field.
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For the Optimist:
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The Secret Garden
Available from:Mary is an ill-tempered orphan who now lives with her uncle and his sickly son, Colin, in an English manor. Mary discovers a locked-up garden, which transforms her heart and the hearts of those around her.
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