Classics
“Classics,” you say, narrowing your eyes and looking
skeptical. “Aren’t those old, dusty, musty books that you’re
supposed to read and feel guilty if you don’t?” For some people,
that’s true, but mostly, classics are simply books that continue to
be read and enjoyed year after year, books with lasting appeal and
literary worthiness.When I set out to compile a classics list of children’s books for READKIDDOREAD, I had to clarify what I considered a classic to be. Classically, a classic book is one that is more than 100 years old and still in print. That was far too limiting. My goal was to pull together a collection of tried-and-true page-turners, ranging from vintage favorites to recent (but not brand new) blockbusters. Some children’s books are instant classics the day they’re published (as in Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak or Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White). Others take longer to find their audience or need a settling in period before we know if they’re going to stick around and continue to be read and loved. I decided a decade is enough time to recognize if a children’s book has staying power.
All of the books on the following classics lists are compelling stories, told in startling or unique or inspiring ways. Some break new ground; others make the same old thing feel fresh and original. They range from historical to hysterical, contemporary to fantastical, and every genre in-between. They include read-alouds and read-alones for all ages, birth through teen, and are most certainly books kids will sit still for and books every parent, teacher, and librarian should know. They're enduring books children will read over and over and keep in their hearts to pass along to their own children someday.
I sorted my list into the following seven categories:
GREAT CLASSIC ILLUSTRATED BOOKS
FICTION BOOKS: FANTASY AND OTHER WORDS
FICTION BOOKS: REAL WORLD FICTION
FICTION BOOKS: ACTION / ADVENTURE / MYSTERY
FICTION BOOKS: THE ANTIQUES
JUST THE FACTS: NONFICTION CLASSICS
POETRY AND FOLKLORE COLLECTION CLASSICS
I’ve tried to list the publisher and the date, including the original copyright date, for hardbound editions, when they are still in print, but most of these books are also available in paperback. Let us know which of your favorites were included or left off. Have your children put together their own lists of classics. Teachers and librarians, don’t forget to post these lists on a bulletin board for all to pore over, discuss, and find great new books to read.
Children’s fiction is such a wide-ranging and sumptuous field, covering many genres, styles, themes, and interests. Parents and teachers say, “But which ones are the classic books?” They want their kids to read books that matter. While every book your kids read does not need to be a classic, you and they will find the books on this list satisfying, unforgettable, life-affirming, and even life-changing in many ways.
All were published a minimum of ten years ago, and all are books that reviewers, teachers, librarians, and parents have found worthy. Best of all, kids love them, too. It’s true that some children gravitate to a comfortable passion—animal fantasies or problem novels or a particular series. We need to introduce them to a wide range of titles so they develop more varied and eclectic tastes, taking chances on books that are out of their comfort range sometimes.
The 130 titles on our list of classic fiction books have been slotted into the same three categories we use for our book reviews on READKIDDOREAD:
FANTASY AND OTHER WORDS
REAL WORLD FICTION
ACTION / ADVENTURE / MYSTERY
I then added one more category for the antiques—the most traditional of the classics, all dating back a minimum of 60 years, many of them originally written for an adult audience, but which older children and teens also read:
FICTION BOOKS: THE ANTIQUES
For memorable fiction titles of the past decade, many of which are classics-in-the-making, check the fiction book reviews on READKIDDOREAD. Also consider the list of winners of the Newbery Medal, established in 1922, which is awarded annually by the Association of Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association to “the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.” For the complete list, go to:
www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberymedal.cfm
For young adult books, look up the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature, established in 2000 and sponsored by Booklist, a publication of the American Library Association. For the complete list, go to: www.ala.org/yalsa/printz.
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