Book Reviews Kids-Classics!

I love to read, and returning to childhood memories for this book reviews kids-classics is great fun! Along with the public library, I’m a huge fan of independent book stores, including my favorite (which is right here in Denver), The Tattered Cover. Also check out   this list of independent bookstores. These books can be found online at all or most of these stores, including Barnes & Noble. I hope these book reviews Kids-Classics will help tremendously with gifts and book suggestions!

Here’s the basic key I will use when reviewing the plots:

Favorite is pretty self-explanatory -- the books so marked were my favorites as a child.

The pictures of the covers link to the book’s Powell's page. The titles link to The Tattered Cover or Barnes & Noble.

Anne of Green Gables , by L. M. Montgomery *

Anne finds a new home after years in orphanages and foster homes -- but her spunky personality still shines!
RT: Favorite because of Anne's sweet heart and feisty attitude -- she's a strong female role model for girls. The next two books in the series are also wonderful -- Anne of Avonlea and Anne of the Island.




Bunnicula, by James Howe (mild vegetable V)

When Chester meets the newest member of the family, a small bunny names Bunnicula, his imagination takes off as he tries to figure out how to get rid of the threat to his humans' love for him.
DWI: sibling rivalry
RT: Favorite because of the humor and fun -- plus, if you can get the version with illustrations by Alan Daniel, those add greatly to the humor!


Charlotte's Web, by E.B. White *

When Wilbur is headed for the chopping block, Charlotte, the barnyard spider, works to ensure he'll get to live.
RT: This is one of those books which every generation needs to read -- and I loved watching my son read it in class last year. He and the other kids so sympathized with Wilbur's plight (and laughed at Templeton) -- they were enthralled.


Babe: A Gallant Pig, by Dick King-Smith *

Babe discovers he has a talent for sheep-herding in this clever tale.
RT: I didn't discover this gem until I was already an adult -- but my students loved it! Since Smith is Australian, he does use 'bitch' regarding a female dog (which we had to explain to the kids).



The Lost Prince, by Frances Hodgson Burnett *

Although Marco and his father are exiled from their war-torn country, their loyalty never wavers as they seek the lost prince of Samavia, the only one who can bring peace to their home.
RT: Favorite because I love Marco and the Rat and their journey through Europe -- and the ending is perfect in every way. This is probably the least well-known Burnett book, but although I love A Little Princess and The Secret Garden, as well, Marco's story is my very favorite!

In Book Reviews Kids Classics, it's clear that all sub-genres existed back then, even though most people wouldn't have broken it down. Here are some books with various types of magic in them (all of which could fit into science fiction, fantasy, or paranormal today).

Linnets and Valerians , by Elizabeth Goudge *

When the four Linnet children run away from home, they find themselves at their uncle's house -- and soon meet the mysterious Valerians.
RT: Favorite because of the unique personalities of each of the Linnet children; plus, I love the sweet romance and innocent talk of English lore and magic.



The Forgotten Door , by Alexander Key

Little Jon slips through a door and falls into another world -- how will he find his way back home?
DWI: Why do humans treat foreign ideas/people differently?
RT: Favorite because Little Jon is another sweet, thoughtful character who continues to show compassion even when those around him do not. I also love Escape to Witch Mountain -- the book is truly so much better than either of the movies, and it might have been my most favorite childhood book.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone , by JK Rowling

Harry discovers he's not an ordinary person but rather a wizard...and a wizard who might be the only hope for the magical world.
DWI: Friendship; courage
RT: Favorite because of Harry's desire to do what's right even when he sees the tempations of the world around him. I love this entire series, and my son has just discovered it -- he's on book four right now, having devoured the other three (including Chamber of Secrets and Prisoner of Azkaban).

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe , by C.S. Lewis

When the Pevensie siblings discover the way into another hidden world through the wardrobe, they also discover adventure is not all it's cracked up to be.
DWI: family loyalty; making wise choices
RT: Favorite because of the forgiveness the siblings show Edmund and for his growth throughout the book. Plus, who wouldn't love Aslan?! (These can be found as a set just as easily as together: The Chronicles of Narnia.)

When I was a kid, my favorite reads (and rereads) were mysteries -- so I couldn't leave those out of Book Reviews Kids Classics!

The Mystery of the Golden Horn, by Phyllis Whitney

Vicki Stewart travels to Turkey and while staying there, befriends a strange and troubled girl who insists that the key to Vicki's destiny lies with the golden horn -- and then gets them trapped in a fortress where they must find their way out.
DWI: compassion; seeking to understand others
RT: I read many of Phyllis Whitney's mysteries when I was young, and although all of them had the sulky, selfish secondary character, I always enjoyed the settings and the clever way in which the mysteries were solved...plus, the main characters always seem to win the others over, in the end. Besides this one, I enjoye many of her other mysteries, including The Mystery of the Green Cat.

The Case of the Baker Street Irregular, by Robert Newman *

When Andrew's tutor is kidnapped in London, Andrew seeks out Sherlock Holmes for help and discovers a friend named Sara along the way.
RT: This is one of four books by Newman about Andrew and Sara, and I very much enjoyed all of them as a girl. I liked the mysteries themselves, the settings, and the frienship between Andrew and Sara.

Family stories also belong here at Book Reviews Kids Classics, and these are just a couple of those which touched my heart as a child. I'll continue to update, of course.

Meet the Austins , by Madeleine L'Engle *

Vicki deals with the trials of adolescence and her large family (including an orphan who is staying with them).
RT: Favorite because I so identified with Vicki when I was an early teen/pre-teen -- plus, I love all the classical music references. Of course, even more well-known is L'Engle's trilogy, A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, and A Swiftly Tilting Planet -- all of which I also love and would recommend to any elementary aged child (and older).

Sarah Plain and Tall , by Patricia MacLachlan *