I’m not great at many things, but I was a voracious reader as a child. My family can vouch, but I’ll just say that what you’re thinking of as a lot…probably doesn’t come close. If it helps at all, my mom thought I was autistic until I was six because I didn’t talk and only read and played with snakes. Some of these are well-known classics, others aren’t. Each of them touched me deeply and instilled in me a passion for storytelling. I hope any parents reading this might get some new ideas on what to show their lil’uns! Here we go buckaroos.

• Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles
  • This was my very favorite novel for years. Based in Mississippi, this is one of the most hard-hitting coming of age stories I’ve ever come across. Be prepared for tears.
• Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
  • This is an undisputed classic, but it earned that status for good reason. Have you ever read a story so heartwarming?? So human? Goodness I love this one.
• Big Red by Jim Kjelgaard
  • Move over Call of the Wild, Big Red was my JAM. For the more adventure-y types, try this. Especially if they love dogs.
• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
  • This is probably where my love of philosophy started. This one can go as deep as you’re prepared to go with it, and even on the surface it’s one of the most entertaining reads ever. A must read.
• Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
  • This was one of my first favorites, and there’s more than one book in the series! I just adored it, and I think any animal lover would.
• Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
  • I mean…come on. If you haven’t read this yet and you’re an adult, just do it. Please. For me.
• Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry
  • Okay clearly I had a thing for horses, but this one is so magical.
• Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
  • Another classic so renowned I don’t even need to give it a blurb.
• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle
  • I mean this is now just a list of classics. I read this entire series.
• The BFG by Roald Dahl
  • I would be remiss not to add a Roald Dahl pick here. This book reminds me of my childhood maybe more than any other. My favorite of all his novels. There I said it.
• Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
  • Reading this was the first time I was truly shaken to my core by a book. It’s so, so good.

I’ll add to this list as I come across them in my bookshelf (these are just the ones from memory).