I always loved reading and sprinted like a mad person when we had the chance to go to the library. I starting thinking last night about some of my favorites and decided to compile a little listy-loo. No, most of these aren’t Shakespeare, but I loved them :) Listed in no particular order:

1. The Doll in the Garden by Mary Downing Hahn

I checked this book out more times than I can count.  It just captured my third grade imagination and I loved it.  Mary Downing Hahn actually came to my little sister’s elementary school and she got it autographed for me.  It’s sitting on my bookshelf in my classroom because I love showing it to my third graders now.

2.  Fear Street Series by R.L. Stine

I loved all of these books when I was in Jr. High school.  I never really got into the Goosebumps, but my students now like them, so I’ve got quite a few in my classroom library.  They just had a great sense of mystery and I was all into that back in the day. :)

 3.  The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks

Teeny toy Indians come to life.  ‘Nuff said.

4.  Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

This little book of poetry got checked out more times than any book I’ve seen when I was younger.  It was a staple in the classroom and I was super quick to get a copy for mine when I became a teacher.  It’s a mixture of funny, rhymes, and everything children’s poetry should be. 

5.  Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sacher

Loved, loved, loved this book!!  I laughed out loud at it’s quirky stories about a school that was built straight up instead of one level, like it was supposed to be.  The tales of the crazy teachers and weird kids was still relatable and fun.  If you haven’t read this one, you really should.

Other favorites:

Sarah, Plain, and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr

Babysitter’s Club by Ann Martin  <—Totally made kid-kits to take with me babysitting because of these.

What are some of your favorites?