The next 10 books in the list are out today and this puts us in the Top 50. I have a feeling my thoughts on the books to come will be extreme one or way another. Though there are a couple today I could take or leave. As always I have linked to Betsy's posts at Fuse 8.
50. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
This is an excellent book in so many ways. It is a book that introduces children to the concept of the Holocaust without throwing the full horror of it at them. The main themes of the story are friendship and family, both of which children identify with. Also, and this is key from a teacher's view, it is short enough to include as part of a history unit.
49. My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
Cute and fun. This is an excellent book for kids who are crossing over from early readers to chapter books. It has to be given to a child at exactly the right time.
48. The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
I have a fondness for The Series of Unfortunate Events because of how much circulation they got in my classroom. They were always being read, and they were perfect for those students who wanted to be seen reading a popular series but couldn't quite tackle Harry Potter yet. Personally I was never that taken with the books and never read past book three.
47. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
I loved this book growing up. I wore out more than one copy and reread it at least once a year all the way into high school. I still love it. I have always had issues with the end, but the way I wished it ended has changed over the years as I've grown up.
46. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
I had a friend who loved this book. I tried to read it when we were in sixth grade and was bored out of my mind. It still causes me to feel like I would rather be doing anything else whenever I see it. Needless to say I haven't attempted to read it again.
45. The Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
A well meaning teacher made me read this. The same teacher who made me read My Side of the Mountain. She must have loved stories about surviving while communing with nature. I don't.
44. Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt
Of all the recently published books to make the list this one makes me the happiest. I love Doug's voice, his hope, everything about his story. (My review.)
43. Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson
I loved this book as a middle schooler. As an adult there are elements of it that seriously creep me out.
42. Gone Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright
I read this book when I was in elementary school. I never reread it and have very little memory of it.
41. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Frank L. Baum
I am forever indebted to this book for being the source material used for Wicked. Other than that I have no use for it.
50. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
This is an excellent book in so many ways. It is a book that introduces children to the concept of the Holocaust without throwing the full horror of it at them. The main themes of the story are friendship and family, both of which children identify with. Also, and this is key from a teacher's view, it is short enough to include as part of a history unit.
49. My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
Cute and fun. This is an excellent book for kids who are crossing over from early readers to chapter books. It has to be given to a child at exactly the right time.
48. The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
I have a fondness for The Series of Unfortunate Events because of how much circulation they got in my classroom. They were always being read, and they were perfect for those students who wanted to be seen reading a popular series but couldn't quite tackle Harry Potter yet. Personally I was never that taken with the books and never read past book three.
47. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
I loved this book growing up. I wore out more than one copy and reread it at least once a year all the way into high school. I still love it. I have always had issues with the end, but the way I wished it ended has changed over the years as I've grown up.
46. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
I had a friend who loved this book. I tried to read it when we were in sixth grade and was bored out of my mind. It still causes me to feel like I would rather be doing anything else whenever I see it. Needless to say I haven't attempted to read it again.
45. The Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
A well meaning teacher made me read this. The same teacher who made me read My Side of the Mountain. She must have loved stories about surviving while communing with nature. I don't.
44. Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt
Of all the recently published books to make the list this one makes me the happiest. I love Doug's voice, his hope, everything about his story. (My review.)
43. Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson
I loved this book as a middle schooler. As an adult there are elements of it that seriously creep me out.
42. Gone Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright
I read this book when I was in elementary school. I never reread it and have very little memory of it.
41. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Frank L. Baum
I am forever indebted to this book for being the source material used for Wicked. Other than that I have no use for it.
Comments
When I was little I wanted Jo and Laurie together and it made me so mad that Amy got him. And the old German guy=ewwww. Me in high school and beyond realized Jo and Laurie as they were together would be a disaster and thought it would be best if Jo remained single. Why did she have to get married???? Old German guy=still ewwwww. Interestingly I read somewhere recently (but can't find source so don't know if it's certain) that Louisa May Alcott actually wanted Jo to remain single but the fan girls were so insistent she get married, and Alcott was so insistent that it not be Laurie that German guy was created.