This post has updated information, below!
Do you know this “eat this, not that” series of books? The idea is to help you make good choices in food and drink to avoid hidden calories that will tank your health. Well, Rosie had the thought that we could do something similar with books for the Library Project*.
I am concerned when I see reading lists out there for children, that a lot of them have books from a 20-year time period — that is to say, from now. And they are about “now” — about kids “like you” — only, how does that work? Could it sometimes work that a child reading these stories acts more like the child in the stories… who are supposed to be just like him? Maybe that's not such a good thing. Modeling behavior that reflects your own behavior will tend to spiral downwards, behavior-wise. We don't want that.
And then, not only do we want our children to read good books, we want them to know how to find good books on their own.
Call it a “lost tool of learning” — the skill of being able to find things to read on one's own.
Truly, this was one purpose of the public library: to allow the reader to follow his nose. Sadly, unless your library is old and too poor to have purged its stacks, you probably can't trust it enough to let your child loose in it.
(Teaching children to be active about finding what they are interested in is another reason I highly recommend the Bobbs-Merrill readers, old as they are. Many of the selections have, in the “assignment” section, suggestions for looking things up in the library. You will find that they are so helpful for getting your child to learn to look things up in the library and go on a hunt of his own.)
And that is why I do recommend having more books, actual, physical books, in your home than you are necessarily reading at the moment, even if it goes against your minimalist tendencies, and even if you do have good reading on the Kindle. It has to do with exposure, and a sort of externalizing of the list — putting it out there where it can be seen, handled, explored, and even abandoned for the moment.
The other day I got down a couple of boxes I had stowed in the attic. And so I came across these books again:
They are called Best in Children's Books, published by Doubleday. They are out of print, but you can get them for pretty cheap ($5 or so including shipping). You can probably find them at book sales. You could get them one by one and it would be like having a hard-cover literary magazine for your children, delivered! You can find a whole list of them, in order, here.
Each book has a fantastic assortment of poetry, tales, history, and geography. The illustrations are charming. There's something for each age level, which I endorse, because not only does it challenge the slower/younger reader to do more, but it allows the faster/older reader to linger on material that might still offer something for his development. And then, there's always the possibility that your older child will read something to the younger ones!
If your child finds a story he likes, why, you can help him find more of the same author.
#I've updated (with bold #s) the section below with some changes and cautions. These books, below, are good ones. Yet, a couple do contain some objectionable content that I need to point out to you. Some books are just not worth the trouble they cause — this is how this series-within-a-series got started in the first place: I was impatient with a book that looked good but the content of which just didn't make its flaws possible to overlook. (You can read that post here.)
But there are books on the “1000 Good Books” list — both the official one from John Senior and the unofficial one we are compiling here, leaning on his strong arm — that are good reads but not without issues. But I need to be consistent, and I know you trust me! (Or if you don't, please bring your thoughts to my attention!)
It gets trickier, however, as children get older. Just think of the themes in Shakespeare! Think of Les Misérables! Think of Quo Vadis! (I write more about this issue of worldly themes in that post.) I think we can agree that having “themes” doesn't automatically mean that a book “glorifies” them; yet, in some books, certain episodes can be problematic.
Your standards may be different from mine — certainly our tastes are different and our children are different as to what will cause them trouble. Each parent has to take all these things into account — it's especially up to the parent to be able to discern what's best for his own children.
I am not of the camp that thinks a child must be given a whitewashed version of life in art, because what will surely happen is that we'll have to make up some sort of pretendy literature for them, which is counterproductive to education (in the broad sense). Children need to read real books — that is, books written honestly for their audience, not out of pedagogy, even if the result is imperfect. I mean, most books are not perfect! The list of those is very short. What differentiates an imperfect yet readable book from a book to be simply avoided, in my opinion, is not a matter that is susceptible to a scientific formula. And that makes it difficult for us to recommend books to each other with certainty.
The best books make a world for us to inhabit. Even lesser books do this well. For example, I've stated my issues with Harry Potter (various places but most recently in the comments of that same post), but the fact is, it's a world of delight that no pedantry can destroy, and it's precisely the magic that makes it so, because the magic is the rules of that world.
I'll tell you the ways the books I recommend below might be flawed, but in the end, I do think that the world they offer is worth the caution that you, the parent, need to exercise when choosing your library. I will do my best to give you the information I have. And I really appreciate the comments that alert me, where I have not been aware of difficulties.#
I also want to be sure to mention some other authors for your older, more voracious readers, both boys and girls, although perhaps the boys will enjoy the first ones more:
- C. S. Forester, the Horatio Hornblower series. High adventure featuring a boy who has to work with his unhardened youth and essential sensitivity to survive in a man's world. The TV shows were very good as well, but of course, read the books first. #This series satisfies the adventure-craving reader; so much so that although there are a few places where Horatio's conduct is less than moral, and one place in particular where it is downright immoral, most reviewers don't really remember about those parts. But of course, we have to be alert, and thanks to a comment, I realized that I need to tell you just to skip Flying Colours (#3 in the series, although the events take place further along the internal timeline), in which there occurs an episode where Horatio commits adultery. The scene is a bit lurid for the standards that we want for our children. (If you want to ascertain for yourself, it occurs at the end of Chapter 9 and the beginning of Chapter 10.) The series can be read without this book. Until you read them for yourself, also skip Ship of the Line and Lord Hornblower. I will say, however, that this series, besides skillfully depicting that world we would know nothing about without the author's imagination guiding us, helps the growing boy address the issue of fear. Horatio's adventures center around his fears and his courage in overcoming them. For that reason, I think these books are worth the read and will be loved by your sons — and again, Horatio's weakness around women — and the failure of Forester to resolve it — does seem to go right over their heads.#
- Alexandre Dumas, The Three Musketeers and its sequels. Robert Louis Stevenson loved this book, and why not? Adventure, romance, friendship, swashbuckling swordplay! The only thing to prevent a young person from adoring this book is the first page. Just tell him to keep at it. #Again, this is a world — the Musketeers are not stellar people! They gamble, they fight. It would be fine to read an abridged version.#
- Baroness Orczy, The Scarlet Pimpernel. A romantic and adventurous tale of hidden identity set during the French Revolution.
- Also by Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo. Nothing, nothing can compare with the beginning of this book, with its tale of unjust imprisonment and impossible escape. #Have you ever seen the movie Shawshank Redemption? I would say that the first part of Monte Cristo is even more heart-rending and exciting than that.# Even though the second part of the book doesn't quite live up to the first, it's a story well worth reading. Kind of the ultimate beach book, going on and on… #Does this book glorify some bad behavior? Well, not glorify. Bad behavior occurs — most notably, the Count is motivated entirely by revenge, which is hardly a Christian virtue. He's not a person to emulate in this regard. However, at the end of the book, he definitely has a crisis of conscience. He movingly questions the cost he has incurred in pursuing his goal of retribution. I'm not sure that this denouement absolutely redeems the vast quantity of revenge he has indulged in, but it must suffice.#
Don't get abridgments, by the way. The whole point is to keep them reading! #I will modify this to say that abridgements of the Dumas books will probably be fine and take care of objectionable content.#
Kristin says
I really enjoy these posts! We recently finished reading the Noisy Village books, and we’ve started Five Children and It. My children (7 and 4) are enjoying every page, and they are great summer reads. Please keep the recommendations coming!
Lisa says
My nearly 12 year old sometimes requests a visit back to Noisy Village. Such sweet books.
Dianna says
One use of children’s abridgements is that it can be a bridge to read “the real thing” – that’s how I got started reading myself.
Dumas Pere wrote the Three Musketeers as well, just to clarify. There are sequels to it; the last of which is The Man in the Iron Mask. The others are a bit of a hard sell. One thing I would warn is that full Counte of Monte Cristo is a slog – the “grown up” abridgment (silver Bantam paperback) doesn’t miss too much of the plot but makes it less obvious Dumas was paid by the word (why hello totally unnecessary second to last chapter spoiling the build up to the end!) His son (Dumas fils) wrote Camille.
Robert Louis Stevenson also wrote so much more than just Treasure Island: Kidnapped has a great depiction of friendship (and has a sequel!) and The Black Arrow is good as well. I’m also a fan of Jules Verne: 20,000 Leagues under the Sea and Around the World in 80 Days being my favorites.
I’ve mixed feelings about Hornblower: I think they’re fine, but the Aubrey-Maturin novels are much deeper – let’s say around 14 though as a starting age. And with an excellent movie too! A naval novel for the slightly younger set is Kipling’: Captain Courageous which is a wonderful story of a rich spoilt boy learning about what money cannot buy. And younger still, about 8-9, kids can enjoy Carry Own Mr. Bowditch (partly good for those interested in math).
I look back at these and think that while they were “boy” books they taught so many good lessons on friendship, hard work, and ingenuity. And excitement, of course. It’s hard for me to think of an equivalent “girls” literature I read at the same age (9-14) sadly enough. I hit Jane Austrn a smudge latter.
Leila says
I’m always so confused about the Dumas guys. I will update.
Elizabeth says
I have a question about “the Dumas guys”. 🙂 I read a review by a conservative Christian blogger at one point who basically said these books shouldn’t be read by Christians, because they glorify adulterous affairs and illicit drug use, and “literature” should be about “the good, the true and the beautiful”…so these books don’t qualify. I wish I could remember more of his argument. I wonder what you would say to that? I was a bit taken aback, to say the least.
Dixie says
There’s “The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle” by Avi, an exciting nautical adventure story for girls 9-12 or so.
Some other adventure-y tales for girls that age that come to mind: “Caddie Woodlawn,” the Anne of Green Gables series (getting into “scrapes”), “Bread and Roses, Too,” “Island of the Blue Dolphins.”
Melissa D says
I loved Hornblower and love love love the Aubrey-Maturin novels as well. (BTW there is also some adultery in the latter.)
So odd how modern writers uncouple the ideas of continence and chastity from other virtues like bravery, etc., when they’re far more intertwined than you’d ever know from the writing of the last 50 years…
Carol Kennedy says
By the way, I found a lot of the Best in Children’s Books on etsy!
Calee at Xist Publishing says
Thank you so much for this series. Believe it or not– your suggestions have changed our family’s life. Among other things, my company now publishes beautiful ebook versions of the classics, and coloring books based on quotes from classic books. My personal favorite features Anne of Green Gables: https://www.amazon.com/Anne-Green-Gables-Quotes-Color/dp/1532400004
I’ve read your blog since I needed help with laundry when my second child was born 6 years ago. Thank you so much. I had forgotten about so many great classic books and I’m now proud to share them with my children and with so many others!
Becky says
I often mention this on book posts, but I have found the site bookfinder.com to be amazing for finding used books at a good price. The prices listed INCLUDE shipping, and I can usually find what I am searching for under $5…often even under $3! Hope someone else out there finds this helpful…
Caitlin says
I will! Thank you!!
Christina A says
I hadn’t heard of bookfinder, but I use dealoz.com all the time.
Cathy says
Oh my goodness, I loved those books! That inside cover from the “Best in Children’s Books” is like seeing a photo of an old friend. And yes the illustrations were a big part of their appeal. Just seeing it again evokes the same feeling I remember as a child of being drawn into the riches that was contained in each book. Thank you!
Amy says
Thank you for sharing, I always enjoy your book posts. We have enjoyed Children of Noisy Village and the book about the children who use magic (I forget what it is called just now). In fact, I think besides the Boxcar Children, those are the two books my youngest son requests to read again most often.
Can I ask your advice, on paper and in my mind homeschooling should be able to operate so smoothly and wonderfully in my home. But when we get to the doing of it, well, we have just finished a year that was very difficult. My oldest is entering seventh grade, my middle will be third grade, and my sweet baby is two. We struggled with attitudes on a daily basis (of not wanting to work or cooperate with mom), I was usually not able to complete a full day’s work with them (babies and toddlers require
Mama’s care too), and most days I felt fried and frazzled and just able to barely keep the laundry and meals going. It felt exhausting. And defeating. To the point that I question whether I can realistically do it again. But now it is summer and we have taken a bit of a break and I think to myself, well, if I try this or that, and do some things differently, maybe we will have an easier go at it…it’s the idea that it looks wonderful on paper, and I recognize it as a high ideal I’m not sure is achievable. Do you have any advice? Or perhaps you have written about this already?
-Amy
NY Mom says
Amy, is the 7th grader a boy?
Amy says
Yes, I have the two boys and a little girl.
Leila says
Dear Amy,
I do have lots of posts on this topic, as this is sort of the underlying idea of the blog. Have you looked at the “education” posts? Poke around there and see what you think. Look on the menu bar — under “children” — order and wonder.
Amy says
😊. Thanks you so much. I figured there was lots in here, I just didn’t know where to look.
Kathy@9Peas says
As always Leila, you provide such wonderful recommendations and charming books I remember from my childhood. My grandmother had a cabinet full of old books. I loved our Sunday’s over there, after playing with my cousins we would all sort of drift into our own pursuits. I felt this cabinet was mine, all mine because no one else seemed to realize the treasure there. I read most of ‘the very best children’s books’ there and have gone to great lengths to find each of them for my own children – and I absolutely plan to have my own ‘cabinet’ one day for grandchildren.
Katherine says
I gave away a set of these books when I was on a cleaning and organizing spree last summer (I’m on another spree right now). More important books needed to take their space on the shelf and the kids didn’t read them as much as I would have liked. We had many of the individual books excerpted in the series, so it didn’t make sense to duplicate. I have a series called “My Book House” that I like better. Then there’s the old Better Homes and Gardens two-volume Storybooks (“Little Black Sambo” anyone?).
briana says
I love it when you say what I’m thinking. And I love The Best Of books!
Heather b. says
I love that you are doing a series on good books, since having kids I am now becoming immersed in the world of children’s literature. My oldest is only about 3 1/2 now, but the journey of finding good children’s literature is quite a fun adventure. My husband and I have both been thrilled to be introduced to so many great authors and illustrators. It has also made me more aware of the flaws in our library system. Over half of the good books that have been recommended to me from various sources aren’t even in our system , even other books by the same author. On top of that I keep noticing more and more books creeping in that advocate transgenderism for kids and the gay lifestyle . Just saw a book advertised today about “my two mothers ” . Is there anything we can do to help advocate getting more good moral books into our libraries? And I’ve also been having a moral debate whether or not I should be more vocal with our libraries about them bringing in so many books that are against our morals. Do you have any thoughts or advice in this area?
Leila says
Heather, this has been the issue for a long time. When I was starting out with my family in the early 80s, I realized then that we had to make our own library. Obviously that’s not as good as having your own library as well as access to a good public library. It’s not only about libraries — it’s about publishing as well, which has pretty much completely gone over to the dark side.
If you live in a small town, it’s possible to join your library board and see what you can do. Otherwise, I believe that it’s through conversations with friends and discussions like the ones we have here that we can gradually mount rear action.
Ultimately, my hope is in demographics! If we can out-produce the opposition and educate our children (with recourse to our good books!), perhaps in a generation we can see some improvement.
Danielle says
Our library will buy any book we recommend that is available in library format. There is a link right from the search page. And when we request a book for purchase, when it arrives, it is immediately put on hold for us! I have found that I use the library primarily this way – request specific books, visit to pick them up, allow the kids to each choose a book or two from a specific series or list. For a short while, we had two librarians who I trusted to respect our families values and standards for reading material. Unfortunately, they have both moved.
Catherine D says
I love, love, love the blog, including the book recommendations, as much for myself as for the kids. Thank you!! That said, do you really recommend the Hornblower series? I LOVED those books as a kid (as in, I wanted to be Horatio Hornblower) but on rereading them recently I realized they’re often inappropriate. For example, in Flying Colors, Hornblower is cheating on his British mistress with a French girl, while his wife whom he does not respect is home pregnant. Other books have similar episodes.
I had no memory of this from reading them as a kid; I think it just rolled off me as boring “love” parts of the story. Still, that might not happen with every kid, so we don’t plan on letting ours read those books. (I have no idea how my parents let me read them, as they were very vigilant. I think my mom probably read the first few and then decided the whole series was ok.)
Just wondering if you’re aware of those aspects of the books and what you think.
Mary Coonry says
Thanks so much for your book recommendations! I’m always on the hunt for good books for my kids but am not always able to keep up with their reading. It is so helpful to have trustworthy sources!
Leila says
To Elizabeth and Heather: I will address your questions shortly, I hope! Thanks for asking about the moral content of the books in question. We have to ask! I’ll get back to you soon.
Donna Marie says
My kids love these books. I find them most often in the BATHROOM…lol
They read them until the spines come nearly off.
I need to invest in more book tape….
I looove old books!
Leila says
I’ve updated the post to reflect the concerns raised by you, dear readers. In particular, I’m glad to have the chance to warn about Flying Colours in the Horatio Hornblower series!
I hope you will read my update!