Back to School: Favorite Books I Read As a Kid

Most of the schooling-aged folk are officially back at it by now. As a working adult, the only indication I have that school has begun is the INSANE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC that I deal with when I leave for work, because I live three houses down the street from an elementary school *insert eye roll emoji*. To celebrate the return to school, I’m throwing it WAY back and listing some of my favorite books I read as it kid.

1. Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell

I recently re-read this one, and it was funny how much of it I remembered! I even still enjoyed it!

2 Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli

3. Holes by Louis Sachar

OMG this was probably one of my all-time favorites. I read it a million times.

4. A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer

GOD WHY DID I EVER READ THIS BOOK. I was obsessed with it. WTF, seriously? You could not pay me to read this book now. NOPE NOPE NOPE. It is far too devastating.

5. The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks

Let’s talk about how this book would never get published today because of it’s not-PC use of “Indian.”

6. Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

Every year a bunch of kids would memorize poems from this book for this poem festival that took place in my city. I always memorized one, because obvi I had to do it, but HELL NO did I ever participate in that festival. Recite a poem in front of people? NOPE, I’d rather die.

7. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling

Duh. The first 3-4 books were basically the ONLY thing I read in the second half of elementary school. Every read-and-feed, reading requirement, book report, etc. revolved around HP.

8.If you Give A Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff

Okay, this is obviously a diversion from chapter books BUT I freaking quote this book ALL OF THE TIME. A while back I was talking about a needy person and said, “Well, you know, if you give a mouse a cookie…” AND THE PERSON I WAS TALKING TO DIDN’T KNOW WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. So I’m posting this to tell you that if you did not read this book, READ IT. It is SO applicable to life.

9. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz

As a child who adored horror, you can bet I was obsessed with these books. I just wish I could find these original covers *sobs*.

10. Amelia’s Notebook by Marissa Moss

I remember nothing about this book except that I loved it.

What were some of your favorite books from your childhood?

This prompt was taken from That Artsy Reader Girl’s Top Ten Tuesday list!

A.S. Thornton

A.S. Thornton has evolved from book blogger to author with a particular fondness for writing forbidden love in ancient deserts. When not writing, she’s caring for dogs and cats as a veterinarian. You’ll never find animals at the center of her writing, though, because those fictional worlds don’t have veterinarians and her literal brain can’t accept that the poor critters would be without parasite prevention. Thornton’s debut, DAUGHTER OF THE SALT KING is available wherever books are sold.