It’s no secret that I love children’s books. I love picture books, children’s chapter books, and young adult fiction (yes, I’m totally one of those embarrassing Harry Potter and Hunger Games fans!). I often prefer reading books geared for younger audiences because they are quicker-paced (I barely have time to read and need to read books that move quickly enough for me to keep up with), cleaner, and often have great, focused storylines.

Once in a while, I’ll read a children’s book that I want to shout about from the rooftops. Something about the story, the characters, and the way its written make the book something magical that should be read by not only children, but also by everyone else on the planet!

Here are some of my favorite children’s book must-reads:


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The Fault in Our Stars: This book has been quite popular since its publication and will also be in theatres year. It’s a genuine love story between two teenage cancer patients, filled with courage and sadness, but mostly beauty.

Bridge to Terabithia: I remember my fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Woods, reading this to our class. And I remember most of us sitting and quietly crying together at the end of this book. This is such a beautiful story of friendship, belonging and loss and one that children and adults alike will connect with.

Wonder: Oh my goodness, I read this just a few weeks ago and I cried buckets. What an amazing story about perceived differences and the empathy and compassion that can overcome those differences. This book has started a kindness movement among its readers and I cannot stop singing its praises!

Number the Stars: I read this book in fourth grade and it was the first time I learned about the Holocaust. I was shocked and horrified, but this beautiful story of friendship and courage stuck with me, even through that shock.

Stargirl: After the first time I read this, I couldn’t stop talking about it. It is such a powerful story about nonconformity and learning that lesson before it’s too late.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane: I read this book in one sitting and once I was done, I sat, kind of just soaking it all it. It was such an unexpectedly beautiful story about love and redemption, all told through the story of a little china rabbit.

Holes: This is another story about connections and histories that intertwine. It’s also a story of redemption and second chances, peppered with humor. I know many an upper elementary school boy that really caught the reading bug after this read!

The Giver: This was the book that first got me hooked onto dystopian fiction. It opened up a whole new world for me (and the main character!) and had got my young mind thinking and questioning in new ways. A movie version of this book, boasting a very impressive cast (Meryl Streep!) will be coming out this year.

The View from Saturday: This story is so smartly written with unexpected connections and stories that tie the characters together. The clever connections remind me of (a much cleaner version of) the movies Traffic and Crash!

Maniac Magee: This story reminds me a little of Forrest Gump. Written as a fable, the story is described by the author as “one part fact, two parts legend, and three parts snowball,” and I might add, all heart.