Children's Book Suggestions | Classics

Are you a parent or grandparent looking for a childhood favorite to share with kids in your life? Here are a few of our most frequently-requested classic children's books for readers in Grades 3-7.

If you're looking for picture books for younger readers, check out the Classics shelf in our Picture Book Topics section.

A note for caregivers: Some adults are surprised when they return to old favorites and discover forgotten elements that are out-of-step with their modern values. It's often helpful to revisit classic books by re-reading or doing a little research online before sharing them with your child, so you're prepared to answer questions any questions they may have and provide historical context when necessary.

Updated August 21, 2024
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County) Oregon City Public Library
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Children's Book Suggestions | Classics

Are you a parent or grandparent looking for a childhood favorite to share with kids in your life? Here are a few of our most frequently-requested classic children's books for readers in Grades 3-7.

If you're looking for picture books for younger readers, check out the Classics shelf in our Picture Book Topics section.

A note for caregivers: Some adults are surprised when they return to old favorites and discover forgotten elements that are out-of-step with their modern values. It's often helpful to revisit classic books by re-reading or doing a little research online before sharing them with your child, so you're prepared to answer questions any questions they may have and provide historical context when necessary.

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Tuck everlasting
Babbitt, Natalie.
Multimedia
Imagine coming upon a fountain of youth in a forest. To live forever--isn't that everyone's ideal? For the Tuck family, eternal life is a reality, but their reaction to their fate is surprising. Newbury Honor-winner Natalie Babbitt (Knee-Knock Rise, The Search for Delicious) outdoes herself in this...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

The Wizard of Oz
Baum, L. Frank (Lyman Frank) 1856-1919
Paper Book
"We're off to see the Wizard! The wonderful Wizard of Oz!" Rediscover L. Frank Baum's timeless children's classic that has charmed readers for generations. Readers of all ages will follow the Yellow Brick Road in this unforgettable and colorful journey that takes us from Dorothy's gray...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

The secret garden
Burnett, Frances Hodgson 1849-1924
Paper Book
Celebrate an unforgettable classic with this gorgeously repackaged edition, featuring the timeless art of Tasha Tudor. Just in time for the movie adaptation starring Colin Firth and Julie Walters! This beautiful hardcover edition includes Tasha Tudor's iconic illustrations in...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

The mouse and the motorcycle
Cleary, Beverly
Paper Book
Celebrate HarperCollins's rich history of iconic children's books with Harper Classics, a carefully curated line of award-winning novels that feature a beautiful design and bonus material. In adition to the complete book, this edition of The Mouse and the Motorcycle features these fun extras: ...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

The Watsons go to Birmingham--1963 : a novel
Curtis, Christopher Paul.
Paper Book
During one of the most important times in the civil rights movement, one unforgettable family goes on a road trip in this Newbery and Coretta Scott King Honoree, from author Christopher Paul Curtis, recipient of the Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement. ...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

Charlie and the chocolate factory
Dahl, Roald.
Paper Book
What happens when the five luckiest children in the entire world walk through the doors of Willy Wonka's famous, mysterious chocolate factory? What happens when, one by one, the children disobey Mr. Wonka's orders? In Dahl's most popular story, the nasty are punished and the good are deliciously,...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

Harriet the spy
Fitzhugh, Louise
Paper Book
It's no secret that Harriet the Spy is a timeless classic that kids will love! Every day can be an adventure if you just look carefully enough! A PARADE BEST KIDS BOOK OF ALL TIME Harriet M. Welsch is a spy. In her notebook, she writes down everything...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

The wind in the willows
Grahame, Kenneth 1859-1932
Paper Book
The escapades of four animal friends who live along a river in the English countryside--Toad, Mole, Rat, and Badger.

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

Misty of Chincoteague
Henry, Marguerite 1902-1997
Audiobook
Nobody could capture the phantom. She was the wildest mare on Assateague Island. They said she was like the wind, that the white "map" on her shoulders was her mark of freedom. Paul and Maureen Beebe had their hearts set on owning her. They were itching to buy and tame her, and worked...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

From the mixed-up files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Konigsburg, E. L.
Paper Book
A Time Best YA Book of All Time (2021) Run away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art with E. L. Konigsburg's beloved classic and Newbery Medal­-winning novel From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler! When Claudia decided to run away, she...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

The lion, the witch, and the wardrobe
Lewis, C. S. (Clive Staples) 1898-1963
Paper Book
There are a thousand stories in the land of Narnia, and the first is about to be told in an extraordinary motion picture, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, from Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media. This is the companion book to that movie. Here is a bold and striking...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

Pippi Longstocking
Lindgren, Astrid 1907-2002
Paper Book
Astrid Lindgren's story of feisty, red-haired Pippi has been given a sparkling new translation by award-winning Tiina Nunnally and engaging pictures by acclaimed Lauren Child.

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

Sarah, plain and tall
MacLachlan, Patricia
Paper Book
This beloved Newbery Medal-winning book is the first of five books in Patricia MacLachlan's chapter book series about the Witting family. Set in the late nineteenth century and told from young Anna's point of view, Sarah, Plain and Tall tells the story of how Sarah Elisabeth Wheaton comes...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

Winnie-the-Pooh
Milne, A. A. (Alan Alexander) 1882-1956
Paper Book
Celebrating 100 years of one of the most beloved icons of children's literature, Winnie-the-Pooh! The perfect gift for both new readers and passionate collectors! A gorgeous new collectible edition of the beloved classic, Winnie-the-Pooh, crafted as a...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

Shiloh
Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds
Paper Book
Marty will do anything to save his new friend Shiloh in this Newbery Medal-winning novel from Phillis Reynolds Naylor. When Marty Preston comes across a young beagle in the hills behind his home, it's love at first sight--and also big trouble. It turns out the dog, which Marty...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

The Borrowers
Norton, Mary.
Paper Book
A enchanting and enduring children's classic, The Borrowers is the award-winning tale of three tiny people who are big heroes. The Clock family--Homily, Pod, and their fourteen-year-old daughter, Arrietty--are tiny people who live underneath the kitchen floor of an...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

Island of the blue dolphins
O'Dell, Scott 1898-1989
Paper Book

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

The Westing game
Raskin, Ellen
Paper Book
For twenty-five years, Ellen Raskin's Newbery Medal-winning The Westing Game has been an enduring favorite and is now being reissued with a brand-new jacket by Kevin Hawkes and an introduction by Ann Durell. This highly inventive mystery involves sixteen people who are invited to...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

Where the red fern grows : the story of two dogs and a boy
Rawls, Wilson.
Paper Book
Read the beloved classic that captures the powerful bond between man and man's best friend. This edition also includes a special note to readers from Newbery Medal winner and Printz Honor winner Clare Vanderpool.   Billy has long dreamt of owning not one, but two, dogs. So...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

The boxcar children
Warner, Gertrude Chandler 1890-1979
Paper Book
Four brave siblings were searching for a home - and found a life of adventure! Join the Boxcar Children as they set out on their own in the first book in this illustrated chapter book series beloved by generations of readers. Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny are brothers and...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

Charlotte's web
White, E. B. (Elwyn Brooks) 1899-1985
Paper Book
* Printed "Teaching Charlotte's Web" guide (with free digital version available online; April 2012) * Major booth promotion at conferences, including distribution of discussion guide; featured promotion at IRA (4/29/12 - 5/2/12) * School & library media advertising (March/April 2012)...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

Little women
Alcott, Louisa May 1832-1888
Paper Book
Part of Penguin's beautiful hardback Clothbound Classics series, designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith, these delectable and collectible editions are bound in high-quality colourful, tactile cloth with foil stamped into the design. Meg, Jo, Amy and Beth - four "little...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

A wrinkle in time
L'Engle, Madeleine
Paper Book
A movie tie-in edition of A Wrinkle in Time, now a major motion picture--with an introduction by director Ava DuVernay. In 1962, Madeleine L'Engle debuted her novel A Wrinkle in Time, which would go on to win the 1963 Newbery Medal. Bridging science and fantasy,...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

Anne of Green Gables
Montgomery, L. M.
Paper Book
A Time Best YA Book of All Time (2021) Anne Shirley is unforgettable, and this beautifully packaged edition of L.M. Montgomery's classic novel is as memorable as its heroine. When Anne Shirley arrives at Green Gables, she surprises everyone: first of...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

Hatchet
Paulsen, Gary.
Paper Book
This award-winning contemporary classic is the survival story with which all others are compared--and a page-turning, heart-stopping adventure, recipient of the Newbery Honor. Hatchet has also been nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read....

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

Roll of thunder, hear my cry
Taylor, Mildred D.
Paper Book
Winner of the Newbery Medal, this remarkably moving novel has impressed the hearts and minds of millions of readers. Set in Mississippi at the height of the Depression, this is the story of one family's struggle to maintain their integrity, pride, and independence in the face of...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

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