Great Kids' Novels that Adults Should Read (or Re-read)

Just because you're a grownup doesn't mean you have to stop reading children's books. Here's a list of books that are just as entertaining and thought-provoking for adults as they are for kids. And if you read one of these when you were younger, give it another chance. It'll hit differently through adult eyes.

*This list is limited to children's novels and doesn't include Young Adult or picture books.

Updated October 31, 2023
M
McCracken County Public Library
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Tuck everlasting.
Babbitt, Natalie
Paper Book
Violence erupts when the Tuck family members discover that their secret about a spring that brings immortality has been discovered.
Coraline.
Gaiman, Neil
Paper Book
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! Harriet M. Welsch is a spy. In her notebook, she writes down everything she knows about everyone, even her classmates and her best...
The Westing game.
Raskin, Ellen.
Paper Book
When an eccentric millionaire dies mysteriously, 16 very unlikely people are gathered together for the reading of the will--and what a will it is. A Newbery Medal-winning novel.
Skellig.
Almond, David, 1951-
Paper Book
Michael was looking forward to moving into a new house. But now his baby sister is ill, his parents are frantic, and Doctor Death has come to call. Michael feels helpless. Then he steps into the crumbling garage and encounters a strange being who changes his world forever.
The house with a clock in its walls.
Bellairs, John, 1938-1991
Paper Book
A haunting gothic tale by master mysery writer John Bellairs--soon to be a major motion picture starring Cate Blanchett and Jack Black! "The House With a Clock in Its Walls will cast its spell for a long time."--The New York Times Book Review When Lewis...
Howl's moving castle.
Jones, Diana Wynne, 1934-
Paper Book
'Quite simply the best writer of magic there is' Neil Gaiman 'Truly magical ... Guaranteed to leave you gasping' The Bookseller 'She is the best writer of magical fantasy for children' Evening Standard In this beloved modern classic,...
Holes.
Sachar, Louis, 1954-
Paper Book
This groundbreaking classic is now available in a special anniversary edition with bonus content. Winner of the Newbery Medal as well as the National Book Award, HOLES is a New York Times bestseller and one of the strongest-selling middle-grade books to ever hit shelves!
Danny, the champion of the world.
Dahl, Roald
Paper Book
From the bestselling author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The BFG!  Danny has a life any boy would love--his home is a gypsy caravan, he's the youngest master car mechanic around, and his best friend is his dad, who never runs out of...
The secret garden.
Brill, Calista.
Paper Book
Based on the beloved classic children's novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, this edition of The Secret Garden is a beautifully illustrated hardcover picture book adaptation that all children will treasure. Once upon a time...a walled garden bloomed under the summer skies in the north of...
Mrs. Frisby and the rats of Nimh.
O'Brien, Robert C.
Paper Book
Some extraordinary rats come to the aid of a mouse family in this Newbery Medal Award-winning classic by notable children's author Robert C. O'Brien. Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse with four small children, is faced with a terrible problem. She must move her family to their summer...
Bud, not Buddy
Curtis, Christopher Paul.
Paper Book
Hit the road with Bud in this Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award-winning classic about a boy on a journey to find his father--from Christopher Paul Curtis, recipient of the Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement.   It's 1936, in Flint...
The Egypt game.
Snyder, Zilpha Keatley.
Paper Book
When Melanie Ross and April Hall begin to play the Egypt Game, everyone thinks it’s just a game until strange things begin happening to the players. Has the Egypt Game gone too far?
Five children and& it.
Nesbit, E. 1858-1924
Paper Book
Be careful what you ask for. You may get it! That's the message in this delightful tale of five youngsters who discover a bizarre sand creature that grants wishes. There's a catch, of course: the wishes come undone at sunset, and worse yet, things often get out of hand!
The wolves of Willoughby Chase.
Aiken, Joan, 1924-2004
Paper Book
The chocolate touch.
Catling, Patrick Skene, 1925-
Paper Book
From the mixed-up files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.
Konigsburg, E. L.
Paper Book
When Claudia decided to run away, she planned very carefully She would be gone just long enough to teach her parents a lesson in Claudia appreciation.  And she would live in comfort-at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  She invited her brother Jamie to go, too, mostly because he was a miser and would...
The house at Pooh Corner.
Milne, A. A. 1882-1956
Paper Book
This deluxe edition of Milnes classic work is a stunning companion to the "Winnie-the-Pooh 80th Anniversary Edition." The interior features the unabridged text and Shepards charming illustrations in full color on cream-colored stock, along with a die-cut window that reveals the full-color art on the...
Pippi Longstocking : [graphic novel] the strongest in the world!
Lindgren, Astrid, 1907-2002
Paper Book
Celebrate the seventieth anniversary of Pippi! Who can rescue babies from a burning building, outwit burglars, overpower a circus strongman, and still get home in time for Christmas? Pippi Longstocking can! Pippi Longstocking: The Strongest in the World! collects more...
The little prince.
Saint-Exupery, Antoine de, 1900-1944
Paper Book
The adventures of a little prince who visited our world from his own tiny planet. In the exquisite imagery of this fairy tale, the poet-writer shares with children something of the mystic's vision and wisdom of life--New York Public Library. Full-color and b&w illustrations.
A wrinkle in time.
L'Engle, Madeleine
Paper Book
NEWBERY MEDAL WINNER * TIME MAGAZINE'S 100 BEST FANTASY BOOKS OF ALL TIME * NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE FROM DISNEY Read the ground-breaking science fiction and fantasy classic that has delighted children for over 60 years! "A Wrinkle in Time<...
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 when...
Island of the Blue Dolphins.
O'Dell, Scott, 1898-1989
Paper Book
Scott O'Dell's Newbery Medal-winning classic is a gripping tale of survival, strength, and courage. Based on the true story of a Nicoleño Indian girl living alone on an island off the coast of California, Island of the Blue Dolphins has captivated readers for generations. On San Nicolas...
Bridge to Terabithia.
Paterson, Katherine
Paper Book
The phantom tollbooth. [online electronic book]
Juster, Norton, 1929-
Ebook
"Comes up bright and new every time I read it . . . it will continue to charm and delight for a very long time yet." --Phillip Pullman, New York Times bestselling author of His Dark Materials  With almost 5 million copies sold in the 60 years since it was published, generations of...
The giver.
Lowry, Lois
Paper Book
Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear of pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. When Jonas turns 12 he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and...
The tale of Despereaux : being the story of a mouse, a princess, some soup, and a spool of thread
DiCamillo, Kate.
Paper Book
The beloved author of Because of Winn-Dixie enlightens us with a tale of adventure, despair, love, and soup. Welcome to the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who is in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called...

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