Katherine Paterson's Children's Reading List
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Katherine Paterson has taken us to Terabithia and back and in the process has become one of the most beloved children's authors of all time. Often asked which books she recommends, Katherine enlisted the help of her grandchildren to compile a wonderful list of books for kids of all ages. She also revealed the top five books she would take to a desert island.
What are your all-time favorite children's books?
Preschool (These Are Books They Still Remember Fondly)What are your all-time favorite children's books?
The Bunny PlanetBy Rosemary Wells, published by Viking Juvenile
The Island of the SkogBy Steven Kellogg, published by Picture Puffin books
A-Hunting We Will GoBy Steven Kellogg, published by Morrow from HarperCollins Publishers
The Mysterious TadpoleBy Steven Kellogg, published by Penguin Group
Goodnight MoonBy Margaret Wise Brown, published by HarperCollins Publishers
The MittenBy Jan Brett, published by Penguin Group (USA)
The Little Polar BearBy Hans de Beer, published by North-South Books, Inc.
Mrs. Wishy WashyBy Joy Cowley, published by Penguin Group (USA)
Mike Mulligan and his Steam ShovelBy Virginia Lee Burton, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
The Blueberry Pie ElfBy Nancy Thayer, published by Purple House Press
Owl BabiesBy Martin Waddell, published by Candlewick Press
15 books in a series children really like
Although Katherine Paterson isn't known for writing books in a series, she knows how popular these stories are with young readers! From classics that have stood the test of time to recent tween-lit crazes—Katherine's grandchildren recommend series all ages will enjoy.
The Magic Tree HouseBy Mary Pope Osburne, published by Random House Children's Books
The Betsy-TacyBy Maud Hart Lovelace, published by HarperCollins
The Tale of Emily WindsnapBy Liz Kessler, published by Morrow from Candlewick Press
City of EmberBy Jeanne Duprau, published by Random House Chidlren's Books
The Percy Jackson and the Olympian booksBy Rick Riordan, published by Hyperion/Miramax Kid
Geronimo StiltonBy Stilton Geronimo, published by Scholastic, Inc.
Maximum RideBy James Patterson, published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
The Hunger Games and Gregor the OverlanderBy Suzanne Collins, published by Scholastic, Inc.
Alex RiderBy Anthony Horowitz, published by Penguin Group US
EragonBy Christopher Paolini, published by Random House Children's Books
The Spiderwick ChroniclesBy Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, published by Simon & Shuster Children's
Half-MagicBy Edward Eage, published by Thorndike Press
The Chronicles of NarniaBy C.S. Lewis, published by HarperCollins
Harry PotterBy J.K. Rowling, published by Scholastic Press, a division of Scholastic Inc.
The Twilight SeriesBy Stephenie Meyer, published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Books 8–12 year-old "tweens" will love
It can be challenging to find books that bridge the gap between children's classics and young adult novels. So Katherine's grandkids picked 19 books perfect for preteens that will keep the magic of reading alive!
The Tale of DespereauxBy Kate DiCamillo, published by Candlewick Press
The Yankee YearsBy Joe Torre, published by Anchor
HeatBy Mike Lupica, published by Penguin Group (USA)
Siren SongBy Anne Ursa, published by Simon & Shuster Children's
The The Willoughbys booksBy Lois Lowry, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Charlotte's WebBy E.B. White, published by HarperCollins
One Hundred DressesBy Eleanor Estes, published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Land of the Lawn WeeniesBy David Lubar, published by Doherty, Tom Associates, LLC
RibsyBy Beverly Cleary, published by HarperCollins
Little House on the PrairieBy Laura Ingalls Wilder, published by HarperCollins
Walk Two Moons and "anything she writes"By Sharon Creech, published by HarperCollins
Tuck EverlastingBy Natalie Babbitt, published by Square Fish
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIHMBy Robert C. O'Brien, published by Simon& Schuster Children's
Roll of Thunder, Hear Me CryBy Mildred Taylor, published by Penguin Group (USA)
Tom's Midnight GardenBy Rosemary Wells, published by HarperCollins
No Promises in the WindBy Irene Hunt, published by Penguin Group (USA)
The Crispin: Cross of Lead booksBy Avi, published by Hyperion Books for Children
The Great Gilly HopkinsBy Katherine Paterson, published by HarperCollins
Bread and RosesBy Katherine Paterson, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
10 picks for teenagers
The novels Katherine's grandkids chose for their recommended reading list for teenagers will take you from the French Revolution to modern-day Afghanistan and incredible places in between. Introduce your young adult reader to some of the most riveting stories of all-time.
The GiverBy Lois Lowry, published by Random House Children's Books
A Jar of DreamsBy Yoshika Uchida, published by Simon & Shuster Children's Publishing
To Kill a MockingbirdBy Harper Lee, published by Morrow from HarperCollins
The Kite RunnerBy Khaled Hosseini, published by Penguin Group (USA)
A Thousand Splendid SunsBy Khaled Hosseini, published by Penguin Group (USA)
Animal FarmBy George Orwell, published by Penguin Group (USA)
1984By George Orwell, published by Penguin Group (USA)
A Separate PeaceBy John Knowles, published by Simon & Shuster Adult
Les MiserablesBy Victor Hugo, published by Penguin Group (USA)
Hope Was Here By John Bauer, published by Penguin Group (USA)
What are your all-time favorite children's books?
John Patterson interviews his mother about writing Bridge to Terabithia, her favorite books, and more
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