DD2 (9) wants to know what your best ever children's book is

Goodnight mister tom

The animals of farthing wood.

(my top favs when I was 9)

Takver, I noticed that too. I loved the books as a child but have even more respect for LIW as an adult reader. She wrote those books around 150 years ago, which is a long time in the history of America. Some of her opinions expressed in those books are way, way ahead of her time. Her actual writing is fantastic too.

She was an amazing woman.

mimizan we read Little House on the Prarie a while back, and I thought it was interesting how positive Pa was about the native Americans, and how strongly he made the point that the immigrants were basically stealing their land.

LadyG, the colour Garth Williams illustrations are classic, aren't they? Who was Cap Garland? I've forgotten the Long Winter story.

I was referring to the way the native 'Americans' were treated, and Laura's blatant dislike of it. I think her relationship with Ma is really interesting, as she is so racist, and Laura is very aware of this. I sense a real ambivalence in the way Laura feels about Ma. I'm not sure how aware of this I was as a nine year old reading the books.

One that I enjoyed at this age was 'The Tree that sat down' by Beverley Nicholls. You would need to find it second hand as it hasn't been republished for a long time. Having reminded myself of it, I have just bought a copy second hand off Amazon for £9.99 plus postage, although hardbacks are rare and £50 or more.

One that I am reading to my son at the moment, and I would have loved myself at 9, is 'The house in hiding' by Elinor Lyon. It has recently been republished by Fidra books, so is reasonably easy to find. Robust, accident-prone children, a secret shieling off the west coast of Scotland and the young laird returns from the war when everyone thought he was dead. What more could you ask?

The Lost Prince by Frances Hodgson Burnett (I am fairly certain).

TPL's link to Jane Nissen reminded me - I bought Christmas with the Savages to read to the DDs this Christmas and we all thoroughly enjoyed it.

the malcolm saville stories set around shropshire were a favourite

Goodnight Mister Tom -Michelle Magorian.

Goodnight Mister Tom -Michelle Magorian.

I just read DD2 the Cap Garland chapter in The Long Winter last night. It is so obvious reading it as an adult that Laura was carrying a bit of a torch for him before settling for Almanzo. And so sad, thinking of what happened to him in real life.

Mimizan - I have picked up all of mine secondhand over the years - one or two are the same US editions that I had as a child - I love those covers and Garth Williams' illustrations.

Good sites there provinciallady - reminds me of another of my all time favourite childrens books - the Homeward Bounders by Diana Wynne Jones. (Can you tell I used to like books that made me cry? )

Lots of great suggestions already - you might like to look at the titles published by Jane Nissen Books - they include some of the books already mentioned. www.janenissenbooks.co.uk/
Also, do look at Amanda Craig's website for lots of ideas and excellent articles about children's books.
www.amandacraig.com/childrens.htm

What about the Rosemary Sutcliffe historical novels? Hard to say a particular favourite but perhaps 'Simon', and 'The Mark of the Horse Lord'

Watership Down.

LadyGlen,We're just near the end of By the Shores of Silver Lake. The Long Winter is waiting at the bookshop to be collected. I had to send off to an American publisher to get any past Plum Creek. Where did you get yours from?

I've hardly got to read any of them as DH has become addicted to them, even though he didn't read them as a boy, so he does the bedtime story.

My fave was These Golden Years. I've been surprised at how political they are from reading as an adult. How about you?

sorry most of these will be repeats

Miss Happiness and Miss Flower

Swallows and Amazons - except not S&A itself which is pretty dull IMO - start her on Winter Holiday, then Pigeon Post, then Picts and Martyrs, then maybe Great Northern, then the others. Oooh must reread.

I know lots of people who loved the Hobbit at that age. Not me - couldn't make head or tail of it.

THE RESCUERS - not the Disney version - loved all of those sooooooooooo much. Miss Bianca and the Salt Mine was my favourite of all but start her off at the beginning.

Joan Aiken - A Necklace of Raindrops and all her short stories, as well as Black Hearts in Battersea obviously.

Emil and the Detectives, although I think a lot of children do it in school now.

I loved Dr Dolittle at that sort of age, though they are some of the books I would never re-read now, and apparently they are pretty from a political point of view so I don't plan to introduce them to ds. Is that helpful??

NURSE MATILDA. Not the Nanny McPhee film novelisation.

How far have you got Mimizan? We are in the middle of The Long Winter at the moment - its my favourite one!

Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House on the Prairie books. We are reading them to the DC ATM and they love them too.

Castille, check this Book People collection out. Your DD should like most of these if she hasn't read them already - at that price you can always use the duplicates as pressies.
Family at one end street was republished last year and I do recommend it.
My nine year old DD is loving the Little House on the Prairie series at the moment.
Also Charlotte Sometimes.

malory Towers and St Clares

DD is currently reading, and enjoying, the Inkheart trilogy.