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CHILDREN'S books you've enjoyed as an ADULT

200 replies

JellySnakesLadderedTights · 30/01/2014 17:57

Looking for something nice to read that won't take up too much time or mental energy.

Has anyone read any children's books, as an adult, that they have really liked and would recommend?

I personally have read a book called Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin. This is aimed at young teens. It's a very sweet little novel about the afterlife (It' s not a religious book), and I found it very comforting whilst grieving.

So, what are your suggestions?

OP posts:
GreenShadow · 30/01/2014 20:10

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is excellent - I didn't even realise that it was suppose to be a children's book

MrsOakenshield · 30/01/2014 20:10

oh, would you call I Capture the Castle a children's book? I know it's written from the point of view of a teenager, and also that the author write 101 Dalmatians, but I'm not sure it is?

Oh, I read The Hobbit as an adult, which I loved. Though not as much as the film, obviously phnar phnar.

mummratheevertired · 30/01/2014 20:20

I like most of Celia Rees' books. 'Witch Child' followed by 'Sorceress' were why got me into them. There's one about a Pirate Girl and a Highwaywoman in the French Revolution I think. All about strong young women and very easy to read. Loosely based on history.

DeathMetalMum · 30/01/2014 20:21

Shiver by maggie stiefvater. It is part of a trilogy, though the first book is far better than the others I think.

Very excited as on googling to remember the name I have seen there is another book soon.

magnumicelolly · 30/01/2014 20:27

Oh and I don't think this is a children's book specifically, but would probably be enjoyed by teens, the ones in The Chronicles of St. Mary's series.

LydiaLunches · 30/01/2014 20:35

Percy Jackson, there are 9!

Optimism · 30/01/2014 20:37

Coram Boy by Jamila Gavin, Holes by Louis Sachar, several Eva Ibbotson, The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier (made me cry as a child, still makes me cry as an adult) and another vote for Goodnight Mr Tom (which does the same!).

AGnu · 30/01/2014 20:39

My first thought when I saw the title was Bear by Mick Inkpen.... It's considerably shorter than the other books mentioned & we read it a few 100 times a day at the moment! Grin

LRDtheFeministDragon · 30/01/2014 20:41

John Rowe Townsend - especially 'The Golden Journey' and 'The Islanders'

John Marsden - series beginning with 'Tomorrow When the War Began' (very fast-paced teen adventure books, not as grim as they sound from the title really).

Elizabeth Speare - The Witch of Blackbird Pond and The Bronze Bow.

Penelope Lively - anything, but Astercote is great, as is The Ghost of Thomas Kempe. Spooky ones, both of them.

Noel Streatfield. Sorry if mentioned before! But you must. Especially Thursday's Child and Far to Go if you've not read them and are a fan - they're meatier than some of her others.

I hope I'm not annoying you by repeat posting? Do shout if I am!

LRDtheFeministDragon · 30/01/2014 20:42

Ohhh ... YY to Coram Boy and especially The Silver Sword. I reckon I know that one off by heart! So beautifully written.

ModreB · 30/01/2014 20:44

White Fang. It made me laugh as a child, sob as a grown up.

Stephen King. Anything by him.

HumphreyCobbler · 30/01/2014 20:45

I LOVED the Ghost of Thomas Kempe. My y5 teacher read it to us. Thanks Mrs Hobbs

Merrylegs · 30/01/2014 20:45

Charlotte Sometimes is a good choice.

Or

Charlotte's Web.

Or Flambards, for a more teenage read.

Isabelonatricycle · 30/01/2014 20:46

Ilikesweetpeas Girls Gone By is a publisher which republishes the original versions of, among others, the Chalet School. They only do a few each year, and a small print run, so not easy to get hold of, but better than nothing! I've restarted my collection, having read the very edited and cropped Armada books when I was little (and given them all away - idiot!)

Yes to the Silver Sword! Loved that one. And Ballet Shoes etc, though I never read them as a child - a friend decided I had lead a deprived life and leant them to me when I was 24.

Also, the Children of the New Forest, Black Beauty, Lorna Doone (is that a children's book?), To Kill a Mockingbird (though ditto - this can be read by children but is equally applicable to adults).

LRDtheFeministDragon · 30/01/2014 20:49

Oh, yes, Flambards! I love Charlotte Sometimes too.

Robin Jarvis' books - esp. The Whitby Witches are nice too, if a bit patchy.

A Traveller in Time by Alison Uttley.

Anything by Joan Aiken, but especially Midnight is a Place and The Wolves of Willoughby Chase.

Nina Bawden, 'Keeping Henry'

Joan Lingard 'Past the Barricades' series. More grown-up, like Flambards.

LittleBabyPigsus · 30/01/2014 20:50

Ilikesweetpeas if you type in 'chalet school books kindle' into Google you will find sites other than Amazon doing them for free.

Enb76 · 30/01/2014 20:52

Just finished reading Neil Gaiman's 'Fortunately, the milk' to my five year old. We were both in hysterics.

isithotinhereorisitjustme · 30/01/2014 20:59

Melvyn Burgess has some good ones for younger children - The Cry of the Wolf and An Angel for May are great reads. Some of his books for older teens are a bit graphic and not as charming.

ercolercol · 30/01/2014 21:01

old: Jane Aiken! Find her, read her. The Wolves of Willoughby Chase to start with but they are all brilliant. And pleasing dark. Nightbirds on Nantucket is another great one.

new: Gareth Nix. Abhorsen series. I have read them to death.

Good Omens - Neil Gaimen and Terry Pratchett. Truly, this is a FANTASTIC book.

LaBelleMadameManchotSansMerci · 30/01/2014 21:01

I'm reading The Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klause at the moment, it's a vampire story but not at all Twilighty.

I also recommend The Naming of Tishkin Silk by Glenda Millard and A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, they're both beautifully written but heartbreaking.

And John Connolly's The Gates, very funny and a bit Pratchetty.

And I'll echo those who have said Neil Gaiman, Diana Wynne Jones, Skellig, Holes and The Book Thief.

LaBelleMadameManchotSansMerci · 30/01/2014 21:03

And I recently re-read a book I read as a child, Children of the Dust by Louise Lawrence. Still very powerful and unsettling.

Bumply · 30/01/2014 21:07

The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness by Michelle Paver. I loved reading these to DS1. A tale of wolves, clans and spirits experienced by young adolescents living 6000 years ago.

Anything by Antonia Forest.

starfishmummy · 30/01/2014 21:15

All of the Swallows and Amazon series.
Am trying to read through the Malcolm Saville books and have Anne of Green Gables etc

YoullNeedATray · 30/01/2014 21:16

Loads of my suggestions have already appeared here :-) - Book Thief, Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, Good Omens, Flambards... (quite a mix!)

Have I missed anyone saying Pullman's Ruby in the Smoke / Shadow in the North / Tiger in the Well series? Superb!

Magic Thief (Sarah Prineas), followed by Lost, then Found is another excellent set if you like the fantasy/mystery stuff.

A lighter take is the Secret series www.amazon.co.uk/The-Secret-Series-Complete-Collection/dp/0316219819/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1391116469&sr=8-2&keywords=the+name+of+this+book+is+secret Very silly in places as the author breaks off the tale to speak directly to the reader. It starts by telling you how you Must NOT Read This Book!

And all the Artemis Fowls...

And all the Alex Riders ...

I LOVE having a bookworm daughter :-)