In honor of Blume's Day (or Blumesday), which, for those of you who don't know, is February 4 in honor of Judy Blume, I thought to Throwback to an arbitrary (by which I mean a list based on the books I read as a tween and remember as an adult) list of the top ten books for teens that might be deemed "classics".
In keeping with our honoree, Tales of a Fourth-Grade Nothing is still in print, still loved by uncountable kids and leads of to the rest of the "Fudge" series, introducing several memorable characters including Fudge himself and Sheila Tubman. The Newbery-winning Charlotte's Web is also a book I remember fondly, has been made into a movie and, most importantly, is a book my children read, on their own, and also loved. E.B. White wrote many other things but this is the work he is most remembered for. Mister God, This is Anna by Fynn is an inspirational and heart-warming tale. It tells of simple, unconditional love and trust and belief. A Cricket in Times Square is a complex story that includes some of the same themes but also touches on family and responsibility. George Selden mixes a bit of superstition has animals telling the story which is often quite appealing. Finally, rounding out my short list, is Beverly Cleary's The Mouse and the Motorcycle. Cleary is a master storyteller and anyone who can juxtapose a mouse and a motorcycle in a story for young boys has a winner. Of course there are many more books that could join the list but the fact that these come so easily to mind some 35-45 years after I first read them means that, for me anyway they fit the term of classic - works to be remembered and cherished from one generation to the next. Want to mention your particular favorite? Please leave a comment, let us know!
0 Comments
|
AuthorMe as a critic (be careful! the harshness will be well concealed!) Archives
April 2024
Categories
All
|