# What children's books are you reading? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 5, 2004, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childrens-books-are-you-reading/273238 "2004-11-05T19:33:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2004, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childrens-books-are-you-reading/273238/21 "2004-11-06T19:26:01Z")
I’d like to add Pat Wrede to the list of YA authors who’s a great deal of fun to read and re-read. Her Mairelon the Magician and her Enchanted Forest books are great fun. Of course I also keep re-reading C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia about once or twice a year. I wore out my copy of the Great Brain books years ago. 8-( Now I need to find new copies. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2004, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childrens-books-are-you-reading/273238/22 "2004-11-06T21:41:39Z")
I just finished reading the _Harry Potter_ series for the upteenth time-I cannot wait for the sixth to come out! I just checked _Ramona’s World_ by Beverly Cleary out of the library. I LOVE Ramona Quimby! ---
**Author:** ![Shadez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@Shadez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shadez)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2004, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childrens-books-are-you-reading/273238/23 "2004-11-06T22:13:34Z")
_The Giver The True Confessions of Charlette Doyle_ NOT stuffy like it sounds! _Holes_ /S ---
**Author:** ![murky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@murky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/murky)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childrens-books-are-you-reading/273238/24 "2004-11-08T19:06:17Z")
> [@Middlecase](#): > > The Earthsea trilogy, by Ursula Le Guin: A Wizard Of Earthsea, The Tombs Of Atuan, and The Farthest Shore. Fantasy, but very far removed from the usual Dungeons-and-Dragons rubbish. I’m not sure it isn’t better than Lord Of The Rings, and it shits on Harry Potter. It IS a trilogy, by the way. Tehanu never happened. You must have imagined it. Move along, nothing to see. > > Another vote for His Dark Materials. Earthsea is very well done. I can’t wait to see the mini-series on Sci Fi. I picked up Julie of The Wolves the other day just for the hell of it. ---
**Author:** ![RitzyRae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/aca169/32.png) [@RitzyRae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitzyRae)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childrens-books-are-you-reading/273238/25 "2004-11-08T19:38:29Z")
Since **murky** just posted, maybe I won’t be accused of moving my thread up the list only to say thank you for all your suggestions. Thank you! Hopefully, _Eragon_ won’t be too terribly dull, and the most votes go to _His Dark Materials_, which I have placed next on my list. I’m just delighted to know I’m not the only tall person lurking around the children’s section. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childrens-books-are-you-reading/273238/26 "2004-11-08T19:52:42Z")
I tried to read Julie of the Wolves recently, but I can’t get into it. (Mostly I wanted to see why it had been challenged in a library.) I like some of Jean Craighead George’s other books, though, mainly My Side of the Mountain. ---
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childrens-books-are-you-reading/273238/27 "2004-11-09T00:02:13Z")
I read _The Golden Compass_, first volume of _His Dark Materials_, and had a very hard time believing that it was written as a childrens book. Other than the absence of explicit sex or foul language, it seemed pretty damned grown up to me. Discussions of elementary particles and original sin? An alternate universe in which John Calvin became pope? Pretty heady stuff. I bought book two, _The Subtle Knife_, but haven’t been able to get into it yet. Cornelia Funke’s _The Thief Lord_ was extremely entertaining, but I agree with **jsgodess** that the ending was disappointing. My all-time favorite childrens book is Ellen Raskin’s _The Westing Game_, which I recently purchased and re-read about five times. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childrens-books-are-you-reading/273238/28 "2004-11-09T03:46:37Z")
> [@Kizarvexius](#): > > My all-time favorite childrens book is Ellen Raskin’s _The Westing Game_, which I recently purchased and re-read about five times. Ooooh. I love _The Westing Game_. Love it. Ellen Raskin has some other enjoyable books, like _The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I Mean Noel)_, but none compare. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childrens-books-are-you-reading/273238/29 "2004-11-09T04:18:41Z")
I think I’m always re-reading the _Little House_ books. I love them. I haven’t re-read _The Song Of The Lioness_ series recently. Hmm. Just started reading _Warrior Scarlet_, by Rosemary Sutcliff, aloud to my husband. I read him _The Lantern Bearers_ years ago. I’ve got _Eagle Of The Ninth_, but I haven’t read it yet. I love her. She’s a fantastic writer. Has anyone else read the picture book _Pinduli_? It’s adorable! I want a hyena! And it’s very important that you [Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus!](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/078681988X/002-1007730-3180838?v=glance). Great book. Everyone should buy it. Full of good advice. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childrens-books-are-you-reading/273238/30 "2004-11-09T06:46:19Z")
I’m sorry, but _Eragon_ is literally the worst piece of commercial fiction I’ve ever read, and worse than most fanfic. I’m somewhat ashamed that my dad contributed to its being a bestseller by buying it for me (which means that I trudged through it.) (That said, it could probably make a halfway decent eye-candy movie.) Extremely clunky prose, especially with jargon inserted into otherwise casual text. Unimaginative plot. Unimaginative characterizations. Very few unpredictable plot twists. Names drawn from different linguistic traditions seemingly at random. And what’s worse is that, after 600 pages, It doesn’t end! More? Nooooooooooooooooooooo!!!As for me, I might be reading up on some Samantha books for the upcoming TV special, although she is my least favorite American Girl. ---
**Author:** ![Achren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/898d66/32.png) [@Achren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achren)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childrens-books-are-you-reading/273238/31 "2004-11-09T07:26:16Z")
I need to re-read Gordon Korman’s _Son of Interflux_. Stupid, fun book that. Good way to spend an hour. (MHO On _His Dark Materials_: I really enjoyed the first book, liked the second and found the third book far too weighted with Pullman’s personal beliefs. Also, I knew how it would end about half way through. I don’t mind predictable plots as long as they’re well done, this one was not.) ---
**Author:** ![Achren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/898d66/32.png) [@Achren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achren)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childrens-books-are-you-reading/273238/32 "2004-11-09T07:32:50Z")
Oh! And what kind of fan would I be if I didn’t mention the books from which I got my username? _The Chronicles of Prydain_ by Lloyd Alexander (His Westmark trilogy is, I think, even better.) Also: _The Obernewtyn Chronicles_ by Isobelle Carmody. The author is based in Austrailia, so it takes some times before the new ones reach the US. A bit over-wrought at times, but good in spite of that. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childrens-books-are-you-reading/273238/33 "2004-11-09T08:10:48Z")
> [@Lissla Lissar](#): > > Isn’t there another books after _Tehanu_, called _The Other Wind_? I rather liked _Tehanu_. Haven’t read the most recent one, though. I love Le Guin. Yes. It pretty much continues the story of Tehanu, and probably ends the series quite conclusively - no spoilers, as if you liked Tehanu you’ll enjoy it. There’s also a short story collection called Tales From Earthsea, which I did quite enjoy: bits and pieces from all over - a couple of Ged stories, some backstory about Ogion, Ged’s first master, and some tales not really connected with any established characters. ---
**Author:** ![SolGrundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childrens-books-are-you-reading/273238/34 "2004-11-09T08:54:20Z")
I started reading _Howl’s Moving Castle_ by Diana Wynne Jones, because last I heard, it’s the basis for Hayao Miyazaki’s next movie. I can tell that my ADD is in full force, though, because I can’t even commit enough attention to it to get past the first chapter. _A Series of Unfortunate Events_ is next on the list, if I ever get around to it. I haven’t read any of them yet. ---
**Author:** ![vl\_mungo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc8723/32.png) [@vl\_mungo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vl_mungo)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childrens-books-are-you-reading/273238/35 "2004-11-09T09:56:20Z")
**Struwwelpeter** - by Heinrich Hoffmann… always good for a larf. ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childrens-books-are-you-reading/273238/36 "2004-11-09T13:01:55Z")
I was recently totally and utterly knocked out by _The Eclipse of the Century_ by Jan Mark. Stunning book. It takes it’s time to get going but well worth persevering. Although I do suppose it’s a love it or hate it kind of thing. ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childrens-books-are-you-reading/273238/37 "2004-11-09T13:04:20Z")
I also loved _His Dark Materials_ and anything by Diana Wynne Jones. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2004, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childrens-books-are-you-reading/273238/38 "2004-11-10T00:35:10Z")
I haven’t read any Jane Yolen but I keep thinking I should. Look, really, everyone ought to read _Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus_. I read _Sarah, Plain and Tall_ at work, and liked it. Any other John Bellairs fans? ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2004, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childrens-books-are-you-reading/273238/39 "2004-11-10T13:47:58Z")
**Lissla** , I am taking your recommendation on Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. As for Bellairs, so far it’s me, you, and **well he’s back**. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2004, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childrens-books-are-you-reading/273238/40 "2004-11-10T15:35:09Z")
Just to warn you, it’s a picture book, not a YA novel. I spent years avoiding the bookcase wherein lay _The Lamp From The Warlock’s Tomb_. John Bellairs is so freaking creepy his books still sometimes give me nightmares. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childrens-books-are-you-reading/273238.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-childrens-books-are-you-reading/273238.md?page=3)