# Which Kid's Books Kick Ass? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 2, 2001, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-kids-books-kick-ass/79368 "2001-09-02T02:27:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Agrippina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8797f3/32.png) [@Agrippina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agrippina)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2001, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-kids-books-kick-ass/79368/61 "2001-09-04T16:00:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Beadalin \* > \*\*Another Beverly Cleary one: _The Mouse and the Motorcycle_ \*\* I can’t believe I forgot to mention this one! My absolute favorite Cleary book. It was the first one I read, in second grade, and the first chapter book I ever read. I love the other two in the series as well, _Runaway Ralph_ and _Ralph S. Mouse_, although I like the latter one a bit better. Ever see the hour movies made out of them? Only one I’ve seen is _Runaway Ralph_ with Fred Savage and Ray Waltson. ---
**Author:** ![Globe-trotter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cab0a1/32.png) [@Globe-trotter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Globe-trotter)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2001, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-kids-books-kick-ass/79368/62 "2001-09-04T16:02:41Z")
Most of my favourites have already appeared in this thread, so I’ll just add **Mr. Popper’s Penguins** (Richard and Florence Atwater). I don’t know how often I read that book as a youngster. ---
**Author:** ![celestina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/258eb7/32.png) [@celestina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/celestina)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2001, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-kids-books-kick-ass/79368/63 "2001-09-04T17:54:43Z")
I’ll second Lloyd Alexander’s _Westmark Trilogy_. _The Mid-Wife’s Apprentice_ by Catherine Cushman Anything by Virginia Hamilton _Working Cotton_ by Sherley Anne Williams–This work is outstanding! 🙂 Anything by Dr. Seuss _The Hero and the Crown_ and _The Blue Sword_ by Robin McKinley The Alanna series by Tamora Pierce _Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban_ by J K Rowling This is all I can think of right now. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2001, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-kids-books-kick-ass/79368/64 "2001-09-04T18:26:16Z")
There was a great book from my youth called “Sinbad and Me” by Kin Platt. Boy hero and his dog – he solves mysteries by his knowledge of architecture. This book has everything, pirate treasure, bad guys, people with secrets, smart kids, more treasure, and even a smattering of actual information about architecture and nuismatics. I still remember one of the chapter headings, “One dark, one light, one future not bright.” This one seems to be far out of print. On the Amazon auction board, some guy wants $245.00 for a first edition library book. Eek! ---
**Author:** ![Interrobang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/interrobang/32/17463_2.png) [@Interrobang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Interrobang)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2001, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-kids-books-kick-ass/79368/65 "2001-09-04T23:11:16Z")
One series I haven’t seen mentioned yet: Keith Robertson’s Henry Reed books – _Henry Reed, Inc._, _Henry Reed’s Vacation_, _Henry Reed’s Journey_, _Henry Reed’s Baby-Sitting Service_ and _Henry Reed’s Big Show_. I loved those books. I reread them last year and realized, among other things, that Henry and Midge have a sort of presexual – heck, pre-romantic – screwball-comedy relationship (he’s Cary Grant, she’s Katherine Hepburn). Short premise: Henry’s a diplomat’s kid, living abroad, who spends the summer with his aunt and uncle in exurban New Jersey. He and his new friend Midge Glass try to make money – by dowsing for water and “striking oil,” or running a baby-sitting service – and wacky hijinks ensue. Robertson’s '90s sequel, _Henry Reed’s Think Tank_, is probably best forgotten, unfortunately. Another favorite: _Homer Price_ – apparantly I was impressed by H-named heroes. I still remember the diamond bracelet in the donut machine, and everyone in town getting one song stuck in their heads. ---
**Author:** ![Lionors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c37758/32.png) [@Lionors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionors)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2001, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-kids-books-kick-ass/79368/66 "2001-09-04T23:12:30Z")
Grimm’s Fairy Tales. The original (or as original as possible) unexpurgated version. (IMHO, it’s no worse than what most kids scarf down off television and/or movies.) D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths (if this hasn’t been brought up already.) Kudos for bringing up Virginia Hamilton! And yes, I remember the Judy Blume days…whoohoo, the fights in the school library about whether to keep HER books on the shelves! Oddly enough, though, my favorite ones that she did weren’t the really controversial ones. Has Robert Cormier been mentioned yet? If not, The Chocolate War is a must for any late-middle-school aged child. After this thread, I am _definitely_ going to raid the YA/children’s section. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2001, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-kids-books-kick-ass/79368/67 "2001-09-05T14:21:15Z")
Just remembered another series: James Howes’ The Celery Stalks at Midnight, Howliday Inn, Nighty-Nightmare and Bunnicula Strikes Again!. I don’t know now whether they’re really good, but they sure cracked me up when I was a kid. ---
**Author:** ![Yankee\_Blue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/7ea924/32.png) [@Yankee\_Blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yankee_Blue)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2001, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-kids-books-kick-ass/79368/68 "2001-09-05T15:17:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lionors \* > \*\* > M.E. Kerr wrote several that were rather thought provoking that I liked. And did anyone else read the book When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit? There was a sequel to it, too, the title of which I don’t remember at the moment. I thought a Kerr wrote that but I don’t remember who. > \*\* I remember that one. I read a lot of kids books about that era in junior high. Besides the above, I remember _Snow Treasure, Escape from Warsaw, and The Cigarette Sellers of Three Crosses Square_. \*Origionally posted by Ukelele Ike \*\*\*This poem, as well as most others dear to the child in all our hearts, can be found in Donald Hall’s The Oxford Book of Children’s Verse in America. \*\* Thanks for the info on the Nash poem, Ike. ---
**Author:** ![Myron\_Van\_Horowitzski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Myron\_Van\_Horowitzski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myron_Van_Horowitzski)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2001, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-kids-books-kick-ass/79368/69 "2001-09-05T15:40:48Z")
I remember liking Conrad Richter’s _The Light in the Forest_ and _A Country of Strangers_ in grade school. I just read them again recently, and found them totally depressing. Anyone remember _Me and Caleb_, by Franklin Meyer? If you’ve got a copy, hang onto it, it’s rare. And _Me and Caleb_ reminds me of a similar book I can’t remember the title or author of, linked stories about a group of kids who form a club and have all kinds of adventures: building a Loch Ness monster, entering a balloon race, finding treasure hidden in an old cannon… ring a bell with anyone? Others: _How to Eat Fried Worms_, Thomas Rockwell _The Cricket in Times Square_ & sequels, George Selden _Doctor Doolittle_ books, Hugh Lofting _The Boxcar Children_, Gertrude Warner _The Search for Delicious_, Natalie Babbitt …and others too numerous to name… ---
**Author:** ![c\_goat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@c\_goat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/c_goat)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2001, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-kids-books-kick-ass/79368/70 "2001-09-05T16:31:30Z")
\The Diggingest Dog\ - Don’t know the author. Good cute story. Lots of life lessons in a single book. ---
**Author:** ![mblackwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5fc32e/32.png) [@mblackwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mblackwell)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2001, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-kids-books-kick-ass/79368/71 "2001-09-05T16:42:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by c\_goat \* > \*\*\The Diggingest Dog\ - Don’t know the author. > > Good cute story. Lots of life lessons in a single book. \*\* Oh yeah! I forgot about that one. That was one of my favorites. ---
**Author:** ![Edwardina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Edwardina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edwardina)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2001, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-kids-books-kick-ass/79368/72 "2001-09-05T17:11:11Z")
There could hardly be a thread topic nearer and dearer to my heart . . . > [@](#): > > [_originally posted by bean\_shadow_] > Then there was this one book that I loved but cannot remember the author or name, maybe someone can help: It was about this boy who loved little action figures, real tiny ones. Somehow he gets shrunk to the size of his action figures and his brother takes them to school and they have adventures. Does anyone know this? I’d love to read it again. Please! Could you be thinking of **The Indian in the Cupboard** by Lynne Reid Banks? I loved that book! A few that I didn’t see listed yet: **Gone-Away Lake** by Elizabeth Enright **The Owlstone Crown** by X. J. Kennedy **Stuart Little** by E. B. White **The White Deer** by James Thurber **The Wizard Children of Finn** by Mary Tannen **Smith of Wootton Major & Farmer Giles of Ham** by J.R.R. Tolkien I know I’ll think of more after I post this. I was ecstatic to see so many of my favorites already posted (like Robin McKinley, Betty MacDonald, Susan Cooper, Lloyd Alexander, Madeleine L’Engle, Astrid Lindgren, Maurice Sendak and so many more!), and astonished to find some (like Mr. Bass and the Mushroom Planet) that I remembered reading as a child but had forgotten the titles and authors. I am so happy to find this information again! Thank you, Teeming Millions! ---
**Author:** ![sjc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e5b9ba/32.png) [@sjc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sjc)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2001, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-kids-books-kick-ass/79368/73 "2001-09-05T18:25:06Z")
_Homer Price_, I’d forgotten all about that one! Thanks **interrobang!?**. How about some of Roald Dahl’s kids books? _The Girrafe, the Pelly, and Me_, _George’s Marvelous Medicine_, _Fantastic Mister Fox_, _The BFG_, _The Twits_, _The Enormous Crocodile_… The list goes on and on. There were a couple of books that focused on obsolete technology. The titles that I remember were: _Rosie the Snowplow_ and _Mike Mulligan’s Steamshovel_. Now that I think about it, _Mike Mulligan’s Steamshovel_ was sort of like an updated version of the story of John Henry (only with a happier ending, if I recall correctly). ---
**Author:** ![sadity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@sadity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sadity)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2001, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-kids-books-kick-ass/79368/74 "2001-09-05T20:55:29Z")
Musicians of the Sun by Gerald McDermott The Lady with the Alligator Purse Dr. Seuss – The Sneetches and others All of Lewis Carroll’s poems and _riddles_ The Doubtful Guest by Edward Gorey T.S. Eliot’s Practical Cats Has anyone read Toni Morrison’s recent children’s book, The Big Box? Not a joyous reading experience and rather heavy-handed. ---
**Author:** ![Tenar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@Tenar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenar)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-kids-books-kick-ass/79368/75 "2001-09-06T04:25:45Z")
Based upon your choices, Chronos, will you marry me? Ditto on many books already named. Also, how about **Taash and the Jesters** , whose author I cannot recall? Does anyone else remember it? Also, Ursula K. LeGuin’s **Earthsea Trilogy** (I am trying to forget that the fourth book, **Tehannu** , exists.) I also loved **Black Beauty** , by Anna Sewell, and Jim Kjellgaard’s dog books ( **Big Red** , **Outlaw Red** , etc.,) and Jim Farley’s horse books, including **The Black Stallion**. For younger kids, I loved **Good Dog, Carl** , about a rottweiler who babysits. ---
**Author:** ![Tenar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@Tenar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenar)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-kids-books-kick-ass/79368/76 "2001-09-06T04:35:47Z")
Whoops! Make that WalterFarley’s horse books. And how about Marguerite Henry – **Misty, Stormy and Sea Star**? And **Brighty of the Grand Canyon.** I suspect most of these are out of print. I absolutely love **Ragged Dick** and **Mark the Match Boy** by Horatio Alger. Terrible writing, great fun. My favorite trashy series was **Trixie Belden** , a Nancy Drew knock off. I feel OOoooooold now. ---
**Author:** ![Badtz\_Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Badtz\_Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badtz_Maru)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-kids-books-kick-ass/79368/77 "2001-09-06T04:59:17Z")
Alan Mendelsohn, the Boy from Mars by Daniel Manus Pinkwater You must read this book. ---
**Author:** ![SkeptiJess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-kids-books-kick-ass/79368/78 "2001-09-06T14:19:53Z")
**Lionors** John D. Fitzgerald’s adult novels are wonderful (Papa Married A Mormon, Mamma’s Boarding House, and Uncle Will and the Fitzgerald Curse. Kind of hard to find from a library, but often available from Ebay or ABEbooks. As for the OP – I think most of my favorites have been mentioned. Except: the Betsy-Tacy series anything by E. Nesbit anything by Rumer Godden anything by Noel Streatfeild ---
**Author:** ![Tracyj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Tracyj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tracyj)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-kids-books-kick-ass/79368/79 "2001-09-06T19:48:06Z")
One book that I read over and over was The Devil’s Arithmatic by Jane Yolen. Ever since then I have had a fascination with reading about the Holocaust. Another awesome book that I don’t know the title - maybe you can help me out… This is what I remember: 1. About a boy entering High School, but he gets applications for 9th and 11th grade, so he takes both so he can graduate sooner. 2 He only lives with his mother (maybe a brother), and she’s an artist who does crazy things like dressing up in jail clothes and complaining all day that she is being worked to death. 2. He does things like wears a green hat to every (but only) English class, so the students call him ‘the green hat boy’ and don’t recognize him when he is in the other classes. 3. He builds a pyramid that his friend sits in and can solve all her problems, but he can’t figure out why this only works for her. A lot of random details, but maybe one of you has read it? ---
**Author:** ![Dijon\_Warlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@Dijon\_Warlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dijon_Warlock)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2001, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-kids-books-kick-ass/79368/80 "2001-09-06T23:38:41Z")
I read this when I was about thirteen, and even had a copy for a while, but lost it (or Mom threw it out, or something). It was about a girl who would sneak into an abandoned property near her house, and explore the old mansion that sat there. Inside the house were a series of portraits of sisters with the last being the ugliest and the sister wearing a bracelet with pigeon feathers. The girl finds a bracelet just like the one in the portrait, and then starts getting haunted by the woman in the painting who gets out (of the painting, y’know) and stands under the girl’s window at night, saying “I want my bracelet” over and over in a low voice. There was a garden gnome statue/fountain in the mansion’s yard which would come alive when the girl was there (but never anyone else, so no-one would believe her), and something about the sisters all turning into pigeons. I think even the girl ends up getting turned into one at some point, but that may have been a different book. I keep wanting to call it “Pigeons from Hell,” but that’s a Robert E. Howard story. Anyone got a clue on this one? I’d love to read it again. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-kids-books-kick-ass/79368.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-kids-books-kick-ass/79368.md?page=5)