Ages 6 and up
- The Raft
- by Jim LaMarche
2000
This tale of a city boy discovering nature has a deep sense of wonder. The flora and fauna of the north woods are brought to life by LaMarche's exquisite pastel work.
- Animus
- by Seonna Hong
2005
Hong's melancholy visuals lie somewhere between Japanese anime and Dick and Jane in this eerie story of a little girl haunted by the fact that a mean dog doesn't like her.
- My Father's Dragon
- by Ruth Stiles Gannet
1997
Written by a sweet old grandmother with a crazy talent for storytelling, this trilogy of short stories about Elmer Elevator and his fire-breathing companion captivates but never, never frightens.
- The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet
- by Eleanor Cameron
1954
This is sci-fi at its most wholesome: The young heroes regularly sputter out '50s-isms like "Golly!" and "Gee whillikers!"—and in the end, it's brainpower that saves the day.
- No Flying in the House
- by Betty Brock
1970
For 6-year-old readers, dilemmas don't get more gut-wrenching than the one at the heart of this tale: magic powers vs. a real family. That's the choice facing a girl who discovers she's half fairy.
- A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears
- by Jules Feiffer
1995
You will never know what's coming next in this utterly original fairy tale about a prince who is handicapped by being too charming—but you can safely bet you'll be smiling at the end.
- By the Great Horn Spoon!
- by Sid Fleischman
1963
This rip-roaring adventure, set during the California gold rush, is more than just plot twists and cliffhangers; it's filled with witty dialogue and well-drawn characters.
- Betsy-Tacy
- by Maud Hart Lovelace
1940
There's an innocence to this semiautobiographical tale of friendship. No gimmicks or plot contrivances are needed: Two girls meet, have adventures together, and become utterly devoted to each other.
- Toys Go Out
- by Emily Jenkins
2006
By now we know toys come to life as soon we leave the room, but who knew they were as witty and insightful as the plush stingray, stuffed bison, and plastic ball in Jenkins's cliché-dodging tale?
