http://www.npr.org/2013/08/05/207315023/the-ultimate-backseat-bookshelf-100-must-reads-for-kids-9-14
This is a great list.
The only books I have reservations about recommending to junior high (and younger) kids are
- The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (Outstanding writing, but some material likely to offend many readers in our community.)
- The second and third book in Pullman's His Dark Materials Series (Same comment as above but more so.)
- Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. (I haven't read this one, but when it came out in 1970 -- ancient history, right? -- it was controversial.)
Some of my favorites, books not to be missed include the following. Be aware that I'm having a hard time not just copying most of the list here, but these are really stand-out titles.
- Bunnicula -- If you didn't read this when you were younger, it's time to catch up!
- Half Magic -- There's a set of these, and they are delightful!
- The Graveyard Book -- One of my all-time favorites!
- The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles -- You may be surprised to learn that Julie Andrews (from The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins) also wrote a fun, fun fantasy book!
- Chronicles of Narnia -- I just read/listened (on CD's while traveling in the car) to these again this summer.
- Wonder -- I read this as school was getting out. As the blurb on the list says, it's "about acceptance, self-esteem and the transformative power of human kindness."
- The House with a Clock in Its Walls -- This is part of a series that has sadly been overlooked by too many readers!
Read Across the United States: http://www.epicreads.com/blog/the-united-states-of-ya/
