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Books I Hope the Next Generation Reads (Childhood/Young Adult)
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items As a lifelong bookworm, these are the top books that made an impact on me during childhood. Some are more adult than others and more commonly known, but these are the books I’m giving my niece as she grows up and navigates the world.
Sections
2
Young Adult
Children and Teens
Young Adult
A devastating, heart-wrenching, and gripping story through the perspective of a young girl in the south, whose lawyer father risks everything to defend an innocent black man accused of a heinous crime. This book makes the reader truly ruminate over t...
To Kill a Mockingbird
As an introverted bookworm in my teens, I remember how haunting this book was to me. The themes of conformity, censorship, and loss of individuality prompted me to consider some pretty hefty philosophical thought experiments. On a personal note I als...
Fahrenheit 451: A Novel|Paperback
An allegorical novela, this was my first introduction into themes of totalitarianism and the tendency for power to be corrupted. A story of a group of rebellious farm animals and their pursuit for freedom- It hits on themes of propaganda and how easi...
Animal Farm (Collector's Edition)|Paperback
This story is eerily relevant to the modern moment and is spookily accurate considering this was written in 1993. However, accurate or not, it’s a great rumination on the inevitability and necessity of community and resilience. It’s also a fairly eas...
Parable of the Sower|Paperback
A book about a man with serious intellectual disabilities who undergoes a medical procedure that makes him a super genius, but the effects are only temporary. A beautiful meditation on the human experience and whether or not “being better” means anyt...
Flowers for Algernon|Paperback
This is my favorite series ever. I’m not being hyperbolic. It got me through my first adult heartbreak and I not only devoured the series but I developed an emotional attachment to the characters and the story that was borderline obsessive. If you li...
Outlander
A short horror story about a village’s dark annual event that questions the value of tradition and the subjectivity of personal morality. Only around 10 pages or so, the ending sneaks up on you and invites the reader to question not only issues but m...
Lottery|Paperback
Jonathan Livingston Seagull is an allegorical novella that explores self-discovery, individuality, and personal enlightenment. Jonathan breaks free from societal norms, pursuing his passion regardless of what others think on his road to self discover...
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Bach & Munson
REQUIRED READING for any aspiring artists. This book is truly a rite of passage for any creative person wanting to deepen their relationship with their craft. It treats inspiration and creation as a personally spiritual practice and truly changed my ...
The Artist's Way: 30th Anniversary Edition
For any artist that ever felt isolated and existentially lonely - this book is a fundamental read. A series of letters between Rilke and a young cadet that explore the philosophy as life as an outsider, the cost of life solar department a creative, a...
Letters to a Young Poet: Rainer Maria Rilke
Children and Teens
This book woke up a part of me in childhood that was obsessed with concepts of time, space, and dimensions. Amazing series.
A Wrinkle in Time: (Newbery Medal Winner)
One of the classics that woke up my consciousness as a kid… Imagine a world without emotion or even color - where one person bears the burden of feeling for everyone. So good.
The Giver (Newbery Medal Winner) by Lois Lowry, Paperback
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I actually was obsessed with this book of survival growing up, but I also really love giving it to young male readers. I actually think this is a great book to give any young man that’s looking to get into reading. The story of 13 year old who finds ...
Hatchet (Brian's Saga Series #1)|Paperback
As a bit of a loner growing up, all I wanted more than anything was a magical little companion. For me, this was one of those stories that actually felt like an escape and kept the idea of magic alive. Although it is about a dragon, it does not live ...
Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher - Magic Shop Book
Somewhat of a similar option for those who liked Hatchet by Gary Paulson. this is a story of a strong young girls will to survive and understand a quickly moving world. Personally, I love this book in elementary school for the ASMR aspect of it. (I t...
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Although the title might make some hesitant, this is so much more than just the story of a little princess. Sara Crewe has got to be one of the most memorable protagonist ever written. The story of a young girl who loses everything when her father di...
A Little Princess
As an Asian girl adopted by white parents who grew up in the deep south, I’ll never forget reading this in 5th grade. A beautifully written story that is very successful at not only making you intellectually consider the nuance of racial complexities...
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (Newbery Medal Winner)|Paperback
There is something so sincerely human about this story. A heart, wrenching tale of friendship, imagination, and tragic loss. Somewhat similar to the vibes of Narnia, in that some places aren’t places at all - they’re actually moments that only some p...
Bridge to Terabithia