Betsy Bird compiled votes for a list of the 100 greatest children's novels of all time. She's up to number 2. What will be number 1? Six Boxes of Books gathered the list in a more readable format if you want to peruse. It's a magnificent list. Here's the top ten as it stands:
2. Wrinkle in Time (Yay!)
3. Harry Potter 1
4. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Weep)
5. From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
6. Holes
7. The Giver
8. The Secret Garden (sigh)
9. Anne of Green Gables (Love!)
10. The Phantom Tollbooth
What could be #1? You can browse through the previous 89 winners, but I can't think what's missing. Several other Harry Potters made the list as did the obvious Roald Dahls (I think). You got your Little Women, Westing Game, Hobbit, Pooh, Alice, Bridge to Terabithia, Kate DiCamillos, Harriet the Spy, Maniac Magee, Tuck Everlasting, Oz, Dark is Rising, Outsiders...
I don't think the Series of Unfortunate Events: A Bad Beginning would hit #1. Keep in mind that these were adults doing the voting (I didn't discover the poll until after the voting was over so I wasn't one of them) so it's not likely to be a recent popular book, but something adults cherish from their own childhood but that is still widely read today. ...Wait, maybe Charlotte's Web hasn't hit the list yet. I don't remember seeing it. Okay, if that one is still AWOL, then that's my vote. Any other options? And what would your personal top ten be? (just make it "besides all of Shannon's books" since that's a given. Right? Huh?) Remember, these are just children's novels, not picture books, non-fiction, or YA. Think 8-12 years old.
EDIT: the obscure "weep" after LWW was my reference to how this book made me weep whenever I read it because I wanted to go to Narnia so badly and couldn't. The yearning!
Thanks for sharing this fun list! Charlotte's Web definitely gets my vote for #1. I still can't read that book without crying. :)
Posted by: Violet | April 09, 2010 at 01:30 PM
wait--do you not like The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe?
Posted by: miss erin | April 09, 2010 at 01:31 PM
My personal top ten?
1. The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
2. Harry Potter 3
3. A Wrinkle in Time
4. Ella Enchanted
5. Ender's Game
6. Percy Jackson 1
7. City of Ember
8. Dealing with Dragons
9. The Silver Chair
10. The Amulet of Samarkland (sp?)
...I think that'd be it. I might move around some of the books within the 10, but that's definitely my top picks.
Posted by: beth | April 09, 2010 at 01:32 PM
Can't believe I haven't read #5 or #10. Need to brush up on my children's lit! Especially so I can pass it on to the kiddos. Can't believe how fast the 5yo is getting into reading. We've been doing chapters from Lion, Witch, Wardrobe out loud at bed time and are already halfway through.
Posted by: Nikki | April 09, 2010 at 01:54 PM
I immediately thought of Charlotte's Web. There isn't a better children's book out there. I read it to my students every few years and the end still makes me teary-eyed!
Some of those books I haven't read in forever! I think I'll go back and read a lot of them. I'm about to read a Ramona book to my class next week to celebrate D.E.A.R.
Posted by: Megan J. | April 09, 2010 at 02:29 PM
The Bad Beginning is #71.
I'm just glad they got most of my favorites in there: Matilda and The BFG, Book of Three and High King, The Giver, The Thief, The Graveyard Book, and I could really go on.
This list is actually very helpful since I'm compiling my initial book order for the children's bookstore I'm opening. Great timing.
Posted by: Michelle Witte | April 09, 2010 at 03:12 PM
I'm sure it is Charlotte's Web, although I would disagree. I'd put Harry Potter at the top. Looking at the full list of 100, I saw a few surprises but most were expected. I don't agree with their #2 choice (A Wrinkle in Time) either, but that's just me!And, Shannon, I recommend every one of your books to anyone who asks! Love them love them love them! I really do think Princess Academy or Goose Girl should be among the top 100 without a doubt.
Posted by: Deana | April 09, 2010 at 03:16 PM
I've always loved the Trumpet of the Swan and Prairie River.
Posted by: eb | April 09, 2010 at 03:20 PM
My personal children's favorites, though I don't think I could order them: Narnia, Percy Jackson, Hoot, Coraline (is that childrens?), Peter Pan in Scarlet, The Twits, Ella Enchanted, The Two Princess of Bamarre, Series of Unfortunate Events...I'm just rambling now, aren't I?
Posted by: Chelsea | April 09, 2010 at 03:29 PM
Where the Red Fern Grows, Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, Beauty (By Bill Wallace), The Black Stallion, Misty of Chincoteague, Black Beauty, Inkheart... I have so many more it's crazy. Have to stop somewhere. And why isn't Anne of Green Gables #2 and Narnia #1? Those people need to get their priorities in order.
Posted by: Katie-wa | April 09, 2010 at 03:58 PM
Top ten... argh.
Peter Pan, The Westing Game, The Tattooed Potato and Other Clues, Walk Two Moons, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, The Bronze Bow, Holes, Because of Winn-Dixie, Howl's Moving Castle, The Phantom Tollbooth.
Although of course I adore Narnia and Little Men/Little Women too...
Posted by: Bethany | April 09, 2010 at 04:31 PM
What a nostalgic list! Little House, Mrs. Frisby, James and the Giant Peach, Ramona... and Charlotte's Web is NOT on there, so it better be #1! That was my first very own hardcover book that was new!
Posted by: Krista | April 09, 2010 at 04:36 PM
I doubt I could name my top ten, but two of my favorites are Where the Red Fern Grows and Walk Two Moons.
Posted by: Krystal | April 09, 2010 at 05:32 PM
It's not about priorities, people. Those who participated submitted their top 10 and Besty assigned them points -- 10 for #1 down to 1 for #10 -- and the book with the most points is #1. So it's more about which book the most people were thinking about. I'm betting it's Charlotte's Web. Interestingly: none of the top 10 were on my personal 10 list, though I've read every single book. Hmmm.... wonder what that says about me?
Posted by: Melissa (Book Nut) | April 09, 2010 at 05:41 PM
Oh, I lied: Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe *was* on my top 10.
Posted by: Melissa (Book Nut) | April 09, 2010 at 05:43 PM
How about The Giving Tree? Not a long book, but it's amazing and I think every child has read it.
Posted by: Lizzy | April 09, 2010 at 06:13 PM
Oh, phew. I thought it was first you didn't like LWW! I can breathe again:)
My top ten:
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: the Lightning Thief
The Goose Girl
Wildwood Dancing (not sure if that's for 12 year olds or not... I read it when I was 13)
The Sherwood Ring
The Sisters Grimm (any and all of them)
A Murder for Her Majesty
Artemis Fowl
Inkheart
Johnny Tremain
The Thief
Posted by: Caroline | April 09, 2010 at 06:50 PM
Oh, wow, I read this earlier and I was like, "WEEP? What does that mean??? What's wrong with LWW???"
Then this came up again in my friends list and I saw your edit... and I just feel so relieved!
;)
Posted by: richlayers | April 09, 2010 at 08:44 PM
I'd guess it's Charlotte's Web as well, although I always liked The Trumpet of the Swan best of EB White's books and The Giver is my all-time favorite book.
The list, and all the comments, make me want to visit the children's section of my library! :)
Posted by: the dragonfly | April 09, 2010 at 08:52 PM
Nice list!
One of my daughter also cried, more than once that she would never get to Narnia.
Truly, and I'm not sucking up. The Princess Academy is at least in my top five, if not my top three. That book speaks to me and touches my emotions in ways that surprise me, not matter how many times I read it!
Posted by: Lisa Hunsaker | April 09, 2010 at 09:11 PM
I remember one day when I was 12, I finished The Last Battle and thought, "I wish you could still go to Narnia....". Then the sad truth hit me (weep)
Posted by: Kelsi | April 09, 2010 at 10:14 PM
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Caddie Woodlawn
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
The Secret Garden
Graveyard Book
The Sea of Trolls
Mandy
The Saturdays
Kiki Strike
Posted by: andalucy | April 10, 2010 at 05:30 AM
How about the Holy Bible as the top 1?
Posted by: Esther Grace | April 10, 2010 at 10:54 AM
Besides yours, of course:
Ella Enchanted
Because of Winn Dixie
Gregor the Overlander (absolutely delicious, by Suzanne Collins of the Hunger Games)
Half Moon Investigations
Alex Rider
Narnia, Narnia, Narnia
The Yearling
Tom Sawyer
OH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. Excellent for boys of any age, and girls too!
Posted by: Je Reve | April 10, 2010 at 12:05 PM
Esther Grace-- most definitely the Bible is my number one, but it's not fiction:)
Posted by: Caroline | April 10, 2010 at 04:35 PM
ooh, good choices everyone! I'm definitely on the Ella Enchanted bandwagon. Recently I reread A Little Princess and loved that one!
Posted by: Ruby Diamond | April 10, 2010 at 06:37 PM
Oh, what a great list!!! I didn't see either Peter Pan or Charlotte's web... This is not ordered by the way:
1. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
2. Winnie the Pooh
3. The Wizard of Oz
4. Little House on the Prairie
5. Peter Pan
6. Matilda
7. Which Witch?
8. The Little Princess
9. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
10. The Little White Horse
I am so glad The Little White Horse made the list!!!
Posted by: Myrtle | April 10, 2010 at 07:45 PM
How to ever decide? I would have to say the James A. Owens' work is rather brilliant: The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica. I recommend it to anyone!
Posted by: Shannon Morris | April 10, 2010 at 09:12 PM
I could add another hundred (ain't reading grand!), but here are two that never get mentioned...
Black and Blue Magic and Shadow Castle.
Posted by: Sue Ellen | April 11, 2010 at 02:38 PM
i bet it is Where a Red Fern Grows! i loved that book! thats a pretty good top ten, i've only not read a few!
Posted by: Mindy | April 11, 2010 at 06:25 PM
edit: red fern is #46 or something, it should still be #1 though! i've read so many of those books and i love that ella enchanted made it on!
Posted by: Mindy | April 11, 2010 at 06:28 PM
I can't NOT list your books! That would be lying!
In particular order, and I MEAN that!
Princess Academy
Book of 1000 Days
The Claidi Journals (all 4 books)
Black Unicorn (Lee)
Beauty (McKinley)
The Secret Garden
A Little Princess
Black Beauty
Goose Girl
I Capture the Castle
Little Women
Jane Eyre (it counts!)
I'll stop there. A lot of books are obviously "good," but these are the ones that touched me the most. And hence are my "personal picks" :)
Posted by: Bridget | April 11, 2010 at 11:18 PM
Bah -- I meant "no" particular order, of course...
Posted by: Bridget | April 11, 2010 at 11:23 PM
I always really loved The Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson. But not as number one. I'm just wondering if it's on the list.
And Nancy Drews...I know they're all very similar, but they influenced my childhood a lot.
They should do a YA list. So many great authors...John Green, David Levithan, E. Lockhart...and Shannon Hale!
I'm about to go for some re-reading. The Westing Game might be my favorite book of all time. Eh, but there are so many more I love.
Posted by: Burning | April 12, 2010 at 07:50 AM
Oh, gosh! Avi books...I forgot how much I loved that guy.
Posted by: Burning | April 12, 2010 at 07:51 AM
Best book of all time: The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner.
Best book ever...'nuff said
Posted by: Amanda | April 12, 2010 at 12:26 PM
Good. I was getting defensive for a minute because I love the LWW. A lot of my top ten were already on there. Love the list!
Posted by: Dr. Sallie N. Cheinsteen | April 12, 2010 at 06:59 PM
What about The Middle Moffat (it still makes me laugh) and the Half Magic books?
Posted by: Rosie Brinsek | April 12, 2010 at 07:51 PM
My favorites have always been Ella Enchanted, The Two Princesses of Bamarre, Kira Kira, and Beauty (Robin Mckinley). I still enjoy them now!
Posted by: Jessica | April 12, 2010 at 09:03 PM
I would put any Harry Potter book at number 1. As I remember, Wrinkle in Time didn't give me nearly as much enjoyment as Sorcerer's stone when I was elementary age. Though, of course, Wrinkle in Time is still a good book--but I don't think it ought to be number 2.
Posted by: Austin | April 13, 2010 at 07:11 AM
Oh, yeah, the Bible isn't fiction. Oops. :)
Hmmm, then I think that "Alice in Wonderland" would come first. :D
Posted by: Esther Grace | April 13, 2010 at 07:14 AM
For a minute I was going to say, "You don't like the chronicals of narnia?! Goodbye you!" But then I saw your little post at the bottom and breathed a deep sigh of relief. As for #1 it should be 'The End' the 13th book in the series of unfortunenate events. (That's not my absoloute fave but most of my faves are already on the list :)
Posted by: Princess Loucida | April 13, 2010 at 05:07 PM
On second thought, why do we have to number them? Why can't their be like a 100 book list that is the very best??? Way to hard to choose.....
Posted by: Princess Loucida | April 13, 2010 at 05:09 PM
@Amanda--
I know, The Thief is AMAZING!!! Definitely among my top ten:)
Posted by: Caroline | April 14, 2010 at 10:58 AM
great list. I'm curious to what # 1 is. Goose Girl? That's #1 on my list.
Posted by: Alice Beesley | April 14, 2010 at 12:33 PM
I don't have a top ten, but I would just like to express my undying love for LM Montgomery's work. (And yours, of course, but that's implied.)
Posted by: Jen | April 14, 2010 at 09:38 PM
What about Betsy-Tacy?? That's a childhood favorite! (The whole series!)
Posted by: Princess Loucida | April 15, 2010 at 09:24 AM
For some reason I'm choosing everything that would never end up on that list because of obscurity, I don't know why they are, they're awsome :)
*Rowan Hood
*The Moorchild
*Redwall
*Fairest
*The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
*Matilda
*Emily of New Moon
*The Hobbit
*The Book of 1000 Days, (It's pretty mutual for all ages!)
*Boy on a Black Horse
Emily of New Moon for instance, by the L. M. Montgomery of Anne of Green Gables, is beautiful and, in my opinion, if possible better. And don't forget Nancy Springer! (Rowan Hood, Boy on a Black Horse,) and Fairest is G. C. Levine's best, yet never get's any of Ella Enchanted's attention :( And last but not least, The Moorchild by Eloise Mcgraw. I got it for my brothers birthday,lol. And its amazing.
Posted by: Dominique | April 15, 2010 at 10:30 AM
I LOVE Betsy-Tacy!! but mostly the ones when they're little:)
Posted by: Caroline | April 15, 2010 at 01:36 PM
Pshh, not including Shannon novels, what a funny joke... ;)
1. Ella Enchanted
2. Princess Academy
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
4. The Two Princesses of Bamarre
5. Little Women
6. Holes
7. The Westing Game
8. The BFG
9. Attaboy, Sam!
10. The View From The Cherry Tree
Posted by: Christen | April 15, 2010 at 03:04 PM