Top 5 Childhood Books

I've been feeling nostalgic about how much I used to read as a child... and I don't know if it's because the books were way more interesting, or if I'm now spending a lot of time reading really boring articles. Either way, it gives me warm fuzzies to remember my faves...




Honorable mention: Jacob Have I Loved- I can't tell you anymore what this book is about, but I know that from 4th-6th grade I read it over and over and over again.




5. The Ramona series by Beverly Cleary. Hilarious. I think I spent most of 2nd and 3rd grade with my nose buried in the Ramona books. She did such fantastic things that I wanted to know more. Perfect for the 8-9 year old set.



4. Everything by Judy Blume. That woman knew how to write angsty teenagers! And they were funny, cool, just dorky enough, and like people I would hang out with. What a brilliant "young adult" writer.



3. Sweet Valley Twins- Again, loved the characters and the worlds that were NOTHING like mine. I think it's the same reason I enjoy soap operas... because I would never be like these beautiful, blonde twins who did some crazy stuff. Nice escapism at a young age. I fully admit to it--not Nobel Prize lit here.



2. Babysitter's Club- I will admit that I wanted to be Mary-Anne. More than anything in the world. I wanted to live in that world when I was younger... because, as silly as it seems, the characters seemed so grown-up and independent. They ran their own business! They looked out for the little kids! They had relationships! And planned cool events! I wonder if I sat back down and read them if my love would endure...



1. Boxcar Children- These were originally given to me for my birthday by Grandma Neva and I could not get enough of the children's crazy shenanigans. Who honestly lives in a boxcar to hide from their scary rich grandfather and then, after realizing he's a sweet old man who loves them, proceeds to solve mysteries?? Why Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny. What great child protagonists. And there were so many books! It definitely catered to my speedy reading.