Hey everybody! :)
Today I'm going to share with you 10 of my top favorite books from when I was around 9-13. These are the ones I read over and over and over and over! Lol! I've lost count of how many times I've read these. Some of these books I read before I was 9, but I continued to really enjoy these books all through my pre-teen years. Honestly I still enjoy these books. I love the nostalgia that comes with reading them now, making them seem like old friends. So here's the list! ;)
(in no particular order)
1. Black Beauty
Black Beauty by Anna Sewall is full of unforgettable characters for me. To start with, there was Black Beauty. He was so intelligent and he always tries his best no matter the circumstance. Then of course there's Merrylegs, Joe Green, Ginger, Jerry, Captain... There's a good list of interesting people and horses in the book. The chapters are short, which meant I could squeeze in some reading in little empty pockets of time throughout the day. :P
2. The Tanglewoods' Secret
By Patricia M. St. John, this one was my favorite out of all her books. She has lots of good ones, so it's a little hard to decide, but The Tanglewoods' Secret was one I always went back to to read. Ruth was easy to relate to, and I loved her story of escapades, struggles as a new Christian, and coming to terms with her Aunt. *Side Note-- the current books of Patricia M. St. John are not the originals nor is their writing as good. I highly recommend the authentic Patricia M. St. John books... (before the 1990's) ;P The link I have provided will take you to the original, used books.*
3. The Hidden Jewel
This is part of a series called Trailblazers. They're written by Dave and Neta Jackson, and are fictional stories based on heroes of the faith. The first one I ever read of this series, and still my absolute favorite, is the one about Amy Carmichael. Amy Carmichael is still one of my favorite missionary ladies, and I found The Hidden Jewel super intriguing. I was fascinated with India, and the book truly made it come alive for me. I played Amy Carmichael-esque stories with my little puppet-like dolls forever after reading this book when I was very young. ;)
4. Bristle Face
It's another boy-and-a-dog story, by Zachary Ball. This book is equal parts hilarious, tear-jerking, and interesting. Jase is a lonely boy in need of a family, and Bristle Face is a loyal, funny-looking dog who likes hunting box turtles. :P The dialogue is great and the characters are well developed. *May have a few undesirable words here and there like many other classic dog books*.
5. Drumbeats in Williamsburg
By Isabelle Lawrence. This book was one of the first Revolutionary War books I read. (and from there....lol!) Andy Small wants to be a heroic drummer boy in the Revolution, but he's also quite timid. This book mixes adventure and suspense with a lot of really funny moments and exchanges of dialogue. I liked the way the relationship grows between Andy and his cousin Debby, and I enjoyed reading about Andy's attempts at spying.
6. The Singing Tree
This is actually the sequel to The Good Master, by Kate Seredy, but I read this book first and while I liked both, this one will be my favorite. It's not necessary to read the first book to read this, as it picks up like a new book, just with the same characters. Set during the Great War, this is a story about a rural Hungarian family. Poignant and sweet, I liked the characters and the plot line, and had quite a thing for Turn-of-the-Century Hungary for a while. :P The culture is written extremely well.
7. Scout
This book is by Julie Nye and is actually set in Michigan, my dad's home state. ;) Besides that though, this is just an interesting story. I liked the horse-and-dog related plot line, and the mystery surrounding Scout, the superbly trained dog, is intriguing.
8. Stormy, Misty's Foal
I like all the books in the Misty series by Marguerite Henry, but Stormy, Misty's Foal is my favorite. The dangerous storm that rocks the island of Chincoteague provides drama and a gripping story line. Grandpa and Grandma Beebe are wonderful. And it centers not only around horses, but also the community in a time of need.
9. The Wheel on the School
Oh, yes, The Wheel on the School by Meindert DeJong! This book gives a superb look at Dutch culture and the characters are perfect and memorable. It is about a small school in a little village, and one day the only girl in the school asks the question-- "why are there no storks in Shora?". That sets off a chain of events both hilarious and sweet as the schoolchildren try to get storks to nest in Shora. While of course the legends mentioned of storks equaling luck aren't true, this book is full of laughs and growing friendships.
10. Maasai-Jungle Doctor
This book, by Paul White, is not an autobiography, but is based on the realities of being a missionary doctor in Tanzania. I have read several books of the Jungle Doctor series and enjoyed them all, but the Maasai, which I probably read first at around eleven, I reread the most. Korometti's character is very interesting, and the culture of the Maasai at that time is also shared in an engaging way.
So that's 10 of my top read-and-reread books from ages 9-13! :) Have you read any of these? I'd love to know! Also, write me a comment telling me what your favorite book(s) from 9-13 was.
You all have a lovely day! :)
Victoria
Today I'm going to share with you 10 of my top favorite books from when I was around 9-13. These are the ones I read over and over and over and over! Lol! I've lost count of how many times I've read these. Some of these books I read before I was 9, but I continued to really enjoy these books all through my pre-teen years. Honestly I still enjoy these books. I love the nostalgia that comes with reading them now, making them seem like old friends. So here's the list! ;)
(in no particular order)
1. Black Beauty
Black Beauty by Anna Sewall is full of unforgettable characters for me. To start with, there was Black Beauty. He was so intelligent and he always tries his best no matter the circumstance. Then of course there's Merrylegs, Joe Green, Ginger, Jerry, Captain... There's a good list of interesting people and horses in the book. The chapters are short, which meant I could squeeze in some reading in little empty pockets of time throughout the day. :P
2. The Tanglewoods' Secret
By Patricia M. St. John, this one was my favorite out of all her books. She has lots of good ones, so it's a little hard to decide, but The Tanglewoods' Secret was one I always went back to to read. Ruth was easy to relate to, and I loved her story of escapades, struggles as a new Christian, and coming to terms with her Aunt. *Side Note-- the current books of Patricia M. St. John are not the originals nor is their writing as good. I highly recommend the authentic Patricia M. St. John books... (before the 1990's) ;P The link I have provided will take you to the original, used books.*
3. The Hidden Jewel
This is part of a series called Trailblazers. They're written by Dave and Neta Jackson, and are fictional stories based on heroes of the faith. The first one I ever read of this series, and still my absolute favorite, is the one about Amy Carmichael. Amy Carmichael is still one of my favorite missionary ladies, and I found The Hidden Jewel super intriguing. I was fascinated with India, and the book truly made it come alive for me. I played Amy Carmichael-esque stories with my little puppet-like dolls forever after reading this book when I was very young. ;)
4. Bristle Face
It's another boy-and-a-dog story, by Zachary Ball. This book is equal parts hilarious, tear-jerking, and interesting. Jase is a lonely boy in need of a family, and Bristle Face is a loyal, funny-looking dog who likes hunting box turtles. :P The dialogue is great and the characters are well developed. *May have a few undesirable words here and there like many other classic dog books*.
5. Drumbeats in Williamsburg
By Isabelle Lawrence. This book was one of the first Revolutionary War books I read. (and from there....lol!) Andy Small wants to be a heroic drummer boy in the Revolution, but he's also quite timid. This book mixes adventure and suspense with a lot of really funny moments and exchanges of dialogue. I liked the way the relationship grows between Andy and his cousin Debby, and I enjoyed reading about Andy's attempts at spying.
6. The Singing Tree
This is actually the sequel to The Good Master, by Kate Seredy, but I read this book first and while I liked both, this one will be my favorite. It's not necessary to read the first book to read this, as it picks up like a new book, just with the same characters. Set during the Great War, this is a story about a rural Hungarian family. Poignant and sweet, I liked the characters and the plot line, and had quite a thing for Turn-of-the-Century Hungary for a while. :P The culture is written extremely well.
7. Scout
This book is by Julie Nye and is actually set in Michigan, my dad's home state. ;) Besides that though, this is just an interesting story. I liked the horse-and-dog related plot line, and the mystery surrounding Scout, the superbly trained dog, is intriguing.
8. Stormy, Misty's Foal
I like all the books in the Misty series by Marguerite Henry, but Stormy, Misty's Foal is my favorite. The dangerous storm that rocks the island of Chincoteague provides drama and a gripping story line. Grandpa and Grandma Beebe are wonderful. And it centers not only around horses, but also the community in a time of need.
9. The Wheel on the School
Oh, yes, The Wheel on the School by Meindert DeJong! This book gives a superb look at Dutch culture and the characters are perfect and memorable. It is about a small school in a little village, and one day the only girl in the school asks the question-- "why are there no storks in Shora?". That sets off a chain of events both hilarious and sweet as the schoolchildren try to get storks to nest in Shora. While of course the legends mentioned of storks equaling luck aren't true, this book is full of laughs and growing friendships.
10. Maasai-Jungle Doctor
This book, by Paul White, is not an autobiography, but is based on the realities of being a missionary doctor in Tanzania. I have read several books of the Jungle Doctor series and enjoyed them all, but the Maasai, which I probably read first at around eleven, I reread the most. Korometti's character is very interesting, and the culture of the Maasai at that time is also shared in an engaging way.
So that's 10 of my top read-and-reread books from ages 9-13! :) Have you read any of these? I'd love to know! Also, write me a comment telling me what your favorite book(s) from 9-13 was.
You all have a lovely day! :)
Victoria
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