I love the Harry Potter books.  If you haven't read them, you're missing out!
Harry Potter Store at Amazon.com

Beginning Readers are specially formatted for children learning to read.  They span reading levels from the early part of first grade through the end of second grade.  Some children whizz past these beginner books quickly.  Others are still struggling with them long past second grade.  It is a big challenge to a writer to present a good, absorbing story in such a short book, usually 48 or 64 pages, with larger type and plenty of white space.  Beginning readers are illustrated.

Fiction, often called "chapter books" by children in elementary school, spans the ages from third grade up.  These children's novels may be transitional books of about 80 pages that help bridge the gap between beginning readers and longer fiction (usually aimed at third graders) or very long, involved books for older children.  They encompass a wide variety of genres from historical fiction to mystery and humor to fantasy.

Nonfiction, "true stuff," is fascinating to children.  In my experience, boys in particular appreciate and enjoy nonfiction if it is about a topic in which they are interested.  Children's nonfiction today is beautifully produced, heavily illustrated, and entertaining to read.  Children's nonfiction is published for all ages from toddler to young adult.

Biographies are written for children in engaging styles.  Children are often interested in public, historical, or literary figures.

Children love to be read to . . . and there are few things you can do for your children as valuable as reading to them.  Books they may not be able to read themselves yet they may enjoy immensely if they are read aloud.  Share the books together.

The links from the main title of the book are for hardcover editions, if the book is available in hard cover.  If the book is also available in a paperback version, you'll find that link after at the end of the information about the book.  If the only edition available is a paperbound one, that will be the main title link.

Each year there are many wonderful children's books published (and a lot of mediocre ones as well).  Most of the books listed here were selected to be presented in booktalks about "the best books" of that year at the Kansas Library Association Conferences, 1996-1999.  Although most of these were published during those years, I have added other books I know and love.  These selections were all chosen to appeal primarily to children through age 13. I looked for books that not only have excellent text and illustrations but are unusual and memorable, offer variety, and satisfy children’s curiosity (and mine).  These are personal lists of favorites.  I can't include all the good children's books.  I hope you explore many more on your own.

There are many lists of recommended books, from classics to award winners, from best books in social studies or science to recommended reading lists for various ages.  You'll find links to some of these lists on our Links page.  Because these have already been presented so well, I have chosen not to repeat the content here.  However, in some cases, where classics or award winners were particular favorites of mine, I have added them to my lists.

Another important consideration is whether the book is still in print.  Unfortunately, many deserving and wonderful books are no longer in print.  While I would recommend them to library patrons, because these pages are intended as home, gift, library and classroom purchase recommendations, I have made every effort to be sure the books listed are still in print and will check them from time to time to see if they still are.  If you discover that any of the books listed are not longer in print, please send email to me at:  raven@ravenstonepress.com