From unruly orphans and magical worlds to a monstrous underwater ship – these coming-of-age classics are packed with legendary characters and stories that have stood the test of time.
The Second World War has just been declared and so children in the cities are being evacuated to the country. One of those children is the sad and neglected Willie Beech who ends up with grumpy old Tom Oakley. Despite their differences, the pair form a steadfast connection and flourish together. But then Willie’s mum summons him back to London and the pair wonder whether they’ll ever see each other again. Goodnight Mister Tom is a timeless favourite about the power of friendship.
Few books describe the intricacies of moving from childhood to adulthood with such accuracy and tenderness as Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women . Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, the novel centres around the March girls as they navigate poverty, romance, work, success, failure, and illness. The sisters are memorable and lovable: Meg is beautiful; Jo is a tomboy and aspires to be a writer; Beth is shy and good-natured; Amy is vain and artistic. Reading Little Women is a rite of passage.
Who wouldn’t want a caveman as their best friend? That’s exactly what young Barney gets when he stumbles across stone-age Stig who lives in the dump at the bottom of an old chalk pit. Despite being unable to communicate with language, the pair quickly become friends. Barney helps Stig improve his den, and Stig teaches Barney how to hunt and fend off bullies. Nobody believes Barney when he tells them about Stig but maybe it’s better that way – Barney gets to have Stig all to himself!
This epic story follows a band of rabbits as they seek out a new, safe home. Young rabbit Fiver is plagued by a frightening vision that shows the destruction of the Sandleford warren. His brother Hazel knows Fiver’s visions are never wrong and so the brothers and nine other rabbits leave immediately. Their journey is long and perilous; from evading predators such as badgers and cats, to coming up against the fearsome General Woundwort, Watership Down Watership Down has a foreword from author Madeline Miller.
Have you ever found yourself misplacing small items at home and wondering where they’ve got to? It might just be that you have small beings called Borrowers living in your home. But let’s get one thing clear – Borrowers never steal, they only borrow. In Mary Norton’s timeless tale, we’re introduced to a family of Borrowers; Pod, Homily, and Arrietty Clock. Pod is a skilled Borrower, and his daughter Arrietty can’t wait for the day when she can finally prove herself to her father. But rule number one of being a Borrower is to never let a human bean spot you!
In this beloved Canadian classic, local farmers Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert decide to adopt a boy to help out on their farm at Green Gables in the fictional town of Avonlea. Instead, much to their surprise, imaginative and bright, flame-haired Anne Shirley turns up. With her feisty spirit and creative mind, 11-year-old Anne soon wins over the Cuthberts’ hearts. Anne of Green Gables is a touching and inspiring story that accounts for all the trials and tribulations of growing up. Readers will be swept up by delightful Anne and her charming life at Green Gables.
The second book in The Dark is Rising Sequence , The Dark is Rising begins with 11-year-old Will Stanton having strange experiences just before Christmas. He later learns that he is one of the Old Ones – a clan of warriors who help battle the evil magic of the Dark. Will is thrust into a quest to help find the four Things of Power so that the Light may vanquish the Dark for good. This series is perfect for fans of fantasy adventures.
Set in Mississippi during The Great Depression, Cassie Logan and her family live during a time when racism was still very prominent. Unlike most other Black families in the area, Cassie’s parents own the land on which they live. And unfortunately, they receive mistreatment from many of the white townsfolk for this. Over the course of a year, Cassie comes up against frequent injustices for the colour of her skin but like a true heroine, she stays outspoken and brave. This classic is just as relevant today for the themes it tackles and deserves a spot on everyone’s bookshelf.
Adeline Yen Mah’s autobiography makes for a difficult but triumphant read. Two weeks after she was born, her mother died causing the family to see Adeline as bad luck. Her father remarries a cruel woman who regards Adeline and her four older siblings with distaste – she only ever shows love for her own children. Despite a difficult home life, Adeline excels at school and eventually wins a playwriting competition that offers her the chance to study abroad.
It’s been 60 years since The Wolves of Willoughby Chase
If you like J. R. R. Tolkien ’s Middle-earth, then you’ll love Ursula Le Guin’s Earthsea . The first book in the series introduces us to a young boy called Ged – nickname Sparrowhawk – as he discovers immense power within himself. Ged travels to the island of Roke which is home to The School of Magic. Here among other wizards, he studies and hones his craft. But when a spell backfires and releases a shadow creature that attacks him, Ged must decide whether to flee or confront this mysterious being.
