July 10, 2012

Top Ten Classic Children's Fantasy/Science Fiction Books

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by the bloggers of The Broke and the Bookish. This week is a freebie week, so I decided to create my own topic. 

I chose to share what I consider to be some of the best classic children's fantasy/science fiction books. A lot of these I actually read for school or book clubs, but the fact that I have reread most of them and still think back on my experiences with them fondly speaks volumes — they're not classics in the musty irrelevant old book sort of way, but in the fact that they've created lasting commentaries on childhood that are still very much applicable in today's world.

The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle — The Last Unicorn is such a beautiful story. Reading it made me go through such a range of emotions. It details a unicorn's journey to know that she's not the last of her kind, that other unicorns are still out there. This story is full of enchantment about self-discovery and is so lyrical in its writing.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien — Tolkien originally created The Hobbit as a story for his children, and the story is a lot lighter than The Lord of the Rings is. As this is Tolkien, there's still some serious world-building and lots of side stories and extra material in here, but it doesn't detract from the main story at all. I remember first becoming immersed in Tolkien's Middle-earth for the first time when I was 11 and I've never regretted it since.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card — Although I had owned this book for years, I only just read it last year for a class. I wish I had had someone tell me to just go and read the book, because it's such a wonderful book. It's about the super gifted kids who are humanity's last hope in the intergalactic war against an alien race. The book is very clever and touches upon some eternal questions of guilt, responsibility, power, and justice.

The Giver by Lois Lowry — Before The Hunger Games popularized the dystopian genre in common culture, there was The Giver. The Giver depicts a society where people's age and intellect determine every aspect of their lives, from when they'll get their first bike to what sort of job they'll hold in their society. It's creepy from the beginning. And then the protagonist Jonas learns that life used to be more spontaneous, filled with emotions and memories and purpose. The evolution of Jonas' character as he grapples with these hard truths is just amazing.

The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander — Although this is the second book in a series, it is the most well-known and stands on its own. The characters in Alexander's The Chronicles of Prydain series really are some of the best. There's Taran, the assistant pig keeper, Eilonwy, the spoiled but brave princess, Fflewddur Fflam, the bard whose harp strings break every time he lies, Doli, the dwarf whose powers of invisibilty cause his ears to ring, and so many more. Through the book they partake in a classic struggle of good versus evil. This is Lloyd Alexander at his best.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle — Meg Murray is the absolute perfect protagonist for any girl nearing her teen years (and any boy, too). Her glasses, braces, and mousy hair convince her that she's nothing special. Yet she's determined and resourceful and ultimately the only one who can save her father and an entire world. This is truly one of the best stories about a child maturing and learning how to come into her own, and about how easily the ordinary has the potential to become extraordinary.  

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll — I read this one quite recently. I'm familiar with both the animated Disney film and Tim Burton's live-action film. I just love the sense of wonder that was instilled in me as I read this book. What can't happen in Wonderland? It's just so wonderful and magical. Who can read this book and not want to fall down the rabbit hole? I also loved the little rhymes and songs that Carroll created in the book. 

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt — Before Twilight sensationalized the idea of eternal youth, there was Tuck Everlasting. Winnie meets the Tuck family, who has become immortal after drinking water from a secret spring. After discovering such a big secret, Winnie then has to decide what to do with the information, and what the price of immortality really is. Once again, this is just a beautifully written story.

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster — I adore this modern fairy tale about a bored boy who discovers a tollbooth that takes him to a magical realm. There are so many instances where he discovers new meanings behind "ordinary" aspects of his own life. I loved Juster's use of puns and clever witticisms throughout. It's a classic for a reason, and reading the book made me desperately wish that I could visit the Kingdom of Wisdom.

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White —And who can forget the story of the amazing pig Wilbur and his spider friend Charlotte? When I was little I was a sucker for animal stories, and White's interpretation of how animals could act while the humans were gone is so interesting. The book definitely made me think of the extraordinary power of friendships in a completely new way. 


What do you think? Have any other books that should be added to this list?

author image

Amanda

Amanda loves few things better than sitting down with a cup of tea and a book. She frequently stays up far too late, telling herself she just needs to finish one more page. When she's not wrapped up in the stories of others, Amanda works as a children's librarian in a public library.

16 comments:

  1. Loved Tuck Everlasting, Charlotte's Web and Ender's Game. I need to pick up The Giver.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for dropping by! And yes, you really should; The Giver is fantastic!

      Delete
  2. Your list weaves perfectly into mine. I did the top 10 books I wish I read when I was younger because I missed out on so many of these classics! You just reminded me of a couple that I have to push forward on my TBR list!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah really? I'll have to check out your list next! I didn't technically read all of these during my childhood, but I'm still able to appreciate them. And by making lists like this, I'll know what books to introduce my children to. :)

      Delete
  3. A Wrinkle in Time and the Phantom Tollbooth would definitely make my list too! Nice choices :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! It's nice to hear from other people who like these books.

      Delete
  4. Awesome list. I loved The Giver and I so need to read Enders Game.

    Tanya Patrice
    Girlxoxo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! You should read it before the movie comes out. I'm hoping the movie is a faithful adaptation, but if it's not then you want your first experience to be the book.

      Delete
  5. What a terrific reminder of some childhood favorites. I'll have to pick up some these for my niece.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the comment! After writing this I want to find little kids to give these books to (and save some for myself to read again).

      Delete
  6. Tuck Everlasting is bittersweet and lovely. I read it in school as a girl, and was like WHOA who knew school reading could be some awesome. (I still feel differently about Ethan Frome :-))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. haha not every school book is one that you'll like. But I remember loving Tuck Everlasting and the discussions I had in school about it.

      Delete
  7. Tuck Everlasting is one of the only books that made me cry. I love that book. Great list!

    Here's mine

    ~Danica Page
    P.S. If you stop by be sure to check out my giveaway for any book under $15.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! A reread of Tuck Everlasting definitely needs to be put on my tbr list.

      Delete
  8. Love this list! Thanks for including The Phantom Tollbooth, which is so witty and original. Have you read The Eyes of the Dragon? Stephen King wrote it for his daughter, and it's beautifully-crafted and so much fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I actually have not read anything by Stephen King. (I know! Going to fix that shortly.) I have not heard of that book of his, but perhaps that'll be a better starting place since I'm not too good with horror books.

      Delete

Thank you for taking the time to comment! I strive to make my blog the very best it can possibly be and I appreciate each and every comment on here.