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Classic Novels

for Elementary and Early Middle School Students

Although not comprehensive, the books featured on this list are those that we believe have the qualities to endure for generations, and in many cases already have.

Although not comprehensive, the books featured on this list are those that we believe have the qualities to endure for generations, and in many cases already have.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum
J Baum
After a cyclone transports her to the land of Oz, Dorothy must seek out the great wizard in order to return to Kansas.

Peter Pan, by James M. Barrie
J Barrie
The adventures of the three Darling children in Never-Never Land with Peter Pan, the boy who would not grow up. Illustrations compiled from late nineteenth and early twentieth century editions of the book

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and Very Interesting Boy, by Jeanne Birdsall
J Birdsall
While vacationing with their widowed father in the Berkshire Mountains, four lovable sisters, ages four through twelve, share adventures with a local boy, much to the dismay of his snobbish mother.

Adventures of Pinocchio, by Carlo Collodi
J Collodi
A wooden puppet full of tricks and mischief wants more than anything else to become a real boy.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl
J Dahl
Each of five children lucky enough to discover an entry ticket into Mr. Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory takes advantage of the situation in his own way.

Because of Winn-Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo
J DiCamillo
Ten-year-old India Opal Buloni describes her first summer in the town of Naomi, Florida, and all the good things that happen to her because of her big ugly dog Winn-Dixie.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, by Kate DiCamillo
J DiCamillo
Edward Tulane, a cold-hearted and proud toy rabbit, loves only himself until he is separated from the little girl who adores him and travels across the country, acquiring new owners and listening to their hopes, dreams, and histories.

Hitty, Her First Hundred Years, by Rachel Field
J Field
Phoebe is proud of her beautiful doll and brings Hitty everywhere she goes. This is thrilling for Hitty, who finds herself involved in the most wonderful adventures both on land and at sea. She meets many people and makes new friends.

Harriet the Spy, by Louise Fitzhugh
J Fitzhugh
The discovery of Harriet's secret journal, concerning the personalities and activities of her schoolmates and neighbors, causes pandemonium.

The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame
J Grahame
The escapades of four animal friends who live along a river in the English countryside--Toad, Mole, Rat, and Badger.

Babe: The Gallant Pig, by Dick King-Smith
J King- Smith
A piglet destined for eventual butchering arrives at the farmyard, is adopted by an old sheep dog, and discovers a special secret to success.

A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle
J L'Engle
Meg Murry's father, a government physicist, has vanished. But where? With the help of mysterious strangers, Meg finds her father in the fifth dimension, known as the "tesseract." There Meg learns to expect the unexpected in one adventure after another.

Sarah, Plain and Tall, by Patricia MacLachan
J MacLachan
When their father invites a mail-order bride to come live with them in their prairie home, Caleb and Anna are captivated by their new mother and hope that she will stay.

The Enchanted Castel, by E. Nesbit
J Nesbit
Four English children find a wonderful world of magic through an enchanted wishing ring.

The Borrowers, by Mary Norton
J Norton
A family of miniature people who live in an old country house by borrowing things from the humans is forced to emigrate from their home under the clock.

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, by Robert C. O'Brien
J O'Brien
Having no one to help her with her problems, a widowed mouse visits the rats whose former imprisonment in a laboratory made them wise and long lived..

Island of the Blue Dolphins, by Scott O'Dell
J O'Dell
Left alone on a beautiful but isolated island off the coast of California, a young Indian girl spends eighteen years, not only merely surviving through her enormous courage and self-reliance, but also finding a measure of happiness in her solitary life.

Cricket in Times Square, by George Selden
J Selden
The adventures of a country cricket who unintentionally arrives in New York and is befriended by Tucker Mouse and Harry Cat.

Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson
YA Stevenson (unabridged)
While going through the possessions of a deceased guest who owed them money, the mistress of the inn and her son find a treasure map that leads them to a pirate's fortune.

Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift
J Swift
On two voyages, an Englishman becomes shipwrecked in a land where people are six inches high, and stranded in a land of giants.

The Hobbit; or There and Back Again, by J.R.R. Tolkien
J Toklien
Bilbo Baggins, a respectable, well-to-do hobbit, lives comfortably in his hobbit-hole until the day the wandering wizard Gandalf chooses him to share in an adventure from which he may never return.

Mary Poppins, by P.L. Travers
J Travers
The wind brings four English children a new nanny who slides up the banister and introduces them to some delightful people and experiences.

Charlotte's Web, by E.B. White
J White
Wilbur the pig is desolate when he discovers that he is destined to be the farmer's Christmas dinner until his spider friend, Charlotte, decides to help him.

Little House in the Big Woods, by Laura Ingalls Wilder
J Wilder
A year in the life of two young girls growing up on the Wisconsin frontier, as they help their mother with the daily chores, enjoy their father's stories and singing, and share special occasions when they get together with relatives or neighbors.