When we think of books we read as a kid, we often don't think they held much importance outside of entertainment or creating a magical world for children to get lost in. But, as it turns out, many of the books we read as kids dealt with issues we didn't understand at the time. Here are 10 books you read as a kid that you should re-read as an adult:
1. "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster.
“The Phantom Tollbooth” is a book about a boy who ends up in a magical land by driving his toy car through a magical tollbooth. While its similarity to “Alice in Wonderland” is noted, this book includes themes of depression and the importance of learning. It also has a dog companion and is full of many puns and wordplay making this a fun worthwhile read as an adult.
2. "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeline L’Engle.
“A Wrinkle in Time” is a book about an unruly girl named Meg, who, with her brother and a boy named Calvin, travels through time with the help of three magical beings and a tesseract. The themes of conformity and feeling like a misfit are universal and timeless. Mixed with the fantastical elements of the story and the time travel plot, you’ll finish this short novel in no time.
3. "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis.
Like many children, this novel was one of my first introductions to the fantasy genre. A beloved classic, this book deserves a re-read as the religious allegories are often not apparent to the average 10-year-old. However, Narnia can provide escape for adults as well as children.
4. "Anne of Green Gables" by Lucy Maud Montgomery.
"Anne of Green Gables,” the story of an imaginative red-haired orphan, has enchanted many generations since its release in 1908. The Canadian novel is popular all over the world and deals with themes of family, love, and imagination. Anne’s fantastical imagination and her unrelenting optimism and stubbornness make her a timeless character. Also, Anne and Gilbert are arguably the best love story of all time.
5. "The Giver" by Lois Lowry.
"The Giver” is a dystopian novel that is age-appropriate for children but also introduces the themes of a dystopian society, such as a populace that is purposefully kept ignorant, truth, and a want for uniformity. It’s the perfect introduction to the genre without the violence of “The Hunger Games” or “1984.” If you like dystopian fiction, this is definitely worth a re-read.
6. Anything by Roald Dahl.
I think it’s impossible to be a modern-day child and avoid the stories of Roald Dahl. From “Matilda” to “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” Roald Dahl wrote many of the classic children’s stories we read growing up. However, these stories often deal with themes of fitting in, kindness, and acceptance. It’s nearly impossible to not be enchanted by the stories of Roald Dahl at any age.
7. "Kira-Kira" by Cynthia Kadohata.
This is a story of a Japanese-American family that moves from a Japanese-American neighborhood in Iowa to Georgia. The story deals with themes of positivity, illness, race, and more. The novel will bring children and adults alike to tears, but also inspire them to be better people and live in the moment. The novel has a message for those of any age.
"The Little House on the Prairie Series" by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
“The Little House" series was a personal favorite growing up. The books are narrative non-fiction; while inspired by true events of the writer growing up, some parts are fictionalized. In the earlier books, the main themes are those of bullying, family, and friendship. However, as the series progresses, the themes become more mature such as those of love, marriage, disability, and more. There’s a message for everyone hidden in the series.
9. "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott.
“Little Women” is a book often given to young girls and often one enjoyed by said young girls. However, the story is more than that of sisterhood and love; the story contains transcendentalist themes, commentary on gender roles, and women’s rights. The novel is just as enjoyable (although just as/more tragic) as an adult.
10. "Coraline" by Neil Gaiman.
This dark fantasy novella will terrify even the adults who dive into its pages. While this probably kept us up late as a child, it is worth a re-read to delve back into the world of Other Mother. If you’re a fan of Gaiman’s other works, or simply want to relieve the fantastical terror from reading “Coraline” the first time, this is the perfect childhood book to revisit.