Books Every '90s Kid Has Read | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

Books Every '90s Kid Has Read

And some you even ended up loving

2960
https://goo.gl/images/45oTuQ

If you were reading books as a kid in the 90s, then more than likely it was being forced. They were always a reading list (ESPECIALLY over the summer), or a book report was due. But, more times than some of ya'll might be willing to admit, we ended up loving those books. Others we've tried to obliterate from our memories. I do apologize if any of those titles that still haunt you to this day end up on this list.

Call It Courage (1990)


Image: Call It Courage: Armstrong Sperry: 9780689713910: Amazon.com: Bookswww.google.com

Afraid of the sea after witnessing his mother drown, a boy brings shame upon his father and tribe. Finally pushed to the limit, he takes off one night in a canoe and overcomes his fear of the sea. Faced with many life-threatening encounters while lost at sea, he proves, most importantly, to himself that he has always had the courage inside of him to face his fears.


Goosebumps (1992)


Image: Goosebumps and Censorship - Intellectual Freedom Blogwww.google.com

Seriously, though, the best Goosebump books were the ones where you were able to choose your own endings, amirite?


The Baby-Sitters Club (1986)


Image: Scholastic's Great Idea: Updating The Baby-Sitter's Clubwww.google.com

My very first chapter books, I started reading The Baby-Sitters Club in kindergarten (my reading level was just a little advanced, NBD), and for every birthday and Christmas until well into middle school, my only requests were The Baby-Sitters Club books.


The Sign of the Beaver (1983)


Image: The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare: Yearling ...www.google.com


The Boxcar Children (1942)


Image: The Boxcar Children Collection - Audiobook | Listen Instantly!www.google.com

My classmates and I were introduced to this series in the 2nd grade. Our teacher would read to us after recess when we were all coming down from that playground high, and it's possibly one of the best memories I have of school.


Homecoming (1981)

Image: Amazon.com: Homecoming (9780449702543): Cynthia Voigt: Bookswww.google.com

One of my favorite books and series ever, Homecoming was the first of seven novels in the Tillerman Cycle. Dicey was my hero, one of the first female characters I came across that I could relate to because she was nothing like the other girls. Independent, fierce, and a bit of a tomboy, she handled her family's shit like a boss and made me feel less alone with my own family's dysfunction. The rest of the series follows the Tillerman siblings as they grow, as well as friends they've made over the years: Dicey's Song, Seventeen Against the Dealer, Solitary Blue, Sons from Afar, The Runner, and Come a Stranger.


Shiloh (1991)


Image: Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor | Mr. David Lópezwww.google.com

Sometimes I wonder if anyone else read this book, and then I'll come across a Beagle with the name of Shiloh, and the world feels like it's still spinning.


Hatchet (1987)

Image: Amazon.com: Hatchet (9781416936473): Gary Paulsen: Bookswww.google.com


The Giver (1993)


Image: Amazon.com: The Giver (9780385732550): Lois Lowry: Bookswww.google.com


The Henry Huggins, Ramona and Beezus Quimby Series (1950)

Image: Buy Henry Huggins: Henry and Ribsy 3 by Beverly Cleary (1954 ...www.google.com

Beverly Cleary is the beautiful soul that gave us Henry Huggins and Ribsy, as well as Henry's friend and neighbor, Beezus, and her little sister, Ramona.


Judy Blume books

Image: Seattle Writer Reflects On How Judy Blume's Books Inspired Her To ...www.google.com

If you're a true 90s kid, then the name Judy Blume makes you think of Are You There God? It's me, Margaret, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, and my personal favorite, Superfudge.


Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (1981)


Image: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz | Scholasticwww.google.com

These were the most terrifying books a kid in the 90s could own. And not only did we shit ourselves the first time reading it, but we also tortured ourselves by reading it over and over again, though I couldn't tell you why. And then someone thought it would be a brilliant idea to make TWO MORE shit inducing books that, shockingly, we bought and read. More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (1984) and Scary Stories 3: More Tales to Chill Your Bones (1991) were just two more reasons to sleep with the lights on and race up the stairs in the dark, risking our lives and teeth lest we miscalculate one step over the chance that something was going to come from the shadows and possess us.


Sideways Stories from Wayside School (1978)

Image: Sideways Stories from Wayside School - Wikipediawww.google.com

If every school were like Wayside, we'd be much happier adults.


Maniac Magee (1990)


Image: Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelliwww.google.com


Where the Sidewalk Ends (1974)

Image: Where the Sidewalk Ends: Poems and Drawings: Shel Silverstein ...www.google.com

Nobody could make you read and love poems like Shel Silverstein. And nothing was more exciting knowing there were more poems waiting for you in A Light in the Attic (1981) and Falling Up (1996)


Books from Roald Dahl


Image: Roald Dahl Books List • Roald Dahl Factswww.google.com

James and the Giant Peach (1961), Matilda (1988), Fantastic Mr. Fox (1970), The BFG (1982); if you were a kid of the 90s and hadn't READ any of these (watching the movies doesn't count), then you bring much shame upon the rest of us. Poser.


I Spy Books (1992)


Image: Amazon.com: Scholastic reader, Level 1: I Spy 4 Picture Riddle ...www.google.com


The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales (1992)


Image: The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales: Jon Scieszka ...www.google.com

As soon as I'm done writing this article, I'm heading to the closest bookstore that carries this book.


Adventures of the Bailey School Kids (1990)


Image: The Adventures Of The Bailey School Kids #1: Vampires Don't Wear ...www.google.com


American Girl (1986)

Image: The American Girls Collection: Historical Fiction ~ Samantha ...www.google.com


Tuck Everlasting (1985)


Image: ELM 335: Tuck Everlasting, Written by Natalie Babbitwww.google.com

This ended up on my summer reading list, and I finished it in a few hours. And then I read it again, and again, for the rest of the summer. I was already obsessed with the idea of living forever, and then this story of a family that actually can fall into my lap? The universe was giving me a sign; my 3rd-grade self was convinced. And my 34-year-old self still is.


The Phantom Tollbooth (1961)


Image: Tick-Tock (The Phantom Tollbooth) - Modern Eden Gallerywww.google.com


Where the Red Fern Grows (1961)


Image: Where the Red Fern Grows | Text Alternativeswww.google.com

Another book that was on my summer reading list, I had never forgotten how I felt when I was first reading this book. It still has the same effect on me as an adult (yes, I still read it…sometimes, not often, just…like, every now and then. It's not that weird. It's really not).


The Secret Garden (1911)


Image: Amazon.com: The Secret Garden (Illustrated and Annotated ...www.google.com


Bridge to Terabithia (1977)


Image: I'm still not over... The ending of 'Bridge to Terabithia' | EW.comwww.google.com

This sits at the very top pf my favorite childhood books. I think it may have also been one of the first times I hated a book that I also loved so much because the author did a thing to one of the characters, and how are you supposed to forgive them and keep reading the words they wrote after they've betrayed you?


The Great Gilly Hopkins (1978)


Image: The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson: by Katherine ...www.google.com


Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (1971)


Image: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brienwww.google.com


Island of the Blue Dolphins (1960)


Image: Review of “Island of the Blue Dolphins" by Scott O'Dell | Rhapsody ...www.google.com


Indian in the Cupboard (1980)


Image: The Indian in the Cupboard: Lynne Reid Banks: 9780375847530 ...www.google.com


Snow Treasure (1942)


Image: Snow Treasure by Marie McSwiganwww.google.com

I remember this was a class book (meaning we all read it during class) and I was so thrown by the fact that this was possibly based on true events.


Number the Stars (1989)


Image: Number The Stars (Hardcover) (Lois Lowry) : Targetwww.google.com


Walk Two Moons (1994)


Image: Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creechwww.google.com


Lily's Crossing (1997)


Image: Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff | Scholasticwww.google.com


The Witch of Blackbird Pond (1958)


Image: The Witch of Blackbird Pond - Lexile® Find a Book | MetaMetrics Inc.www.google.com

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
girl
Pexels

In case you're unaware, "resting bitch face" is the term used to describe when a person's natural, expressionless face makes it look like they are mad at the world. Whether they are walking down the street or simply spacing out thinking about what to eat for dinner, it's very easy for others to assume that this person is either upset or mad at them. Because of this, those of us with Resting Bitch Face (RBF), and especially us women, have all experienced many of the same situations and conversations, including:

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

The Stages Of A Crush As Told By The Cast of "Bob's Burgers"

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

799
my heart just pooped its pants
Google

We've all had a crush before. Whether it leads to something or nothing, the process has all been the same. The awkward feelings, the stalking, and the stress of trying to keep this huge secret. The feeling of becoming a total spazz is something that cannot be avoided, and the most spazzy family that can relate to this feeling is the Belcher's.

Keep Reading...Show less
you didnt come this far to only come this far lighted text
Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash

At the tender age of 18, we are bestowed with the title of “adult.” For 17 years, we live under the rules and guidelines of our parents, school, and government, and to stray from any of those rules or guidelines marks us as a rebel. At 18, though, we must choose which college we want to go to or what career we want. We are allowed and encouraged to vote. We can buy lottery tickets and cigarettes. We can drop out of school, leave our household, and do other "adult" things. At 18, we start down a path of thinking for ourselves, when for the entirety of our lives other institutions have been mandated to think and do for us.

Keep Reading...Show less
university
University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

1774
college shirt
pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments