As an English major, I've read my fair share of centuries-old classics, from Beowulf to Brave New World, and I've enjoyed doing so. Amidst all the analyzing and essay writing, however, sometimes it's necessary to take a break from the classics and remember the books that got me into reading in the first place. Thus, in the spirit of reminiscing, here are some of my favorite childhood book series.
"Junie B. Jones" by Barbara Park
The B stands for Beatrice. Except she doesn't like Beatrice. She just likes B and that's all. My parents read me the "Junie B. Jones" books until I graduated to reading on my own. How sweet are the memories of learning how to read, with spunky kindergartener Junie B. Jones helping me along. Her personality and her misadventures were hilarious, and I expect they would be even more so now if I decided to pick up any of these books for a quick reread.
"Magic Treehouse" by Mary Pope Osbourne
If you were also a bookworm, you most likely followed the time-traveling adventures of siblings Jack and Annie in the "Magic Treehouse" series. As I was still getting comfortable with reading chapter books in the early days of elementary school, I was amazed at the places these books took me: from Camelot to Pompeii to the sinking Titanic. And somehow there are still new books in the series coming out, so they can continue to spark the imaginations and enhance the learning of new generations.
"Rainbow Magic" by Daisy Meadows
Another seemingly never-ending series, the "Rainbow Magic" series follows two girls and their fairy friends who team up to defeat the schemes of Jack Frost. I read these books when I was around seven or eight years old, and I loved their creativity. Each fairy's unique identity, including their unique personalities, hobbies, and skills, showed me how I could begin forging my own identity by exploring what I might like to do and who I might want to be.
"American Girl" by Various Authors
American Girl dolls were hot commodities in the world of toys in the 2000s, but even more entertaining were their books. Like "Magic Treehouse," these books brought me back to the past, showing me how ordinary girls may have dealt with some of the country's most historic moments. My personal favorite was Kit Kittredge, the aspiring reporter of the 1930s, who showcases strength and resilience in the face of hardship. If these girls who were just my age could make it through the Great Depression and World War II, then surely I could make it through another day of fourth grade.
"Percy Jackson" by Rick Riordan
This series feauturing Percy Jackson, the demigod who spends his adolescence battling Greek Titans and monsters, was my first book obsession. I read these books when I was nine years old, and I talked about them nonstop. Every aspect of the series -- from the characters to the world to the plot -- ingrained itself into my mind, so much so that I deemed a reread of it necessary about two years ago (and it was just as enjoyable at eighteen as it was at nine, the action still captivating enough that I couldn't put it down).
"Harry Potter" by J.K. Rowling
Lastly, no list of childhood book series is complete without "Harry Potter." I held out on reading these books until I was twelve years old because I was daunted by the size of them. Once I finally conquered that fear, though, there was no turning back. The ability to dive into these books took my mind off of the difficulties of navigating middle school. I have fond memories associated with this series: staying up late reading with a flashlight, finishing one book and going immediately to the next, ripping through pages to find out what would happen. All these memories remind me why I have always loved and will always love reading.
Looking back on all of these books makes me want to reread some of them, just for the joy of remembering how I loved them as a child. In a tumultuous world, where the unknown future often causes anxiety, nostalgia is good for the soul. So, read an old favorite book, listen to an old favorite song, and let the memories come in.
Going to the cinema alone is good for your mental health, says science
women in street dancing
Photo by 
man and woman standing in front of louver door
Photo by 
man in black t-shirt holding coca cola bottle
Photo by 
red and white coca cola signage
Photo by 
man holding luggage photo
Photo by 
topless boy in blue denim jeans riding red bicycle during daytime
Photo by 
trust spelled with wooden letter blocks on a table
Photo by 
Everyone is Welcome signage
Photo by 
man with cap and background with red and pink wall l
Photo by 
difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations desk decor
Photo by 
photography of woman pointing her finger near an man
Photo by 
closeup photography of woman smiling
Photo by 
a man doing a trick on a skateboard
Photo by 
two men 
running man on bridge
Photo by 
orange white and black bag
Photo by 
girl sitting on gray rocks
Photo by 
assorted-color painted wall with painting materials
Photo by 
three women sitting on brown wooden bench
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
people sitting on chair in front of computer
all stars lol GIF by Lifetime
two women talking while looking at laptop computerPhoto by 
shallow focus photography of two boys doing wacky facesPhoto by 
happy birthday balloons with happy birthday textPhoto by 
itty-bitty living space." | The Genie shows Aladdin how… | Flickr
shallow focus photography of dog and catPhoto by 
yellow Volkswagen van on roadPhoto by 
orange i have a crush on you neon light signagePhoto by 
5 Tattoos Artist That Will Make You Want A Tattoo
woman biting pencil while sitting on chair in front of computer during daytimePhoto by 
a scrabbled wooden block spelling the word prizePhoto by 
