The Berenstain Bears by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Seriously, I collected these. They may not be the best written (or most exciting by any means), but for some reason, I really liked this series of books about a family of bears.
Best Friends for Frances by Russell Hobar
I think this one stands out because my family had the audio version on record (oh, that dates me) of the story. Frances is still a family favorite, though I can't recite the audio version word for word as my sister still can.
Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel
The silly antics and mishaps of these amphibious friends were so entertaining. I still get a kick out of them today. (Added bonus, we had a few of these on record as well - my first introduction to the world of audiobooks :)
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
I remember thinking that THIS had to be the best book ever written! I was over the moon when my 5th grade teacher was giving away some books and this happened to be one of them. I snatched it up like it was candy, and I still have that well-loved copy.
Enchantress of Crumbledown by Donald Marshall
This is a book I got for Christmas one year, and you've probably never heard of it, since it is from an LDS publisher (Deseret Book) and I believe is now out of print. For some reason, the story of children who ran away and stayed with an eccentric old lady made me long to run away. Which, you know, I did on multiple occasions (mind you, it was usually to the backyard or the nearby park for a few hours).
The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Speaking of running away, I think this got me started on the idea. Plus, my grandma had an old abandoned railroad car in her yard. Never mind it was infested with rodents and other unsavory creatures, it was magical.
Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene
I would not be the avid reader I am without this never-ending supply of cookie cutter mysteries. I don't think I was ever clever enough to figure out the mystery before Nancy, but I devoured these every week from the library.
The Babysitter's Club by Ann M. Martin
I'll be honest, I wanted to be Mary Ann and have Logan as my boyfriend. But I was probably more like Kristy.
Sweet Valley Twins by Francine Pascal
Rounding out my childhood series obsessions is this delight. I loved the twins and so wanted to be as stylish and grown up as they seemed. Plus, the drama!
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
This one was a little later, about 7th grade, but this is the first book I became seriously obsessed with and had to check out every book about it (and its movie) that I could find. My dad visited Georgia and went to a museum for me and took photos of memorabilia. I even got a collector's spoon and coasters. A little bit crazy, I am, about my reading.
What were your childhood favorites?
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