Books for Girls

My last post made me realize that I have never written down my "list of required reading" for girls.  There are so many books and authors I loved as a child that I want to ensure my children have the opportunity to read.   I can still remember spending whole afternoons sprawled across my bed, reading insatiably for hours, only resurfacing when the sun went down and the smell of dinner wafted upstairs.

If you have a little girl these are sure to be a big hit.  Most are appropriate for read-alouds in the early years, and rest assured your girls will re-visit them when they are able to read on their own.

Here are some of the absolute favorites I remember reading over and over:

• The Happy Hollisters Series - a family of 5 children solves mysteries.   I love the close family bond that this group has.  The books are great for boys or girls.

• All-of-a-kind Family series by Sydney Taylor - a Jewish family of 5 girls growing up in pre WWI New York.

• The Betsy-Tacy books* The high school years may be better suited for older girls

• Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink - Feisty Caddie is a must read for anyone who loves the Little House books.

• Anything by Lucy Maud Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables, the Emily books, etc)* for older girls

• Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher

• Blue Willow by Doris Gates

• Away goes  Sally by Elizabeth Coatsworth

• Gone-away Lake and Return to Gone-away - excellent for boys or girls.  This two book series sparked my imagination and I could not get enough.  I still think about it!

• The "Shoes" books (Ballet Shoes, Theatre Shoes, Dancing Shoes, etc)

• Strawberry Girl (or anything by Lois Lenski).  I will be reading this aloud to all of mine this summer.

• The Four Story Mistake - also by Elizabeth Enright.  There are others in this series which are also a good read.  Boys may also like this.

• The Moffats by Eleanor Estes (or really anything by Ms. Estes.  She is a delight).  Boys may also like this.  Wonderful for a read-aloud.

These are the ones I can vividly remember off the top of my head...and truth be told, these are the ones that I am curious to read again!  This list is subject to updating, so be sure to check back.  If you have any additional recommendations, please share!