Is there a book from your childhood that stands out?

[cherrera]

@Bighuey. I just saw the John Carter trailer and though I know it's not going to be the John Carter in my head, I have to see it. I just hope I don't walk out of the theatre angry--I've done that too much. So disappointing to see a story you love just shredded on film.

[Snoots]

My first read was S. Crane's 'Red Badge of Courage'. I was a back of the class slow learner and this was my first cover-to cover reading experience. My family was from the south and we were living in New Jersey. I didn't read another book for many months and it didn't change my loyalties in playground war fights where my greys continued to charge into and punch the blues. But I do remember being surprised about the book. It was a pleasant Christmas carol kind of surprise.

[Bighuey]

@Bighuey. I just saw the John Carter trailer and though I know it's not going to be the John Carter in my head, I have to see it. I just hope I don't walk out of the theatre angry--I've done that too much. So disappointing to see a story you love just shredded on film.

I know the feeling. Ive seen so many books to movies that they have made a mess out of. One book that was kind of in the John Carter vein was Robert E. Howards Kull. That was one of his best books, and the movie turned King Kull into Clown Kull. Stupid show.

[Geneen Karstens]

I also liked Black Beauty. But Little Women by Louisa Mae Alcott was my favorite. The Little House on the Prairie series was also one of my favorites.

[mjmooney]

The one that's stayed with me is "The Wind in the Willows". I still reread it every few years.

But the one I loved most as a boy was "The Scarlet Raider" by Joseph B. Icenhower - an adventure story set in the American Civil War. Must have read it a dozen times or more. Doesn't hold up for an adult like the Kenneth Grahame, but I still have a copy for nostalgic reasons.

[-josh-]

The Redwall Series by Brian Jacques.

[MarcomMom]

"The Secret of the Old Clock," the Nancy Drew classic. Although many Nancy Drew books would qualify. I have clear memories of reading "Kavik, the Wolf Dog" in second grade and voting as a class for it to win a national book award, and having it win -- quite a thrill to be among the empowered readers.

[HaroldEppley]

I loved Roald Dahl as a child, and have rediscovered him as an adult with a greater appreciation for how clever is writing is.

[dwaters]

For me Tom Sawyer is the most memorable childhood boo. I still read it again every few years.

My best friend changed her last name to Watership......... you should be able to guess what book stands out for her!

[mjmooney]

My best friend changed her last name to Watership......... you should be able to guess what book stands out for her!

That is pretty sad.

[keylime]

The Box Car Children
How to Eat Fried Worms
Are You There God, It's Me Margaret

[pamela34]

I loved the whole "Bomba the Jungle Boy" series when I was about 10 years old. Loved the idea of a boy my age surviving in "the jungle" and having a panther as a pet (that saved his life at least once a book!)

[Lovelace]

I remember absolutely loving Tom's Midnight Garden which i must have been about 10 when i read. I loved it so much i have a photo of me holding it! It's been made into a film and when i was watching it with my children a few years ago i spent the entire time telling them how much i had enjoyed reading the book.
I also loved Enid Blyton's Famous Five and Secret Seven series. My friends and i even had our own secret club (with membership badges!) but nothing exciting ever happened to us.

[JAJACKSON]

Famous Five was an awesome series. I also loved and still have my 70's copy of Wind in the Willows.

[Redlegs]

The Biggles series by W E Johns did it for me. I still have them.