100 Best Books for All Ages

Posted by papupu |

Right here is really a list of one particular hundred books selected from the National Education Association in 1999 as excellent reading for children and young individuals.

1.The Giving Tree 40th Anniversary Edition Book with CD by Shel Silverstein

To say that this specific apple tree is actually a "giving tree" is an understatement. In Shel Silverstein's popular tale of handful of words and easy line drawings, a tree starts out as a leafy playground, shade provider, and apple bearer to get a rambunctious small boy. Creating the boy satisfied makes the tree pleased, but with time it becomes much more tough for the generous tree to meet his requires. When he asks for a house, she offers her branches for lumber. When the boy is old, too old and sad to play in the tree, he asks the tree for a boat. She suggests that he cut her down to a stump so he can craft a boat out of her trunk.

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He unthinkingly does it. At this point in the story, the double-page spread shows a pathetic solitary stump, poignantly cut down to the heart the boy once carved into the tree as a child that said "M.E. + T." "And then the tree was happy... but not really." When there's nothing left of her, the boy returns again as an old man, needing a quiet place to sit and rest. The stump offers up her services, and he sits on it. "And the tree was happy." While the message of this book is unclear (Take and take and take? Give and give and give? Complete self-sacrifice is good? Complete self-sacrifice is infinitely sad?), Silverstein has perhaps deliberately left the book open to interpretation. (All ages) --Karin Snelson --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

2. Where the Sidewalk Ends the Poems and Drawings of Shel Silverstein by Shel Silverstein

This book features the comical poems and drawings of Shel Silverstein, author of The Giving Tree and many other popular books for children.

Where the Sidewalk Ends 30th Anniversary Edition: Poems and Drawings (Hardcover) Customer Reviews

What can I say about this classic book of poetry that hasn't already been said? It's been loved to the point of torn cover jackets and dog-eared pages by generations of parents and their kids. I was excited to find that it's now been reprinted in a special anniversary

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edition. Like the original, I'm sure it will be savored, saved, and passed down through more families. I can't wait to read it with my six year old granddaughter!

This book is so easy to love and fun for every age! The cute poems can cheer you up on a not-so-sunny day and I love the fact that it's just short poems, so you can read just one and feel like you "read" that day! :) My kids love it, too - even my teenager! I definitely recommend.

3. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-12-Louisa May Alcott's story about the four March sisters who learn the hard lessons of poverty and of growing up in New England during the Civil War.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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From Library Journal

How would one describe this latest recording of the classic story from Alcott (Little Men, Audio Reviews, LJ 11/15/96)? The answer must be, clear, competent, and unexciting. Laura Grafton is a precise reader, but her voice lacks expressiveness, and she makes little attempt to vocally differentiate (and/or animate) the characters. The result is an inoffensive and slightly dull rendering. There's nothing wrong; the tapes just won't grab the attention of the casual listener. The producer has made a praiseworthy attempt to reduce costs by having each cassette side carry double text. At $22.95, this tape set is an excellent value. Unfortunately, this double-track format requires a stereo cassette player with a fully functioning balance control. Most portable cassette players and some car stereo systems do not have this feature.

Since, at least anecdotally, a large percentage of recreational audiocassette library borrowers are commuters or exercisers, one should consider whether this format would be used by patrons. Libraries purchasing this format might also consider purchasing (and lending) the associated headphone adaptor plugs. Recommended for libraries with limited audiobook budgets and/or appropriate user populations.AI. Pour-El, Iowa State Univ., Ames

Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

4. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Five stars. An awesome classic for kids of all ages. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a children's story written by L. Frank Baum. It was originally published in 1900, and has since been reprinted countless times, sometimes under the name The Wizard of Oz. The story chronicles the adventures of a girl named Dorothy in the Land of Oz. Thanks in part to the 1939 MGM movie The Wizard of Oz, it is one of the best-known stories in American popular culture and has been widely translated. Its initial success, and the success of the popular 1903 Broadway musical Baum adapted from his story, led to Baum's writing and having published thirteen more Oz books.

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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Customer Reviews

I read this story as a young child and I enjoyed it then. It is a timeless classic that I got on my Kindle and had the opportunity to read it again. As a young child I was motivated to read the book because as a family we watched the Wizard of Oz whenever it was on TV. It was such a good story I just had to read it myself.

I won't go into the story line since just about everyone has either read the book or seen the classic movie. I personally liked the book and the more in-depth detail of the character's personalities. It is a wonderful story and I recommend it to you. You will not be sorry you read it.

As a side note this is one of my favorite stories of all time and I had the joy of seeing my grandson appear as the cowardly lion in the High School play a few years ago. It brought back old memories. For me this book, the story and the movie played an important part of my growing up. The entire family sitting around the TV watching the movie without a sound being made was a great time for me. I love this story for the emotions it brings to me just thinking about it.

5. Heidi by Johanna Spyri

Brought to the Swiss Alps to visit her grandfather, five year-old Heidi manages to win the hearts and souls of those around her, while growing up and facing the fears that every child faces in some form: the anxiety of being without parents. A sweet and heartwarming story for readers of all ages.

Heidi Customer Reviews

This book is totally charming and delightful. It describes and creates another world, simple and composed of goodness. The text
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flows easily and beautifully, the people (and goats) are interesting and just complex enough to feel you know them. I know it is a children's book but also perfect for any adult that needs to smile.

Mini-review: Heidi lives with her grandfather at the top of a big mountain where she grows strong and learns skills such as herding sheep. When Heidi is suddenly taken from her grandfather and forced to live in the town, she faces a whole new set of fears.

This is a superbly written novel that is wholesome and great reading for people of all ages.

I can't even tell you how many times I tried to start a fire in our fire pit when I was younger so I could roast my cheese in it.