For The Young at Heart

Books 1 to 10: For the young at heart

Although these books were supposedly written for "younger readers," I feel that they can be enjoyed by readers of any age. They are, in fact, some of my favorites.

1. Ella Enchanted  A retelling of the story of Cinderella-- in a way that the story makes more sense than Disney's version. A charming, realistic look at the way love really happens.

2. The Two Princesses of Bamarre  A tale of two sisters living in a medieval kingdom. Their peaceful existence is shattered by the coming of the Grey Death-- and true love.

3. Here There Be Dragons: The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica  An incredible fantasy story. It is made even better by a mind-blowing surprise at the end that will make you want to go back and read it all over again.

4. The Healer's Apprentice  A retelling of the story of Sleeping Beauty. Once again, the story makes a lot more sense than the unrealistic Disney version. It is a sweet, wistful romance.

5. Elsie Dinsmore  This classic story is the first in a series about a girl growing up in the south before the civil war.

6. Redwall  Travel to Redwall Abbey, a medieval place inhabited by mice, moles, and other woodland creatures! This is the first book in an extensive, addictive series.

7. House of Dark Shadows  Definitely not recommended for younger readers. This science fiction book had me scared half out of my wits. Nice family moves into old house that is not at all what it seems.

8. Mandie and the Secret Tunnel  The first in the long series of Mandie mysteries. A teen girl growing up in the early 1900s has a knack for landing in the middle of a mystery-- and solving it!

9. Meet the Austins, The Moon By Night, and A Ring of Endless Light  This series about the Austin family, and especially teenage Vicky Austin is by the author of A Wrinkle in Time, Madeline L'Engle. About a typical American family, these books are worth reading and rereading.

10. The Chronicles of Narnia  This list would not be complete without these classics by C.S. Lewis. Can be read by any age, since the stories only get better with age.