I love rare books, I don't know why. Everyone has heard of "Charlotte's Web" and "Because of Winn-Dixie", and although those are great, most of my favorites are little-known. Here is a list of a few of my favorite books that I bet you have never heard of. Some (The Riverboat Adventures) are lesser known than others (Holes) but most are little-known all the same. The books are listed by reading level, being said the beginning books are for grades K-3 and the last books are for grades 3-8.
A theme in a lot of the following books is courage. They say when you have courage, all of the other virtues come easily. Courage comes in many forms; sometimes speaking up is courage and sometimes acting is courage. I believe in the Albert Einstein quote, "The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything."
Sonlight has 7 criteria that all books must meet, and I completely agree with all 7. They are: realistic characters, solid character development, content that adds to the reader's cultural literacy, intriguing plot, emotionally compelling, verbally beautiful, and re-readable. I like characters who are flawed; who doubt, who struggle with things, who seem more flawed than perfect. BUT the character must also grow and recognize those flaws.
Beside each book is an age-range and a "rating". G means 100% clean; PG means some violence, mild language, or mature themes (i.e. following God vs. man); PG-13 means best for those in junior high and high school due to reality violence, and perhaps some language.
Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake by Michael Kaplan
AGE RANGE: 3-9 / RATING: G
THEMES: patience, trying new things
When Betty Bunny tries chocolate cake for the first time, she falls in love with it and declares she wants to marry it. Betty Bunny later gets in trouble, and her mother promises to save her a piece of chocolate cake for the next day. But...Betty Bunny can't wait. So she decides to put the cake in her pocket and go to school.
Similar to Olivia and Eloise, Betty Bunny is a short book sure to get both parents and kids laughing.
Z is For Moose by Kelly Bingham
AGE RANGE: 3-7 / RATING: G
THEMES: alphabet, kindness
A is for apple...B is for ball...C is for cat...
Zebra wants to make sure everything is in the right place at the right time as he directs a stage production of the alphabet. But...he forgot about Moose. Moose wants to be the star of the show! When Zebra gets to the letter M, to Moose's dismay, M is for MOUSE!
This fun children's book is great for learning the alphabet, and isn't your average ABC book.
Irena Sendler and the Children of the Warsaw Ghetto by Susan Goldman Rubin
AGE RANGE: 5-11 / RATING: PG
THEMES: courage, heroism, doing the right thing, kindness, helping others,
Irena Sendler was a young Catholic social worker who rescued 2,500 Jewish children during World War II. Although not graphic, this large picture book does depict how Irena smuggled children out of the Warsaw Ghetto and hid them in everything from potato sacks to tool boxes. She had dogs and would teach them to bark when hidden babies cried, and the Nazis would avoid the dogs and therefore the babies were saved. Realistic and sometimes heart-breaking, younger children probably won't fully realize the danger these children were in. What I liked about this book the most versus another certain picture book about Irena, was this had beautiful illustrations.
Irena Sendler survived the war, was recognized as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad VaShem, was nominated fort he Noble Peace Prize, and died in 2008 at the age of 98. For adults and older children, there is a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie about Irena called The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler. You can view the full movie on YouTube here or here.
With You All The Way by Max LucadoAGE RANGE: 5+ / RATING: G
THEMES: courage, faith, wisdom
The three bravest and best knights in the kingdom are seeking the King's daughter's hand in marriage. Who will win - the swiftest, the strongest, or the wisest?
Filled with enriching lessons in faith, I enjoy all of Max Lucado's children's books and I would recommend it to all children old enough to sit through this rather long picture book.
Girls to the Rescue series by Bruce Lansky
AGE RANGE: 5-10 / RATING: G
THEMES: courage, doing what is right, servitude, kindness, wisdom, heroism, patience, compassion, perseverance, honesty
This series of 7 books features courageous and witty girls from around the world. Each book is filled with fables, fairy tale twists, originals, adaptions, legends, fairytales, folktales, and true stories of girls and young women who used their kindness, wit, and courage to save their brother, family, or sometimes village. The reading level is about the same as the American Girl series, and if your girl loves AG, they will definitely love these books. The beginning of each story includes a small glossary and pronunciation of foreign words, which is very helpful. There is no boy-bashing, or anything parents would find inappropriate. Since each story is short, this series would make great bedtime stories!
In these stories, you'll meet; an Italian girl who saves her family by outsmarting a farmer who cheats both of her brothers (book 4); a blind girl who saves another girl from a fire (book 5); and Cinderella's assistant who does good and helps others - without the fairy's magic. (book 1).
Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine
AGE RANGE: 5-10 / RATING: light PG
THEMES: slavery, courage, freedom, helping others
Growing up a slave, Henry doesn't know how old he is, or his birthday. But Henry does know he wants his freedom, and he wants it badly. As an adult, Henry marries and has children. But, his wife and children and sold. Now more than ever before, Henry yearns for freedom. With the help of a friend, Henry feigns injury and escapes in a box, mailed to the north - freedom.
A true story, Henry's Freedom Box is a great way to teach children about the Underground Railroad in an age-appropriate way. The scene where Henry's family is forced away is very sad, but dealt with in an appropriate manner.
Twenty and Ten by Clarie Huchet Bishop
AGE RANGE: 5-10 / RATING: PG
Based on a true story, this short children's novel is about twenty fifth-grade French children who take in ten Jewish children during the Nazi occupation of France in 1944.
The story is told from the view of a young girl named Janet.
She and a few other children are playing the Flight of Egypt, with Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fleeing King Herod. The game soon ends in a fight, and the children are called inside where a refugee sits. The refugee tells them they have to hide ten Jewish orphans, because, like Jesus, they are being persecuted and the Nazis are like Herod's soldiers. The children, anxious for some adventure and "real life adventure" instead of make believe willingly offer their help and promise not to say anything.
Written in the simplistic way grown-ups talk to children, this book reminded me of Number the Stars by Lois Lowry in so many ways. Although I would have liked to know more about the real children involved, this is an excellent story of teamwork, friendship, and courage.
The American Girl Mysteries by various authors
AGE RANGE: 7-13 / RATING: G/PG
THEMES: courage, family, kindness, sharing, helping others, etc.
You may have heard of the American Girl series, but for some reason, no one has really heard of the American Girl mysteries. There is 1-3 mysteries for every one of the American Girls. Each book is smaller than a DVD case and contains less than 200 pages. Personally, my favorites are all of the Kit mysteries and all of the Molly mysteries. The reading level is a tad higher than the 6 regular American Girl series.
Love That Dog by Sharon Creech
AGE RANGE: 5-10 / RATING: G
THEMES: writing, confidence, trying new things
Jack hates poetry. Because boys don't write poetry and his brain is empty. Slowly, through time and a loving teacher, Jack learns to appreciate poetry. When his poetry catches his teacher's eye, the teacher wants to post it on the board for the class to see. At first Jack insists it remains anonymous, but finally gives in once he sees how much his classmates love it. Jack's teacher then wants him to write about a pet, but Jack doesn't want to. A bittersweet story evolves, over Jack's beloved yellow dog. In chapters but told completely through free-verse poetry, this would make a fantastic read-aloud. The title is a spin off of the poem "Love That Boy" by Walter Dean Myers. The end includes a few poems mentioned in the book.
AGE RANGE: 6-12 / RATING: G
THEMES: family, friendship, kindness
When I came across this book in the Sonlight catalogue, I immediately knew I would love it. The story follows a Jewish family with five girls. Since I come from a family of five girls, I could relate to most of the stories in here. Someone is most always crying, sick, fighting, in trouble, or about to be in trouble. The story is told through short chapters. Each chapter is like a mini-story. The stories include a nice library lady, a trip to the beach, Papa's birthday, notable Jewish holidays, and simply the girls' daily lives. This would would make a great read-aloud, especially for little girls! Older kids can easily read this by themselves. The reading level is about the same as The Boxcar Children.
Great Lessons in Virtue and Character: A Treasury of Classic Animal Stories by William KilpatrickAGE RANGE: 8+ / RATING: G
THEMES: animals, courage, compassion, faith, honesty, persistance, responsibility, self-discipline, self-sacrifice, loyalty
Featuring excerpts from stories like Island of the Blue Dolphins and The Horse and His Boy, this bedtime-story gives lifelong lessons through compelling animal stories. Alright, so I haven't read ALL of the stories, BUT this is a great way to teach virtues to your animal-loving son or daughter out there!
Bridge to America by Patricia Reilly Giff
AGE RANGE: 8-13 / RATING: G
THEMES: perseverance, courage, trying new things
Based on a true story, Bridge to America is about a young Polish-Jewish boy in the 1920s who is waiting for word of his father, who lives in America. When his father finally sends them money, Fivel and his family leave behind poverty and the Cossacks in search of a new life. However, their new life brings many challenges. At school, Fivel is teased for being an immigrant. He does not know words like sheriff and he doesn't know his birthday. He is pressured to become more "American". At home, his mother still sticks tightly to traditions and Jewish religion. How can he seem to fit in in home and in school?
You can see a (free) teacher's guide for this book here.
A House of Tailors by Patricia Reilly Giff
AGE RANGE: 8-13 / RATING: G
THEMES: perseverance, courage
Dina HATES sewing. Searching for a life beyond sewing, the thirteen year-old leaves her small home in Germany to join her uncle's family in America. Unfortunately, her uncle owns a sewing shop. As Dina battles epidemics and a fire, she finds herself growing as a person in a way she would never imagine.
Behind Enemy Lines by Bill Doyle
AGE RANGE: 8-13 / RATING: PG
THEMES: war, courage, helping others, doing the right thing, perseverance
Meet a German-American pilot who escapes from a Vietnamese prison camp; a female cross-dressing American Civil War soldier, a young man who gets on the wing of a flying plane to escape the enemy, and a young French woman who helped Americans during WWII. Filled with adventure, courage, and told in an appropriate manner, Behind Enemy Lines features 8 ordinary people who do the right thing, making them extraordinary! For the list, see this like. I would HIGHLY recommend this book for those in upper elementary and junior high.
The Riverboat Adventures series by Lois Walfrid JohnsonAGE RANGE: 8-13 / RATING: PG
THEMES: faith, hope, heroism, loyalty, responsibility, God vs. man, family, doing what is right, helping others, servitude, courage, trust, coming-of-age
Set in the 1850s and 1860s, this Christian historical fiction series follows 12 year-old Libby Norstad. Libby went to live with her wealthy aunt after her mother died but as she grows older, her father, captain of the boat the CHRISTINA, wants Libby to live with him on the ship. (this is where the series begins) Libby runs into a mysterious cabin boy and before she realizes what is happening, she is involved in the Underground Railroad helping a young fugitive escape. I enjoyed how Libby is flawed at the beginning of the books - she is a bit spoiled, ignorant, clumsy, she loses her temper, - she is just like all of us. She grows quite a bit in the story; physically, mentally, and most importantly spiritually.
The reading level is about the same as The Boxcar Children. The books are as follows: Escape Into The Night; Race To Freedom; Midnight Rescue; The Swindler's Treasure; Mysterious Signal; and The Fiddler's Secret. The series is best read in order for obvious purposes!
NOTE: The new edition of this series is called "Freedom Seekers".
The Night Flyers by Elizabeth McDavid Jones
AGE RANGE: 9-13 / RATING: PG
THEMES: animals, courage, mystery, adventure
Pam is a twelve year-old girl growing up in North Carolina with her mother during World War I. Before her father went off to war, he gave her a loft of homing pigeons. When a man with a foreign accent comes to town, everyone in the town fears the worst. Is he a foreign spy?
Fast paced and filled with adventure, I enjoyed this book simply because of the writing, it was interesting, and it had a little known plot. Homing pigeons were one of the most valuable animals during both WWI and WWII.
The American Girl series "History Mysteries" are a tad darker than the regular American Girl series and American Girl Mysteries. This one, however, I found nothing too violent or anything.
P.S. If you liked this book, you might like the Disney movie Valiant, which is an animated film about homing pigeons during WWII.
Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff
AGE RANGE: 9-13 / RATING: G
THEMES: family, hope, belonging, love, caring
This Newbery Honor winner is about a talented young artist in foster care. Hollis Woods has been in so many foster homes, but only soon seems to stick out; the Reagans - the only family who seemed to truly care about her. Hollis is sent to Josie, an elderly, kind artist who begins to lose more of her memory day by day. But Hollis doesn't want to leave, and she will do anything in her power to stay.
Although not very long, Pictures of Hollis Woods is a great novel that sparks some great discussion topics. Written in an engaging manner, this book has great messages and themes. There is also a Hallmark Hall Of Fame film with the same name.
Holes by Louis Sachar
AGE RANGE: 9+ / RATING: PG
THEMES: friendship, compassion, mistakes, fate, adventure
Overweight teenager Stanley Yelnats IV believes he is "cursed" due to his great-great-grandfather. Falsely accused of stealing a pair of shoes, Stanley is arrested and sentenced to a detention facility called Camp Green Lake. In the middle of nowhere, the boys of Camp Green Lake must dig 5x5 feet holes daily to "build character". Stanley soon finds out they are digging holes for the Warden, who is looking for an ancient buried treasure...
Packed with adventure, humor, and treasure, Holes is a great treasure for older children.
There is a Disney movie called Holes based on the book. Unlike some movies, the movie Holes matches the book pretty well.
Peter by Anne HolmAGE RANGE: 8+ / RATING: PG
THEMES: adventure, morals, loyalty, friendship
Peter is left with nothing to do in a boring house when his friend Morten moves. Until, the mysterious painting above the fireplace, The Boy in Yellow, takes Peter to an exciting place - Ancient Greece! Peter later travels to medieval England. Filled with adventure and history, Peter reminds me of The Chronicles of Narnia, how in the end everything fits together like a puzzle and how Peter gets magically transported from one period in time to the other.
What makes this book unique is definitely Peter himself. For being so young, he is very witty. Anne Holm is a very witty author. A few quotes that stuck out to me were, "The angrier you were, the less likely you were to think clearly." and "Being brave meant that though you might be frightened, you would face the greatest danger if you knew it was the right thing to do." For the most part, the entire book is filled with bits like this. Since this book was written in the 1960s in Denmark, the writing might be a little awkward for younger readers.
I Am David by Anne HolmAGE RANGE: 8+ / RATING: PG
THEMES: Every positive characteristic/trait you can think of, plus more. faith, courage, loyalty, compassion, justice, hope, morals, mercy, forgiveness, mistakes, patience, freedom, survival, helping others, etc.
This is by-far my favorite novel of all time. I Am David was originally published in Denmark as David, published in the USA as North to Freedom, and then reprinted as I Am David after the 2003 film.
David has been in a concentration camp for as long as he can remember. When a prison guard gives him a mysterious chance to escape "north to Denmark" - David seizes his chance. The only thing he knows about the outside world is from a friend, Johannes, and the other men in the camp. Although multilingual from the men in the camp, David must learn how to do simple things; use a fork, take a bath, smile.
When David decides he needs a God, he picks the God Of the Green Pastures and the Still Waters, Johannes' God. This is a crucial aspect of the novel, because at one point things take a turn for the worst and David gets very angry at God. However, David slowly learns God is teaching him a very valuable lesson on forgiveness.
David has extremely high moral standards, mostly from his incredibly wise and loving friend and mentor, Johannes - the only friend he has ever had. Through his journey, David experiences the beauty of the simple, wonderful things in life. This book is not graphic, but you can find a content review here if you have questions about content. To top it off, the writing is beautiful, inspiring, and FULL of wisdom. Although written for a third-person POV, it is written strictly through David's eyes.
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What are your favorite little-known books?
Recognize any of the books on here? Read any book on here?
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