If you love reading, and always have, you probably have a number of favorites from your childhood like I have. This year, I’ve decided that I want to re-read many of them. As an adult, I’ll have a different perspective on many of them, of course, but the joy of my childhood tucked into corners, sitting on my window seat or flopping on the grass with a good book comes flooding back as I read these. If you haven’t read them yet, you really ought to.
- The Anne of Green Gables series, by L.M. Montgomery – there are 8 books, equally marvelously flowery, and beautiful, and delightful.
- Kilmeny of the Orchard, also by L.M. Montgomery. I’m a big fan of this writer – I have all 32 of her novels and short story collections.
- A Girl of the Limberlost, by Gene Stratton Porter – a delightful read about the turn of the Century Midwest, butterflies, moths, and the wilderness.
- A Little Princess by Francis Hodgson Burnett – I’ve fashioned storybook attics after hers
- Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell – a surprising story of survival based loosely on a true story
- An Old Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott – a book that shaped so much of my young life
- Heidi by Johanna Spyri – another whimsical tale with deep truths that helped to shape me
- The Light in the Forest by Conrad Richter – a story of loss, growth, prejudice, and change
Rita Mock-Pike 