Thursday Thirteen - 104 - 13 of My Favorite Chapter Books When I Was a Kid

- 1

Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown












- 2

Farmer Boy

I could never get enough of this series - but Almanzo's story was my favorite.

Of course I was a huge fan of the Little House TV series.








- 3

Little Women














- 4

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer












- 5

The Bastard

As you can imagine, reading this book while still in elementary school seemed somewhat scandalous. But by grade five I was definitely reading adult fiction. I loved the Kent Family Chronicles - an introduction to commercial historical fiction that has remained with me today.




- 6

The Crystal Cave

I'll always remember finding this book in the used book section of the Christmas Tea and Sale, at the church where my Girl Guide meetings were held. To say that this book changed my life would not be overly dramatic. Its time period, its Arthurian legend subject matter, its fresh idea for the character of Merlin - all of it affected the way I tell stories myself.




- 7

The Horse and His Boy

I could never get enough of this series, either - but Bree's and Shasta's story was my favorite.

I'm a massive fan of the current series of Narnia films. I hope, hope, hope they all make it to the screen.





- 8

The Story Girl

Of course I read Anne of Green Gables and Emily of New Moon - but The Story Girl and its sequel, The Golden Road stole my heart. Featuring Felix, Felicity, Cecily, and Sara Stanley (the "Story Girl"), imagine my delight when Road to Avonlea debuted on Canadian television in 1990 - and there were all my beloved characters from The Story Girl.




- 9

The Trouble With Tribbles

This was a non-fiction making-of-the-episode account. Had me in hysterics. Foreshadowed the future film student chapter of my life.








- 10

The Witch Tree Symbol

Other than The Crystal Cave, there's no book that's had such a profound influence on my life. In grade three, a new student just arrived from New Brunswick had this book on her desk. I asked if I could borrow it. That began a 37-year friendship with my forever friend, Connie.




- 11

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase

I read this one out loud to my sister before bed.











- 12

Then Again, Maybe I Won't

Can you see the trend I've always had toward gravitating to the books featuring male protagonists, rather than female?









- 13

Thor and The Giants

How I love me some Nordic mythology.









Grace says I grew up reading Nancy Drew books through a friend - we've been best friends for so many years now!

Shelley Munro says I used to love Nancy Drew books. The Hardy boys as well.

Anne MacFarlane says I loved Nancy Drew. I wanted to have titian hair, drive a roadster and date Ned.