In a post last year, I gave suggestions for books to check out if you’re a fan of Anne of Green Gables, and today, I’m recommending books for longtime Little Women fans. If you’re hoping for a book that has a similar feel, see if one of these fun vintage titles could be the right fit!

– If you love the realistic sibling dynamics, try What Katy Did by Susan Coolidge.

– If you’re a fan of sister stories and want another book with both child and young adult siblings, try Treasure for Debby by Amy Wentworth Stone.

– If you’re in the mood for a book that features the characters maturing from childhood to adulthood, try Pollyanna Grows Up by Eleanor Porter.

– If you’re on the hunt for another book featuring a heroine who longs to be a writer, try Jill’s Story by Jean Fiedler (hard to find, but worth looking for)! 

– If you’re looking for another cozy family story set in the 1800s, try The Belonging Place by Jean Little.

– If your favorite aspect of Little Women was the Jo & Laurie subplot but you want the characters to actually end up together, try the Betsy-Tacy high school books by Maud Hart Lovelace, beginning with Heaven to Betsy.

– If you’d like to read another feel-good novel about a New England family pulling together in hard times, try Winterbound by Margery Williams Bianco.

– If you’re still in the mood for Louisa May Alcott but want something less known, try her delightful Jack and Jill!

Bonus: if a chapter where the characters time-travel to visit the Little Women cast sounds good to you, check out The Time Garden by Edward Eager!

What books would you recommend to Little Women fans? Leave a comment below!

I read so many delightful books in 2023! I revisited old favorites and found some new gems to treasure. I set a goal of 100 books for the year and ended up reading 150—and that’s not even including most of the many picture books I read!

Now it’s time for the books I loved:

One of the first novels I read in 2023 ended up being one of my very favorites of the year: Seacrow Island (1964) by Astrid Lindgren. As soon as I read the description in the front of the book that called it an “unforgettable summer holiday” that’s “perfect for fans of classic stories such as Little Women and Anne of Green Gables,” I knew I would love it. It’s a charming tale of a family who heads to the Swedish seaside for the summer and end up returning in the winter! It reminded me a lot of the Penderwicks (with elements such as a poetic father, four children, a dreamy yet responsible eldest sister, a big lovable dog, some beloved rabbits, and lots of adventures)—but it also had a distinct feel of its own.

I read a couple more books in the Drina series by Jean Estoril (Drina Dances in Exile [1959] and Drina Dances in Italy [1959]), which were utterly fabulous. I have always loved books about ballet, and these are kind of like Noel Streatfeild stories with a bit more advanced writing style, and with a cast full of multifaceted characters.

Speaking of multifaceted characters, Meet the Austins (1960) by Madeleine L’Engle was a joy. Last year I read the novella prequel and enjoyed it, so I assumed I would like this one as well. It definitely exceeded my expectations! There was never a dull moment in this story of a big, opinionated family who take in an orphaned girl, attempt to thwart their uncle’s marriage, and nearly run into major trouble on a trip to the sea. One of my favorite parts was when the family’s house loses power. Evidently the feelings and details of a power outage have not changed since the 1960s!

R My Name is Rachel (2011)—about a city family moving to a farm in the 1930s—was a delight. It was a recommendation from a friend that I just loved, and it was also my first time reading Patricia Reilly Giff. Thankfully, there are plenty more Giff books out there, including Willow Run (2005), which I also read this year. Willow Run had a big plot point was left completely unresolved, but Rachel had the sweetest, most satisfying ending I read all year.

I have read a bunch of L.M. Montgomery short stories, but never before have I come across a collection as lovely as Around the Hearth (2022), edited by Joanne Lebold. One of the best in this volume was Miss Curtis Comes, which reminded me so much of stories by Elizabeth Enright or Noel Streatfeild. (So basically, if you want to experience what might have transpired if LMM had started writing big family stories in the 1950s, get a copy!) There is also a fabulous novella called By Way of the Brick Oven, which has shades of Louisa May Alcott and the Vanderbeekers.

Mitali Perkins’ Hope in the Valley (2023) was a book I’d heard so many positive things about, and to my delight, it lived up to the hype.  Set in the 1980s and featuring an endearing protagonist fighting to save a historic place, this book is beautiful and deserves to win the Newbery next month!

I devoured the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series this fall, which follows a governess in Victorian England who takes care of children who were raised by wolves.  Maryrose Wood’s writing is old-fashioned and humorous, and my favorites were the first book (The Mysterious Howling, 2009) and the fourth book (The Interrupted Tale, 2013).

The Secret of Tate’s Beach (1926) was another amazing book by Augusta Huiell Seaman, who wrote one of my favorites from 2022 (Mystery on Heron Shoals Island). Seaman’s mysteries are so intriguing to me, as many of them take place at seaside locales in early 20^th century (kind of like my upcoming novel, The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry)!

Other books I greatly enjoyed:

• Prairie School (1951) by Lois Lenski, a survival story in the vein of The Long Winter
• Christine of the Fourth (1949) by W.E. Eastways, a British boarding school story
• Stillmeadow Calendar (1967) by Gladys Taber, essays about Connecticut farm life
• Ribsy (1964) by Beverly Cleary—so charming and funny
• Wedding Flowers (2002) by Cynthia Rylant, the final installment in the Cobble Street Cousins chapter book series
• Little House in the Highlands (1999) by Melissa Wiley, set in late 1700s Scotland
• Village Christmas (1966) by Miss Read, a sweet holiday novella

My favorite audiobooks were A Place to Hang the Moon (2021) by Kate Albus and narrated by Polly Lee, the Gone-Away Lake series (1957-61) by Elizabeth Enright and narrated by Colleen Delany, the full-cast BBC dramatization of Ballet Shoes (1936) narrated by Rosemary Leach, and Schoolroom in the Parlor (1959) by Rebecca Caudill and narrated by Mary Sarah Agliotta.

I also read dozens of picture books this year, and a few that come to mind as especial favorites are:

• Home in the Woods (2019) by Eliza Wheeler (absolutely wonderful!)
• Sarah Mackenzie’s A Little More Beautiful (2023, illustrated by Breezy Brookshire) and While Everyone Is Sleeping (2023, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard)
• Hello Lighthouse (2018) by Sophie Blackall
• Andrew Henry’s Meadow (1965) by Doris Bunn
• A Big Mooncake for Little Star (2018) by Grace Lin
• Goodnight, Anne (2018) by Kallie George, illustrated by Geneviève Godbout
• Blueberries for the Queen (2004) by Katherine & John Paterson, illustrated by Susan Jeffers

My absolute favorite re-reads included The Sea Is All Around (1940) by Elizabeth Enright, Mine for Keeps (1962) by Jean Little, the Mitchells series by Hilda van Stockum (1945-60), Theatre Shoes (1944) by Noel Streatfeild, Betsy in Spite of Herself (1946) by Maud Hart Lovelace, The Golden Name Day (1955) by Jennie D. Lindquist, The Penderwicks (2005) by Jeanne Birdsall (here is my review from this summer’s reading challenge), the first four Anne books by L.M. Montgomery (1908-36), and Ramona and Her Father (1977) by Beverly Cleary.

All in all, it was a fantastic reading year, and there are so many more books I’m excited to experience in 2024. One of my most anticipated reads is Rosetown Always, the finale to the Rosetown trilogy by Cynthia Rylant.

What did you enjoy reading in 2023? What are some books you’re excited about for 2024?

Among the most memorable scenes in Maud Hart Lovelace’s Betsy-Tacy novel Heaven to Betsy is when Betsy Ray is given an assignment in her freshman year of high school: she has to write an essay for Rhetoricals about Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest.

But being the flamboyant young writer she is, Betsy takes some creative liberties with her paper—and it turns into more fiction than fact as the essay blossoms into a story in which she and her classmates take a trip on the steamer Princess Victoria to Puget Sound.

I’ve been able to study some of the papers from the Maud Hart Lovelace and family papers collection that is housed at the Minnesota Historical Society, and I discovered something fascinating: the “Adventure on Puget Sound” chapter was actually inspired by a real story that Lovelace wrote, evidently in her teen years for a similar school event. It was written during the time when she signed her name as ‘Maude’ rather than Maud.

The original story that Maud wrote doesn’t differ greatly from the tale that Betsy recounts in the pages of Heaven to Betsy. A notable difference is that the real-life counterpart of Bonnie does not appear in Maud’s version. It is actually Frances (Tacy) who quotes “from the guidebook, trying to make the trip educational.”[1] Familiar sentences abound in the original version, from a mention of the girls in their “stiffly starched suits”[2] to Kathleen’s (Julia’s) dreamy line: “How Caruso must be enjoying this!”[3] The factual sections of the essay are devoted to descriptions of the opulent steamer, majestic Mt. Rainier (“the scenery grew indescribable”[4]) and plenty of elegant food available for supper, including a marvelous peach short cake that Maud (Betsy) cannot eat due to her unfortunate seasickness. (Tessie [Katie] informs Maud “with her usual lack of tact”[5] that the cake was absolutely wonderful; “an Irishman must have invented it.”[6]

All in all, the story is essentially what one would expect from reading HTB. The conclusion where they finally realize that the man onboard the steamer is Enrico Caruso—which has been Tessie’s joking prediction the entire time—is just as amusing in Maud’s original story as in Betsy’s.

There is a peculiar mystery, however, with the entire ending of the tale. About halfway down the second-to-last page, the handwriting changes from Maud’s penmanship with its upright lettering to a delicate cursive. The ending of the essay in HTB concludes with the line “‘And he ate four spring chickens,’ breathed Julia.” [7] In the original paper, it is Marion (Carney) who delivers this line, adding her customary “‘Oh, di immortalis!’” afterward [sic].[8]

It’s interesting that Marion gets the last word in the story, when the grand climax belongs to Kathleen. It is also intriguing that the mysterious cursive looks like Marion Willard’s own handwriting, which appears in the original Oktw Delta constitution (also housed in the MHL collection).

Is there a possibility that Marion helped Maud with this story and added her own ideas into the finale? Or did she take over handwriting the essay when the Maud got tired after ten and a half pages? Either way, it seems that this story was at least something of a collaborative effort!

[1] Heaven to Betsy (1945) by Maud Hart Lovelace, pg. 278

[2] “An Adventure on Puget Sound” by Maud Hart Lovelace, from the Maud Hart Lovelace and family papers collection at the Minnesota Historical Society

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Heaven to Betsy, pg. 280

[8] “An Adventure on Puget Sound” by Maud Hart Lovelace, from the Maud Hart Lovelace and family papers collection at the Minnesota Historical Society

As the title of this blog post explains, I’ve put together a summer reading list that includes some of my favorite vintage middle grade picks for this wonderful season. If you or your kids are in the mood for something fun, breezy, summery, and refreshingly old-fashioned – these books are for you! I’m re-reading some of these myself this summer. 🙂 Be forewarned that some of these can be hard to find, but the reward will be well worth the effort!

Gone-Away Lake (Elizabeth Enright, 1957), which features cousins exploring an old summer resort where two elderly residents still live. The sequel, Return to Gone-Away, is just as deliciously good. Check out my blog post on all of Enright’s lovely novels for even more delightful summer choices, especially Thimble Summer.

Jill’s Story (Jean Fiedler, 1965); one of my VERY favorites at age nine or so, about a 10-year-old aspiring writer whose family travels to Cape Cod for the summer. The climax – a birthday and a writing contest – is immensely satisfying.

Canadian Summer (Hilda van Stockum, 1948) is about a family who uproots to the Canadian wilderness in the post-World War II era – full of marvelous Montgomery-ish descriptions and exquisite characterization. For more info, you can read my posts here and here.

The Magic Summer (Noel Streatfeild, 1966), in which four siblings are sent to live with their eccentric great-aunt for the summer, and encounter a world of poetry, hard work, and mystery.

Jane of Lantern Hill (L.M. Montgomery, 1937). I’ve discussed this one many times on this blog before, because it’s possibly my favorite novel of all time. The story centers around Jane Stuart, who visits her father for the first time in her life one unforgettable summer. They subsequently buy a charming cottage on Prince Edward Island and all the whimsy begins.

Look Alive, Libby! (Catherine Woolley, 1962) is the charming story of a girl who has to overcome her many fears (like wild animals!) when she and her aunt go to spend the summer at a seaside cottage.

Cobblers’ Knob (Eleanore M. Jewett, 1958) was one of my favorite novels of 2019. The story centers on a brave girl who explores a supposedly haunted summer residence and makes friends with the foster child living there. The many unexpected twists kept me turning the pages!

Maggie Rose: Her Birthday Christmas (Ruth Sawyer, 1952). This one is just adorable. And incredibly well-crafted, and sweet, and poignant. Over one long summer, Maggie Rose picks all kinds of berries to sell in hopes of having a special celebration at the end of the year. Will she succeed against numerous obstacles that threaten to thwart her joyous plans?

Katie John (Mary Calhoun, 1960). Another absolute favorite from age nine or ten; an impulsive yet idealistic girl has a bunch of exciting (and humorous!) adventures in a nineteenth-century house alongside her new best friend. I think this book sparked my love of hunting down family history, because my favorite chapter was the one where Katie discovers the story of her great-aunt. The sequel, Depend on Katie John, is also terrific (I just re-read it)!

Half Magic (Edward Eager, 1954) focuses on the magical adventures that touch the lives of four children in what they thought would be a dull summer. A coin that grants them only half a wish proves more difficult than they originally suppose!

Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill (Maud Hart Lovelace, 1942) is another one of my very favorites from a young age – I think I was seven when I first read this one. It’s such a sweet story, and also perfect for young girls who will identify with Betsy and Julia’s quarrel. 🙂 The next book in the Betsy-Tacy series, Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown, is also awesome for summer (even though it’s more of a fall/winter book, LOL!) and I think I’ll re-read that one very soon!

No Children, No Pets (Marion Holland, 1957) is a book I discovered just last year, and I enjoyed it so much. The story opens when three children and their mother receive a letter informing them that they’ve inherited an old apartment house in Florida, so of course they head off to live there, with many escapades to follow!

Important note: If you like the sound of these books and know of any others in a similar vein, please leave a comment because I would LOVE to check them out! 🙂

I’m always intrigued when the topic of re-reading comes up. Sarah Mackenzie at Read-Aloud Revival recently did a blog post/podcast about the importance of childhood re-reading, and I wholeheartedly agree with her assessment of its benefits and virtues. Sarah says:

A first read is a wonderful experience, indeed. But a second, third, or tenth time through offers riches that cannot be found any other way.

It surprises me when people say that they don’t often return to books they’ve read before, because I love revisiting old favorites… and not-so-old favorites! If I read a book and thoroughly enjoy it, I typically re-read it a few years later (or even sooner).

In fact, most of my childhood reading involved paging through my favorites for the thousandth time instead of (gasp) trying a new book. I’m a fairly choosy reader and I was even choosier back then, rarely venturing farther than my Noel Streatfeilds and American Girls and Saddle Clubs. (Speaking of American Girl, I’m in the mood to re-read a few of those mysteries; I have Secrets at Camp Nokomis on my desk. I don’t believe they’re publishing any new AG mysteries anymore, which is too bad – they were fun.)

There’s a select group of stories that I revisit constantly. These are the books that rarely sit for long before they get hauled out and re-read start to finish.

The list of “perfect re-reads” will be different for everyone, but this is my list of all-time favorite re-reads (which means they’re just my favorites in general) that I will continue to revisit industriously for … well, forever. 🙂

Maud Hart Lovelace’s Betsy-Tacy series, Emily of Deep Valley and Carney’s House Party

L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables series, Pat of Silver Bush series (can’t I re-read these yet? I read them in autumn 2018… that was a long time ago!), Jane of Lantern Hill (pretty much every year), and the Emily of New Moon series

Anything Noel Streatfeild but particularly The Bell Family, Caldicott Place, Ballet Shoes, the Gemma series, Dancing Shoes, Theater Shoes, and The Magic Summer

Pollyanna and Pollyanna Grows Up by Eleanor H. Porter (These are the sort of books you have to re-read because you pick up different subtleties each time)

The Judy Bolton series by Margaret Sutton

Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen (I’ve technically never RE-READ this but I read some of it and didn’t finish it [2016], tried it again and loved it [2017], was in the mood to re-read it but instead listened to the whole thing on audio [2019] and I know I will revisit it again!)

From Anna and Listen for the Singing by Jean Little

Anything by Elizabeth Enright (I’ve read every single one of her novels and cherished each one. Time to re-read the Melendys again, right? No, not quite enough time has passed since I last went through the series…perhaps the Gone-Away Lake series! The last time I read the first book in the series was March 2018, that ought to have been long enough…)

What Katy Did and What Katy Did at School by Susan Coolidge

The Secret School by Avi

The Penderwicks series by Jeanne Birdsall (Let’s see, I read the first book in 2012 and re-read it in dribs and drabs for years and then read the whole thing again 2018 and listened to it on audio in 2019 and can’t I read it again yet??)

The Meg mysteries by Holly Beth Walker (I think it’s time to re-read The Treasure That Nobody Saw)

The Katie John series by Mary Calhoun

Hilda van Stockum’s Mitchells series, which are quite possibly the coziest re-reads you can imagine. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve re-read Friendly Gables, the third book in this unforgettably sweet trilogy. I think it’s time I finally tried her Bantry Bay series…I have never been able to convince myself that it will measure up. But maybe I will be proven wrong!

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

The Patty Fairfield series by Carolyn Wells (oh, these are such fun! And so…unbelievable! The first time I read the series, I tried to count how many marriage proposals Patty received, but it was a lost cause. The answer: far too many to count.)

Beverly Cleary’s Ramona series, but especially Ramona Forever

What books do you love to re-read? Which books are you always returning to? Leave a comment!

I’m eager to begin week two of my #SummerofVintageKidLit! If you haven’t yet heard about my summer reading challenge, you can take a look at my recent blog post that has all the details.

Last week we read The Four-Story Mistake, and you can read my quick recap in the comments of this post 🙂

The book we’re reading this week is Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill by Maud Hart Lovelace. It’s the third book in the beloved Betsy-Tacy series, and it’s definitely a fun one to revisit. I believe I was seven years old the first time I read it, and I was utterly enchanted by Betsy, Tacy, and Tib’s preparations for their “Queen of Summer” extravaganza. I hope you will enjoy it as well!

Here’s a summary about this book from Goodreads:

Betsy, Tacy, and Tib can’t wait to be ten. After all, getting two numbers in your age is the beginning of growing up–exciting things are bound to happen. And they do! The girls fall in love with the King of Spain, perform in the School Entertainment, and for the first time, go all the way over the Big Hill to Little Syria by themselves. There Betsy, Tacy, and Tib make new friends and learn a thing or two. They learn that new Americans are sometimes the best Americans. And they learn that they themselves wouldn’t want to be anything else.

Happy Reading! Feel free to discuss this book by leaving a comment below, or tweet about it using the hashtag #SummerofVintageKidLit! Or join my Facebook group to be alerted of all the latest posts.

Recently Read: A Name for Herself: Selected Writings: 1891-1917 by L.M. Montgomery, Winter Cottage by Carol Ryrie Brink, Time at the Top by Edward Ormondroyd

Currently Reading: The Secret of Crossbone Hill by Wilson Gage, Cobblers’ Knob by Eleanore M. Jewett

I hope you will join me for a fun reading challenge! For twelve weeks this summer, I’m reading one vintage children’s book a week from this list. For this list, I’ve chosen classic kid lit published in the 1930s-50s that evokes a fun summery feel! I’ve also selected a mixture of books that I’ve read before and that are new to me; the books on this list are also relatively easy to find. If you’d like to read along, I’ll be commenting regularly on this post with updates on my reading challenge and thoughts on the books, so feel free to read and comment as well! I’d love to start an engaging conversation about all the books 🙂

So, my summer of vintage kid lit kicks off on the twenty-first of June! On that day, I will begin reading (actually, re-reading!) Elizabeth Enright’s The Four-Story Mistake. This one is so much fun, and I think it’s a great start to the challenge.

I’ll also be posting updates on Twitter with my #SummerofVintageKidLit hashtag, so if you’re on Twitter, feel free to use the hashtag so we can talk more about these books!

For the past two weeks, I’ve been deep in the throes of revisions for my novel, and I’m happy to report that I am delighted with the outcome of this draft! In addition to editing, revising, and writing new scenes, I also created a Pinterest board for my book–because what’s more fun than gathering book inspiration? Besides, it was absolutely imperative for additional research. 😉

Another day of edits! (And a handful of lovely books, just for fun!) #amediting It is most delightful to spend more time my characters in this particular story. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rSLx1xgegp

— Anna Rose Johnson (@GymnasticsRosie) January 29, 2019

Speaking of inspiration, I’ve started working on visualization scrapbooks for my novels. It’s basically the same as Pinterest–collecting images that act as springboards for ideas in your projects. I’ve always loved scrapbooking, and this weekend I created two pages that embody the creative feel of my latest novel:

In case you missed it, here’s a little description of my latest work-in-progress!

Such a fun writing session today; drafting a new novel! This one’s set in Wisconsin in 1920, and of course, I’m drawing inspiration from L.M. Montgomery 😊Currently re-reading LMM’s “Rainbow Valley.” ❤️#workinprogress #middlegrade #amwriting #writingcommunity #MG @LMMontgomeryLS

— Anna Rose Johnson (@GymnasticsRosie) February 10, 2019

In other social media news, a Twitter poll selected the surname of a new character in my third Norvia novel! His name will be Philip Dorne, and I cannot wait to introduce him to you. As a matter of fact, I’m looking forward to introducing him to myself, as I haven’t even written a word of his character yet! 🙂

I’m trying to choose the surname of an upcoming character! (His first name, by the way, is Philip. I have already determined the spelling of his name via a previous poll.) 😉 What should I choose?

— Anna Rose Johnson (@GymnasticsRosie) February 5, 2019

I also recently enjoyed the opportunity to interview Grace and Anna Glenn, twin sisters at UCLA who I first interviewed in 2014! In this new series of “fun fact” Q&As I’m conducting for Inside Gymnastics, I’m asking NCAA gymnasts all about their favorite colors, foods, movies, books, etc… It’s a fantastic way to get to know more about the athletes and their likes and interests outside the gym!

UCLA juniors @GraceGraceglenn & @Annag2016 tell us fun facts about themselves, what they love about competing for @uclagymnastics, and their favorite advice from @OfficialMissVal! by @GymnasticsRosie: https://t.co/bzTNu31zQh

— Inside Gymnastics (@InsideGym) February 8, 2019

And of course, I’ve been reading some marvelous books lately!

Seven-Day Magic
I finished the final story in Edward Eager’s hilarious series from the 1950s and it didn’t disappoint. These books are packed with witty lines, amusing subplots, and sweet characters.

Emily of New Moon
This one is a reread, and it was just as enjoyable as the first time I read it. Perhaps more so in the Emily series than in any other books, L.M. Montgomery excelled in bringing her environment vividly to life.

Bel Lamington
My sister recently read this D.E. Stevenson novel and suggested (well, insisted) that I read it as well! 🙂 It’s a lovely story about a shy young woman struggling to find her place in the world. Stevenson’s characters are so warm and realistic!

Patty Fairfield series
More rereads! The Patty books are some of my go-to comfort reads, about stylish New York debutantes in the 1900-1920 era and all their dances, beaux, and “adventures.”

Next up on my reading list? I’m re-reading Betsy’s Wedding by Maud Hart Lovelace, Rainbow Valley by L.M. Montgomery, and I’m reading Eleanor Estes’ adorable Pinky Pye for the first time. All three are immensely enjoyable!

In this third post in my seasonal series, I’m highlighting the middle grade and YA books that are most suited to winter! They are especially perfect for those long afternoons by the glow of the Christmas tree, watching tufts of cotton snow fall outside the window as you indulge in the peacefulness of the season.

Maggie Rose: Her Birthday Christmas by Ruth Sawyer
A forgotten gem from a renowned author of the mid-20th century, this marvelous novel could really be considered a summer story more than winter one, as much of the book takes place in summer. But the final chapters come to a climactic crescendo at Christmastime, when a little girl’s dream of hosting an enormous “birthday Christmas” celebration finally comes to fruition. The elegant prose, captivating descriptions of the coast of Maine, and magnificent ending make this one of my very favorite books. It’s out of print now, but available to read for free on Open Library!

Louisa May Alcott’s Christmas Treasury
This collection of lovely Christmas tales by Louisa May Alcott is an absolute joy. My grandmother gave me this book two Christmases ago, and I read each story with delight, savoring Alcott’s sympathetic characters and happy endings.

Patty Fairfield by Carolyn Wells
Originally published in 1902, the first volume in the Patty Fairfield series follows 14-year-old Patty as she lives with each of her aunts in one unforgettable (and highly amusing!) year of picnics, parties, and adventures.

Friendly Gables by Hilda van Stockum
In this post, I detailed all the reasons why I love Hilda van Stockum’s Mitchell family trilogy, and this final book in the series is definitely the best of the three! Taking place in March and April in post-World War II Montreal, this sweet family story includes brand-new twin babies in the house, a secret meeting place, and an unpleasant housekeeper (who just might have a heart of gold). This novel has the feeling of a Christmas tale to me, but perhaps that’s because I read it for the first time as an 8-year-old right before Christmas! 🙂

The Family at Caldicott Place by Noel Streatfeild
One of my all-time favorite novels, this is a warm, uplifting depiction of a family struggling to cope with enormous loss. When a city family in reduced circumstances unexpectedly inherits a vast estate in the British countryside, their lives—and the lives of three unusual children who become their boarders—are changed forever.

Christmas with Anne and Other Holiday Stories by L.M. Montgomery
Much like Louisa May Alcott’s collection of Christmas tales, this is another unforgettable compilation of stories filled with hope, goodwill, and the importance of family. Chapters of Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Windy Poplars are included in this book, along with many stories about other characters.

Jack and Jill by Louisa May Alcott
I read this book last Christmas, and I fell in love with the large cast of warmhearted characters—most importantly conscientious Jack and impetuous Jill, whose sledding accident at the start of the novel is the catalyst for a series of heartwarming events in their close-knit village.

Betsy in Spite of Herself by Maud Hart Lovelace
The sixth installment in the Betsy-Tacy series, this book follows Betsy Ray through her sophomore year of high school in 1907, as she attempts to transform her typical vivacious self into a “dramatic and mysterious” personality. She also visits her friend Tib in Milwaukee for a splendid Christmas celebration (which is very fun to read)!

From Anna by Jean Little
I cannot recommend this novel enough. In fact, I should really dedicate an entire blog post to this achingly beautiful middle grade by popular Canadian children’s author Jean Little. The moving story of a nine-year-old girl who is uprooted from Germany in the 1930s and forced to come to terms with her limited eyesight, is one of the finest Christmas stories I’ve ever read. The rhythmic writing, realistic characters, and timeless message continue to amaze me every time I pick up this book.

Following up in my post last summer called The Best Books of Summer, I’ve compiled a list of eight children’s/YA books that feel perfect for autumn, with the crisp days, drizzly rain, and apples galore. 🙂 Hope you enjoy!

Depend on Katie John by Mary Calhoun
All of the marvelous Katie John books take place at least partially in the autumn, but this one feels the most like fall to me! Chronicling Katie’s experiences living in a crowded and chaotic boarding house, this sweet novel focuses on the importance of friendship and community. Definitely one of my childhood favorites!

Heaven to Betsy by Maud Hart Lovelace
I’ve already sung the praises of the Betsy-Tacy series on my blog, but today I’m highlighting the first high school book—probably my favorite in the whole series, and an ideal back-to-school story. Maud’s evocative descriptions of Midwestern Septembers and Octobers are such a treat to read! Betsy’s attempts to capture the attention of a certain Tall Dark Stranger only lead to heartache—but it’s a delightfully warm and funny story.

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
A Newbery Honor winner in 2006, Shannon Hale’s Princess Academy is the first of a three-book series—but the original is definitely the best! This gorgeous fairy-tale has some of the most brilliant metaphors I’ve ever read.

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall
The second in the beloved Penderwicks series, this novel is masterfully crafted; full of witty characterization and well-woven subplots. Rosalind, Skye, Jane, and Batty Penderwick are four sisters who are perfectly content with life—until their widowed father decides to begin dating again! The ensuing hilarity always makes me smile.

Anne of Windy Poplars by L.M. Montgomery
Written partially as an epistolary novel, the fourth book in LMM’s immortal Anne series was actually one of the last of the series to be written (it was published in 1936). This lighthearted story depicts Anne’s three years as principal of Summerside High School, written in a pleasant episodic style and brimming with lovable characters.

Beany Malone by Lenora Mattingly Weber
I recently read this book for the first time—it’s a charming family story set at the end of World War II, and absolutely perfect for fall reading! I’ve read three books in the Beany Malone series now, and I’m eager to read more!

Spiderweb for Two: A Melendy Maze by Elizabeth Enright
I just reread this one—it’s divine. Sprinkled with riddles and treasure hunts and humor, the fourth and final book in the Melendy Quartet is a splendid fall read, as much of the book takes place as the leaves change color and languid sunny days transition to cozy, rainy ones. Being a genealogist, I also love this book for its descriptions of lovely old rural cemeteries. J

The Haunted Attic by Margaret Sutton
The second volume of the Judy Bolton mystery series, The Haunted Attic (1932) is one of my favorites of the mysteries. Judy’s fascinating investigation into the strange noises she hears from the attic make for a gripping story with a heartwarming ending.