1. Trouble at Fort LaPointe by Kathleen Ernst (1999)

I couldn’t put this book down! Originally part of the series of American Girl History Mysteries, this short but fascinating novel is set on Madeline Island in 1732, in which a young Métis girl sets out to solve a puzzling mystery. I found the historical elements wonderfully engaging, and Kathleen Ernst is a fabulous writer (I love several of her other American Girl mysteries, including Midnight in Lonesome Hollow).

2. Runaway Alice by Frances Salomon Murphy (1951)

This story of a foster child in the 1950s is a powerful, poignant MG novel—and, in my opinion, a retelling of Anne of Green Gables. Alice is unsuccessful in finding the right family until a kind couple on a farm usher her into their home. The way Alice’s life and happiness blossom is beautiful to read, and it’s a meaningful and moving read that will stay with you long afterward.

3. Miss Billy Married by Eleanor Porter (1914)

Oh! The joy of a vintage series where you can’t recall how many proposals the heroine has received! This spring I breezed through the Miss Billy trilogy, which culminates in the humorous Miss Billy Married (the best in the series!), in which a young woman struggles to adjust to married life (but I will not give the spoiler of which suitor she ends up choosing). I always enjoy Eleanor Porter’s books, and this one is a particular delight.

4. The Light at Tern Rock by Julia Sauer (1951)

I was surprised by this book for several reasons. Firstly because of its slim size—a mere 62 pages!—and secondly, because despite its short length, it won the Newbery Medal! But once you begin to read, you understand why it won the medal: its descriptions are luminous, the illustrations captivating, and the message compelling. The perfect holiday tale, The Light at Tern Rock tells the story of a boy and his aunt who agree to look after a lighthouse until its keeper returns for Christmas—but when he doesn’t come, they have to make do on their own.

5. The Cabin Faced West by Jean Fritz (1958)

I’d heard of this book many times before (Goodreads was constantly recommending it to me), so I decided to give it a try—and quickly fell in love with the sweet story and vividly warm characters. Centering around a little girl who is unhappy with her family’s move to the Pennsylvania countryside in 1784—but who gradually comes to appreciate her new home and friends—this is even more fun for me because it’s based on a true story.

6. A Gathering of Light by Amanda Dykes (2020)

This novelette is brand-new, just released to Amanda’s email subscribers on December 22nd! I read it immediately and adored its Christmassy feel and lovable cast. The story will be especially delightful to fans of Amanda’s novel Whose Waves These Are, as it takes place in the same Maine village and features some of the same characters.

7. Once on This Island by Gloria Whelan (1995)

I greatly enjoyed this first novel in the Mackinac Island trilogy by Gloria Whelan, which features a resourceful teenager who comes up against numerous challenges during her father’s absence from the island during the War of 1812.

8. Chronicles of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery (1912)

L.M. Montgomery’s classic short story collection was an unexpected joy, because somehow I always forget that Montgomery’s brilliant writing shines even in shorter forms. I loved reading new tales involving Anne Shirley, and also discovering the inspiration behind episodes of the Road to Avonlea TV series.

9. Cherry Ames, Boarding School Nurse by Helen Wells (1954)

I’ve read most of the Cherry Ames mysteries, and this one was a particular favorite! This one details Cherry’s search for a long-forgotten perfume formula secreted away in a historic boarding school.

10. The Cottage at Bantry Bay by Hilda van Stockum (1938)

This is the first time I’ve tried one of Hilda van Stockum’s books outside of the Mitchell family trilogy, and this one was a lovely mixture of humor, heart, and fun featuring a close-knit family (and their mischievous dog!) in 1930s Ireland.

1. Winona’s Pony Cart by Maud Hart Lovelace (1953)
2. The Golden Name Day by Jennie D. Lindquist (1955)
3. Runaway Alice by Frances Salomon Murphy (1951)
4. Blue Skies by Anne Bustard (2020)
5. A Room for Cathy by Catherine Woolley (1956)
6. Rachel’s Roses by Ferida Wolff (2019)
7. The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson (1958)

1. Just Patty by Jean Webster (1911)
2. Miss Billy series by Eleanor Porter (1911-1914)
3. The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson (1958)
4. Mama’s Bank Account by Kathryn Forbes (1943)
5. Chris in Trouble by Catherine Woolley (1968)
6. Look Alive, Libby! by Catherine Woolley (1962)
7. Belles on their Toes by Frank Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey (1950)

1. Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace (1950)
2. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (1868)
3. Plain Girl by Virginia Sorensen (1955)
4. Sister of the Bride by Beverly Cleary (1963)
5. Celia’s House by D.E. Stevenson (1943)
6. Spiderweb for Two by Elizabeth Enright (1951)
7. The Pat series by L.M. Montgomery (1933-1935)
8. The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall (2008)
9. From Anna by Jean Little (1972)
10. Party Shoes by Noel Streatfeild (1945)

1. Girls’ Club by Sally, Sarah, and Joy Clarkson (2019)
2. The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris (2017)
3. The Business of Bliss by Victoria/Hearst Publications (2001)
4. Imagining Anne by Elizabeth Rollins Epperly (2008)
5. Poetry for Young People: Emily Dickinson (1994)

1. The Ansel-by-the-Sea series by Amanda Dykes (2019)

The incredibly gorgeous novel Whose Waves These Are and its different yet also compelling prequel novella Up from the Sea came out this spring, and placing this little series at the top of my list was a no-brainer! I absolutely loved the Maine setting, heartwarming stories, and lovely characters. Dykes’ rhythmic prose is a pure joy to read, and her next novel (not in this series) comes out in June! I cannot wait to read Set the Stars Alight, another dual timeline novel. You can check out my interview with the author here.

2. Listening Valley by D.E. Stevenson (1944)

I have read novels by D.E. Stevenson before, but this engaging coming-of-age story set in Scotland might just be my favorite of her books. Set prior to and during World War II, the drama surrounding the life and romance of Tonia makes for a fascinating tale. It’s also technically a sequel (or rather, a companion novel) to Celia’s House, which I read in 2016 and enjoyed immensely. It was delicious fun to reconnect with those characters!

3. These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder (1943)

The cozy comfort of this penultimate volume in the “Little House” series was so nice to read, and that’s why it earned its place on my list of 2019 favorites. It was such a delight to read the unfolding romance of Laura and Almanzo, and the imagery in this book is on par with L.M. Montgomery’s descriptions!

4. A Real Cinderella by Nina Rhoades (1915)

When a member of one of my vintage children’s book groups recommended the books of Nina Rhoades, I was immediately hooked. I started with A Real Cinderella, which is my favorite of her books so far with its sweet heroine and page-turning climax. Rhoades’ books for younger children are loosely connected under the title “Brick House Books,” and all the ones I have read are set in early 1900s New York City.

5. Stepmother by Gwendoline Courtney (1947)

What a fun find! I read this one very recently, having discovered it among a list of vintage books newly reprinted in England. Published in the 1940s, Stepmother starts out similar to Little Women, starring a group of four sisters who put on plays with the aid of the boy next door. But these sisters are aghast to learn that their widowed father has remarried while on a trip overseas, setting off a series of comedic events. The characters in this sweet story are amazing: levelheaded but ineffectual Alison, headstrong budding actress Elizabeth, quiet, stubborn Susan, and outspoken youngest sister Georgie.

6. Cobblers’ Knob by Eleanore M. Jewett (1958)

A story both charming and poignant, Cobblers’ Knob centers around a coastal summer community of children who are convinced that a nearby abandoned house is haunted. The bravest of these children sets out to investigate – only to discover that the mysterious occupant of the house is an orphaned girl who has claimed the place as her own.

7. Time at the Top by Edward Ormondroyd (1963)

An unpredictable elevator that travels through time, a treasure hunt, and a family in need of assistance all factor into this funny and clever tale of a 1960s girl who ends up in 1881 – and decides she wants to stay there. (I’m currently reading the sequel, it’s so good!)

8. Two Are Better Than One by Carol Ryrie Brink (1968)

Reminiscent of the Betsy-Tacy series, this semi-autobiographical book by the author of Caddie Woodlawn is a friendship story full of turn-of-the-century historical details, entertaining characters, and plenty of wit.

9. Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo (2018)

I grew up re-reading Kate DiCamillo’s unforgettable Because of Winn-Dixie, and was even more enchanted by the adventures of Louisiana Elefante, who must forge new connections in a strange town when she learns a life-changing secret. A poetic tear-jerker with enormous heart!

10. The Borrowers by Mary Norton (1952)

I had a blast reading this quirky, fast-paced story about an unusual family of “Borrowers”, a trio of very small people who attempt to navigate their dangerous life in an Edwardian mansion.

1. Louisiana (Louisiana’s Way Home)
2. Alison (Stepmother)
3. Tonia (Listening Valley)
4. Gretel (A Real Cinderella)
5. Savannah (Up from the Sea)
6. Laura (These Happy Golden Years)

1. Pinky Pye by Eleanor Estes
2. When Patty Went to College by Jean Webster
3. Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
4. Henry and the Paper Route by Beverly Cleary
5. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
6. Two Are Better Than One by Carol Ryrie Brink
7. The Children on the Top Floor by Nina Rhoades

1. The Emily Series by L.M. Montgomery
2. The Painted Garden by Noel Streatfeild
3. Caldicott Place by Noel Streatfeild
4. Magic for Marigold by L.M. Montgomery
5. Friendly Gables by Hilda van Stockum
6. Trixie Belden #1 and #2 by Julie Campbell
7. The Haunted Attic (Judy Bolton #2) by Margaret Sutton
8. Two Little Women on a Holiday by Carolyn Wells

1. The Historic Christmas Tree Ship by Rochelle Pennington
2. A Name for Herself: Selected Writings by L.M. Montgomery, edited by Benjamin Lefebvre
3. Orange Blossoms Everywhere by Maud Hart Lovelace/Southern California Chapter of the Betsy-Tacy Society
4. Mrs. Sharp’s Traditions by Sarah Ban Breathnach
5. Book Girl by Sarah Clarkson
6. The Lifegiving Home by Sally and Sarah Clarkson