 |
 |
|
|
In the November/December 2000 Horn Book Magazine, two-dozen-plus writers were asked to choose one book from the twentieth century that they would most like to see survive into the twenty-second. Avi choses The Cat in the Hat as an antidote to global standardization. Lois Lowry champions The Secret Garden for its sense of non-virtual reality. Susan Cooper says that giving Tom’s Midnight Garden to a child in the year 2101 would be like reaching out a hand across the divide — “as proof that the divide isn’t really there.” Virginia Hamilton looks back to a childhood favorite. Jacqueline Woodson sees Chris Raschka’s Yo! Yes? as the key to fostering communication and tolerance. Send your own choices for Future Classics to cgross@hbook.com. Keep it brief and specific, and we’ll consider publishing it here on our website. Here’s a sample of what we’ve heard from you.
I'd like to nominate The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. It blew me away the first time I read it at age seven, some thirty-seven years after it was published, and I believe its timeless themes and gorgeous writing will win over twenty-second-century readers as well. In the future children will still need to know that true love can really, really hurt — but it's worth it. They'll also welcome the sly, insightful commentary on exactly what's wrong with grownups. Now that I am one, I make sure to re-read it often so I don't become too "busy with matters of consequence." —Eisha Prather
I suggest the books about those two inimitable friends, George and Martha, written and illustrated by James Marshall. I told these stories, and others, to first-, second-, and third-grade Panamanian students. English was their second language. I stopped working at that school nine years ago. When I meet these students now the first thing they tell me is that they remember George and Martha. True friendship is timeless and spans language and nationality. —Naomi A. Wolf
One book that cannot be overlooked is The Cricket in Times Square. It is endearing, a sweet and simple tale of friendship and adventure, made ever more charming by the illustrations. The pure innocence of it will draw children of generations to come. —Clarice Anderson
My fifth grade teacher read My Side of the Mountain to my class, and I have since shared it with several children, all of whom love it as much as I do. Jean Craighead George gives so many tips about what’s edible and how to survive in the wilderness that you could use her story for a survival textbook. Another of her books, Julie of the Wolves, also gives insight into how to watch animals and learn to “speak” their language. Someone already mentioned several of Beverly Cleary’s books, but my favorite of hers is Ribsy. She gets inside a dog’s head so well it’s like she used to be one! Her other books have that same quality as far as children go. —Denise Sharp
At the age of twelve, I was handed The Witches of Karres, by James H. Schmitz, and I became enthralled by the swift-moving, often hilarious story of Captain Pausert and his friendship with three youthful witches from the mysterious planet Karres. Schmitz strove for no overt moral tone, but the loyalty demonstrated between Pausert and the witches — loyalty that meant the difference between life and death for many people — suffuses the story. Schmitz knew how to write science fiction in such a way as to delight and entertain, and thirty-seven years after the first reading this remains a book to which I return year after year and which I share as often as possible with many young people and the young at heart. —Charlotte Hunter
The What Katy Did series by Susan Coolidge (1835–1905) is fantastic. It doesn’t matter what age you are. There is romance, fun, sadness, happiness — everything. I cried when I read the last book, hoping for more. Every book is different, but still lovely. I enjoyed reading about Katy’s mishaps and impatience in What Katy Did; her hard times and good friends at What Katy Did at School; and her trip to Europe, her patience, and her love life in What Katy Did Next. I strongly suggest reading these books, if you haven’t already. You’ll fall in love with them. —Anonymous
My vote is for The Phantom Tollbooth, a book celebrating words, numbers, and an illogical world that makes at least as much sense as our own. —Susan Raab
Petey by Ben Mikaelsen should be considered a classic. It shows the abundant love and resilience of the human spirit, even if the person is handicapped. —Sandy Leifeld
I would like to nominate Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. After nearly ten years, it is still breathtaking to me, the thought of Brian alone in that plane with the realization of his broken family, plunging into the wilderness. This is pure survival. It is gritty, real, and still speaks to children struggling with the hard realities of life. —Becky Reichard
Has no one nominated A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle? I was in fifth grade when I became aware of this book — our teacher read it to us out loud. For the first time, I got to listen to a story about a girl who was an intelligent misfit just like me. That book turned me on to Madeleine L’Engle for life. It was my Harry Potter, the book that turned me on to reading. During the reading, I was sick and missed a few days of school. I begged my teacher, Mrs. Naslund, to let me borrow the book for a night to read the chapters I had missed. I later demanded that my mother buy the book for me from a Scholastic book order. I still have my original copy, purchased in 1969 when I was in fifth grade, with my name and homeroom scrawled on the inside front cover. That copy also bears Madeleine L’Engle’s autograph. When I was pursuing my master’s degree, the college offered a course on Madeleine L’Engle’s work. The course culminated in a visit by Ms. L’Engle herself. My beat-up old copy of A Wrinkle in Time is one of two books I asked her to sign. I use Wrinkle in Time now with my fourth graders, either as a read-aloud or as a literature circle book. They love it every bit as much as I did. —Elizabeth Miller
Amy’s Eyes by Richard Kennedy, illustrated by Richard Egielski, is a magical tale blending all the elements of life. The storyline —Amy’s sailor doll transforms into a living person and Amy changes into a doll — transcends all times. Soulfully spellbinding writing kept me riveted far into the night, and I wept when the book ended. —Nancy Furstinger
Often overlooked as no more than a sports novel, Edward Bloor’s Tangerine is one of the most intelligent commentaries on class, gender, and power that I have found in contemporary YA fiction. It investigates dominant ideologies of typically uninvestigated groups like the white middle class, a group that is often unquestioningly perceived as “normal.” In our race to practice multiculturalism, an investigation of all cultures — including what it means to be Euro-American — is essential lest we problematically reinforce the “naturalness” of whiteness that Others everyone else. Tangerine is the type of text that reminds us that we are all a part of multiculturalism and to study with this in mind should not be perceived as a concession to political correctness, but a necessity in order to include all students in their own education. That is a value I want to continue to pursue until multiculturalism is no longer a movement but a natural inclination. Tangerine is an essential text for that paradigm shift. —Jennifer Marie Miskec
I would like to nominate My New Town, written by D. R. Thompson and illustrated by Dave Thompson, as a future classic. It’s a simple story about a girl who grows wings, illustrated in brightly colored cartoonish pictures. My daughter wants this story over and over, every night. I think that’s the mark of a classic, don’t you? Thank you,
My choice for future classics is from Australia: John Marsden’s Tomorrow series. The characters are real, the themes are classic, i.e., courage, honesty, good v. evil, what it means to be a true friend. I found all the books in the series quite engaging and realistic. There is a fair amount of violence, as the theme is war, so tender-minded youngsters should perhaps stay away for a bit. Extremely well-crafted and well-written, these are books that can be reread again and again. —B. F. Belton
It just cannot be left out! Shel Silverstein’s book of poems, with its pen-and-ink drawings, brings out the giggles and dreams of any child. Where the Sidewalk Ends is a classic collection of pure, child-centered goofiness. “Come in, Come in!” he calls to the children . . . “If you’re a pretender, come sit by my fire . . .” Is any child not a pretender? Any child, of any age and in any age, will laugh out loud with Mr. Silverstein. —Erin Shea-Bower
Watership Down by Richard Adams is an elegant story of a warren of rabbits who, after one of them has a vision of the imminent destruction of their homeland, emigrate to a new land. This is a gripping adventure story. By turns, it is also spiritual, gentle, funny, sad, and joyous. Suitable for 10–100-year-olds. —Rachel Jensen
The one book that stood out in my mind as I read other people’s recommendations was The Diary of Anne Frank. The courage, determination, and love displayed are truly a glimpse into the power of the human spirit. That is a timeless message that will adhere for generations to come. I also thought of Bridge to Terabithia, a story about friendship, unique qualities, and loss that also shows the basis of a male/female friendship. I also, of course, agree with all of the books recommended in the responses I read. —Gail Nezworski
I would like to nominate the fantastically underrated Moomintroll series by Tove Jansson. In these books, which are all about the adventures of a family of cheerful, nature-oriented trolls who actually look more like smiling hippos, the author has created an original world of strange and improbable creatures who often act very human. The character Moomintroll, who is the hero of many of the stories, is very much like a typical 10-year-old: good-hearted, impulsive, wanting to act grown-up, but never losing sight of his inner child! In fact, even most of the adult characters never lose their charming sense of play. Who could forget the flighty Fillyjonks and bossy Hemulens who populate Moomin Valley? Jansson writes in a style which interests children, yet also captivates adults with her lyrical descriptions of the natural world. —Tracy Johnson
I would definitely have to say that The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin is one that should be considered a great classic. The twists and turns of the plot keep even the most reluctant reader mesmerized, as do the lively character descriptions. This novel is a prime example of how to write a clever, suspenseful mystery for children that keeps the reader guessing until the very end. —Kirsten Murphy
The Last Unicorn deserves the recognition of a classic. It is a wonderful story, and Peter S. Beagle uses beautiful descriptions and metaphors. My most memorable part of the novel is when the unicorn is mistaken for a white mare. She then wonders what man sees around him. If he cannot see a unicorn for a unicorn, how does he see a tree, his fellow man, or even his wife and children? Anonymous, via internet
One hesitates to call anything recent a “classic” but I firmly believe that Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy will be one of the classics of the age. It’s a terrific adventure with fascinating philosophical underpinnings. And it’s terrifically well written. —Jane Hyde, Librarian
What a lovely idea. I have enjoyed reading the choices of authors, teachers, children and grown-up children. But I am amazed not to see suggested my all-time favorite book. It’s Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt. Perhaps others have mentioned it, but not in the selections I saw on the website. Thanks for creating this list — thought provoking. —Nancy Montague
I would have to say that a future classic, if not already considered a classic, would be Edward Eager’s series beginning with Half Magic and ending with Magic By the Lake. These stories celebrate magic, children’s imagination, and are wonderful read aloud books. —EP
Two novels that deserve the title of future classics are The Witch of Blackbird Pond and The Bronze Bow, both by Elizabeth George Speare. Each book not only has a strong sense of historical period but also has young characters whose dilemmas are timeless. Kit, the main character in The Witch of Blackbird Pond, must learn to live in what is, to her, an alien culture. Kit learns the value of hard work and how to understand others as well as the importance of understanding how her actions will affect others. Daniel, in The Bronze Bow, also is grappling with tough issues. These include coming to an understanding that brawn, muscle and violence are not the best responses to anger, loss and grief. Each book also helps to enlarge the young reader’s sense of the past and creates a context for understanding history. The Witch of Blackbird Pond offers a context for early America and The Bronze Bow paints a wonderful picture of the Roman occupation of Palestine in the first century of the common era. In addition to the above novels, I also have to name my all-time favorite series that I still reread in times of stress, Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons. It is the key to entering another world where children entertain themselves without benefit of electronic whizmos and gizmos. Ransome has given life to a set of young protagonists who are full of spirit, intelligence and resourcefulness. Before it was popular to have competent female characters, Ransome peopled his books with girls like Captain Nancy, Mate Peggy, Mate Susan, Able Seaman Titty and Dorothea the writer. Captain John, the Boy Roger and Dick the naturalist are also strong and believable characters. Several years ago I watched my son devour these books and this past year my 11 year-old daughter read through the entire series of ten books in a matter of weeks. One of the most important features of a classic of the future is its ability to cross gender lines and appeal to both boys and girls. —Margo J. Moore
I’m a big fan of the Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. Upon the arrival of my first child, the boxed set was my first book purchase. I appreciate many of the previous letters, especially Island of the Blue Dolphins and Where the Red Fern Grows. I can’t help but think books like these speak of a part of our heritage that is already foreign to us, much like Huck Finn & Tom Sawyer seem like their childhood was on another planet. Let us never lose these classics for what they can teach us about the values of loyalty, courage, and family. Also, am I the only one who has ever appreciated Jim Kjelgaard (Big Red, and dozens of other books oriented toward outdoor lifestyles)? Next to Narnia, Kjelgaard’s stories of forests, hunting dogs, and simple woodsmen gave me the most joy as a pre-teen. —David A. Beirne
My vote for Future Classics would easily go to Crockett Johnson’s Harold and the Purple Crayon. First published in 1955, this deceptively simple picture book for children, ages 4–8, concerns a wondrous journey taken by young Harold, with his crayon, when he goes out for a walk one night in the moonlight. Anyone who is a child at heart will immediately recognize this timeless story as a loving tribute to the soaring power of our imagination and creativity. For similar reasons, I also adore Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are. —Susan Alyn
Richard Kennedy’s Collected Stories. Kennedy is one of the most lyrical and tradition-steeped voices in American children’s books. Books such as The Porcelain Man and Oliver Hyde’s Dish Cloth Concert are gems when viewed in their original editions with the illustrations of Marcia Sewell and Andrew Parker (respectively). The Blue Stone has funny and poignant dialogue. The Collected Stories is an excellent substitute if one can’t have all the original editions. Otherwise — John Briggs’s The Man is a book one can re-read all one’s life, in connection with Gulliver’s Travels. Admittedly, as with many Briggs books, children may not warm to it. And someday the collected Peter Sis oevre will be as important as a collected Wm. Steig. These are not exclusively books for children — but they were marketed for children originally, and there’s no harm reading them for the first time near the end of your first decade. —Peter F. Neumeyer
It’s got to be Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff, possibly the best book about Roman Britain ever written — it was one of the things that turned me into an archaeologist. —Lesley Arrowsmith
In library period we are studying “the classics.” When we found your web site, we decided to vote on our favorite classics and to nominate some books for future or modern classics. Some old favorite classics of ours are Runaway Ralph and The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary. We also liked The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. We think future classics will include The Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling and The Goosebumps series by R. L. Stine. —Grade 3 and 4 class
I suggest a book that celebrates children in their ordinary lives meeting challenges, disappointments and satisfactions. Eleanor Estes’s The Middle Moffat or Rufus M. would be good ones. Or one of Beverly Cleary’s books, Henry Huggins, Henry and Ribsy, or Ramona. My son Michael took up reading for himself, when I was “too busy” to read the second chapter of Henry Huggins. My granddaughter Kirsten had read every Ramona book by the middle of second grade. Both have been readers by choice ever since. —Mary Calhoun, author, Clark, CO
May I humbly offer my selection — The Island of the Blue Dolphins, a historical novel by Scott O’Dell, published in 1961. This is a poignantly told story of Karana, a twelve-year-old Indian girl living in isolation on an island. Her hardships, resourcefulness, acceptance, and love touched me in so many ways. After these many years I can still smell the island, and sense the character! For me, Scott O’Dell has the magical gift of telling a story with so much intimacy that the physical book I am holding melts away, and the narrator comes from within. —Roslyn Gamiel, New York, NY
My choices are: Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain, by Edward Ardizzone, Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson, and My Father’s Dragon, by Ruth Gannett. —Madere Olivar, Los Angeles, CA
Where the Red Fern Grows is my choice. Rawls’s first and only novel captures readers of all ages. The story of Billy Coleman and his love for two coon hounds takes the reader on a an emotional coming of age journey. —Janice McBratney
It is never an easy task to nominate a “best” title. However, when a book is a must-read every year, in not only my library’s toddler story hour but also in our preschool story hour, I have to consider it to be a candidate. So I nominate Robert Barry’s Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree — a clever, old-fashioned story centered on our past century’s important fundamentals of recycling and reusing. It’s also a Christmas story that has become a classic for many folks who are now in their forties and fifties. We couldn’t believe our good luck this year when the publisher, seemingly from out of nowhere, colorized the illustrations and released a new edition in an oversized format. —Steffaney Highland, Littleton, NH |
 |
  
 
  |
||||||||
