What's Your Favorite Book?

Betsy Bird, at Fuse #8, is putting together a list of the top 100 chapter books of all time. These are books for kids basically in 3rd-8th grade. Not picture books. Not easy readers. Not young adult. The list will be based on our votes. Everyone is allowed to vote for their top ten of all time. To vote, all you have to do is email Betsy at fusenumber8@gmail.com with your list. Subject heading should be "Chapter Book Poll." Put your favorite as number one, and go in order from there. You can add a little reason why if you want, but you don't have to. Click here for more information. The voting deadline is January 31, 2010, so don't delay!

Here's my list:

1. Are You There God It's Me Margaret by Judy Blume: Groundbreaking in its candor about God, religion, and puberty. And think of all the authors Judy has inspired. She changed the children's lit landscape forever.
2. Holes by Louis Sachar: Critically acclaimed literary fiction + popular appeal = Success with a capital S!
3. Charlotte's Web by E.B. White: Enduring classic (as opposed to the other classics that teachers continue to make kids read but that kids really don't like)
4. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry: Best introduction to the Holocaust for this age group. Love the treatment of courage and the seamless weaving of Red Riding Hood into the story.
5. A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park: Proof that any topic can be made interesting in the hands of a master storyteller
6. Blubber by Judy Blume: Another Judy title, just to make sure she gets as many points as possible.
7. Love That Dog by Sharon Creech: Best free verse novel. Best dog story. Gotta love it!
8. Rules by Cynthia Lord: With so many kids with special needs today, I predict this story of friendship and accepting differences will stand the test of time.
9. Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos: Voice voice voice.
10. The Giver by Lois Lowry: My favorite dystopian novel for this age group.

I realize I left off any fantasy novels (Sorry Harry Potter!) and any humorous novels as well. But ten is ten, so here you go. I would love to see your favorites. And I'm really looking forward to seeing the final results.