Anne of Green Gables, no question! (The whole series, really.) I practically had the first book memorized as a kid. The biggest lessons I took from it were that it was okay to be a kid who wondered and imagined and was curious, and that my closest bosom friend might be someone very, very different than me (which became true a handful of years later). That bosom friend's three kids all call me Aunt Carrots now, as a nod to Anne.
I was a huge fan of The Babysitters Club! My mom always let me pick up secondhand copies. It's been a joy to share the stories with my daughter, who loves the graphic novel versions!
I love this post so much! Thanks for sharing :) For me, Charlotte's Web (we've talked over that one ;), The Baby Sitters Club as well! The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (speaking of speeches! But it was also made into a book). I taught Of Mice and Men to my 9th graders. A colleague of mine created a lesson on Lenny that she shared, and it changed my whole POV on neurodivergent people. Love your list!
I was absolutely shaped by the American Girl series, specifically Samantha’s series. It sparked my fascination with the Victorian era and learning about women’s rights. Samantha’s Aunt Cornelia was such an inspiring figure and the dichotomy between her and Samantha’s grandmother was so powerful. And I will never forget Samantha’s speech about children working in factories, it absolutely gave me chills the first time I read it.
There's a Samantha novel for adults coming out this fall! I agree with you, Samantha's storyline has its own unique power that reflects the time and her family life. Meanwhile, I am trying to dissuade myself from buying the new Hill House dress with her print on it.
Anne of Green Gables, no question! (The whole series, really.) I practically had the first book memorized as a kid. The biggest lessons I took from it were that it was okay to be a kid who wondered and imagined and was curious, and that my closest bosom friend might be someone very, very different than me (which became true a handful of years later). That bosom friend's three kids all call me Aunt Carrots now, as a nod to Anne.
🫶
I was a huge fan of The Babysitters Club! My mom always let me pick up secondhand copies. It's been a joy to share the stories with my daughter, who loves the graphic novel versions!
I love when it passes down generations. My nieces have my Molly doll.
I love this post so much! Thanks for sharing :) For me, Charlotte's Web (we've talked over that one ;), The Baby Sitters Club as well! The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (speaking of speeches! But it was also made into a book). I taught Of Mice and Men to my 9th graders. A colleague of mine created a lesson on Lenny that she shared, and it changed my whole POV on neurodivergent people. Love your list!
Yes, I remember!! I love yours too. We are lucky to know these books.
I was absolutely shaped by the American Girl series, specifically Samantha’s series. It sparked my fascination with the Victorian era and learning about women’s rights. Samantha’s Aunt Cornelia was such an inspiring figure and the dichotomy between her and Samantha’s grandmother was so powerful. And I will never forget Samantha’s speech about children working in factories, it absolutely gave me chills the first time I read it.
There's a Samantha novel for adults coming out this fall! I agree with you, Samantha's storyline has its own unique power that reflects the time and her family life. Meanwhile, I am trying to dissuade myself from buying the new Hill House dress with her print on it.
I just had to go look that up, what a cute and very Samantha dress! 🥰