Books for All Ages

Top 11: These are my favorite books for all ages, listed in order of my favorites.

  1. Mara Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
    • Even my dad liked this book. It’s a historical fiction-mystery kind of book. It is my favorite book.
  2. Ranger’s Apprentice by John Flanagan
  3. Stoneheart Trilogy by Charlie Fletcher
  4. The Underland Chronicles by Suzzanne Collins
  5. How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
    • The books are nothing like the movie, but they are equally enjoyable. However, I do not know that I would have enjoyed this book series if I read it. I listened to this on audiobook. The narrator is superb. He has different voices for each of the different characters. So, my recommendation for this book is actually for the audio book.
  6. Septimus Heap (book series) by Angie Sage
    • First book is Magyk.
  7. Brotherband Chronicles by John Flanagan
  8. The Chronicles of Prydain by Loyd Alexander
  9. Infinity Ring by multiple authors
    • First book Mutiny in Time
  10. The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands
  11. Ascendant (Songs of Chaos Book 1) by Michael R. Miller
    • This series does have a bit more death in it than the above series, so may be a little too serious for younger kids. I would recommend 12 and up, unless they are super sensitive. Other than that, there is no offensive content (no sex and only like 3 swear words.)

Entertaining books, but did not earn a spot in the “Top 10.” They are organized in alphabetical order.

Books in purple are some of my favorites, but not in my Top 10.

  • Anne of Greene Gables
    • I loved the original film; I read the book, but it wasn’t one of my favorites. However, my 13 year-old sister really enjoys the books.
  • A Philadelphia Catholic in King James Court by Martin de Porres Kennedy
  • The Ascendance Trilogy by Jennifer A. Nielsen
    • The first book is titled The False Prince
    • A note about the book series: This book is purely fantastical; the situations that this character gets himself in (and out of) are utterly outrageous, meaning that there is no way a real person could have survived. So, if you don’t mind books were the situations aren’t even close to “realistic” you will probably enjoy this book series.
  • A Train to Somewhere by Eve Bunting 
    • This is a really short, but sweet children’s book about the orphan train.
  • Beyonders by Brandon Mull
    • Just FYI, lots of characters die. Maybe a PG rating.
  • Blood on the River by Elisa Carbone (historical fiction)
  • The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
  • Carry on Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
    • This was a book I had to read for school. I don’t remember it very much, but I remember my dad really enjoyed it (he read my school books with me.) 
  • The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
  • Dragon Rider Chronicles by Nicole Conway.
    • The first book (Fledgling) in this series is PG and acceptable for 11-12 year-olds.
    • The second book (Avian) is probably PG-13, and the violence in the first part half of the book may be disturbing to younger children.
  • The Godling Chronicles by Brian D. Anderson
    • This is a book series. The first book is called The Sword of Truth.
  • Ghosters by Diana Corbitt.
    • This is a ghost story, but for those children who enjoy ghost stories, this is a well written, enjoyable story. For more information, see my full review. 
  • Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
  • The Gryphon Chronicles by E.G. Foley
    • First Book: The Lost Heir
  • Hittite Warrior by Joanne Williamson
  • Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
  • The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini
    • First book Eragon
  • The Leviathan Trilogy by Scott Westerfield
  • Mark of the Thief by Jennifer Nielsen
    • See the second note on the bullet above.
  • Out of Abaton, Book 1 The Wooden Prince by John Claude Bemis
  • The Paladin Prophecy by Mark Frost
    • Every now and then they use profanity (“damn” or “Oh, my God”)
  • Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordian
  • Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
  • Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
    • This is a book series. I enjoyed when I was younger. My sisters have/are enjoying this now.
  • The Royal Institute of Magic by Viktor Kloss
    • First Book: Elizabeth’s Legacy
  • Seven Wonders by Peter Lerangis
    • First book The Colossus Rises
  • The Shield, Sword, and Crown by Hilari Bell
    • First book Shield of Stars
  • Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan
  • Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls
    • Wilson Rawls also wrote Where the Red Fern Grows.
  • The Queen’s Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
  • TombQuest by Michael Northrop
  • Trelian #1 by Michelle Knudsen
    • First book The Dragon of Trelian.
  • The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann
    • The concept of this story is kind of like Harry Potter and the Hunger Games The premise of the story is that those with artistic abilities are “eliminated” from society. They are taken on a bus to the extermination camp which turns out to be a secret haven for those with artistic abilities. There they learn magic and art and other creative aspects. I did not actually finish this series because I got tired of the story about book 3 or 4, so I never finished the series.
  • The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates by Caroline Carlson
    • First book Magic Marks the Spot
    • This book might not hold the attention of adults (my mom found it painful; I enjoyed it – the audio version.) My youngest sister (who was 10 at the time) enjoyed it.
  • Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell
  • Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
  • The Youngest Templar by Michael P. Spradlin
    • First book Keeper of the Grail