Our Favorite Books We Read in School

September 16, 2023

Literature

Nesha Ruther

Writer at Bond & Grace

Was there a book you read in school that changed your life, an author whose work helped you realize your potential?

Books have the ability to expand minds and shape futures, yet so many students across the country don’t have access to age-appropriate reading materials. Bond & Grace is raising money to stock classrooms with books through the Children's Literacy Initiative. During the month of September, Bond & Grace will match donations of up to $5,000 and for each $5 donation, your name will be entered for a chance to win a copy of The Secret Garden Art Novel.

We asked you for your favorite books that you read in school, and you answered! Here are the books that changed our lives, in all their glory. To help bring these books to students across the country, donate to the Children’s Literacy Initiative!

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Before there was Frodo and the Fellowship, Bilbo Baggins traversed the misty mountains. Full of new adventures and familiar faces, The Hobbit has enchanted young readers for generations. One might even call this book…precious!

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee‍

To Kill A Mockingbird is one of those rare novels that captures a harsh world through the wondrous eyes of a child, Harper Lee’s masterpiece deals with serious adult themes while maintaining an inspiring innocence, perfect for readers of all ages!

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë‍

As children, we sympathized with the young Jane and railed against the cruelty of adults. As women, we admired her tenacity, passion, and principle. Perfect for every stage of life, Jane Eyre remains a literary heroine for the ages.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

In a world with limited opportunities for young women, the hilarity and heartbreak of the March sisters taught us to dream big and never give up on ourselves. Whether you’re a Jo, Meg, or Amy, Louisa May Alcott’s seminal work has left its mark on all our lives.

The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

A prequel to the adventures we found in Chronicles of Narnia, The Magician’s Nephew is a history book of the world we wished we lived in! Discover the origin of the lamppost and so much more in this book full of magic and lore.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis‍

During wartime evacuation of London, new wonders are discovered in the unlikeliest of places. We followed Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy through the portal at the back of the wardrobe and never wanted to come back out!

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Night by Elie Wiesel

Emotionally heavy yet incredibly important, Elie Wiesel’s chronicle of his and his father’s experiences at Auscwhitz have moved readers for generations. Night serves as a bulwark against the revisionist histories and fascist impulses that threaten our collective memory.‍

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The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

Young Anne Frank’s expansive insight and tremendous heart captured the minds and souls of readers across the world, and remains a powerful testament to the goodness of humanity even among terror and oppression. While Anne never got to see the legacy her writing left, she remains an inspiration to us all.

A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

Full of whimsy and wonder, woodland spirits mess with the lives of unsuspecting mortals in this classic play. A tale of mistaken identity and misadventure, we still love the tricksy Puck as much as we did in the eighth grade!

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Harry Potter by J.K Rowling

“Yer a wizard Harry!” Four simple words that transported generations of young readers into a world of magic and wonder. Although if you check the text, Hagrid actually says “Harry–yer a wizard.” Semantics aside, we are still waiting on our Hogwarts letters, it’ll come any day now!

Little House On The Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

This classic series follows the life of Laura Ingalls and had a generation of girls wanting to harvest sap for maple syrup and build their own homes, although we could do without the scarlet fever-induced blindness!

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The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

“Christine! Christine!” The haunting tale that terrified theatre-goers for generations is an advanced read for kids, but perfect for the young reader in your life who has a flair for the dramatic and a love of the gothic. Although maybe keep them away from chandeliers until they’ve moved on to their next book!

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

This Gothic masterpiece has it all, locked rooms, ghosts, desolate moors! Oh how we grieved for poor Catherine and troubled Heathcliff. Wuthering Heights is sure to have your imaginative young reader wandering around in the dark in a long white nightdress, candelabra in hand.‍

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The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

A glorious story of rebirth and healing, The Secret Garden has given generations of readers the greenest of thumbs and a love for the natural world. A great book for all ages and perfect if you have a young reader who you want to get out of the house and helping you with the yardwork.

We hope this walk down memory lane has inspired you to invest in the future of children’s literacy, and maybe even reread some of these books yourself. You never know what themes and hidden meanings you missed as a child and will find new joy in as an adult! Happy reading!