Kill a mockingbird by Harper Lee

Written in 1960, Kill a mockingbird is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, and follows Jean Louise (Scout) Finch, who is six years old at the start of the novel and nine at the end. She and her brother are raised by their widowed father, Atticus, who is a lawyer and the majority of the action takes place when he represents Tom Robinson, a man accused of rape.

The customer by John Grisham

Mark Sway and his younger brother, Ricky, witness a suicide attempt by Romey Clifford, the lawyer for a mob hitman. Romey confesses his secrets to Mark before he dies, and Mark must do everything he can to avoid the cops, the mob now looking for him, and the FBI. He needs serious help and legal representation which features Reggie Love, a recovered alcoholic and children’s rights expert. She goes above and beyond the call of duty to help and protect Mark. Together, they tackle legal proceedings while avoiding attacks from hitman Barry “the blade” Muldano. It’s a truly captivating thriller with a child at the heart of it.

The book thief by Markus Zusak

This historical fiction book is set in Germany with an unusual narrator: death. The story follows a young girl named Liesel who must stay with her adoptive parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermann, as tragedy strikes her family and war escalates with a constant concern for food shortages. Liesel befriends Max, a Jewish man whom her adoptive parents take in while discovering a love of books and the power of words.

Wonder by RJ Palacio

Ten-year-old August (Auggie) Pullman is the hero of this powerful story as he struggles with his facial abnormality as he enters regular school. His family is his support system as he tries to make friends. The book has several viewpoints that tell the story from different angles to emphasize the importance of being kind and accepting. This book sat at number 1 on the New York Times bestseller list for 140 weeks.

Matilda by Roald Dahl

Written in 1988, this story is a classic of children’s literature for all ages, young and old. Matilda Wormwood is a highly intelligent bookworm, but lives with her mean parents and brother. At school, she meets her charming teacher, Miss Honey, and her horrible headmistress. Matilda discovers that she can move things around with her mind, which gets her out of trouble. Unfortunately, you can’t choose your family, but Matilda is a special girl. The happy ending to this novel is unexpected but wonderful.

Extremely loud and incredibly close by Jonathan Safran Foer

Oskar Schell is a nine-year-old boy who is devastated after the death of his father in the September 11 attacks and suffers from extreme anxiety. After discovering a mysterious envelope containing a key, Oskar travels around New York to collect clues. Along with this story, the story of Oskar’s grandparents runs parallel.

The curious incident of the dog in the night by Mark Haddon

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Christopher Boone investigates the murder of his neighbor’s poodle, Wellington, by interviewing potential suspects and in turn embarks on a journey of self-discovery. He’s 15 and in some ways wise beyond his years, with his love of math and lists. There are many unexpected twists in this novel that make the reader sympathize with Christopher as he comes to terms with his findings. The conversational tone and factual dialogue make for an enjoyable read.

Hall by Emma Donoghue

Irish writer Emma Donoghue writes about the ultimate bond between parent and child while including the harsh reality of the world in her story. It’s told from the perspective of five-year-old Jack, which means the dialogue is direct. Ma and Jack live in a room that belongs to Old Nick, it has been Jack’s home since he was born, but has been a prison for Ma for seven years. This book is a moving story of survival and escape.

white oleander by Janet Fitch

This story is unforgettable as it explores the intricacies of the mother-daughter relationship. It’s about Ingrid, a poet imprisoned for murder, and her daughter Astrid moves to different foster homes in Los Angeles. Astrid changes from the status of a girl to that of a woman during this novel. white oleander is beautifully written with lyrical language that reads like poetry.

All things lost by Michelle Sacks

Seven-year-old Dolly Rust is the narrator of this suspenseful story. She is overwhelmed with excitement when she realizes that she and her father are going on an adventure, just the two of them. It’s all fun and games at first until his dad’s mood starts to change and paranoia sets in. Clemesta, Dolly’s toy horse, is the voice of reason as she only talks to Dolly. She tries to make Dolly understand what is going on. An interesting read from a child’s perspective.