My favorite books for all ages—perfect for children, teens, and adults

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m sure we all remember some of the first books we picked up, and how they’ve stayed with us despite every year that ticked away. These were stories that didn’t just resonate with us as kids; a part of them lasted—transcended age and periodic experiences. I love books that you can reach for no matter how old you are, with lessons and stories that can be enjoyed by anyone. My own writing is a reflection of that: timeless tales that bridge the gap between adolescence and adulthood, hoping to touch hearts with a spectrum of knowledge in science, myth, and philosophy.  


I wrote...

Book cover of Nura and the Immortal Palace

What is my book about?

A magical, wondrous middle-grade debut following a young girl's adventure from real-world Pakistan into the realm of jinn.

Nura has worked all her life as a mica miner, earning just enough to keep her family afloat. Only if she finds the Demon’s Tongue, a legendary treasure buried deep within the mines, will her family never have to worry about money again. When a terrible accident buries her best friend underground, Nura digs deeper in search of him, only to pass over into the enchanting yet treacherous realm of jinn. Nura stumbles her way to a palace, where great riches are on offer. But it’s not long before Nura discovers this world to be as unfair as the real one, and that trickster jinn will always live up to their reputation…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Wonder

M.T. Khan Why did I love this book?

This book took me from fits of hilarity to wells of sadness to fist-clenched anger. It’s not easy being a kid, and in 10-year-old-Auggie’s case, it’s much harder than most. Auggie is clever and witty, but born with a severe facial deformity that propels most to keep their distance. Taking extraordinary to new levels, this book feels like an embrace, like a warm bowl of soup, like a letter of affirmation that life is real and we are real and maybe that means we should be a little more kind to the people around us. Read this story if you want to heal any cuts in your heart. 

By R.J. Palacio,

Why should I read it?

9 authors picked Wonder as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

'Has the power to move hearts and change minds' Guardian

'Tremendously uplifting and a novel of all-too-rare power' Sunday Express

'An amazing book . . . I absolutely loved it. I cried my eyes out' Tom Fletcher

Read the award-winning, multi-million copy bestselling phenomenon that is WONDER in this new tenth anniversary edition.

'My name is August. I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.'

Auggie wants to be an ordinary ten-year-old. He does ordinary things - eating ice cream, playing on his Xbox. He feels ordinary - inside. But ordinary kids don't make other…


Book cover of Le Petit Prince

M.T. Khan Why did I love this book?

I think every reread of this book unveils another layer to its complexity. The Little Prince is a classic tale that will mean different things to different people—a mesmerizing journey to wide-eyed children, a reminder of the world’s fragility to adults, and a longing for nostalgia by those grown who may have had their innocence stripped away early. The first time I read it, I was swept away by the pictures and pretty words, and yet still, there was an ache in my heart that only later, on my next read, did I truly understand. But every reader can feel it; the beauty and grief for a place or time we may never return to. 

By Antoine de Saint-Exupéry,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Le Petit Prince as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In 2000 Harcourt proudly reissued Antoine de Saint-Exupery's masterpiece, The Little Prince, in a sparkling new format. Newly translated by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Richard Howard, this timeless classic was embraced by critics and readers across the country for its purity and beauty of expression. And Saint-Exupery's beloved artwork was restored and remastered to present his work in its original and vibrant colors. Now Harcourt is issuing uniform full-color foreign language editions. The restored artwork glows like never before. These affordable and beautiful editions are sure to delight an entire new generation of readers, students, children, and adults for whom Saint-Exupery's…


Book cover of How Do You Live?

M.T. Khan Why did I love this book?

I originally picked up this book after hearing it was Hayao Miyazaki’s favourite childhood book. But the more I read, the more I saw how it changed me too. Thought-provoking and philosophically balanced, How Do You Live? asks questions that will throw any reader into a realm of introspection. A story about a 15-year-old boy and his uncle may seem simple, but its deeply human core provides angles and dimensions that range from history, science, and sociology. An experience to read. 

By Genzaburō Yoshino, Bruno Navasky (translator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked How Do You Live? as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

The first English translation of the classic Japanese novel that has sold over 2 million copies—a childhood favorite of anime master Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle), with an introduction by Neil Gaiman.
 
First published in 1937, Genzaburō Yoshino’s How Do You Live? has long been acknowledged in Japan as a crossover classic for young readers. Academy Award–winning animator Hayao Miyazaki has called it his favorite childhood book and announced plans to emerge from retirement to make it the basis of his final film. 
 
How Do You Live? is narrated in two voices. The first belongs…


Book cover of The Hobbit

M.T. Khan Why did I love this book?

I will not deny being a big fan of the Lord of the Rings. But unlike the epic, larger-than-life journey, its prequel is a quieter, funnier, and jovial one. The Hobbit is a timeless journey of an unexpected hero. Its upbeat, lyrical writing style and fascinating cast of characters will ensnare even the grumpiest of readers. Like a portal to a different realm, this book will transport you.

By J.R.R. Tolkien,

Why should I read it?

41 authors picked The Hobbit as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Special collector's film tie-in hardback of the best-selling classic, featuring the complete story with a sumptuous cover design inspired by THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY and brand new reproductions of all the drawings and maps by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely travelling further than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End.

But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard, Gandalf, and a company of thirteen dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an unexpected journey 'there and back again'. They have a plot to raid…


Book cover of Amari and the Night Brothers

M.T. Khan Why did I love this book?

This book will ignite a reading rush no matter the age. It’s books like these that make you appreciate how words can draw such vivid pictures in our heads. With a mystery at its core, a determined young girl at its lead, and a spectrum of supernatural influences as its backdrop, Amari and the Night Brothers will awaken the imagination in anybody. It’s fun, action-packed, and a crossover of old fantasy meets modern. 

By B. B. Alston,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked Amari and the Night Brothers as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

"AMARI IS MAGICAL!" ANGIE THOMAS

An epic middle grade supernatural adventure series, soon to be a major movie starring Marsai Martin. Perfect for readers aged 8+ and fans of Percy Jackson, Skandar and the Unicorn Thief and Men in Black.

Amari Peters knows three things.

Her big brother Quinton has gone missing.
No one will talk about it.
His mysterious job holds the secret...

So when Amari gets an invitation to the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, she's certain this is her chance to find Quinton. But first she has to get her head around the new world of the Bureau,…


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Hotel Oscar Mike Echo

By Linda MacKillop,

Book cover of Hotel Oscar Mike Echo

Linda MacKillop Author Of Hotel Oscar Mike Echo

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

For decades I have volunteered in different capacities, helping the hurting and those living on the margins by tutoring and teaching literacy to the formally incarcerated or homeless, teaching parenting in a maximum-security jail, and teaching ESL to resettled immigrants. Because my own suburban father fell into homelessness at the end of his life due to depression, job losses, divorce, and more, I feel tremendous compassion for anyone in this situation. And as the mother of four grown sons, we filled our home with books—especially books that taught compassion so our sons would grow into men with big hearts towards others. I believe we succeeded.

Linda's book list on hard family circumstances for middle-grade readers

What is my book about?

Home isn’t always what we dream it will be.

Eleven-year-old Sierra just wants a normal life. After her military mother returns from the war overseas, the two hop from home to homelessness while Sierra tries to help her mom through the throes of PTSD.

When they end up at a shelter for women and children, Sierra is even more aware of what her life is not. The kind couple who run the shelter, Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin, attempt to show her parental love as she faces the uncertainties of her mom’s emotional health and the challenges of being the brand-new poor kid in middle school. The longer she stays at the shelter, the more Sierra realizes she may have to face an impossible choice as she redefines home.

Hotel Oscar Mike Echo

By Linda MacKillop,

What is this book about?

Home isn’t always what we dream it will be. 

Eleven-year-old Sierra just wants a normal life. After her military mother returns from the war overseas, the two hop from home to homelessness while Sierra tries to help her mom through the throes of PTSD.  

When they end up at a shelter for women and children, Sierra is even more aware of what her life is not. The kind couple who run the shelter, Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin, attempt to show her parental love as she faces the uncertainties of her mom’s emotional health and the challenges of being the brand-new…


5 book lists we think you will like!

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