The best novels for reading from a child’s perspective

A young woman is held prisoner by her kidnapper/rapist and gives birth to Jack. She succeeds in protecting and providing for him for five years while trapped in a bunker which Jack calls “Room.” The novel is narrated by Jack and the room is Jack’s entire world. Because of Ma’s incredible efforts, he seems as happy as would be possible in this dire situation. An opportunity to escape arises. What follows is a realistic and heart-rending account of survival against the odds. Through Jack’s observations, I could read between the lines to understand what Ma endures. The author’s ability to tell Ma’s story without actually telling Ma’s story is fascinating. I recently finished writing a novel with a traumatized child’s voice, and I used this same method of “showing” the adults’ stories without actually writing them. It was quite challenging for me as a writer. Room inspired me to try. 

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close lead me into the world of grief-stricken Oskar, a boy who lost his dad in the 9/11 attacks. Oskar finds a key in an envelope labeled “Black” inside a vase belonging to his father. He resolves to find all the people named “Black” in NYC, looking for a connection to his dad associated with the key. Like most people, 9/11 left me grappling for understanding. While adults deal with their grief and anger, they sometimes neglect to notice the effects tragedies have on children. This novel opened my eyes to the depths to which children can grieve. As a reader, I followed along with Oskar in his heart-breaking key quest. It is later revealed that another character is also tracking Oskar. A “twist” is always an intriguing and engaging addition to any story. This novel was already good; the surprise adds even more dimension and credibility to Oskar’s story.

I was into Stephen King when I was in my late teens and early twenties, but then I read Pet Sematary and swore off scary and/or paranormal books for good. I normally gravitate to quiet, tender, character-driven stories with a bit of “quirk” and this is the kind of thing I generally write, too. But once I started The Lovely Bones, I couldn’t pull myself out. The underground fort where fourteen-year-old Susie Salmon is lured to be raped and murdered is the last kind of scene I ever want to enter in a book. But Alice Sebold is such an incredible writer; it was almost like reading the book wasn’t a choice. In my mind, The Lovely Bones is a quintessential example of a book the reader can’t put down.

Life of Pi is one of those books with writing so strong and engaging; I jumped in with both feet and just rode the wave. The story is so unique, the characters incredibly drawn, and the action riveting (terrible storm, horrifying shipwreck, animals thrown into the sea, a young boy in peril alone on the sea) The twist in this novel is so unexpected and heart-stopping—just masterfully done. When a writer can accomplish a plot twist and leave the reader completely oblivious until it happens, that is artistry on a whole other level. It is one of those books that I will never forget.

I read this beautiful book as a young girl and have returned to it several times. This speaks to the novel’s ability to hook the heart as it is seldom that I read a book more than once. The novel follows a young girl named Frannie and her impoverished family—the father is a tender-hearted alcoholic and the mother, a no-nonsense type who is trying to keep the family afloat. Smith captures her characters so tenderly—all their kindness, dreams, shortcomings, stubborn failings. This is one of those books where it seems impossible that the characters aren’t real people—not just that, but people that I came to know personally. In a broader sense, it is about the tenacity of human beings, and how hope can propel us forward in spite of tremendous obstacles.