Recs if you like Maniac Magee...

From the light-hearted, to the silly, to the thought-provoking. Genres ranging from contemporary, to historical fiction, to fantasy.

The books your teacher made you read between the ages of 11-14. They changed the way you saw the world, they made you realize books were more than just goofy or sentimental stories you gobbled up before bedtime, and they stuck with you, all these years later.

Suggestions welcome, especially from non-American readers!!

Note: this list was made by a Millennial, so I'd love to hear from some different generations! What did your teachers assign you?

According to the ALA, "The Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children."

Complete as of August 2026.

embrace your pretzel amish heritage by reading these bookz today

Here are many beloved and distinguished children’s novels that have won the Newbery Gold award and the silver Newbury Honor award, which were first started over a century ago in 1922. There are many choices, old and new, that have cemented their place in children’s literature for any reader to explore.

Other items used: "The Timeline Book", "Sheet of Book Labels 100", "Electives 100" (includes "The Fallacy Detective" and "Story of Art"), "Safety Glasses", "Literature 130 Student Guide", "Literature 130 Parent Guide", "History/Bible 120 Student Guide", "History/Bible 120 Parent Guide", "Berean Earth Science Schedule Plus", "Berean Earth Science Supplies Kit", "Geology Basics Kit", "Geology Testing Kit", "MUS200 - Geometry Video Instruction with Video" and "Binders + Tabs for High School Packages".

steve harrington: no way he’s a big reader, but I think these would resonate