Summary
Growing up in the 1990s and early 2000s, I never got to readbookslikeThe Hunger GamesandThe Hate U Givefor school — butI was assigned a few great novels that I’d still revisit today. Traditionally, school reading consists ofbooks that are considered classics, and these don’t always lend themselves to an enjoyable experience. While certain books are necessary to understand their time periods or authors, it can be difficult to sell young readers on picking them up for fun.
Fortunately, more and more schools are assigning books written with children’s reading levels and interests in mind. Andthere are plenty of classics that remain worth reading, even if it isn’t part of a curriculum. I didn’t always jibe with the books my teachers gave me, but there are several that I thoroughly enjoyed. These hold a special place in my heart and are largely responsible for my love of reading. I’d even pick them up today, and I might get more out of the experience all these years later.
9 Popular ’80s & ’90s Kids Books That Have Aged Poorly
Kids of the 1980s and 1990s are nostalgic for the popular books they read during this time, but some of these may not read as well in the modern age.
9The Outsiders By S.E. Hinton
Ponyboy’s Story Is Heartbreaking & Iconic
I lovedS.E. Hinton’sThe Outsiderswhen I first read it for school, and this book is one I’d gladly return to today. Set in Oklahoma in the 1960s,The Outsidersfollows a 14-year-old named Ponyboy as he grapples with being an outcast— and with the hardships life throws at him because he’s a greaser. In Ponyboy’s world, greasers are the kids who aren’t wealthy or privileged. They often clash with the richer kids in their town, whom Ponyboy dubs the Socs. And one of those face-offs ends tragically duringThe Outsiders,catapulting the book’s lead into a world of trouble.
I remember how devastatingThe Outsidersseemed when I read it for school, and it’s one of the first books to elicit such a strong emotional response from me.
I remember how devastatingThe Outsidersseemed when I read it for school, and it’s one of the first books to elicit such a strong emotional response from me. I have little doubt I’d have the same reaction today, especially with a better understanding of how one’s class can make or break their future. Hinton delivers a timeless and memorable story inThe Outsiders,andthere’s a reason the book’s famous line continues to show up: “Stay gold, Ponyboy.”
8Of Mice & Men By John Steinbeck
This Tragic Story Is So Easy To Fall Into
Of Mice & Menby John Steinbeck is another tragic read, and it’s a book that many would benefit from re-reading as adults. Set in the midst of the Great Depression,Of Mice & Menexplores friendship and the American dream in a way that feels raw and somehow still relevant nearly a century later. I recall feeling for George and Lennie when I initially picked up Steinbeck’s classic, buttheir situation hits a lot differently with a thorough understanding of the time period and how it feeds into the overall themes.
I wouldn’t say everything aboutOf Mice & Menholds up today, but it’s still a short and compelling read that’s easy to fall into. I’ve never forgotten its ending, and that’s a testament to the impact it had on me at a young age. It’s the type of book that sticks with you after closing it, and that alone explains its enduring legacy inside and outside the classroom.
7The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe By C.S. Lewis
There’s A Reason Netflix Is Adapting The Chronicles Of Narnia
C.S. Lewis' motives for writingThe Chronicles of Narniaare more obvious as an adult, butThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobeholds a special place in my heart, regardless of its heavy-handed allegories.This is one of the earliest fantasy books I picked up, and it showed me just how immersive a well-crafted world can be. There aren’t many books assigned by school that I devoured in a single day.The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobeis definitely one I couldn’t put down, though, and it introduced me into even more novels set in this world.
It’s also partially responsible for my love of fantasy as a genre, even ifbooks likeHarry PotterandPercy Jacksonare what fully sold me. I’d be more than willing to revisitThe Chronicles of Narniatoday, and I’m so excited to see what Greta Gerwig does with her adaptation of the books. Perhaps it’s worth picking up to prepare for the upcoming Netflix reboot. It’s telling that the streamer is adapting these books, speaking further to their cultural relevance.
6The Giver By Lois Lowry
My First Foray Into Dystopian Fiction Went Well
The Giverby Lois Lowry might be the first dystopian book I ever picked up, and it established my love for the genre at a young age.The Givertakes place in the future, and although the novel originally claims that it’s set in a utopian society, it soon becomes clear that this isn’t the case.The Giverexplores what happens when humans remove their individuality and freedom of choice, questioning whether such an approach would be worthwhile in exchange for peace and prosperity.
The Giveris a short and intriguing narrative that’s easy to plow through in just a few hours.
The Giveris a short and intriguing narrative that’s easy to plow through in just a few hours. Although the book is a bit confusing at first, it doesn’t take long to grip readers. Once they’re invested, they’ll realize precisely why Lowry’s 1993 novel remains so beloved. And I didn’t knowThe Giverwas a series when I first read it, butit’s well worth picking up every installment in Lowry’s story.
5Animal Farm By George Orwell
This Allegory Remains Relevant
The Givermay have introduced me to dystopian fiction, butGeorge Orwell maintained my interest in it as I reached high school. Both1989andAnimal Farmare great books by the author, but the latter is the one I have the fondest memories of reading. And its famous quote — “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others” — probably makes it slightly more iconic.Animal Farmis an allegorical narrative that follows a group of animals as they overthrow the farmer claiming ownership of them and attempt to govern themselves instead.
The latter quickly leads to power imbalances on the farm, with Orwell sending a message about how easily leaders and entire societies can be corrupted. Although the author wroteAnimal Farmfor a specific time period, it’s amazing how relevant its themes are today. It’s no wonderAnimal Farmis still referenced so frequently. In general,Orwell’s fiction holds up in the modern world.
4Charlotte’s Web By E.B. White
There are a handful of books I read for school that made me cry, andCharlotte’s Webis undoubtedly one of them. E.B. White’s novel unfolds on a farm, where a girl named Fern discovers her father intends to kill a baby pig just because he’s the runt. She takes the animal under her wing instead. But when Wilbur gets too big to live on the family farm, he’s sent to Fern’s uncle instead. It’s on his farm that Wilbur meets a new friend — Charlotte the spider — and learns that he’s destined to be killed for food one day.
Wilbur and Charlotte’s friendship is among the most wholesome dynamics I’ve ever read, andCharlotte’s Webdoes an impressive job of exploring the subject of grief.
Wilbur and Charlotte’s friendship is among the most wholesome dynamics I’ve ever read, andCharlotte’s Webdoes an impressive job of exploring the subject of grief. Its bittersweet ending is the kind that will resonate with children without coming off too strong. And despite its sadder themes,Charlotte’s Webis very much a tale of love and hope, making its timeless narrative worth picking up at any age.
3Lord of the Flies By William Golding
A less hopeful book I read for school is William Golding’sLord of the Flies,but its shocking and violent narrative makes is a fast and fascinating read. These qualities also keep it front of mind long after closing the book, and its overarching themes help on that front as well.Lord of the Fliesfinds a group of boys stranded on a remote island on the heels of a plane crash. The novel sees them attempting to form their own society and survive. However, the hardships they face on the island whittle down their humanity, pushing them away from civilized behavior.
Lord of the Fliestakes a harsh but realistic view of humanity, and that’s part of the reason I love it so much. Its exploration of how far people will go to survive holds up decades later, and that’s likely why the novel is still referenced and taught in schools. It’s certainly not a happy read, but it’s one that’s worthwhile — if only for the discussions it raises about humanity and morality.
2To Kill a Mockingbird By Harper Lee
There are certainly better books to address racism thanTo Kill a Mockingbird,but this is one of the most poignant ones I was assigned for school. And while it might not be my first choice on the topic today,it remains a classic for a reason. Set in Alabama in the 1960s,To Kill a Mockingbird followsScout and Jem Finch, whose father is a lawyer defending a Black man falsely accused of a crime. The novel digs into the town’s response to the Finch family’s actions, and it does an impressive job of showing and critiquing their prejudice.
WhileTo Kill a Mockingbirddepicts the worst of humanity, it also depicts human beings at their best. The 1960 novel underscores the importance of standing up for what’s right, even in the face of overwhelming pushback. The main characters are memorable for how they stick to their morals, andtheir story inTo Kill a Mockingbirdis an important one that’s easy to digest.
1Holes By Louis Sachar
Louis Sachar’sHolesis famous thanks to the 2003 movie starring Shia LaBeouf, butthe 1998 book is even better than its adaptation.Holesfollows Stanley Yelnats as he’s sent to Camp Green Lake for stealing a pair of sneakers — a crime he didn’t actually commit. At the detention center, Stanley and the other kids face harsh punishments, with the warden making the boys dig holes in the desert all day. The book does an impressive job of breaking apart the criminal justice system, showcasing how class and power determine who suffers at the hands of it.
The book does an impressive job of breaking apart the criminal justice system, showcasing how class and power determine who suffers at the hands of it.
I think many ofHoles’themes hold up today, and its ending ensures I’ll always recommend this book. Stanley’s journey seems bleak, but it’s hard to look away from. AndHolesdoes a great job of engaging readers from start to finish, succeeding where many otherbooksassigned for school reading do not.
