There are a blue million series grown-ups and children enjoy reading together, so
how can I choose just five? I decided to go with some practically perfect series—some old,
some new—that the Bogel family thoroughly enjoyed. I hope these keep you busy until your
copy of My Reading Adventures arrives with dozens of great series recommendations.
The Ramona Quimby and Henry Huggins books by Beverly Cleary
This rec is technically a twofer: the Ramona Quimby books revolve around a rambunctious, imaginative girl who is constantly getting herself into trouble on Portland’s Klickitat Street. Her friend Henry Huggins anchors his own series along with his dog Ribsy. The audio versions of these books, read by Stockard Channing and Neil Patrick Harris, respectively, are phenomenal. If you’re hungry for more, go
ahead and read the rest of Beverly Cleary’s work. You won’t be sorry!
Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales by Nathan Hale
These zany yet historically accurate adventures invite kids to enjoy learning about history for the first time, whether they’re reading about the Alamo, the Underground Railroad, or the Cold War. And
you will enjoy catching up on the history they learned in school or perhaps never learned at all!
The Vanderbeekers by Karina Yan Glaser
There is much debate about what the Vanderbeeker household is like, but everyone agrees on what it is not: calm, tidy, boring, or predictable. Kids and adults love that these family dramas about a bustling Harlem family of seven are set right now yet have an old-fashioned sensibility.
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
In this fantasy series, Artemis Fowl is a twelve-year-old criminal mastermind, the last in a long line of crime lords in a legendary crime family that has seen better days. Fast-paced and funny, these wacky adventures set in the fairy world delight readers of all ages with their clever banter and interesting amalgam of magic and futuristic tech.
The Gaither Sister Trilogy By Rita Williams-Garcia
With superb attention to historical details and the culture of the 1960s, this series charms readers and offers opportunity for meaningful discussion about the Civil Rights movement. The stories, told through the eyes of the young Gaither sisters, make readers of all ages feel like they’re right there watching history unfold before their eyes.
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Anne Bogel shares her love of the written word on her popular blog Modern Mrs. Darcy and on her two podcasts, What Should I Read Next? and One Great Book. Anne is the author of several books, including Don’t Overthink It and I’d Rather Be Reading. She and all her books reside in Louisville, Kentucky, sharing space with her husband, four children, and a yellow lab named Daisy.
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Anne is also the creator of two fun reading journals, one for adults (My Reading Life) and one just for kids (My Reading Adventures). Discover these and other books by Anne here.
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