The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

If you enjoy steampunk stories involving brave, intelligent kids, you will enjoy The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson. Joel wants to be a Rithmatist, the chalk weilding people who have special powers with the circles they draw, and are able to fight the wild chalklings in Nebrask who threaten the livelihoods of the citizens living in the American isles.

But as skilled as he is with drawing circles, he doesn't have the same powers that Rithmatists have. So how can he help when a mysterious figure starts kidnapping kids who are Rithmatists, spiriting them away unseen and unheard in the night? Can he and his friend Melody who is a Rithmatist, and kindly Professor Fitch find out what's happening before their entire school, Armedius Academy is attacked?

The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis is a delightful story about Polly Plummer and Diggory Kirk, two friends who find themselves tricked by Diggory's dastardly uncle into going on an unexpected magical adventure which takes them on twists and turns, coming into contact with the evil queen Jadis.

Once in her company, they find their way back to Diggory's idiot uncle, then come into contact with an unsuspecting cab man and his horse. Then they find themselves, with the use of Uncle Andrew's magical rings, in the brand new world of Narnia. There, they meet Aslan, the lion. And what does Aslan ask Diggory to do, to help counter the presence of the evil Jadis in Aslan's new world? Read the lovely book to find out! It is a fun book for both children and adults who enjoy magical adventures!

Ramona the Brave by Beverly Cleary

in Ramona the Brave by Beverly Cleary Ramona Quimby is just starting 1st grade, and finds that it's very different than Kindergarten.

The teacher, Mrs. Griggs is nice, but not as understanding as Miss Binney, Ramona's old Kindergarten teacher. And what is Ramona to do when Susan is copying her artwork but Mrs. Griggs doesn't seem to notice. Also, what happens when Ramona is walking to school and a strange dog starts to chase her? This is a fun book for children, giving them someone to relate to in spunky little Ramona. It's also a good book for older folks who enjoy remembering what it was like to be a kid.

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (full name Susan Eloise Hinton) is a wonderfully written coming of age story about a boy named Ponyboy (yes, that's his real name) his brothers, and his friends, including his best friend, Johnny.

They belong to a social class called the Greasers, the poor class in town which is often picked on by the Socs (pronounced Soshes, which is short for Social). They get by until one fateful night when a group of Socs chase down Ponyboy and Johnny and try to drown Ponyboy in a fountain. When Johnny kills one of them defending Ponyboy, what are the two friends going to do? The book is amazing, and a great read for teens as well as adults.