Category Great Books for Children

             After losing her family to a cholera epidemic, young Mary Lennox is sent to live with her uncle Archibald Craven and his on Colin.

               After discovering a hidden garden behind the mansion, Mary sets out to discover why it has remained closed from human eyes for so long. From the servant there, she heard the story of the garden that was locked ten years ago by her uncle after his wife’s death; Mary determines to find the key. In the end, Mary brings the garden back to life.

               ‘The Secret Garden’ is a children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett first published in 1911, after it was serialized in an American magazine in 1910.

               This magical story is an exaltation of the beauty of nature and its beneficial effects on the human spirit. ‘The Secret Garden’ attracts children around the globe.

Picture credit: google

               Mrs. Rabbit had told her off-spring firmly that Mr. McGregor’s garden was out of bounds. She should know: her husband had been baked into a pie by Mrs. McGregor. But her son, Peter, was not about to heed his mother’s warning. He ventures into Mr. McGregor’s garden. The story of the book continues like this, chronicling the adventures of Peter.

               ‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’ is a children’s picture book, written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter, and published in 1902. It was Potter’s first book, and was initially privately printed.

               Upon publication, however, it was immediately successful. It has since gone on to become one of the most famous British books ever written, and has sold 45 million copies. Peter Rabbit himself has become a British icon.

Picture credit: google

            ‘Treasure Island’ is the story of Jim Hawkins, a boy who finds a map which leads to the buried treasure of the notorious pirate Captain Flint. Jim takes the map to two wealthy local men, Dr. Livesey, and Squire Trelawney, who buy a ship, hire a crew, and set sail in search of the treasure. However, most of the crew turns out to be pirates who once served under Captain Flint, led by Long John Silver, a one-legged man who constantly keeps his pet parrot on his shoulder. The pirates plan to murder those who oppose them, and to keep the treasure for themselves.

            Most of the book is narrated in the first person by Jim Hawkins.

            ‘Treasure Island’ is a children’s historical adventure novel of thirty-six chapters by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. It was originally serialized in the magazine Young Folks between 1881 and 1882, Stevenson wrote it under the pseudonym Captain George North. the story was first published in book form in 1883.

Picture credit: google

             Brian Robeson is a thirteen-year-old boy. As he travels by a plane to visit his father in the oil fields, the pilot suffers a massive heart attack, and dies. Brian tries to land the plane, but ends up crash-landing into a lake in the forest. He must learn to survive on his own, with nothing but his hatchet—a gift his mother gave him shortly before his plane departed.

               Throughout the summer, Brian learns how to survive in the vast wilderness with only his hatchet. He discovers how to make fire with the hatchet, and he eats whatever food he can find. He deals with various threats of nature, including wolves, mosquitoes, and even a tornado. Over time, Brian develops his survival skills and becomes a fine woodsman.

               Later, he finds a transmitter, but not knowing how to use it, he thinks it is damaged and throws it aside. Finally however, he is rescued.

               ‘Hatchet’ is a 1987 Newbery Honour-winning novel written by American author Gary Paulsen. It is the first novel of five in the Hatchet series.

Picture credit: google

               The story in this book opens in the year 1866. Everyone in Europe and America is talking about a mysterious creature that has been sinking ships. Finally, the government decides to intervene and commissions a ship named The Abraham Lincoln to capture and identify the creature.

               On board the ship are Pierre Aronnax, a renowned scientist along with his manservant, Conseil, and Ned Land the king of harpooners. The search ship was attacked by the creature. The three men find themselves on top of the mysterious creature, which is actually a submarine vessel. They are taken on board and placed in a cell. The men meet Captain Nemo, who in order to escape repression in his homeland, built a submarine called The Nautilus and roams freely through the world’s oceans in it. The ‘twenty thousand leagues’ in the title refers to the distance travelled; six times the diameter of the Earth.

               ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea’ is a science fiction children’s book written by Jules Verne. It was first published in 1870. The novel was first published in English in 1872, in an abbreviated translation by Lewis Page Mercier, a British clergyman.

Picture credit: google

               Little Otto’s mother died during childbirth, and his father, a warlord, left him in a monastery for a proper and safe upbringing. Otto’s father returns for him when he is an older boy, at which time Otto discovers the truth about his father’s past, particularly about his part in the murder of Baron Frederick. As a result of a feud, Otto was captured by his father’s enemies and they cut off his right hand. Later, Otto’s father returns and rescues him with the help of a few remaining loyal followers. However, he dies during the fight. Otto flees to the monastery where he grew up, and is given refuge there. Later, he becomes a statesman.

               ‘Otto of the Silver Hand’ is a children’s thriller book written and illustrated by Howard Pyle.

Picture credit: google