Harry Potter Books 1-5 by J. K. Rowling
Naturally, constantly being on the bestseller list speaks for itself. Never mind those taunts and whispers that the series promotes Satanism and all that sort of rubbish. Rowling’s novels about the adventures of a boy wizard named Harry Potter only grows more and more exciting with every new book’s arrival. From duels with the Dark Lord (You-know-who), meeting centaurs and other forms of magical creatures, finding more about his family, discovering his true friends, this series has it all.
The Lord of the Rings Books 1-3 by J. R. Tolkien
For those wanting to take the whole fantasy genre to a higher level, The Lord of the Rings is a good place to start. Not only will you come out of the Tolkien experience sharing a special bond with the hobbits and their quest to destroy the One Ring, you’ll also be able to gain from the Christian-related insights the author had magically woven into his stories.
Artemis Fowl Books 1-3 by Eoin Colfer
Though often accused of being Harry Potter copycats, the books in the Artemis Fowl series do have some potential. The fast-paced stories unravel around the actions of a young "criminal mastermind." The series kicks off as 12-year-old Artemis Fowl hatches a cunning plot to divest the fairyfolk of their pot of gold.
A Child Called "It": One Child’s Courage to Survive by David J. Pelzer
This is a brutally honest memoir of how young David managed to survive beatings, starvation and all sorts of abuse by his mentally disturbed and alcoholic mother. The dire topic is more than made up for by the compelling story of how the human spirit can provide strength even in the toughest of situations. Those who are inspired by the story of young Dave can follow his life in his two sequels: The Lost Boy and A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness.
One Child by Torey Hayden
Torey Hayden, an educator and psychologist, has chronicled her real-life experiences with special children in and out of the classroom. One Child echoes the book A Child Called It in many ways. The child Sheila is also a product of an abusive home and only with the love of her teacher, Torey, was she able to push past her wall of silence and learn to face the outside world. Sheila’s story is further developed in the sequel, A Tiger’s Child.
The Class by Erich Segal
Undoubtedly one of my favorite novels, The Class is an exceptional book about five members of the Harvard class of 1958, whose lives are intertwined by ambition and are ultimately bound by friendship. The story begins as the five individuals are first ushered into Harvard, continues with their passions, ambitions, and loves, and culminates in their dramatic 25-year reunion. Oh and by the way, Erich Segal is also the author of the tear-jerker Love Story and the book med students are familiar with, Doctors.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
One can never forget the simple-but-complicated story of the Little Prince who is wise beyond his years and travels from planet to planet. This story of love and loneliness has lost none of its power ever since it was released decades ago. The book reminds us of the presence of the childlike sense of wonder in each one of us and that "what is essential is still invisible to the eye."
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
Despite a certain aversion I have about reading a story about birds, I loved this book and all the challenges and questions it raises about oneself. Jonathan Livingston is a seagull that chooses a different path from the rest of the birds in his flock. The seagull teaches readers about life, ambition and pushing beyond one’s own limits.
The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream by Paulo Coelho
The story begins with a young boy discussing his simple life as a shepherd and his dreams to see the world. As the novel progresses, and the boy meets many new people on the way, the boy becomes more spiritual and gains new understanding of life. The boy does eventually meet an alchemist, and the ensuing relationship redirects him to the right path, while also emboldening him to stay true to his dreams. "No heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity."
Ramar: The Rabbit With Rainbow Wings by Darrell T. Hare
Another one of those animals-that-talk-like-humans stories. Ramar is a winged rabbit born into the "World-In-Between," where souls mind their lessons between earthly, human incarnations. Over the course of Ramar’s chronicle, the rabbit grasps the meaning of his wings and of his destiny as a spiritual teacher from several animal and human guides. Though leaning a bit too much on New Age theories for my liking, this is another simple book which does not fail to present an interesting view of the spirit world and morality.