The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie was first found by Rain and has since been passed down. It seems to be a big hit, and they can't wait to read the next one in the series. My sister read Mrs. Mike to me as a kid and I've loved it every since. I have passed it on to 4 of my kids so far when I felt they were ready. An excellent book - highly recommended.
I found A Tree Grows in Brooklyn at a garage sale for 25 cents when I was a kid. A classic coming of age story. To Kill A Mockingbird needs no introduction; one of a kind. A lot of kids are "forced" to read this in school and maybe resent it or maybe they weren't ready for it. It is a powerful story. (Also, one of the few movies out there that live up to the book).
Incident at Hawk's Hill is another book I came across as a kid. It is a quiet, gentle book that you will always remember. As for Centennial, if you have a teenager who loves historical fiction, no one can touch James Michener.
Three of my teenage girls (so far) love the Phantom of the Opera. They think it has just the right amount of mystery mixed with sadness. (By the way, the movie is not the same). The same three girls also highly recommend Rebecca, (I liked this one too).
Jane Eyre is another classic. A couple of my girls had a hard time getting into it (I admit, I did too when I was a teenager) but it is well worth the effort. Little women - ditto.
Two of my girls thought Ronia, the Robber's Daughter was great, two thought it was weird. You be the judge. As for Black Beauty, it is one of Lill's favorites.
I read Where the Red Fern grows as a kid and it can still make me cry. It is one of those classic coming of age stories; one of Hannah's favorites. As for Arms and the Man, Rain and Ry love George Bernard Shaw and say this is one of his best.
I personally have never read Villette but Rain said it was great. Ry is reading it now. Nora loved Calico Captive, it was one of her favorites. (She also voted for Little Women)
The Witch of Blackbird Pond (there's no witch) is another find that I loved when I was young. All five of my girls have read this and loved it too. It's a great teaching tool as well. Cheaper by the Dozen is not the modern day movie version. A thousand times better - trust me.
The Little House Books need no introduction. Excellent teaching tool, I am reading it aloud for the fourth time now. Peter Pan was one of Ry's favorites for a long time. Some of mine loved it, some didn't - it's a personal choice thing.
In my humble opinion, Pride and Prejudice is Jane Austen best work, though I know that there are members of my own family who would disagree with me on that :) The movie version (the real one by the BBC) is well worth watching (even though it is about 6 hours long - a great winter project). Rascal is one of Hannah's favorites (was one of mine too).
Big Nick is another one of Hannah's favorites, she's read it countless times. My Bother-in-law gave me The Mad Trapper when I was a teenager and I loved it. My ratty copy has been read by four of my girls and they all loved it too. It is (more or less) based on a true story and it's a terrific mixture of mystery and adventure told in a straight forward way by Rudy Wiebe. A compelling read.
Two sea faring adventure stories. Moonfleet is another favorite with my four oldest girls (it might end up being one of Lill's but she hasn't read it yet). A Fair Wind Home is more for older kids. My (other) Brother-in-Law loaned me (and eventually bought me) this book. It became one of my favorites and I have since passed it on to my kids.
Another book loaned by my Brother-in-Law, Rockbound is another sea faring adventure story for older kids. I have since bought a copy for me, Rain and Nora (who is reading it now). It has a terrific ending :). The Secret Garden is another one of those well loved classics around here.
Hero of Lesser Causes comes recommended by Ry and Hannah as a wonderful and moving book. I think Rain has read this too. The Woman in White is one of Ry's absolute favorite books. (I can also vouch for this one having read it as a teenager - I also liked The Moonstone - though Ry says this one's better)
The Sign of the Beaver makes it on Hannah top favorite book list. Rain, Nora and Ry also highly recommend it. I bought Mandy for Lill who says that it's a good book - a little like The Secret Garden, but easier to get into.
I found Cold River as a kid and loved it. It's a fast passed adventure story about two kids lost in the wilderness. Loved by our gang as a fun read. The King's Daughter (like so many books around here) was first read by Rain and was then passed down. Highly recommended.
