I love sharing my favorite under-the-radar classic children's literature and these classic children's novels from the 1960s was a fun list to make for my ongoing series of the best books of the 20th century. The books cover a variety of genres and include authors from America and Europe.
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These 1960s classics also make great read alouds. Of course there are many classics published in the 1960s that I could have put on the list but I hope you will find some new-to-you books!Â
MORE: Once you've read these 1960s chapter books you can peruse this list of 1960s picture books!
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken (1962)
I remember loving this book as a child, and as an adult I love the alliterative title. It takes an ultra talented author like Joan Aiken to turn what could easily be a predictable, gothic plot into an exciting, suspenseful tale. Two cousins persevere against all odds when they are thrown under the protection of rather sinister guardian with the Dickensian name of Mrs. Slighcarp.
MORE: Gothic novels for tweens
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K Le Guin (1968)
Award-winning author Ursula K. Le Guin will be familiar to fans of children’s fantasy literature. This is the first book in her Earthsea series and introduces us to the young man, Ged, who discovers that he is full of magic. This one is for fans of Tolkein.
The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder (1967)
The Egypt Game is a well known title and on most "top kid novels of all time" lists, but I am including it on this list because for some reason I never heard of it until very recently! A group of friends hang out near an old curio shop and engage in some imaginary world building. Mysterious and suspenseful, it will be especially loved by kids who like all things Egyptian.
MORE: Classic children's books for tweens, ages 8-12
Charlotte Sometimes by Penelope Farmer (1969)
In her English boarding school, Charlotte wakes up to find that she has been transported back to 1918 and into the body of another girl. Interesting tidbit: Penelope Farmer’s book was the inspiration for The Cure’s rock song of the same name; you can listen and watch the video here and read Farmer’s account of her connection to The Cure’s song on her blog.
Owls in the Family by Farley Mowat (1962)
A couple of young boys have hilarious adventures in rural Saskatchewan when they try to adopt wild baby owls. My boys laughed out loud throughout this book when I read it aloud. Talk to your kids about the racial stereotyping in this book.
Terrible, Horrible Edie by E.C. Spykman (1960)
Find it: Amazon
Rebellious, spirited, creative and utterly lovable 10-year old Edie gets into all kinds of scrapes but will charm you every time she draws upon her own resilience to solve her problems.
Ribsy by Beverly Cleary (1964)
I love this stand alone book about Henry Huggins' dog. Poor Ribsy gets lost, but has amusing adventures before he finally finds his way back to Henry.
MORE: Books for kids who like Beverly Cleary books
Zlateh the Goat and Other Stories by Isaac Bashevis Singer, illustrated by Maurice Sendak (1966)
This is a long time favorite book of mine. If you are not familiar with Chelm, there is no time like the present. Chelm is a village of fools and the seven Elders are the most foolish of all. There are seven stories in all, each with a little lesson to be gleaned, but read them for the light-hearted humor and a few giggles.
The Animal Family by Randall Jarrell (1965)
Find it: Amazon
A quirky book we nonetheless enjoyed as a read aloud. A hunter who lives alone cobbles together an unusual family with a "mermaid", bear, wild cat and a boy.
MORE: Classic children's audiobooks the whole family will love
The White Stone by Gunnel Linds (1964)
Find it: Amazon
I can’t help but add the Swedish classic The White Stone to the list. Fia and her only friend Hampus engage in competition over a magical white stone. An intriguing tale of friendship.
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maryanne @ mama smiles says
I think I'm most intrigued by "When Shlemiel Went to Warsaw. Wonder if Emma's old enough to enjoy it?
Mom and Kiddo says
Possibly. Since it's short stories, it's easy to stop set it aside for later if it's not the right fit.
maryanne @ mama smiles says
Great! I'll request a copy from the library. Thanks!
Mom and Kiddo says
Wolves is such a fun book and I agree that it makes an entertaining read aloud.
I know what you mean about The Iron Giant. I might agree with you. As far as animated movies for kids, it was pretty good.
Jen says
What an awesome list! I don't know the owls one (but it sounds great) or the Singer one and actually NEVER heard of the lsland of Blue Dolphins - the others were all favourites of mine but I didn't read The Iron Man until I was an adult. The 60s was such a fab decade for children's literature - I could happily read all of these books again today. My other picks would be The Silver Crown by Robert C Obrien, Peter’s Room by Antonia Forrest, Over sea, under stone by Susan Cooper, My side of the mountain by Jean Craighead George and A kestrel for a knave by Barry Hines (not whether these would be too well-known for your list). Harriet the Spy as well but agree it is (deservedly) already very widely read.
Mom and Kiddo says
When you read Island of the Blue Dolphins you are in for a real treat. It's so fabulous. Thanks for those other suggestions. I think I might have read The Silver Crown as a kid. It sounds familiar, but I have read the others -- except I know I read My Side of the Mountain as a kid, I just don't remember it at all! And I agree, the 60s do seem to be particularly rich with books we now consider to be classics.
The Cath in the Hat says
Read The Wolves of Willoughby Chase as a kid and loved it. And don't forget its sequel, Black Hearts in Battersea. Owls in the Family was a lot of fun too. Didn't read The Egypt Game until I was an adult. But my favorite children's book from the 60s, hands down, is Harriet the Spy.
Mom and Kiddo says
I adore Harriet the Spy! The reason it's not on the list is simply because I thought many people would already be familiar with the title. I confess that I've not read the sequels to Wolves.
Leanne says
This list gives me lots of books to look forward to reading to my girls when they are older!
Mom and Kiddo says
Yea! I know they will enjoy them.
Jen Robinson says
I just read at Educating Alice (http://medinger.wordpress.com/2012/10/22/celebrating-joan-aikens-wolves-of-willoughby-chase/) that there is a fabulous new audio edition of The Wolves of Willoughby Chase available. I might have to re-read that one, as it keeps coming up. I loved many of Zilpha Keatley Snyder's books as a kid (and still do), though The Egypt Game isn't my personal favorite of her titles. Thanks for sharing a fun list!
Mom and Kiddo says
This was the first book I've read by Snyder. But I am looking forward to reading more of her work.
Erin says
I loved The Egypt Game as a child and Snyder's The Changeling. As an earlier commenter mentioned, I too wonder about whether to read a book with my children or let them discover it on their own. I love the shared experience but I also remember savoring and losing myself in books I read on my own as a child. It is a balance I struggle with. Right now I am really enjoying discovering books that are new to us all.
Mom and Kiddo says
Thanks for your comment, Erin. I agree that it's a struggle to decide which books to read aloud. My imperfect method is to choose read aloud books that I think my sons will be less likely to read by themselves. For example, books with girl protagonists! It's not a perfect science, of course.
One thing I do notice is that he often re-reads books we've read aloud. I love seeing him do that because I know he is experiencing the book from yet another perspective!
Ramona says
I am giving some of these books to my grandchildren and I am reading them and then giving the books to them to read so that we are able to talk about them. A rediscovery for me and a discovery for them. Hoping this will give us a place to unite and then allow them to share books of their choosing with me.
Natalie says
I read Earthsea as an adult and liked it. I also wonder which of these books would be appropriate for my "super-reader" to read on her own and which ones will go "whoosh" over her head. Choices, choices 🙂
Mom and Kiddo says
It's tricky. I've been trying to put a variety of reading levels on these lists. Some are definitely better for older kids. Most of these 1960s books are better as read alouds, but she might like Owls in the Family. As long as she doesn't object to the fact that the two protagonists are boys! 🙂
Michelle says
One to recommend: Stig of the Dump by Clive King, published 1963. About a boy who finds a prehistoric man living in a nearby quarry.
Mom and Kiddo says
Oooh, thanks for the suggestion. I've not heard of it, but I'm going to look it up.
carol says
I remember a book I read to my children 60's time frame I think. It was a picture story book about a toddler, Jeffery?, who was too loud all the time....part of the story as I remember it, grandma gave his bread and jam. I have looked and looked for this but since I don't have the title......does it ring a bell with you?
Erica MomandKiddo says
Hmm. That doesn't ring a bell. Sorry I can't help!
Paul says
I read Island of the Blue Dolphins to my 6th grade classes for years. I cry every time when Karana loses Rontu and then again when she takes in Rontu Aru. Great book!
Erica MomandKiddo says
It is such a moving book.
Deborah Stott says
I am looking for a children's book written in the 1960,s or 70's cannot remember the author the title is something like The Ruddles of East or West End Street .t?
Erica says
That does not sound familiar, unfortunately.
Kate Wilson says
Probably "The Family from One End Street" by Eve Garnett and published in 1937. It's about the Ruggles family!
Erica says
Thank you for the recommendation!
Linda Edge says
It's the family from one end street,the ruddles was their surname
VALERIE TOWNSENF says
HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF A 1960S CHILDRENS BOOK CALLED MAKE ROOM FOR MONKEYS. IF YOU HAVE COULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHO WROTE IT. PLEASE EMAIL ME AT VTOWNSEND812@OUTLOOK.COM THANKS VALERIE TOWNSEND
Clifford nunes says
Where could i get the series "Curly Wee"
Deb M says
I'm looking for a book about a boy, who eats lots of tangerines, and that flies around on his dragon.
Erica says
My Father's Dragon! It was originally published in the 1940s and I recommend it all the time. It is part of a trilogy by Ruth Stiles Gannett.
Donna Bennett says
Looking for a book I had as a kid in the early to mid 60's. Can't remember the name of the book or the author!! Its about a young pioneer family, 2 kids named Mattie ( Martha, girl) and Jet (Jethro, boy). They meet brother and sister Indian kids of the same age, make friends and go to the School together. Wonderful book about not being afraid of differences
Polly Goldberg says
I am reading Terrible Horrible Edie to my grandkids over Zoom, having already read them the first two: A Lemon and a Star and The Wild Angel. They love the Cares children!
I’m also reading The Majesty of Grace to my 11yo grandson and will start on The Lost Queen of Egypt next month. I highly recommend them all!
Erica says
It's such a fun book! Thanks for your recommendations.
Nicole says
Is it too mainstream to add Harriet the Spy to this list?
Erica says
It's a wonderful book!
Boo Rivera says
Can you help me find a children’s book that I read in the 1960’s so it must have been published before then. The main character was a girl who crosses the bridge in a forest behind her home and ends up in a castle. She doesn’t realize that she shrink in size when going over the bridge and once in the new land she’s not allowed to go back home but her brother crosses through the water and remains large and rescues her. The book had a yellow jacket with a drawing of the forest and bridge with the castle in the distance. Have no title or author but I remember it was a great book! Does this sound familiar to anyone?
paul says
ive been trying to find a picture book i read to kids 25--30 years ago. The book may be older like from the 50's or 60's by the illustrations i remember. In the book a kid is taken to town and visits different stores, the hardware store, the bakery, the grocery store, the shoe store etc. On each page is a little poem about that place, "Nuts and bolts and screws and hammers . . .lets go down to the hardware store!" So each page was a scene from a different store with a little poem. Was an oversized book with full page drawn illustrations Sound familiar? Paul
Nate says
Hi Erica, when I was in elementary school around 1963, our teacher read us a story or a book about a mysterious you girl and a boy that met her ( maybe at the beach). My recollection is that she was immortal and maybe he returns each summer. It could be that she was a fantasy instead of real. This story has stayed in my memory all these years and I don’t know why, but I would love to go back and read that book. I want to say the book’s title is the girl’s name. Do you have any idea what book this might be?
Erica says
Sorry, that does not sound familiar.
Kit Hopkins says
This sounds like the plot to PORTRAIT OF JENNY, which was a movie in the 40's or 50's.
Eve says
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
Juanita K Bushman says
Hello! I am looking for a children's book I read in my youth and I believe the main character was named Ginny. There is a chapter about her making her own Halloween costume - something like a black ghost with fringe she made from a sheet she died black and when she twirled the fringe would twirl out. In another chapter she goes with her dad to the city during the holidays and they eat clams. I wish I could remember more and I am desperate to find this book! Help!