Why worry about the 2020 young adult book catalog when there are so many classic works already published, including the best children's books? Ah… the children's and young adult books of our youth. What nostalgia and memories! That unmistakable scent of enchanting stories, treasure hunts, and adventurous characters. Those children's and young adult book covers with so many colors that they hinted at a good plot to follow for the next few nights before we fell asleep. Not everything in life was going to be serious, adult stories like The Great Gatsby or any text by David Foster Wallace. Young adult books aren't usually taken very seriously, even though their stories are the ones that haunt us most intensely for the rest of our lives.
Recommended books for young adults: the trend before 'Twilight' and 'Harry Potter'
We are talking about the books that marked our childhood, some published years before, but that in the eighties and nineties were not lacking on the shelves of our homes. Do you still have some copies of these highly recommended readings for children?
1. The tick pirate de Juan Muñoz Martin
Cover of El Pirata Garrapata, one of the most legendary children's and youth books.
'Tick was a fierce, pot-bellied man with a wooden leg and a steel hook for a hand. It's one of the best books recommended for young people and children . This privateer was the terror of London. He had a big, red nose like an aubergine, but deep down, he wasn't a bad person, neither he nor his cronies…'
Who doesn't recognize the opening lines of this iconic children's book? Of course, this comical pirate, created in 1982 by Muñoz Martín, isn't as villainous as the pirates in fairy tales often portray. With a great sense of humor and plenty of rhymes, this character traveled from Africa to Chichén Itzá, passing through Japan, India, and Rome along the way. He even went to the moon and visited the Prado Museum. Books like this have left an indelible mark on our memories.
It was a success for the SM publishing house with its Barco de Vapor series, which extended its saga until 2009 with sixteen volumes. We can't move on to another children's book without mentioning another beloved character by the same author, Fray Perico and his donkey (1980). This chubby friar and his faithful companion Calcetín experience hilarious situations in a Salamanca convent where peace reigned until they arrived full of joy and good humor. A classic.
The children's poet was affectionately known in the literary world. Who hasn't drifted off to sleep listening to our parents' voices reciting one of Gloria Fuertes ' 365 children's stories ? A highly recommended author of children's books, she was magical and unique in her writing for children, gifting us for decades with countless titles that accompanied us throughout our childhood.
Readings for young people who make a dent: Wally's revolution and being able to choose the end of the story
Cover of Where's Wally?, one of the most legendary children's and youth books.
3. And Wally? Where's Wally? Shall we see him now? The stories of this character in the red and white striped sweater traveled halfway around the world, and he was always, always, always surrounded by crowds of people. A list of children's books would be incomplete without the great Wally.
That was the magic that revolutionized the literary world in the 1990s: a legendary children's book that every kid owned and shared their secrets with classmates during recess. It wasn't a children's book, though; it was a game created by Martin Handford . A simple game with a winning formula—more than 40 million copies sold—seven installments, a television series, and a film project.
4. One collection we had in our hands was the children's video stories that Planeta Agostini published in these years: The Snow Queen, Unicorn, The Golden Goose or classics like Pinocchio or Snow White.
5. One of the most interesting things about reading is creating your own story, something made possible by Choose Your Own Adventure by R.A. Montgomery and other authors. It offered an adventure plot where the reader had to make decisions that constantly changed the story. It was like a gamebook with many stories, and if you didn't play well, you could end up dead. A massive success with over 250 million copies sold worldwide.
: Is it a good idea?
6. It seems that because they're children, scary stories should be avoided to prevent nightmares , but it turns out they loved experiencing those moments of anguish and anxiety. R.L. Stine —known as the Stephen King of children—exploited this trend with his more than 62 Goosebumps novels : *The Halloween Revenge *, *The House of Death* , and * The Smile of Death* are some of his most terrifying titles, which began to fill our children's bookstore shelves starting in 1992.
Short and direct horror stories, always carried out by children and only read by the bravest.
7. A classic transitional title between children's and young adult books. The sweet protagonist we're about to discuss became a fixture in the Barco de Vapor collection for many years. Dear Susi, Dear Paul, by Austrian author Christine Nöstlinger . Susi and Paul are very good friends, but he has to leave the city and his dear friend. From then on, their communication is through letters.
Cover of Dear Sudi, Dear Paul, one of the most legendary children's and youth books.
A story that touched us as we watched the characters overcome their adjustment problems and witnessed the importance of friendship. Undoubtedly, the diary format chosen by the author made it a popular story with readers. And it would be followed by a sequel: Dear Grandma: Your Susi; Susi's Secret Diary; Paul's Secret Diary; and The Real Susi.
8. Ten years have passed since the dazzling arrival of The Magic Eye , the children's book that revolutionized our visual perception and allowed us to discover entirely new optical experiences. It was a matter of persisting until we found the hidden image, which led to sales of over 20 million copies. Satisfaction or frustration? Did we ever find the hidden images?
9. The publishing house El Duende Verde (Anaya) delighted us with a multitude of hilarious stories with titles such as Memoria de una gallina, El Guardián de la Luna or Amelia, la trapezista , but there is much more.
10. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was one of Roald Dahl 's greatest successes , a story that shows how one decision can transform an entire life, as happens to the protagonist. A must-read on any children's and young adult book list. Who doesn't remember Mr. Wonka and his magnificent factory? Would you have done the same as Charlie when he found one of those golden tickets inside his chocolate bars?
These are some of the titles that defined an era, but we couldn't finish without mentioning other great works like Michael Ende's * The Neverending Story *, Richmal Crompton 's * The William Brown Stories *, René Goscinny 's *Little Nicholas* , Roald Dahl 's * Matilda* , Enid Blyton 's *Famous Five* , or Elena Fortún's endearing * Celia *. Many others have surely been forgotten, but that doesn't make them any less important. What children's or young adult book marked your childhood or adolescence?
