10 Weird Old Children & Teen Books That Made Me A Reader

Photocollage of child playing in a field overlayed on grid of childhood book covers

Lacey Christiansen

August 8, 2026

Book Blast From My Past: Children & Teen Books

This list was inspired by the reading prompt: Re-read a childhood favorite in the Playing Card Reading Challenge (Ace of Hearts)

Looking back on my childhood and teen years, there are a few books that stand out in my memory. Its a pretty strange list, so I thought I would share for your amusement. Did you read any of these books as a kid/teen? What are the books that shaped you into the reader you are today?

Full disclosure: The purpose of this post is nostalgia and entertainment. This is not a children’s or young adults focused blog, so I can’t say whether these titles have ages well or not. Please use your own discretion on whether they are appropriate for your children or teens. 

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on them and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Pamela Conn Beall, Susan Hagen Nipp

A sensationally silly selection of songs! Try to hold your giggles while you sing about marching ants, Little Bunny Foo Foo, and the goose that kissed a moose. Action songs and echo songs, ridiculous songs and songs that make little sense—all add up to great fun!

Peggy Parish

Learn to read with the classic Amelia Bedelia! Ever since Amelia Bedelia made her debut in 1963, young readers have been laughing out loud at the antics of this literal-minded but charming housekeeper.

Beverly Cleary

Ramona likes that she’s old enough to be counted on, but must everything depend on her? Mrs. Quimby has gone back to work so that Mr. Quimby can return to school, and Ramona is expected to be good for Mrs. Kemp while her parents are away, to be brave enough to ride the school bus by herself, and to put up with being teased by Danny the Yard Ape.

John R. Erikson

The popular Hank the Cowdog series is based on the humorous antics of the canine Head of Ranch Security. In this first book, Hank and his little buddy, Drover, set out to solve a series of baffling murders on the ranch. Is Hank a suspect? An Outlaw? Can he clear his good name?

Susan S. Adler

In 1904, nine-year-old Samantha, an orphan living with her wealthy grandmother, and her servant friend Nellie have a midnight adventure when they try to find out what has happened to the seamstress who suddenly left her job.

Ann M. Martin

When Kristy Thomas has the great idea to form a baby-sitters club — a chance to earn money and spend time with her friends, all while doing something they each love to do — she has no idea how much the club will change everything.

R.A. Montgomery

YOU are a deep sea explorer searching for the famed lost city of Atlantis. You pilot the Seeker, your personal submarine, into the murky depths of the ocean. You come upon a deep dark hole—do you descend or do you call for help? Will you join the underwater Atlantean civilization or try to escape back to the surface? Be careful, the choices YOU make might end in glory, disaster, or certain death.

R.L. Stine

11-year-old Josh and 12-year-old Amanda just moved into the oldest and weirdest house on the block–the two siblings think it might even be haunted! But of course, their parents don’t believe them. You’ll get used to it, they say. Go out and make some new friends. But the creepy kids are not like anyone Josh and Amanda have ever met before. And when they take a shortcut through the cemetery one night, Josh and Amanda learn why.

Christopher Pike

Rotterham Home was a hospice for young people—a place where teenages with terminal illnesses went to die. Nobody who checked in ever checked. It was a place of pain and sorrow, but also, remarkably, a place of humor and adventure.

Every night at twelve, a group of five young girls and boys at the hospice came together. They called themselves the Midnight Club, and everytime they came together, they would take turns telling each other stories. Any type of story they could think of, they would tell—ones filled with intrigue and horror, of life and death… True stories, made-up stories, and stories that fell somewhere in between.

This book has clearly been re-released with new artwork. Old cover also shown for nostalgia purposes. Also coming to Netflix as a series.

Aldous Huxley

In a futuristic World State, citizens are genetically engineered into social hierarchies through scientific manipulation. One individual challenges this dystopian society built on reproductive technology and psychological conditioning.

What childhood and teen books shaped you as a reader? Let us know in the comments!

May your life be as full as your bookshelf and as long as your TBR list.
Happy Reading!
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