Here are our favorite children's books from the 1980s that are totally awesome, dude.
I'm really happy with this list of 20th century classic children's books from the 1980s even though using the term "classic" is becoming more and more suspect as we close in on the 21st century. I included a mix of lesser known 1980s books plus a handful of classics you may have heard of, but may not yet have read.
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I'm also pleased that I was able to curate a book list with a few classic books that are quite suitable for younger audiences, both in reading level and subject matter. I do think there is something for everyone on this list!
10 Classic Books from the 1980s:
The People Could Fly by Virginia Hamilton (1985)
Folktales are universally loved and a collection of short stories is a nice way to switch up read aloud time. Celebrated children’s author, Virginia Hamilton, wrote this wonderful collection of Black American folktales. There are several categories of tales ranging from animal trickster legends, stories of the supernatural and tales of freedom. At the end of each short story, Hamilton includes her notes on the origin of the tale and its dialect.
Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary (1983)
Through letters and diary entries addressed to his favorite author, Leigh Botts works through his feelings about his parents’ divorce, making friends at a new school and the mysterious lunch thief. One of the most appealing aspects of this book is that Cleary realistically conveys the complex and urgent voice of an 11-year-old boy. Epistolary novels for children are rare and this one is eminently readable.
Wayside School Is Falling Down by Louis Sachar (1989)
From the gifted author of Holes, this is a crowd pleasing, witty book that you should not pass over. There are 30 stories for the 30 floors of wacky Wayside School. Each chapter is a self-contained, clever joke. Both kids who love the silly and ridiculous, and parents who appreciate well-written, humorous books will find something to charm them. This is the second book in the series.
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (1989)
A compelling and moving novel by Lois Lowry, set during World War II. Finding age appropriate books about tough subjects is a boon to parents and educators. In 1943 Denmark, 10 year old Annemarie and her family risk their lives to help their Jewish friends escape the Nazis.
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Jones wrote loads of fantasy novels and you might recognize the title of this one because it was made into a successful animated movie. However, it’s such a captivating book, don’t limit yourself to the film version. Young Sophie is transformed into an old woman by The Witch of Waste and the only way to break the spell is to seek out the Wizard Howl in his bizarre moving castle.
The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleishman (1987)
In this amusing and fast-paced adventure, Jemmy serves as the palace whipping boy, receiving the punishments meant for a spoiled, bratty prince. When Prince Brat decides to run away, Jemmy follows and the two are captured by villains who are fooled into thinking Jemmy is the real prince. In their attempt to escape the villains, both both boys learn much about each other.
The Castle in the Attic (series) by Elizabeth Winthrop (1985)
The idea of a miniature castle coming to life was irresistible to me as a kid. William’s housekeeper, Mrs. Phillips gives him a model castle set but things go awry when Mrs. Phillips is shrunk down to the size of the castle and William must shrink himself down to rescue her. Dragons, wizards, magic forests and knights make this a wonderful fantasy quest kids will love.
The Agony of Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (1985)
This is the first book in the lengthy Alice series and is a wonderful book for tween girls (and boys, too!) learning to navigate the treacherous waters of adolescence. Motherless Alice is surrounded by males at home and wants a female role model. She hopes a glamorous teacher will fill the position. What she learns instead is that people are much more than their surface appearances. In this book, Alice is a sixth grader but she grows up during the course of the series (more than 20 books). You may recognize Naylor as the author of Shiloh.
Bill's New Frock by Anne Fine (1989)
Find it: Amazon
I confess I am a sucker for books that get kids thinking about gender roles. This 1980s book by British Children’s Laureate, Anne Fine, does just that. Bill wakes up one morning to find he has turned into a girl. Being a young boy, he is naturally horrified! But Bill learns a thing or two about the way others treat him differently when they see a girl instead of a boy in front of them. This early chapter book will get kids thinking as well as make them laugh out loud.
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo (1982)
For kids ages 8 and up who like historical fiction this is a really interesting and moving book about a boy named Albert whose horse, Joey, is taken into service during World War I. While Joey experiences the horrors of war, Albert enlists in order to find his beloved horse. In case you haven’t figured it out, this book has a strong anti-war message. I think it would make a great family read aloud.
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Jen says
These look great and I haven't read any of them! I think by the 1980s I felt I was too old for kids books but 30 years later I feel like I am just the right age, with the bonus that I can share them with my kids!
Mom and Kiddo says
Jen, I am so excited I actually made a list that was completely new to you! And I know what you mean when you say that now you are exactly the right age to enjoy them. I feel the same way.
Natalie says
Some if the titles are familiar to me, but I haven't read any of them with Anna yet. What about Encyclopedia Brown - not sure what decade it was written though...
maryanne @ mama smiles says
I read several of these in the eighties! And now I have several I need to read. Love this series of yours!
Jackie Higgins says
Wow! The 80s not only had great music and great (?) hair, it produced a lot of amazing titles! Thanks for the list. Some bring back wonderful memories and some are "new".
Mom and Kiddo says
Well, at the time we thought it was great hair! LOL.
Danya Banya says
Great list. Yay, more books to look out for at the library 🙂
Mom and Kiddo says
One can never have enough books!
Renee C. says
Omigosh - I haven't come across any of these! I would have been a teenager during that time and reading Stephen King and Anne Rice! lol Thanks for hosting this wonderful linky! 🙂
Mom and Kiddo says
Ah, the things we read when we were teenagers!
thepicturebookreview says
Nice list! I can remember reading several of these books as a child, but for the life of me I cannot remember what many of these books were about. I think it is so odd that I can even remember where in my house I read some of those books, some of the feelings I had about the book, but the plot eludes me. Eh, such is life. Fortunately, I can always reread a book. Thanks for putting these together.
Mom and Kiddo says
That same plot-fog happens to me, too! It is a testament to how much the experience of reading is just as important as what specific books we read as a kid.
Melissa @ Honey Bee Books says
What a fabulous series. I haven't read any of these 1980s books so I will have to keep an eye out for them - they look great! I am going to check out your other posts in the series now for a little bookish history lesson 🙂
Mom and Kiddo says
Thanks! And don't forget next week: 1990s. Can we still call the 1990s history?
Emma @ P is for Preschooler says
Oh, boy, some of my old favorites are now classics. I am getting old! lol!
Tameka Phillips says
This list is AWESOME because I read many of the books listed. I intend to revisit my old friends! 🙂
Erica MomandKiddo says
It's such a joy to read books we remember from our childhood.
JC says
Ha! This brings me back to the days of our elementary school book fair, from which I purchased some of these. Technically my mom bought em, but you get what I'm saying. lol
Susan Gomersall says
I want to find the book about making babies that was in the 70 or 80