The Best Children's Novels You've Never Read

When bookshelves of doom linked to the New York Magazine's listing of The Best Novels You've Never Read, it got me to thinking. When I first got into seriously reading children's books I would briefly de-lurkify myself on the child_lit listserv and ask people to tell me their favorite unappreciated children's books. I've a bit of an obsession with forgotten classics, you see. Now I've compiled a couple of the books I've found and enjoyed. Undoubtedly a few of you will have read these already. But on the off-chance that you haven't, here are my picks.

The Best Children's Novels You've Never Read

The Winged Girl of Knossos by Erick Berry - My poor sweet lost-to-time Newbery Honor winner (circa 1935). It's the Icarus tale, but if Icarus was a girl. A kick-ass, take no prisoners kinda girl. This story gives a historical feel to the old myth, making it seem real and close at hand. Good luck finding a copy, though. Libraries here and there might still have their old 1934 editions hanging about, but that's only if you're lucky.

The Seventh Raven by Peter Dickinson - This one's bizarre, actually. It starts off as a nice story about kids putting on an opera. Then it mixes in some politics, a hostage situation, and becomes this wacked out psychological thriller. Shivers.

Black Jack by Leon Garfield - If you've not read Garfield before, this one's my favorite. I love villains that become oddly cuddly. Especially if they're near-hanged villains. That's even better.

The Hounds of the Morrigan by Pat O'Shea - I'm happy to report that when I put this book on my library's Staff Favorites table it doesn't molder there for months. This puppy has legs. It could be due to the cool cover, or maybe it's just the fabulous premise. I have little tolerance for fantasy novels that go halfway when it comes to the whole Celtic mythology thing. O'Shea plunges in headfirst and damned be the consequences. Plus it has a talking fox. Look me in the eye, right here, and tell me you don't want to read about kids and a talking fox. Right here.

Archer's Goon by Diana Wynne Jones - You have your favorite Diana Wynne Jones. I have mine. And while The Dark Lord of Derkholm runs a tight second, I'm a sucker for any book containing a hired goon. Particularly a titular hired goon.

Little Sister by Kara Dalkey - I actually think I need to reread this one. Tricksters and magic and Japan circa A.D. 1100. Good stuff.

Stoneflight by Georgess McHargue - Before Stoneheart came out, there was Stoneflight. The only work of children's fiction I've found to contain several mentions of the Morningside Heights library branch, the book's just fun and well-written. The personal problems of the heroine meld beautifully with the whole statues-of-New-York-come-to-life plot too.

Below the Root by Zilpha Keatley Snyder - Speaking of which, why not reprint this puppy with a gorgeous new cover? You could certainly entice children with it. It's like The Giver or City of Ember or Atherton or The Wind Singer. Aw heck....

The Wind Singer by William Nicholson - I'm still a little weirded out by the fact that a lot of people haven't heard of this series yet. What's not to like about creepy kids who've been supernaturally aged? Or a cheery marching band from hell? I'm a fan.

Suggestions? Additions?