The Early Middle-Grade Series That Changed My Life

When I was a kid, I was always reading at a level that exceeded the expectations for my grade-which meant I was reading chapter books all throughout elementary school. I read a lot, so series or standalone books that stood out to me really made an impact on my life and on who I became. I had a tin cup like Benny, a Kid Kit like the BSC girls, and wished desperately for a twin and for my Hogwarts letter. My childhood was influenced by these books immensely, and I gladly pick them up to read on rainy days. Here's a list of the early middle-grade chapter books that changed my life, I hope you enjoy!!

The Babysitter's Club by Ann M. Martin: I wanted to be one of the babysitter's club my whole life. I mimicked their actions and prepped my Kid Kit, and was ready to be 13 and the best babysitter the world had ever seen! These books taught me the best babysitting tactics, and more importantly, they taught me about friendship-how to be a good friend and how to fix things when you've made a mistake. I will always treasure these books and what they gave me when I was 7. and 8. and 9, 10, 11, 12, even now, at 18. I see these characters in myself each and every day, and I am so grateful to them for being my friends when I didn't have many that I could trust.

(To give you an idea about how much I loved these books, I'll let you in on a secret--I had over 250 of them. And when I say had, I mean I still have....on my bookshelves in the hallway).

The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner: My mom and I read this series together, and, wow, I can picture exact moments of lying in bed, or in the hammock, or on a dock at a lake, reading these books to each other and laughing at each other and the silly voices we'd use to read the character's words. This family-oriented series made me long for tin cups and adventures with my siblings, and really made my childhood so much fun. Even with the weird change in authors, I loved this series-each and every predictable mystery and all.

Clementine by Sara Pennypacker: Clementine was the quirky girl I wished I could be. She danced around in homemade tap shoes and called her brother vegetable names and lived in a hotel! I wanted to be just like her, she was funny and clever and I loved her adventures! While I never finished this series, I loved the four books I read so dearly. So, Clementine, if you'd like to come tap dance with me sometime, I'll be ready!

Harry Potter by JK Rowling: I mean....these books. If they didn't change your life, where were you? Living under a rock? I mean, come on! I had the biggest crushes on Oliver Wood, and Neville, and CHARLIE WEASLEY (hello, hot rugged dragon tamer? also, totally should've been in the movies, I'm not salty or furious or anything). But more seriously, these books were it for me. I read them multiple times, until my copies were battered and worn and looking very very sad and old. I wanted to be magic, I wanted to go to Hogwarts and live out all of my magical realm dreams. (Also, I really wanted to be friends with Luna and Dobby). But, honestly, this series changed my life for the better. I was braver because of this series, I was smarter, and damn I was a great reader!

Sweet Valley Twins and Sweet Valley High by Francine Pascal: Now, I had like 80 of these, and could not tell you the plot of any of them (oops). But, they still really impacted my life! #1, I really wanted to be a twin! #2, These books taught life lessons in the most unnoticeable way-and by that, I mean that I wouldn't notice until the end that I had been taught to never lie, or always show compassion, or treat others the way you want to be treated. The sisters were always kind, and I loved each story about them.

The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes by Anne Mazer: This series was so relatable and adorable and full of things that made 9 year old me say, "wait, me too!" I loved Abby, and wanted to read all about her and her crazy life. The handpicked quotes at the beginning of each chapter and Abby's journal entry snippets made it feel like Abby was real, and that is something I loved then and love now. Abby Hayes always felt like the odd one out in her family, but still had the heart to love them through everything, and that is a family theme that resonates with everyone, I think. And wow o wow did it resonate with me! I gave these books to my little cousins in an impulse decision when I was 13, and sometimes I really wish I had kept some of them!

#ListsbyEllie