40 Books that Changed Librarians’ Lives
Sept. 1, 2018 marks the 20th anniversary of the U.S. publication of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone—altered from the British “Philosopher’s Stone,” to appeal to American audiences.
It’s not too big an exaggeration to say the world of children’s literature has never been the same. The series of seven books was published over the course of the next decade, and they changed—and still continue to change—the reading lives of countless kids.
In honor of the indubitable impact of J.K. Rowling’s work, we asked our book experts here at The New York Public Library to name a book that changed their lives, growing up. (And we asked them NOT to choose Harry Potter.) The range of their picks was astounding, from monkey-themed picture books to adult legal thrillers. Check them out, in celebration of everyone’s favorite boy wizard and the indubitable power of reading.
Want to hear our book experts talk about these books? Check out an episode of our podcast in which they do just that!
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Fantastical Worlds
When I was quite young, I looked down at my feet and said “I have hair on my toes.” “Why, then,” said my father, “You must be a hobbit.” “What’s a hobbit?” I asked. And he handed me a copy of The Hobbit, and I’ve never been the same. —Nicole Rosenbluth, Pelham Bay
I remember my first encounter with a bestseller wait list. I was in the second grade and all of the fourth graders were reading the ’60s bestseller, A Wrinkle in Time. Since they were reading it one at a time it seemed like they belonged to a secret club. I simply couldn’t wait so I took myself over to the other side of the library and started looking for a book. The book that I found was Moominland Midwinter by Tove Jansson. Not only did it open up a fantastic world where characters that I could relate to were on their own exploring a new and forbidding world, a theme that I still love, but I dropped into a series with lots of other books to read. And there was no wait list! —Virginia Bartow, Special Collections
I was around the age that Harry was as each book was released in the U.S. (and my fifth and sixth grade teacher got on in on the HP action even earlier than that), so YES, the Harry Potter series was definitely a formative part of my late elementary through late teen years. I continue to return to The Giver, even as an adult. I’ve defended my optimistic interpretation of the ending for over 20 years and constantly reference it in casual conversation. I think it also informed my love of dystopian novels and magical realism as an adult. —Beth Dukes, Youth Education Services
Amazing Girls
I grew up in the ’80s & ’90s (I’m an older millennial) I have quite a few books that shaped me and made me fall in love with reading. But The Baby-Sitter’s Club books are forever and always my favorites! I wanted to be friends with all them and live in their world. —Elisa Garcia, Bronx Library Center
I can distinctly recall reading Harriet the Spy in the third grade, pre-Y2K, and finding my first non-animal, non-alien role model. Harriet's spunk, determination, and curiosity spoke volumes to a young girl who was always told that she asked too many questions. I am still asking way too many questions, but am finding my own answers now. —Susen Shi, Mid-Manhattan
When I was 12 years old, forced to attend Catholic grade school I hated and angry at the world after my dad died suddenly, I found solace in Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret? by Judy Blume. The character Margaret also questions religion, and struggles with becoming a young woman. I read it in the late ’70s, a few years after it was first published. As an adult, I was surprised to learn that it has been banned and challenged so often and in so many towns and cities. For me, it was a lifesaver. —Maura Muller, Volunteer Office
Extra Love for Tamora Pierce
Alanna the First Adventure changed my life as a kid. Though I’m a librarian now, people always assume I’ve always loved to read. However, it was quite the opposite; I had a hard time learning to read and couldn’t relate to anything people gave me. Alanna’s feisty personality and chutzpah called to me in a way no other book had. It was history from there and now I can’t put books down. That book has also contributed to the beginning of many treasured friendships. —Chantalle Uzan, Francis Martin
You picked my book, Chantalle! This was the first book I ever saw a cover where the female character had a sword. I was so excited to find a warrior story with a girl in the primary role and I’ve read everything else Tamora Pierce has published since. Alanna made me aware that there could be more to stories than what I’d read before and gave me a character who persevered through bullies and doubt to become what she wanted to be. As I’ve told the author, the book kind of saved my life in school because it gave me that role model to hold onto, even when real life was hard. —Stephanie Whelan, Seward Park
Big shout-out to The Song of the Lioness series by Tamora Pierce. Alanna was my hero growing up in the ’90s. She impersonates her brother to train as a knight and kicks ass defending her realm against evil. Also her sidekick is a cat. —Rosa Cabellero-Li, AskNYPL
More Magical Characters
As Alanna has already been named, I’ll go with So You Want to Be a Wizard by Diane Duane, the first book in her Young Wizards series. This complex and rewarding contemporary(ish) fantasy series is still being written, and still changing my life. I love Harry and Hermione as much as the next librarian, but they can’t hold a candle to Nita and Kit! The book begins in a NYC library branch and blossoms from there, so I’ll forever run my hand along the J non-fiction shelves and hope that my Manual presents itself...—Stephanie Anderson, BookOps
My mom bought Ursula Le Guin’s A Wizard of Earthsea for me at my fifth grade Scholastic book fair. It set me on the path of the lifelong fantasy fan, and I still revisit the Earthsea series every few years. Bonus: my original purple trade paperback now sits beside the Folio Society’s recent illustrated edition! —Meredith Mann, Manuscripts, Archives, and Rare Books
I was an honest-to-goodness bookworm when I grew up in the ’80s & ’90s (I’m on the older side of millennials). I read whatever and whenever. I stayed away from fantasy books as a child, thinking they’d be weird or confusing. But when I’d basically exhausted all other options in my public library’s children’s fiction section, I picked up Lloyd Alexander’s The Book of Three, the first installment in the epic Chronicles of Prydain series; I’m eternally grateful that I did. I was completely blown away by the fantastical world of Prydain; the magic and sorcery; the stories of queens, kings, and bards; and the ultimate conquering of good over evil. It opened my eyes to the world of fantasy, and encouraged in me an affection for the genre that has grown ever since (I read the entire series at least once a year until I left high school; the only other series I’ve ever re-read multiple times is, of course, Harry Potter). —Katrina Ortega, Hamilton Grange
I probably owe the Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne for the genres I love today, including science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, and Arthurian legends. My second-grade teacher had obtained a child-sized Magic Tree House cardboard house that looked like the one in the stories and set it up in our classroom. My favorite part of the day easily became the moment when I could crawl under the “magic tree house” with my favorite book. The first book in the series is Dinosaurs Before Dark, but the one that still makes my heart race is Vacation Under the Volcano, where I imagine myself running along with Jack and Annie in Pompeii right before Mt. Vesuvius erupts. —Jessica Gavilan, Special Collections
Transitions, Families, & Growing Up
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume changed my life. I struggled with reading during my early elementary school years. I was always in the lowest reading group and reading aloud in front of my classmates was awful. I felt stupid and, unfortunately, some of my teachers were not very open-minded when it came to learning disabilities. Things changed, however, when I entered 4th grade in the fall of 1980. Our teacher, Mr. Brereton, would read to us for a few minutes after lunch each day. When he began reading Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing to us, it was like a light bulb went off in my head. I suddenly got excited about reading and discovered that I could speed through books when I did not have read aloud. The first chapter book I read on my own was The Middle Sister by Miriam Mason (1947). Although dated and long out of print, I was happy to discover a reference copy in NYPL’s historical children’s collection. —Louise Lareau, Children’s Center
Just As Long As We’re Together by Judy Blume. I read and re read this book several times throughout my sixth grade year, which was 1991. I was obsessed with it. As they enter 7th grade, two best friends suddenly have tension when one of them befriends a new girl in town. —Nanor Pogosian, Pelham Bay
In my childhood years and then in my teen years, there were many books that blew me away and, in retrospect, helped to shape my character and outlook. Two, though, that really stand out are Charlotte’s Web (childhood) and Johnny Got His Gun (adolescence). These books resonated profoundly with their life messages and I can still feel the impact. You read with tears flowing and close the books with the understanding that something inside you was stoked, rattled, ignited, and set free. —Jeff Katz, Chatham Square
One of my favorite books as a child was Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. I remember this book because as an adoptee, it was the absolute first I read that had allowed the main character to grow and thrive, giving up the poor-orphan, cruel-adoptive-family trope. Anne was able to charm her way into Green Gables, Avonlea, and the heart of elementary aged me, who grew up in the 1980s. —Leslie Bernstein, Mott Haven
Animal Stories
As a young child I remember being engaged in various stories from the Little Golden Books series. A few titles I recall are The Little Red Hen, Three Little Pigs, and Bambi. To me these stories represented thinking outside of the box. Looking back, I think they are also great for seeing beauty and hope even amidst obstacles. —Nicola Macdonald, Jerome Park
Ahhhh, Little Golden Books. When I was a kid, I believed everything I loved was alive (I blame the book Corduroy by Don Freeman). This belief was largely reserved for my stuffed animals, but also one of my favorite Little Golden Books: The Little Duck. When I was around 7, we had a garage sale, and my neighbor bought The Little Duck for what was likely 25 cents. A few hours later I was inconsolable. I had sold my friend, and now the duck would have to live life without me. I had to go to my neighbor’s house and ask to buy the book back. —Amy Geduldig, Communications
Something Under the Bed Is Drooling: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection.... right? —Seth Pompi, Ottendorfer Library
I remember transitioning to chapter books, going to the school library, and not recognizing anything on the shelves. How would I choose? Then I saw some old friends, the Berenstain Bears. I’d read their picture books and had no idea they had chapter books too! That made the transition comfortable and gave me the confidence to grab other books off the shelves. —Laura Stein, Grand Central
I grew up in the 1970s, but for me, Curious George, created by H.A. Rey in the 1940s, was still the foremost authority and role model for imaginative exploration of the world. When George becomes a window washer in Curious George Takes a Job, he sneaks into an apartment being painted and redecorates it in a jungle theme. I was astonished—it was as if the apartment had been transformed into a real jungle. I try to avoid getting into trouble, but I still like to look at the world through George’s eyes. —David Nochimson, Pelham Parkway-Van Nest Library
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Bianco was a title I read over and over again, growing up in the 90s. I was obsessed with the way that the rabbit's velvet ears and lining and sparkling eyes were described and how the power of love could overcome anything. I was little, but even then, I felt the pain of the rabbit, feeling discarded, wondering if he had been good enough and loved enough -- and felt indescribable relief when the fairy made him real. Today, when I see really used items (or even books!), I say that they're "well-loved."—Ricci Yuhico, Mid-Manhattan
Mysteries and Creepy Stuff
The House with a Clock in its Walls by John Bellairs was the first book I stayed up far too late reading with a flashlight in bed. I need to reread it before the movie comes out. —Judd Karlman, Pelham Bay
When I was a kid in the ’90s I spent most of my summer vacation visiting my grandparents, and it was there that I found a stash of my aunt’s old Nancy Drew books in a closet. Starting with The Secret of the Old Clock, I quickly blew through as many of Nancy’s mysteries as I could get my hands on. This love of mystery and true crime books has followed my into adulthood—and, as a librarian, I get to solve mysterious patron queries all day long! —Lyndsie Guy, Chatham Square
Since I was young I have always loved a good horror story, and I think it all began with Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. The old folklore terrified me, but I believe it was the Stephen Gammell illustrations that (1) made it so I could not stop looking at the book, and (2) scared me so bad my mom took it away from me. Ever since I read Scary Stories I have been obsessed with horror films and novels. —Rhonda Evans, Collections and Research Services
Traveling in Time and Space
A school librarian read Richard Peck’s A Long Way from Chicago to my fifth grade class in the nineties. I already loved to read and I think at the time I probably thought I was too old to be read to, but I vividly remember the feeling of lying on the floor of the school library, face pressed to the scratchy carpet, completely transported to rural Illinois in the hot summer of 1929. I was shy and fairly new to my school, and the library periods spent listening to and laughing aloud at Grandma Dowdel’s antics alongside my classmates were deeply comforting. As a child, this book became a beloved comfort read. As an adult, this reading experience informs and reinforces my professional belief that all children deserve school libraries and librarians. —Grace Dwyer, MyLibraryNYC
A book that changed my life was The Heart of a Boy by Edmondo De Amicis, originally published in Italian in 1886. I read the worn-out falling-apart Spanish version — Corazón, El Diario de un Niño — that had belonged to my grandma and her kids growing up. I still remember the brownish pages and the old book smell. My grandma, never much of a reader, told me it was her favorite book. I read it in the 80s-90s but I still remember parts of it, and the stories of friendship, courage, helping others and much more. Here is a link to all translations we have available: The Heart of a Boy by Edmondo de Amicis. —Adriana Blancarte-Hayward, Outreach Services
The first book I truly saw myself in and led to me getting lost in the page came from Madeline L’Engle. It was not A Wrinkle in Time as I was not a big science fiction fan. I was, and still am, a very literal girl and wanted my worlds to match my own. Instead I fell in love with the Austin family and believed that Vicky and I would have been best of friends had she been real. The book that took my heart was not the first, but the second in the series, The Moon by Night. The Austin family goes on a cross country road trip across the US, stopping in National Parks along the way. I’m not sure if I bonded more with Vicky’s coming of age or the romantic notion of a road trip, but I still re-read this book from time to time. Also, I’m a Gen Xer and came of age in the early ’90s. —Jenny Rosenoff, Children’s Center
My life-long passion for architectural history began in the late 1970s, I discovered Cathedral, Castle, City, and Pyramid in my elementary school’s library. David Macaulay’s intricate line drawings, along with his clear prose, told vivid stories about imagination and ambition and beauty and technology and community. I must have read each of those books a thousand times. I studied architectural history and art in college and graduate school to become an architectural historian and archivist, always trying to channel Macaulay as I worked to preserve and interpret the history of the built environment. I’m as enthralled today by these books as I was all those years ago. —Annemarie van Roessel, Billy Rose Theatre Division
Real (and Realistic) Stories
I think I came out of my mother’s womb with a book in my hand. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t in love with books and reading. Whether I was reading them myself or they were being read to me. In 1978, I was 6 years old my family went to live in India and on the way there we stopped in London and my parents bought me paperback copies of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett and Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. I can remember the searing heat of India and suddenly through The Secret Garden being transported to the rainy, windswept moors of Yorkshire (my mother did an excellent impression of wind along a moor) and befriending a lonely orphan girl discovering the healing powers of nature and creating her own family. With The Diary of Anne Frank, I came to understand that evil wasn’t just the stuff of fairy tales but could actually exist in the real world and what true courage and compassion really looked like. India was its own education, but it was through books where I found escape and learned that books could hold the answers to questions I didn’t even know to ask. —Anne Rouyer, Mulberry Street
I have such wonderful memories of my school librarian, Mrs. Searle, reading aloud Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg for the first time and just being blown away by the super realistic illustrations and the exciting story. I also remember another exciting Mrs. Searle read aloud of Stone Soup by Marcia Brown, where I leapt up from sitting cross-legged and knocked out the front tooth of my classmate, Megan Slingsby! School library memories FTW! —Susie Heimbach, Mulberry Street
The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss always reminds me that sometimes if you believe in something and do your best to make it happen, you will be successful. Even when adults and older siblings think otherwise. And there's a read-aloud version in case you are intrigued. —Theresa Myrhol, Circulation & Access Services
The Best Kind of Royalty
As a kiddo in the ’90s with a hilariously dysfunctional-yet-loving family, I always enjoyed seeing myself in Robert Munsch’s zany picture books. The Paper Bag Princess was one of my favorites because it totally subverted the damsel in distress trope. That book paved the way for tiny Caitlyn to believe in herself and to want a dragon, obviously. —Caitlyn Colman-McGaw, Young Adult Programming
I’m a ’90s kid, but I grew up reading the Children’s Classics set my mother had since her childhood. The set contained great titles like Alice in Wonderland and Treasure Island, but Elizabeth Lodor Merchant’s King Arthur and His Knights was the one that influenced me the most. Though a lot of girls my age adored princesses, I wanted nothing more than to be a knight when I grew up. The stories of brave warriors going on adventures made me want to go questing, slay monsters and defend the weak, drives I still carry to this day. —Althea Georges, Muhlenberg
Aside from Harry Potter, I think the book that most changed my outlook on life growing up was A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It’s unusual because it’s a reverse rags-to-riches story. Sara Crewe is the only daughter of a wealthy man who sends her to a girls’ boarding school where almost everyone loves her because she is kind, tells amazing stories, and is determined to act as a princess (be kind, be courteous, etc.). After her father suddenly dies and leaves her a penniless orphan who must work off her debt as a scullery maid, Sara always carries herself with dignity and acts with kindness no matter how bad her circumstances get. There is one quote that always shook me, and I love the way they delivered it in the 1995 movie version (Link!)
“I am a princess. All girls are. Even if they live in tiny old attics. Even if they dress in rags, even if they aren’t pretty, or smart, or young. They’re still princesses.”
“All women are princesses. It is our right.”
—Amanda Pagan, Mid-Manhattan
I discovered The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry at 17, when my senior English class did a unit on it. My teacher created a magical learning experience by reading it aloud to our class story time-style, and the simple but poignant story about the inner transition that happens from child to grown-up was such a great metaphor for where we were at that point in our lives. I still read this book every year and always hope that I haven't forgetten how to see a boa constrictor swallowing an elephant instead of just a plain old top hat! —Tina Branham, Capital and Real Estate Initiatives
‘Grown-Up’ Books
People who know me even moderately well probably won’t be surprised to hear that I can’t really remember a children’s book that had a profound effect on me. However, I distinctly recall visiting my grandmother in the summer of 1993 at the height of Grishamania and pulling a paperback copy of The Firm off her bookshelf. I read the first 50 pages in one sitting, and though I probably didn’t understand half of it, the immense feeling of coolness that comes with reading a popular adult novel when you’re not yet a teen propelled me through the next 500 pages. After finishing the novel, I was convinced of two things: being a tax attorney was the coolest job there was and Red Stripe was good beer. John Grisham, truly a master of fiction. —Brian Stokes, New Amsterdam
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison is a book that changed my (reading) life. Pecola Breedlove was the first character that pulled at my heart string. This young black girl wants the blonde hair and blue eyes like her baby doll. She thinks life would be perfect if she had those attributes. I remember looking forward to going to English class to discuss this book. I now want to reread it to see what I get from it now. This timeless story has mature content and addresses various themes: beauty standards, race, class, and gender. —Shauntee Burns-Simpson, MyLibraryNYC
I was grounded for two days one summer at the age of 11 or 12. With nothing else to do, I picked up The Foundation Trilogy, which I’d gotten from my local library. Asimov’s sprawling saga, all 600+ pages, was over in fewer than two days and I finished my punishment high on tales of psychohistory and incredible mutant powers of the Mule. It was one of my intros to science fiction and fantasy and I never looked back. —Joshua Soule, Spuyten Duyvil
As others have noted, there are so many possible answers to this question, but the first one that came to mind was Herman Wouk’s Marjorie Morningstar because it was the first “grown up” book I read, in my early teens. Marjorie was the first character I knew who was older than me! She lived in New York City and was in college, and had boyfriends and was going to be an actress! It all felt very glamorous and exciting to me at the time! —Ronni Krasnow, Morningside Heights
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith had a profound effect on my childhood. The book inspired me to start a journal, which I still maintain today, and the narrator Cassandra’s strong convictions taught me a lot about confidence. —Shannon Keller, Research
Leave a comment and tell us a book that changed your life as a kid!
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