Books written from a child's perspective

[Marie000]

I need something to read.

I've always thought there was no rhyme or reason to the kind of books I like, but I did find one interesting in common with some of the books I have loved lately. Many of them are written from a child's perspective. I like how creative, open-minded and quirky children can be in their view of things.

Here are some examples of books I have read and loved lately:
- The Ocean at the End of the Lane
- The Book of Lost Things
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
- Coraline
- Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- Boys Life
- The God of Small Things (that one I read a few years ago, but I seem to remember it was written from the children's point of view).

There might be more. I've only had a few hours sleep last night and my brain is not working at full capacity.

So lots of different styles, but they all have a child's point of view. Of course they're not the only books I have loved, but they are among my favorites.

However, (and I might get beaten up for saying that) I didn't enjoy reading the Harry Potter books. I watched the movies and love the stories, but I just can't stand the writing style.

Does anyone have suggestions for other books written from a child's perspective? I am curious to see if the trend continues and I keep loving those books...

 

[jenny82]

Don't worry, I feel the same way. Harry Potter is really badly written, even when you consider it is written for children, it is still awful. Very over-simplified or something..

Anyway, Pi is good, and I think it is written from the child's perspective?

Also if you are looking for something sortof darkly funny with some twists, there are a few collections of Roald Dahl adult books which are great. There is one called 'Tales of the Unexpected' which is amazing. I must have read it about 60 times by now!

 

[Button#]

The boy in the striped pyjamas

 

[Button#]

Also The Book Thief is really good.

 

[lhancock90]

I found The Boy in the Striped Pajamas heartbreaking because it came from a childs perspective, as good of an adaption as the movie is, it can't quite capture the last devastating moments of the book.

 

[Button#]

I found The Boy in the Striped Pajamas heartbreaking because it came from a childs perspective, as good of an adaption as the movie is, it can't quite capture the last devastating moments of the book.

Completely agree. When they announced they were doing a film I wasn't sure how they could capture the naivity of the story.

 

[Maggs]

A Prayer for Owen Meany is good. That's what the movie Simon Birch is based on.

Oh and The Story of Edgar Sawtelle.

They're both adults novels but I think speak from the child's perspective in the story and certainly have a child as the main character. Both are a bit teary though.

 

[wishuwerehere]

Lord of the flies is third person but the perspective of children - you get a lot of their inner thoughts. However i must confess i haven't been brave enough to read since having my daughter as it is quite grim!
Recently i read 'when god was a rabbit' which follows the protagonist from young child of about 4 to adulthood - thought it was fabulous.
Or 'the earth hums in b flat' took me a while to get into but really enjoyed it in the end.

 

[Loozle]

Room by Emma Donoghue is very good.

 

[foquita]

room by emma donoghue is the only other one i can think of, i didn't think the writing was so great but it's still worth a read!

 

[foquita]

posted at the exact same time loozle

 

[whistle]

I'm about 3/4 through Pigeon English by Stephen Kelman at the moment and it's good. It's written from the perspective of an 11 year old Ghanaian boy living in London, sort of a murder mystery.

 

[bumpy_j]

The first Adrian Mole book is still one of my favourites. Also there's the Kite Runner.

Freaks, Geeks, and Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence is a great little non-fiction by a young boy called Luke Jackson.

 

[freckleonear]

I was also going to suggest Room after reading your post.

 

[wishuwerehere]

The first Adrian Mole book is still one of my favourites. Also there's the Kite Runner.

Freaks, Geeks, and Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence is a great little non-fiction by a young boy called Luke Jackson.

Omg love Adrian mole - might have to dig my copy out after reading this!

 

[july2013]

Was going to suggest the Boy In The Striped Pyjamas and the Kite Runner but they've been mentioned a few times already!

TS Spivet is also good from what I remember.

 

[Marie000]

thanks for all the suggestions. I will update my to-read list.

I had noticed the movie for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas on Netflix and it looked good. I never got around to watching it because I don't think OH would like it. I didn't even know there was a book. Good thing I haven't watched the movie yet.

 

[Button#]

Definitely read the book first.

 

[Mummy May]

I will definitely never ever read the boy in the striped pyjamas if its worse than the film lol! The film is horrific! What about The Lovely Bones? Xx

 

[Rhio92]

Room!