5 Great Children’s Series (from my day)

Last updated on 28 December 2024

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I was a big reader from a young age, thanks to my parents, really. Books have always been a part of my life in some way, whether that be me working with books, selling books, writing books, or simply reading reading reading. As a kid and in my early teens, there were several series that I loved to bits and have reread since those first discoveries. These series are great for the 8-12, perhaps a little older, age range, though equally great for adults, of course, because let’s face it – we’re all children at heart. Here are 5 book series that I loved as a child,  which I still own and have reread (not including Harry Potter…because come on. That’s a given…and also for older kids).

A Series of Unfortunate Events, by Lemony Snicket

While it’s a bit depressing, it’s amazing. They’re really short, so even the slowest of readers can get through a book in no time. Because there are so many of them and they follow the same characters, you really get into the series more so, I think, than some of the other children’s books out there. By the time The End (book 13) swings around, you’re so ready for the Baudelaire children to have a happy ending.

The Edge Chronicles, by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell

I believe I borrowed the first of this series, Beyond the Deepwoods, in the library as a kid of probably around 12 years old.

I read as many in the series as were out…but then sort of forgot about them as I started reading ‘older’ books (Harry Potter jumped into my life around here too). It wasn’t until I was about 18 that I actually remembered these books existed and I found them on Book Depository…and bought the entire season to reread.

It is such a wonderful series, and it’s really three four trilogies in the series, and a few stand alones, they are all connected in some way. Sounds confusing, but it’s not. So so great. In finding book covers and such for this post, I’ve only just discovered that there are two more recent books (hence the crossed out ‘three’ up there)! *goes immediately to Book Depo and buys them*. Ohmygosh.

Karazan Quartet, by V M Jones 

My friend read the first (The Serpents of Arakesh) of these books (or was it the entire series? I don’t remember) and told me I had to read them. At least, that’s how I think I discovered this series. I could be completely wrong. Anyway, it’s a series of 4 books, and they are quite short, so again, easy to read and to finish. It’s this fantastic story of Adam, a 12 year boy, who enters the Quest Golden Opportunity Competition. It’s a story where fantasy and reality start to blur, as Adam enters a parallel world of Karazan. So much fun. I rediscovered this series at last year’s book sale, and you can find them in this book haul here.

Artemis Fowl, by Eoin Colfer

Oh, Artemis. How crazy and smart you are. I think a lot of kids in my generation read Artemis Fowl growing up. I was always super excited when yet another story came out, and while it wasn’t as exciting as Harry Potter (is anything…?) it was so great, and such a brilliant story within every cover that it definitely a highlight of the year. Again, I bought nearly all of them at the book sale last year, and hopefully I can pick up the ones I’m missing this year. I have a confusion to make, though. I haven’t actually read the last 2. Eek. I know! I really wanted to reread the series, so I can read them.

Narnia, by C.S.Lewis 

I know that Narnia has been around for years and years and years, but it’s a classic children’s series for a reason, right? Right. You don’t have to be a child to read these wonderful books, though, and it’s something that I just assume everyone has read. If you haven’t read the Narnia series, go and read them right now. You can probably read the entire series in one day. The stories are so wonderful, even if you don’t to put a religious spin on things. Either way, the world of Narnia, children who visit it, and the adventures they have, are beautiful stories that everyone (adult and child) should read.

Of course, these are just 5 of what I’m sure is a huge list of great children’s series. I don’t even know what kids are reading these days (wow, that makes me sound old), but what I do know is that I loved these stories, and I still do.