Books with Boys and Girls as Partners in Adventure

Lewis, C.S. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Ages 8-12
The brothers and sisters caught up in the world they tumble into while hiding in an old wardrobe have to show their stuff. Some find that the girls end up with rather subservient roles, but the story requires bravery and imagination of everyone.

Lindbergh, Anne Travel Far, Pay No Fare Ages 10-12
Owen Noonan and his girl cousin Parsley are drawn into the books they are reading, and sometimes barely escape with their lives.

Nesbit, Edith. The Phoenix and the Carpet and The Five Children and It Ages 7-10.
Each chapter tells a story of trouble a bunch of sisters and brothers get into when they are dealing with mythological beasts–the phoenix in the first book and a "psammead" or sand fairy in the second. This makes for good reading aloud and books that are easy to love.

Paterson, Katherine Bridge to Terebithia Ages 8-12
A strong and tragic story that has a reality to it that children understand and love.

Ransome, Arthur Swallows and Amazons Ages 9-12
These are tales that appeal especially to the sailors among us, though the adventures are for everyone. Read at the right time, the books in this series will MAKE any child ripe to be inspired ready to learn the ropes of the sailor’s life.

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