The best classic gothic books for children

Book cover of The Wolves of Willoughby Chase Book cover of The Dark is Rising Book cover of The Ghost of Thomas Kempe Book cover of The Night Gardener Book cover of The Bad Beginning

The best books where the narrator won't stay out of the (meta) story

Book cover of The Bad Beginning Book cover of The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure Book cover of House of Leaves Book cover of If On A Winter's Night A Traveler Book cover of The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman

The best novels where the narrator speaks directly to the reader

Book cover of The Bad Beginning Book cover of The Chronicles of Narnia Book cover of The Once and Future King Book cover of The Hobbit Book cover of The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure

The best non-mystery youth novels that are really mysteries

Book cover of The Bad Beginning Book cover of The City of Ember Book cover of Artemis Fowl Book cover of The Lightning Thief Book cover of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

The best books about imagination and the places it takes you

Book cover of Imagine Book cover of The Bad Beginning Book cover of Coraline Book cover of Where the Wild Things Are Book cover of The Lorax

The best children’s books to make you laugh

Book cover of The Wonky Donkey Book cover of The Bad Beginning Book cover of Alice in Wonderland Book cover of Best Holiday Ever Book cover of The BFG

The best middle grade books where the past intertwines with the present

Book cover of When You Reach Me Book cover of 11 Birthdays Book cover of The Bad Beginning Book cover of The Night Gardener Book cover of Holes

Want books like The Bad Beginning?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Bad Beginning.

Book cover of The Once and Future King Book cover of Artemis Fowl Book cover of The City of Ember Book cover of Where the Wild Things Are Book cover of When You Reach Me Book cover of The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure

Browse books like The Bad Beginning

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in orphans, inheritances, and sibling?

Orphans 182 books
Inheritances 95 books
Sibling 237 books