Picked by The Treehouse Books fans

Here are 9 books that The Treehouse Books fans have personally recommended once you finish the The Treehouse Books series. Shepherd is a community of authors and super-readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

Book cover of The King's Nightingale

Karen McMillan Author Of Rainbow Cove

From my list on encouraging the 'theater of the mind'.

Why am I passionate about this?

I'm an author from New Zealand, who writes fiction and non-fiction for adults, but I'm also an accidental children's book writer. Accidental? I never thought I would write books for children, but the then 10-year-old in our family demanded a children's book, and the popular Elastic Island Adventures series was born. I always remember how much joy I got from discovering books as a child, so I'm interested in books that are fun for children but encourage creativity and literacy. I love when books are so enjoyable that children don't realize how much they are learning, where they can enjoy exploring the 'theater of the mind'.

Karen's book list on encouraging the 'theater of the mind'

Karen McMillan Why Karen loves this book

There is everything to love about this novel! The King's Nightingale has it all – a feisty young heroine attempting to overcome terrible danger and injustice, sultans and sumptuous palaces, and a story about standing up against oppression, learning loyalty, and finding love. The story opens with Elowen and her younger brother being brutally seized by pirates from their peaceful village and suffering a terrible voyage that many others don't survive. Sold to a desert ruler who admires her beautiful singing voice, Elowen is given the title of the King's Nightingale. But she is determined to escape and rescue her brother and return home… Historical and inventive, this novel transports you to another world!

By Sherryl Jordan ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The King's Nightingale as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

An epic fantasy by acclaimed author Sherryl Jordan, set in a land of sultans and kings, sumptuous palaces ... and slave markets. When Elowen and her brother are seized by pirates and sold, separately, in the slave market of a distant land, Elowen's enduring resolve is to escape, rescue her brother and return home.

Sold to a desert ruler who admires her sublime voice, Elowen is given the title of the King's Nightingale. Honoured by the king, and loved by his scribe, Elowen lives a life of luxury, until she makes a fateful mistake and finds herself sold to a…


Book cover of Just Keep Going

Karen McMillan Author Of Rainbow Cove

From my list on encouraging the 'theater of the mind'.

Why am I passionate about this?

I'm an author from New Zealand, who writes fiction and non-fiction for adults, but I'm also an accidental children's book writer. Accidental? I never thought I would write books for children, but the then 10-year-old in our family demanded a children's book, and the popular Elastic Island Adventures series was born. I always remember how much joy I got from discovering books as a child, so I'm interested in books that are fun for children but encourage creativity and literacy. I love when books are so enjoyable that children don't realize how much they are learning, where they can enjoy exploring the 'theater of the mind'.

Karen's book list on encouraging the 'theater of the mind'

Karen McMillan Why Karen loves this book

The Just series is by a New Zealand author and is perfect for slightly older children, 11 to 14 years. Just Keep Going is an engaging read with delightful characters and wonderful messages about the environment and the importance of friends and family, with a main character who proves to be resourceful, caring, and brave. It's the perfect blend of real life and fantasy, encouraging the theater of the mind to get children positively thinking about many issues.

By Donna Blaber ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Just Keep Going as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Becky always loved visiting her dad in New Zealand until she returns during the pandemic.

Now he’s got a baby with her new stepmum and everything has changed. Worse still, her windsurfer hasn’t arrived yet, so there’s nothing for her to do but wait for Mum who is stuck overseas.

Then Becky finds a strange stone at Whale Bay and her luck changes. She makes new friends, joins an environmental group, borrows a windsurfer, and has several close encounters with a bottlenose dolphin who simply won’t leave her alone.

But what is wrong with the dolphin? Is it trying to…


Book cover of The Chronicles of Narnia

Blake Renworth Author Of The Exiled Seven

From my list on where the narrator speaks directly to the reader.

Why am I passionate about this?

After reading The Princess Bride, I fell in love with William Goldman’s style of narration, with his frequent interjections, clarifications, and asides. The feel I got from the author speaking directly to me transformed simple third-person narration into engaging storytelling. From then on, I sought out books using this style and have built a small library in all genres deploying this unique voice. I’ve found it most common (and most effectively deployed) in fantasy, but there are also numerous examples elsewhere in the literary world.

Blake's book list on where the narrator speaks directly to the reader

Blake Renworth Why Blake loves this book

One of the most popular children’s book series of the twentieth century, all of the books in the series feature the author speaking directly to the reader, detailing past events, reminding the reader of personality traits of the characters, and providing the reader with background details about the world the reader finds themselves in.

More so than the other books on the list, it’s clear the voice is that of C.S. Lewis though, rather than a seemingly separate narrator.

By C. S. Lewis , Pauline Baynes (illustrator) ,

Why should I read it?

13 authors picked The Chronicles of Narnia as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Don’t miss one of America’s top 100 most-loved novels, selected by PBS’s The Great American Read.

Experience all seven tales of C. S. Lewis's classic fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia, in one impressive paperback volume!

Epic battles between good and evil, fantastic creatures, betrayals, heroic deeds, and friendships won and lost all come together in this unforgettable world, which has been enchanting readers of all ages for over sixty years.

This edition presents the seven books—The Magician's Nephew; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; The Horse and His Boy; Prince Caspian; The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; The…


Book cover of Watership Down

James Zwerneman Author Of Uruk

From my list on books that mix elements of historical fiction and fantasy.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve loved both history and fantasy since I was a child. The first book I can remember reading at all was The Hobbit. The first historical novel I fell in love with was The Killer Angels. I visited the battlefield of Gettysburg with my family, and currently teach the movie every year to my high school film class. (I’ve never visited Middle Earth, but plan to visit New Zealand as soon as possible). I’ve been reading both genres ever since—and quite by accident my first novel contains a mix of both genres.

James' book list on books that mix elements of historical fiction and fantasy

James Zwerneman Why James loves this book

This book is the perfect place to start.

At first glance, it’s a fantasy tale following a tribe of rabbits as they flee the destruction of their old warren to seek a new kingdom.

However, as the journey unfolds, it becomes more of an epic myth like The Odyssey or The Aeneid, both stories with historical roots. Indeed, each chapter starts with an epigraph from myth or history, enhancing the gritty tone.

Beware, Beatrix Potter fans: this is not a children’s tale. There are rabbit-on-rabbit battles. Meditations on rabbit romance. Deaths of beloved characters. Tense escapes. And, in the end, explorations of the meaning of life, both rabbit and human.

By Richard Adams ,

Why should I read it?

20 authors picked Watership Down as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

One of the best-loved children's classics of all time, this is the complete, original story of Watership Down.

Something terrible is about to happen to the warren - Fiver feels sure of it. And Fiver's sixth sense is never wrong, according to his brother Hazel. They had to leave immediately, and they had to persuade the other rabbits to join them.

And so begins a long and perilous journey of a small band of rabbits in search of a safe home. Fiver's vision finally leads them to Watership Down, but here they face their most difficult challenge of all .…


Book cover of Ladies in Black

Kerrie Noor Author Of The Other Side Of Yes

From my list on humor that make me comfortable with my own failings.

Why am I passionate about this?

I like to write characters and situations that readers relate to and find reassurance from. Laughter comes from shared experiences of frustration and mistakes, it reassures us that we are normal and not alone, giving us a big hug when feeling overwhelmed or down. I love the healing power of comedy and use it in all my work. Reading how other authors use comedy improves my writing and expands my viewpoint. I also perform comedy with a mixture of storytelling, standup, and belly dancing, I learn from the audience's reaction and feedback, which not only feeds into my novels but makes me feel like a million dollars.

Kerrie's book list on humor that make me comfortable with my own failings

Kerrie Noor Why Kerrie loves this book

An Australian novel about happiness with the sort of dialogue and food that took me back to my childhood, it is a deliciously reassuring story.

Like many, I can spend too much time on the internet or watching TV, which often leaves me feeling dissatisfied. Ladies in Black is the sort of read that reminds me that happiness is in the ordinary and is as fleeting as the clouds that pass over the sun.

By Madeleine St John ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Ladies in Black as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Now a major motion picture starring Rachael Taylor, Angourie Rice and Jullia Ormond. 

At the very end of the Ladies’ Frocks Departments, past Cocktail Frocks, there was something very special, something quite, quite wonderful; but it wasn’t for everybody: that was the point. Because there, at the very end, there was a lovely arch, on which was written in curly letters Model Gowns.  

Written by a superb novelist of contemporary manners, Ladies in Black is a fairytale which illuminates the extraordinariness of ordinary lives. The women in black are run off their feet, what with the Christmas rush and the…


Book cover of The 117-Storey Treehouse

Kerrie Noor Author Of The Other Side Of Yes

From my list on humor that make me comfortable with my own failings.

Why am I passionate about this?

I like to write characters and situations that readers relate to and find reassurance from. Laughter comes from shared experiences of frustration and mistakes, it reassures us that we are normal and not alone, giving us a big hug when feeling overwhelmed or down. I love the healing power of comedy and use it in all my work. Reading how other authors use comedy improves my writing and expands my viewpoint. I also perform comedy with a mixture of storytelling, standup, and belly dancing, I learn from the audience's reaction and feedback, which not only feeds into my novels but makes me feel like a million dollars.

Kerrie's book list on humor that make me comfortable with my own failings

Kerrie Noor Why Kerrie loves this book

I was asked to do some storytelling for children, then regretted accepting until I found this book. Born in Australia but now living in Scotland, I miss the humor I grew up with.

This fantastic children's book gave me the confidence to "go all out," lose my rigid upbringing, and allow the little girl in me to tell the story as she had not only been forbidden to do but made to feel ashamed that she wanted to.

By Andy Griffiths , Terry Denton (illustrator) ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The 117-Storey Treehouse as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 7, 8, 9, and 10.

What is this book about?

There are lots of laughs at every level in The 117-Storey Treehouse, the ninth book in the number one bestselling Treehouse series from Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton.

Andy and Terry have added another thirteen levels of crazy fun to their every-growing treehouse (it used to be a 104-story treehouse, but it just keeps growing!) They've got a tiny-horse level, a pyjama-party room and an Underpants Museum and Treehouse Information Centre! But Andy and Terry have found themselves running from the Story Police and the only way to escape, is through the terrifying Door of Doom!

For as long as…


Book cover of Heartbreak Hotel

Kerrie Noor Author Of The Other Side Of Yes

From my list on humor that make me comfortable with my own failings.

Why am I passionate about this?

I like to write characters and situations that readers relate to and find reassurance from. Laughter comes from shared experiences of frustration and mistakes, it reassures us that we are normal and not alone, giving us a big hug when feeling overwhelmed or down. I love the healing power of comedy and use it in all my work. Reading how other authors use comedy improves my writing and expands my viewpoint. I also perform comedy with a mixture of storytelling, standup, and belly dancing, I learn from the audience's reaction and feedback, which not only feeds into my novels but makes me feel like a million dollars.

Kerrie's book list on humor that make me comfortable with my own failings

Kerrie Noor Why Kerrie loves this book

Deborah's characters struggle with the disappointments of getting older with a bittersweet humor that I found comforting.

Just shy of the "pensioner age" myself, I can relate to the loneliness and regret of lost dreams experienced by the characters. I was captivated by her storytelling. I felt like I was there, and that I not only knew the characters but shared their feelings when alone.  

By Deborah Moggach ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Heartbreak Hotel as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

At Myrtle House, the twin beds have never been so busy...

The irrepressible Russell 'Buffy' Buffery has upped sticks from London and moved to a decrepit B&B in rural Wales. He needs to fill the beds, and what better way than with 'Courses for Divorces', his new money-making wheeze.

Those checking in include: Harold, whose wife has run off with a younger woman; Amy, who's been unexpectedly dumped by her (not-so) weedy boyfriend and Andy, the hypochondriac postman whose girlfriend is much too much for him to handle.

Under Buffy's tutelage, these casualties of the marriage-go-round find themselves re-learning all…


Book cover of Love in the Time of Bertie: A 44 Scotland Street Novel

Kerrie Noor Author Of The Other Side Of Yes

From my list on humor that make me comfortable with my own failings.

Why am I passionate about this?

I like to write characters and situations that readers relate to and find reassurance from. Laughter comes from shared experiences of frustration and mistakes, it reassures us that we are normal and not alone, giving us a big hug when feeling overwhelmed or down. I love the healing power of comedy and use it in all my work. Reading how other authors use comedy improves my writing and expands my viewpoint. I also perform comedy with a mixture of storytelling, standup, and belly dancing, I learn from the audience's reaction and feedback, which not only feeds into my novels but makes me feel like a million dollars.

Kerrie's book list on humor that make me comfortable with my own failings

Kerrie Noor Why Kerrie loves this book

Deliciously Scottish with sparky dialogue that had me laughing out loud.

The characters are all flawed, making mistakes I can identify with. I find relationships difficult at times, and this book was reassuringly familiar—like I wasn't "the only one". I also love the wee boy Bertie and his desperate need not to hurt anyone, a familiar feeling I could relate to, and found myself forgiving the "pushover” in me.

By Alexander McCall Smith ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Love in the Time of Bertie as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Life for Bertie seems to be moving at a pace that is rather out of his control. In Drummond Place gardens it seems that Olive has their future together all planned out. Meanwhile, upstairs at 44 Scotland Street, Bertie's father Stuart is powerless to stop over-bearing Irene and her motion for Bertie to travel to Aberdeen on a three-month secondment. And, further up in the New Town, while Bruce Anderson plots with old-school chums, love blossoms in Big Lou's Cafe.

Warm hearted, humorous and wonderfully wise, Love in the Time of Bertie offers philosophical insight as well as sartorial elegance.…


Book cover of The Midnight Library

Jordan Berk Author Of The Timestream Verdict

From my list on time travel as a therapy in disguise.

Why am I passionate about this?

The beauty of time travel stories is that under the tech, or the supernatural, they can be anything. And for me, they are everything. Paradoxes, puzzles, that oh-so-delicate space-time continuum: an infinite blank canvas for exploring human emotion, psychology, and choices. Just like everyone else, I have regrets, big and small, things that I wish I could change, sliding doors that may have taken me down the wrong fork in the road. With these books, each deeply personal and therapeutic in their own way, you may be able to see your own life choices anew, just like I did. Enjoy!

Jordan's book list on time travel as a therapy in disguise

Jordan Berk Why Jordan loves this book

Friendly tip: I do not recommend reading this novel while isolated from your family due to travel and illness, because this book hits hard in all the right ways.

It invites both the protagonist and the reader to explore the deepest wells of regret and the branching infinities that our life choices produce. In doing so, the novel beautifully confronts the seductive lure of “what could have been” while reminding us of the quiet beauty in what is.

As someone whose mind is often lost in the past or gazing into the future, this ultimate lesson of the book provided a much-needed sense of clarity.

By Matt Haig ,

Why should I read it?

40 authors picked The Midnight Library as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The #1 New York Times bestselling WORLDWIDE phenomenon

Winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Fiction | A Good Morning America Book Club Pick | Independent (London) Ten Best Books of the Year

"A feel-good book guaranteed to lift your spirits."-The Washington Post

The dazzling reader-favorite about the choices that go into a life well lived, from the acclaimed author of How To Stop Time and The Comfort Book.

Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe there is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of…