Even if the 1990s don’t seem that far behind us, many kids who grew up in that decade now have children of their own! Fortunately for that younger generation, their parents and teachers can hand down some enduring reads that every kid of the ’90s remembers. Take a look at children’s books that were popular in the 90s (even if they were published earlier), and find out why today’s teachers still reach for them.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Chosen by: Amany Elgendy (@misselgendy)
This classic picture book was first published in 1969, and had become a kindergarten classroom staple by the 1990s. “This is just the cutest caterpillar!” raves Amany. “The story line is easy to follow, and counting the food along with recalling the days of the week keeps it interesting.”
What keeps teachers reaching for this book beloved read? “As a teacher, the best aspect of this book is sequencing!” Amany notes. “There are also so many activities to do after reading this story to solidify the concepts taught from the book.”
Buy it: The Very Hungry Caterpillar on Amazon
More Picture Books Beloved by 90s Kids
- The Magic School Bus series by Joanna Cole
- If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
- The Stinky Cheese Man by Jon Scieszka
- Miss Nelson Is Missing! by Harry G. Allard Jr.
- Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
- Little Critter books by Mercer Mayer
- Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
- The Arthur books by Marc Brown
- Clifford, the Big Red Dog books by Norman Bridwell
- Shrek by William Steig
- The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
- No, David! by David Shannon
- Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
- Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss
Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
Chosen by: Josie McClain (@mrs.mcclainsbrains)
The first entry in this chapter book series was published in 1963, and it was still going strong by the time 90s kids came along. “Amelia Bedelia is the original quirky girl, and that’s stuck with me ever since my mom first read the books with me,” Josie shares. “Amelia Bedelia reminds all of us that it’s okay to make mistakes, and directions can certainly be confusing. She might be your new favorite book character: her heart is in the right place, and she makes a really good pie!”
Today, Josie finds this book especially relevant for ELL students. “Many English Language Learners may not understand the phrases we use in English, and this book series is a silly, goofy way to teach them,” says Josie. “They can see someone taking things literally to know they’re not alone in being confused. English can be difficult!”
Buy it: Amelia Bedelia on Amazon
More Easy Reader and Chapter Books That 90s Children Loved
- Berenstain Bears books by Stan & Jan Berenstain
- Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey
- Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Park
- The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne
- Wayside School series by Louis Sachar
- Bunnicula by Deborah & James Howe
- Judy Moody series by Peter H. Reynolds
- The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids by Debbie Dadney
- Amber Brown series by Paula Danziger
- Frindle by Andrew Clements
- American Girls books by various authors
- Freckle Juice by Judy Blume
Kristy’s Great Idea by Ann M. Martin
Chosen by: Megan Cooke (@mctheatreela)
The first few books in the Baby-Sitters’ Club series were published in the late 1980s, but they continued on throughout the 90s (there are more than 200 altogether, plus a new graphic novel series!). ” The Baby-Sitters Club kept me reading over and over again,” Megan recalls. “I had to know what happened next, and I loved that the main character shifted from book to book. I got to know these very different characters, and I saw the world from multiple perspectives.”
As an adult, Megan realizes the book offered a vital message to young girls: “It was an early introduction to feminism,” she believes. “This book showed very different girls come together to create a business on their own that gave back to their community. They did not let the fear of their business failing stop them. To see young girls create a successful business from scratch was inspirational. The books never said it would be easy or perfect, but by doing your best and sticking together, you could achieve anything.”
Buy it: Kristy’s Great Idea on Amazon
More Books That 90s Elementary Kids Will Remember
- Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
- Goosebumps by R. L. Stine
- Animorphs series by K. A. Applegate
- Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series by Alvin Schwartz
- Matilda by Roald Dahl
- Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
- The BFG by Roald Dahl
- Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
- The Wish Giver by Bill Brittain
- Superfudge by Judy Blume
Holes by Louis Sachar
Chosen by: Nikki McMaster-Martorano (@coachmacboston)
In 1999, this hilarious and insightful middle grade book won the Newberry Medal, and kids fell in love with Stanley Yelnats. “I loved the mystery, the humor, and the characters, and I still remember how much I wanted to know what was going to happen next,” Nikki recalls. “It was fun and exciting, but also made me think. Stanley and Zero especially stayed with me because their friendship shows how powerful it can be when someone believes in you and sees you for who you really are.”
Nikki believes this book can be a hit with today’s young readers too: “Give it a chance because it’s so much more than a story about digging holes. It’s funny, mysterious, a little weird, and it keeps you guessing. And by the end, all the pieces come together in a really satisfying way.”
Buy it: Holes on Amazon
More Middle Grade Books That 90s Kids Couldn’t Get Enough Of
- The Giver by Lois Lowry
- Choose Your Own Adventure series by various authors
- Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
- The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
- Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
- Anastasia Krupnik series by Lois Lowry
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling
- Ella Enchanted series by Gail Carson Levine
- Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce
- Just as Long as We’re Together by Judy Blume
- The View from Saturday by E. L. Konigsberg
- Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
- The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman
- The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
- The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom
Chosen by: Emily Aierstok (@readitwriteitlearnit)
Around the time that kids who grew up in the 90s were young adults, this 2002 instant bestseller was top of the charts. “I was a junior in college when my roommate insisted I read this book,” remembers Emily. “As soon as I read the first chapter, I was hooked. The story of Mitch and Morrie is so human, so heartwarming, and so inspiring. I think it was one of the first books I read with a pen in hand writing notes all over the margins.”
“This book found me at a time in my life when I was still figuring out who I wanted to be, what my priorities were, and how I wanted to shape my future,” she reminisces. “Morrie never stops teaching. He reminds me that what we say, what we model, and how we make people feel can stay with them long after a particular lesson is over.”
Emily still recommends this book to young adults today. “Beneath the story about death, it is really a book about how to live. Kids today may be growing up in a very different world than the one Morrie knew, but they are still trying to figure out what matters, how they want to spend their time, who they want to be, and what kind of mark they want to leave on the world. Morrie gives us all permission to slow down and think about those questions.”
Buy it: Tuesdays With Morrie on Amazon
More Young Adult Books For 90s Kids
- Sweet Valley High series by Francine Pascal
- Remember Me by Christopher Pike
- Fear Street series by R. L. Stine
- The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney
- Speak by Laurie Halse Andersen
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
- The Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot
- Homecoming by Cynthia Voight
- The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
- Monster by Walter Dean Myers
Remember to grab your free colorable reading poster kit!
Print this huge poster for a fun collaborative classroom brain break, plus get lots of free reading activities to try with students.
