I was tagged in a post on Facebook a couple days ago. I was supposed to list the top ten books that have stuck with me the most and tag other people. I don’t do that stuff on Facebook, but it did get me thinking about my favorite reads.

So I’ll write about it here, and if you want, post your top five (or ten or three or whatever) in the comments. Let’s see if there’s any overlap.

Yes, I realize I’m posting five here instead of ten. Let’s face it: we’re on the internet, and we all have the attention spans of goldfish. Also, these are posted in no particular order.

1. Roots – Alex Haley

I read this in either late middle school or early high school after studying early America and the Civil War era. I’d somehow managed to remain ignorant of the subject of slavery until then. I can’t remember who recommended the book, but I actually read it twice, probably because I couldn’t believe what I read the first time.

2. The Giving Tree – Shel Silverstein

Sure, this book has been criticized by feminist groups, but I still love the crap out of it. It’s the story of something changing over time yet remaining the same at the core.

3. The Help – Kathryn Stockett

I read this a few years ago, and I still think about it all the time. Maybe because there are a few choice people whose lawns I’d love to cover with old toilets. I don’t know. It certainly didn’t hurt that Skeeter was a gutsy writer.

4. Milrose Munce and the Den of Professional Help – Douglas Anthony Cooper

This is a YA book about a boy who can talk to the spirits that live in his school, and the adults think he needs psychiatric help. It’s funny. Trust me.

5. The Trumpet of the Swan – E.B. White

When I still taught in my own classroom, I read this book to my class every year. The combination of Louis the problem solver and the Cob’s awesome voice had us all enraptured.

So what are your top five?