Warning: This article discusses topics of violence and war.
There are plenty of excellentkids’ books from the 2000sthat are worth curling up and reading, even years later. The noughties is a great era in general, but especially in fiction across all literary genres. Some ofthe best lengthy book franchises and sagasever are ‘00s releases, such as theHorus Heresynovels andThe Mortal Instrumentsseries. Titles that are geared toward the younger generations, however, are especially prominent.
It’s worth noting that, like any genre, some classickids' books from the 2000s have aged poorly.While not every story is still appropriate in an ever-changing world, there are several children’s novels that work well in the present well. From their compelling and relatable characters to the fictional universes full of wonder and intrigue, these kids’ books from the 2000s are absolutely worth checking out if you haven’t read them before.
10The End (The A Series of Unfortunate Events Series)
Released In 2006 By Lemony Snicket
A Series of Unfortunate Eventsby Lemony Snicket is a brilliant collection of novels, and the last, 2006’sThe End, wraps up the franchise fantastically. While it covers some rather dark subject matters,The End’s climax of the Baudelaire siblings’ fight against Count Olaf is engaging and keeps readers interested from the book’s early pages.The novel series is still so relevant and popular nowadays that, in recent years, Netflix has adapted the premise into a TV show.
10 Children’s Fantasy Books You’ll Still Love As An Adult
Children’s fantasy books such as James and the Giant Peach, Harry Potter, and Artemis Fowl demonstrate complex themes that appeal to adults.
There are some differences between theA Series of Unfortunate Eventsbooks and the TV show, but the novels still triumph. Not every child could relate to the Baudelaires literally, but many could understand their strong familial bond and protection of one another.The Endis captivating and is the reason why many ‘00s kids are so afraid of the unhinged Count Olaf.
9Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining (The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes Series)
Released In 2000 By Anne Mazer
Abby Hayes is an amazingly relatable character for young readers, which is very much established in Anne Mazer’sThe Amazing Days of Abby Hayes.Like many fifth-grade girls, Abby struggles with her self-esteem and channels her anxieties through her writing,but this doesn’t stop her from trying to stand out from the crowd.
Every Cloud Has a Silver Liningis the first of an incredible 22 books in a series, but the character’s debut is the best of the bunch.
Every Cloud Has a Silver Liningshows that every child is special, regardless of how impressive those around them may be. Abby struggles to shine because of her child-genius younger brother and idyllic older twin sisters, so she sets her sights on becoming a soccer superstar.Adult readers can still find moments inEvery Cloud Has a Silver Liningthat strike a chord with them,no matter how long it has been since they were in middle school.
8Judy Moody (The Judy Moody Series)
Released In 2000 By Megan McDonald
TheJudy Moodyseries begins with the 2000 novel of the same name,which features the tales of the third-grade titular character. Megan McDonald’s incredible stories follow eight-year-old Judy, who is full of enthusiasm, and the antics she gets up to.Judy Moodyhelps readers navigate the difficulties of life, forming relationships with family and friends, and the trivial turmoils of childhood in a wholesome and comical way.
Every Book Being Turned Into A Movie Or TV Show In 2024
Novels are a great source of inspiration for new films and TV shows, and many production studios rely on these adaptations for future content.
The books also heavily focus on moods, which makes sense considering the series' name. McDonald’s ability to translate various emotions and responses to the harsh realities of the world through the eyes of Judy is great, and her writings are one that readers of all ages can connect with.Judy Moodyis forever a Scholastic Book Fair favorite,but the tenth installment,Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer,is the onlynovel that has a movie adaptation.
7The Mystery Of Morgan’s Rhymes #1 - #4 (The Magic Tree House Series)
Released In 2002 & 2003 By Mary Pope Osborne
TheMagic Tree Houseseries is a perfect introduction to historical fantasy books.The novels by Mary Pope Osborne focus on Jack and Annie Smith, a brother-and-sister duo who set off on many adventures from their garden’s mystical treehouse. Throughout the course of the series, the pair visit all kinds of astonishing locations, such as the Ice Age, the late Cretaceous period, and the American Wild West. TheMagic Tree Housecollection is made up of severalclassic kids’ books from the ‘90s, butThe Mystery of Morgan’s Rhymesfrom 2002 and 2003 redefines the series altogether.
InThe Mystery of Morgan’s Rhymes, which is split into four parts,the mystical Morgan Le Fay tells Jack and Annie that it’s time for them to learn magic for themselves.After several books, this is a groundbreaking moment in theMagic Tree Houseuniverse. Jack and Annie’s characters are further developed as they jump between Elizabethan London, the Congo rainforest, the first Thanksgiving, and Hawaii.The Mystery of Morgan’s Rhymesis an exciting installment, and it’s a crucial title in the entire series.
6Oh Boy, Amelia! (The Amelia’s Notebook Series)
Released In 2001 By Marissa Moss
TheAmelia’s Notebookseries is a defining literature franchise from the ‘90s and ‘00s, but the 2001 publicationOh Boy, Amelia!is a turning point. The titular character’s journey throughout her school career is brilliant, but the difficulties she faces as she gets older are a particular stand out.Amelia’s struggle to understand her role in the world and the expectations she faces as a female is a timeless narrative,but it’s even more intriguing from her point of view.
Oh Boy, Amelia!is a book that has several layers of meaning, and as the reader grows older, more and more elements of it become more relevant.
These themes are also demonstrated through Amelia’s older sister, Cleo,and how she changes after getting her first boyfriend.Oh Boy, Amelia!is a book that has several layers of meaning, and as the reader grows older, more and more elements of it become more relevant. In fact, even parents can learn fromOh Boy, Amelia!,which is also the recipient of the Parent’s Guide Fiction Award.
5Diary Of A Wimpy Kid
Released In 2007 By Jeff Kinney
Diary of a Wimpy Kidby Jeff Kinney is a childhood favorite for ‘00s kids.The hilarious cartoon-esque book is the first of the series of the same name, and it is a great title for introducing graphic novels to young readers. The book focuses on the adventures of Greg Heffley, a middle schooler who forces himself to write about his day-to-day life in preparation for when he is “rich and famous.” While some considerGreg Heffley a sociopath inDiary of a Wimpy Kid, the character is still easy to connect with.
Even in 2024,Diary of a Wimpy Kidand its many sequels are enjoyable for all ages. The use of humor is overly stupid, and the book is full of action-packed wackiness, which are two perfect qualities for such a piece.Diary of a Wimpy Kidis bonkers from start to finish, but it is also a lighthearted read that requires little commitmentto become fully invested. There are also multipleDiary of a Wimpy Kidmovie adaptations for first-time readers to throw themselves into after finishing all the novels.
4The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson & The Olympians Series)
Released In 2005 By Rick Riordan
The Lightning Thiefis the first installment ofthePercy Jackson & the Olympiansbooks, and it launches the collection amazingly.The book introduces the titular character for the first time, and Percy is a figure that many children can relate to.The Lightning Thiefestablishes that Percy has dyslexia and ADHD, but he tries not to let these conditions limit him. After a wild school trip, Percy finds himself being randomly attacked by all manner of mythological creatures, discovers that he is a demigod, and sets off to find out what has happened to Zeus’ master bolt.
Percy Jackson is an iconic literary figure who teaches kids that they are capable of anything.Rick Riordan’s combination of Greek mythology and contemporary adventures is a clever way of getting readers interested in ancient legendswhile also engaging them in an action-packed adventure.ThePercy Jackson & the OlympiansDisney+ seriesis praised for staying true to the novels, but there’s nothing quite like the actual books, andThe Lightning Thiefwill forever be known for kicking off such a special story.
3The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games Series)
Released In 2008 By Suzanne Collins
The first book inThe Hunger Gamesseries is the reason the entire franchise is so popular.Suzanne Collins’ first installment introduces several prominent characters in literature and opens the reader’s eyes to a world that feeds on the disadvantaged. Katniss Everdeen’s struggle to keep both herself and her family safe is a profound story, but it’s also incredibly dark and quite disturbing. As she battles her feelings for her best friend, Gale, and fellow tribute Peeta, Katniss’ determination to fight back against the Capitol slowly takes precedence.
The Hunger Gamesbooksfocus on Katniss’ character development as she wins the 74th Hunger Games, partakes in the Quarter Quell, and eventually takes down President Snow. However, the first title is the best.The Hunger Gamesis brutal and heartbreaking, but it forces a narrative that can be applied to the real world.Even the films haven’t been able to replicate some of the most horrific events, and manyHunger Gamesscenes are much worse in the books.The Hunger Gameshas elements that anyone can relate to, despite the book’s dystopian and nightmarish world.
2The Book Thief
Released In 2005 By Markus Zusak
Australian author Markus Zusak’s novel,The Book Thief, doesn’t initially seem to be appropriate for children, but Liesel Meminger’s adventures from the point of view of Death is actually a beautiful read.The Book Thiefis an international bestseller with an incredible 63 translations available worldwide, which focuses on Liesel’s upbringing in Nazi Germany during World War II. Amongst the pain and torture of wartime Europe,Liesel is just a normal girl who falls in love with reading and writing after her foster parents teach her.
Reviews of the 2013 adaptation ofThe Book Thiefpraise the title for its combination of humor and heartbreak, but the original novel is far more impactful than a screen recreation could ever achieve.The Book Thiefhas received several accolades, such as the 2006 School Library Journal award for Best Book of the Year and the 2007 Michael L. Printz Honor Book award.Liesel’s astonishing tale that covers themes of mortality, love, and survival is nothing short of perfection, andThe Book Thiefis a classic piece of literature that anyone can invest in.
1The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas
Released In 2006 By John Boyne
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamasis another astoundinghistorical fiction bookthat children from the 2000s remember reading at school.The heartwrenching tale about two young boys who meet through the fence of a concentration camp will make readers of all ages burst out crying,and not just because of the horrid violence. The profound friendship that forms between Bruno and Shmuel is unbelievably innocent, and their joyful bond highlights just how unfair the events of World War II are on their generation.
The 2008 adaptation is remembered as agreat movie that is unexpectedly heartbreaking. It is consistently praised for bringing Irish writer John Boyne’s most notable novel to life. While Bruno and Shmuel’s devastating yet warming tale isn’t based on a real story, the events that play out around them throughoutThe Boy in the Striped Pyjamasvery much are. Although the world has changed a lot since those years, there are still plenty of life lessons and ethical dilemmas inThe Boy in the Striped Pyjamasthat readers can learn from.
