September 13 marks a century since children’s author Roald Dahl was born.
While he may no longer be with us, Dahl’s works of fiction are still alive and well. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has been adapted to film twice now and the movie adaptation of his book The BFG (The Big Friendly Giant) just hit theaters earlier this year. Those who have read his books have experienced firsthand how silly and sublime his stories are, which is a perfect fit for children’s fiction.
Fans of Roald Dahl may also enjoy the following whimsical books:
The Candymakers by Wendy Mass – When four twelve-year-olds, including Logan, compete in the Confectionary Association’s annual contest, they unexpectedly become friends.
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Brabenstein – Twelve-year-old Kyle gets to stay overnight in the new town library, designed by his hero (the famous gamemaker Luigi Lemoncello), with other students but finds that come morning he must work with friends to solve puzzles in order to escape.
Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman – While picking up milk for his children’s cereal, a father is abducted by aliens and finds himself on a wild adventure through time and space.
Frindle by Andrew Clements – Eleven-year-old Tabitha Crum, whose parents were just about to abandon her, is invited to the country estate of a wealthy countess along with five other children and told that one of them will become her heir.
Nooks & Crannies by Jessica Lawson – Eleven-year-old Tabitha Crum, whose parents were just about to abandon her, is invited to the country estate of a wealthy countess along with five other children and told that one of them will become her heir.
Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar – Presents humorous episodes from the classroom on the thirtieth floor of Wayside School, which was accidentally built sideways with one classroom on each story.
Zorgamazoo by Robert Paul Weston – Imaginative and adventurous Katrina eludes her maniacal guardian to help Morty, a member of a vanishing breed of zorgles, with his quest to uncover the fate of the fabled zorgles of Zorgmazoo as well as of other creatures that seem to have disappeared from the earth.
The Boy Who Swam With Piranhas by David Almond – When his uncle’s obsessions become too much, young Stanley Potts joins a carnival of eccentric characters and meets the legendary Pancho Pirelli, who swims in piranha tanks and invites Stanley to become his apprentice.