Classics
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.
This story follows the lives of four sisters in the March family as they grow up to be “little women” during the challenges faced on the home front during the Civil War. The best version at Librivox is this dramatic one, which is anchored by a strong narrator and a great cast of readers.
https://librivox.org/little-women-dramatic-reading-by-louisa-may-alcott/
The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan with Jesse Lyman Hurlbut.
This version is a 1909 update of Bunyan’s original work. It is in a drama format with individual voices for the various characters and has excellent voices of the readers.
https://librivox.org/the-pilgrims-progress-version-3-by-jesse-lyman-hurlbut/
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
The author weaves her story of orphan Mary Lennox with a lot of mystery and a wonderful sprinkling of the joy found in experiencing life outdoors. Narrator Karen Savage does an excellent job with the local dialects.
http://librivox.org/the-secret-garden-by-frances-hodgson-burnett-version-2/
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Sara Crewe, a young English student at an English boarding school, both entertains and inspires us with character lessons of how to face adversity.
http://librivox.org/a-little-princess-by-frances-hodgson-burnett/
The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
A dramatic reading of Dickens’ The Christmas Carol, recorded in the style of the play with individual actors for each voice.
http://librivox.org/a-christmas-carol-dramatic-reading-by-charles-dickens/
Tales of King Arthur and the Round Table by Andrew Lang
This volume features stories of knights and chivalry adapted for young audiences form Sir Thomas Malory’s Morte d’Arthur. Andrew Lang is famous for his engaging style. The narrator for this book, David Wales, reads the book with a nice, easy listening rate.
https://librivox.org/tales-of-king-arthur-and-the-round-table-by-andrew-lang/
Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter
Facing difficult circumstances, Pollyanna survives and thrives as an orphan living under difficult circumstances by playing the “glad game.” The story line of this book is inspiring, even for an adult.
https://librivox.org/pollyanna-by-eleanor-h-porter-2/
Stories from the Fairy Queen by Edmund Spenser and Jeanie Lang. .
The eight stories in this collection of tales from The Fairy Queen are written in a form for children to understand while still retaining the vigor of the original poem. High school listeners and their parents also might like to listen to this version before delving into Spencer’s original work.
https://librivox.org/stories-from-the-faerie-queen-by-edmund-spenser/
The Bird’s Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin.
The joy of giving is illustrated through the actions of a loving child who, is spite of her own illness, plans a Christmas celebration for a nearby poor family. Kleenex warning: there are some sad parts to this wholesome, uplifting story.
http://librivox.org/the-birds-christmas-carol-version-2-by-kate-douglas-wiggin/
Realistic Fiction
Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher.
Young Elizabeth Ann (later known as Betsy), who is weak and over-protected, finds herself thrust into a completely new environment through life circumstances. Life with the Putney cousins, a farm family in Vermont, provides an opportunity for Betsy to learn and grow, as she undertakes a slightly bumpy, but very fulfilling life journey.
https://librivox.org/understood-betsy-by-dorothy-canfield-fisher/
The Story of the Treasure Seekers by Edith Nesbit.
Desiring to help their widowed father with the family finances, the six children in the Bastable family turn to treasure hunting. Karen Savage does her usual wonderful job as narrator.
https://librivox.org/the-story-of-the-treasure-seekers-by-e-nesbit/
The Wouldbegoods, Being the Further Adventures of the Treasure Seekers by Edith Nesbit.
The title says it all. This is a sequel to The Story of the Treasure Seekers, with pleasant narration by Hazel and Alan Chant, who work together in duet in this selection.
https://librivox.org/the-wouldbegoods-by-edith-nesbit/
The Railway Children by Edith Nesbit.
Edith Nesbit’s classic story, in which three children, pulled suddenly from their comfortable suburban life, move to the country with their mother, where they come to know and love the ways of the railways. (Summary by Karen Savage, who is also the narrator.)
https://librivox.org/railway-children-by-e-nesbit/
