The Best Middle Grade and Children's Books That Adults Secretly (or Not So Secretly) Love

There’s a quiet joy in slipping back into a book you loved as a child—or discovering one you missed entirely. These stories, written for younger readers, often carry a kind of magic that adult fiction sometimes forgets: unfiltered wonder, clear moral lines, adventures that feel boundless, and emotions that hit straight to the heart.

As adults, we return to them not for nostalgia alone, but because they remind us how to feel big feelings again. They offer comfort without condescension, excitement without cynicism, and hope that feels earned rather than naïve.

Here are some of the best middle grade and children’s books that speak just as powerfully—if not more so—to grown-up readers. Perfect for a cozy weekend reread, a stressful week escape, or simply remembering what it felt like to believe in something wholeheartedly.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

The one that started it all. Whether it’s your tenth reread or your first as an adult, Harry’s discovery of a hidden magical world behind the mundane remains irresistible. The wonder of Diagon Alley, the warmth of Hogwarts as a found family, the thrill of Quidditch and mystery—it’s all there.

As adults, we appreciate the deeper layers: the loneliness Harry carries, the quiet heroism of friendship, the comfort of a place where you finally belong. It’s cozy magic with just enough shadow to feel real, and it never stops feeling like coming home.

Evelyn Speckleplum The Fey Realm by D. Golden Conlin

This gem of a cozy portal fantasy is pure enchantment for any age. Evelyn, a young orphan who’s always felt a little out of place, discovers a hidden portal to a whimsical Fey Realm full of gentle magic, forests, and creatures that feel like old friends. It’s a coming-of-age story wrapped in wonder—the joy of friendship, courage, and finding where you truly belong.

Adults will adore the quiet bravery Evelyn shows, the lush world-building that invites imagination, and the heartfelt exploration of belonging and hidden potential. It’s the kind of book that leaves you smiling and believing the world can be kind. If you love secret gardens, fairy doors, and that “I wish this world was real” feeling, this one will steal your heart.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

A classic that only gets better with age. Mary Lennox, a sour, neglected orphan, discovers a locked garden and, with the help of new friends, brings it—and herself—back to life.

The themes of healing, renewal, and the quiet power of nature resonate deeply as adults. There’s something profoundly comforting about watching broken things grow again, and Burnett’s prose is gentle, wise, and full of small miracles.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

Meg Murry is one of the great awkward, brilliant, angry heroines of children’s literature. Her journey through space and time to rescue her father—with the help of three mysterious beings—is both cosmic and deeply personal.

Adults return for the exploration of love as a force stronger than evil, the celebration of imperfection, and L’Engle’s fearless blend of science, faith, and fantasy. It’s bold, strange, and profoundly hopeful.

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Short, profound, and deceptively simple. A pilot stranded in the desert meets a small prince from another planet, and through their conversations we’re reminded what truly matters.

As children, we love the adventure. As adults, we feel the ache of its wisdom: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” A book to reread every few years—it grows with you.

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

Some books make you cry in the best way. This gentle story of friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte is about life, death, loyalty, and the power of words.

White’s prose is spare and perfect, and the emotional honesty is devastatingly beautiful. It’s a reminder that ordinary lives can be extraordinary—and that kindness leaves a legacy.

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Milo is bored with everything—until he drives through a mysterious tollbooth into a world where numbers and letters are at war, and imagination is the greatest adventure.

Packed with puns, wordplay, and philosophical joy, it’s a delight for the inner child who still loves cleverness. Adults appreciate the satire and the gentle nudge to stay curious.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Anne Shirley—with her fiery red hair, boundless imagination, and knack for getting into “scrapes”—is one of literature’s most beloved heroines. Her arrival at Green Gables and slow journey toward belonging is pure warmth.

The Prince Edward Island setting feels like a hug, and Anne’s growth from dramatic orphan to thoughtful young woman is deeply satisfying. It’s cozy, funny, and full of heart.

These books remind us that stories written for younger readers can hold some of the deepest truths. They offer escape without cynicism, magic without darkness, and hope that feels possible.

Whether you’re revisiting old friends or meeting new ones, let yourself sink into their worlds. You’ll come out a little lighter, a little braver, and a little more believing.

Which of these calls to you right now? Or which children’s classic do you return to as an adult? I’d love to hear in the comments.

Happy reading—and may a little whimsy find you today.