HP seems to be the OK book for adults to read but what about other stuff that may or may not have cross over appeal? I have read some Philip Pulman books (His dark Materials) and thought they were brilliant and very much an all ages read. I am currently half way through William Nicholsons Wind Singer trilogy and all though I am finding it enjoyable I have to admit this really is a book that is suited for children. Have any of you guys enjoyed books aimed mostly for kids?

I'm a big fan of Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles and C.S. Lewis' Narnia books. I've revisted both on more than one occasion. Oh, and the big Susan Cooper series. What was it? Dark Tide Rising? Something like that. I read that a few years back and loved it.

Since I read to my son every night, and have for about eight years now, I've read a LOT of children's books I otherwise probably wouldn't have.

We're reading something called Vampirates right now. It's not bad so far. We recently finished The Lord of the Rings, but prior to that we read a big six-book series, The Seventh Tower, I think it was called, by Garth Nix. Not bad.

Phillip Pullman was the first person that came to mind when I saw the thread title. I've read the Narnia books, but not since high school, so those probably don't count.

A Wrinkle in Time (by Madeleine L'Engle?) seemed like an all ages appeal when I read it. But I was young, so I can't be sure.

we read a big six-book series, The Seventh Tower, I think it was called, by Garth Nix. Not bad.

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I have a Garth Nix trilogy on standby at the moment I have heard good things about him.

Thomas the Tank Engine. Fortunately they are pretty close to the original prints with the original art.

I read my kids the "Dance Dance Revolution" users manual when we couldn't figure out how to get the wireless dance pad to work.

And now that my smartassiness is out of the way, do the Peirs Anthony Xanth books count as kids books?

I started reading the first "Maximum Ride" book based on Amanda's suggestion, but it didn't really grab me.

I thought about trying that Golden Compass book before the movie hits. That talking polar bear rawks.

I read comics.

They're kids books, right??

Teen books, I'd say. Lots of suggestive content that is just perfect for a boy in his teenage years.

This is the same book as the "His Dark Materials" book referenced in the original post.

<<rolls eyes>>

Over the years I've made a collection of books that I read as a kid and have since found in used book stores or requested as gifts. I still enjoy reading them.

Most recently I've read Ellen Raskin's "The Westing Game," a Newberry Award-winning mystery novel. It's one of the most bizarre mysteries ever.

I read PaperCutz' "Nancy Drew" comics avidly. And I still read juvenile mystery books now and then.

I read lots of juvenile nonfiction, like the "Eyewitness" books. They're often very well-written and informative.

Nonplussed.

More precisely, His Dark Materials is the name of the trilogy, and The Golden Compass is the North American title for the first book in the trilogy. In the UK and elsewhere the first book is known by its original name, The Northern Lights.

I am a huge fan of any and all Inklings (and L'Engle) fantasy, but the Chronicles of Narnia stand out as lifelong favorites of mine.

'Collision course' by Nigel Hinton is good. It's like 'Crime and Punishment' less literate kids. Great stuff!

I currently teach 5th grade, have taught 6th grade for 10 years, taught 7th before. I read the materials I think my students will choose (and the stuff I assign them, which is a given), so yes, I have read quite a few children's books in the last 13 years. Probably over 500 of them.

I’ve read the first Traveling Pants book and the first Lemony Snicket book.

Hmmm… I don’t seem to be very good at the follow up.

Fyi: ‘Pants’ is more of a teen book.

I bought all of the Moomin books about a year ago.

Can't go wrong with Roald Dahl's children's books.

I've been meaning to give the Phillip Pullman books a try -- the stuff I've been told about them by friends has been compelling enough, and then I saw the teaser trailer for that movie. Looks great.

[i]Wrinkle In Time[i] is great.

Can't stand the Narnia books -- way too obvious, heavy-handed, and twee for me.

I find the Harry Potter stuff somewhere in between the Narnia stuff and Dahl's stuff -- not quite as facile as Dahl, not quite as twee as Lewis. Enjoyable enough, but nothing to obsess over.

Who uses the word twee? The word twee is a bit twee.

The Narnia books, most were good for me, read them after the movie.

I always liked The Hobbit. Been told that's a children book. My fav book along with TomSawyer.

I enjoyed the Wizard of Oz series, mostly.

Peter pan is a favorite.

Planning on reading Lemony Snicket