A Lifetime of Fiction: The 500 Most Recommended Reads for Ages 2 to 102

by William Patrick Martin

Overview

A Lifetime of Fiction: The 500 Most Recommended Reads for Ages 2 to 102 is the most authoritative set of fiction book recommendations in the United States because it is a composite of the most noteworthy book award lists, best book publications, and recommended reading lists from leading libraries, schools, and parenting organizations from across the country.

Who are these formidable experts? A Lifetime of Fiction amalgamates over 100 reading lists, including Time Magazine’s Top 100 Novels, Modern Library’s 100 Best Novels, Horn Book Children’s Classics, The New York Times Parent’s Guide to the Best Books for Children, Harvard Bookstore Favorite Books, College Board’s Great Books Recommended for College-Bound Readers, National Education Association’s Top Books for Children and 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. The definitive lists incorporate the Newbery Medals, Caldecott Medals, Coretta Scott King Awards, Pura Belpré Awards, Bram Stoker Awards, the Man Booker Awards, PEN/Faulkner Awards, Pulitzer Prizes, National Book Awards, New York Times Notable Books, and Los Angeles Times Book Prizes, and many more. A Lifetime of Fiction integrates the most widely recognized and respected literary award winners and runners up since the inception of the awards.

The book is organized into five age group lists of 100 books – preschoolers (ages 2-5), early readers (ages 4-8), middle readers (ages 9-12), young adults (ages 13-17), and adults (ages 18+) – the books are in effect the selections made by the most formidable panel literary experts ever assembled. Each entry includes an annotation.

To the perennial question, “What books are worth reading?” A Lifetime of Fiction: The 500 Most Recommended Reads for Ages 2 to 102 answers with best-of-the best booklists distilled from the most preeminent and trustworthy literary authorities.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442229396
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	04/10/2014
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	234
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Dr. William Patrick Martin is a book lover. His vision was to create a uniquely authoritative reference that he could use to make the best possible fiction choices for himself and his family. He has been a professor of education at Temple University and Monmouth University. He did his dissertation on the epic University of Chicago Great Books debate of the 1930s and 1940s. While at Monmouth University, Martin was also the director of the Governor’s School on Public Issues, a selective residential summer program for New Jersey gifted and talented teenagers. His career in Pennsylvania state government has included stints as a press secretary, management consultant, and special advisor to the Lieutenant Governor. He has a doctorate in education and a master’s in journalism.

Martin has extensive experience as an editor, college professor, publicist, management consultant, and meeting facilitator. He now works full time on writing, promoting, and selling books. He and his wife Marianne Martin operate Zabby Books @ Amazon.com.

Table of Contents

Chapter 7 Twenty-Seven Writers You Should Know
Appendix 1 Preschool Booklist
Appendix 2 Early Reader Booklist
Appendix 3 Middle Reader Booklist
Appendix 4 Young Adult Booklist
Appendix 5 Adult Booklist

Editorial Reviews

This reference is an invaluable resource for educators, parents, and readers everywhere. Not only does it provide an easy methodology for identifying the most well known and most celebrated fiction books, it also uncovers some lesser-known gems that add depth and richness to the adventure of reading, regardless of your age. It’s a bucket list for anyone who loves reading and desires to instill that love in their children and students.

Bob Fayfich

The Headmaster of the Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore, reminds Harry Potter “ it is our choices. .. that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” Wise words to consider even as we decide how to enrich our lives through literature! With his brief synopses, William Martin facilitates how to consider the best of literature having amassed recommendations from numerous authoritative sources. A Lifetime of Fiction is my reading roadmap for choices both professional and personal.

David W. Magill

William Martin's A Lifetime of Fiction is an impressive compilation of the best preschool to adult books. Martin has carefully analyzed a wide variety of resources to create an invaluable annotated bibliography for anyone interested in children's literature.

Mary G. Milligan

As I get nearer to 102, I read more books than ever. Martin’s reading lists are a reminder that there is something valuable to be learned at each stage of life. And sometimes what’s good for an 8 year old is also a delight at 80.

Deborah Meier

A Lifetime of Fiction is an invaluable guide to the best American fiction titles—and downright fun to read all on its own. I found many old favorites as well as numerous how-have-I-missed-this titles. The book is a remarkable achievement, and I'd recommend it highly to anyone who loves to curl up with a good book.

Karen Cushman

In a country that loves lists, William Martin has given us one that belongs on everyone’s bookshelf. It is the ultimate guide to the best fiction available for every stage of life, beginning with preschool on through the contemporary classics that should be on every adult’s bucket list. From “Goodnight Moon” to “The Corrections” and “Lonesome Dove,” these are the books that endure. Parents wanting the best fiction for their children and young teens will find Martin’s advice unbiased and without any agenda other than to promote quality fiction.

Eleanor Clift

K-12 school libraries would be very well-served in purchasing this concise, well-researched book for their reference collections, as it does an excellent job of listing both contemporary and older children’s classics for a wide range of age groups.

Reference Reviews

This represents an amazing amount of work on the part of William Martin—to narrow down to 500, how many hundreds must he have read!—but one senses that it was a pleasure as well. It will certainly be a valuable resource to educators as well as the average reader.

Lois Lowry

A Lifetime of Fiction: The 500 Most Recommended Reads for Ages 2 to 102is both a work of love and scholarly discernment. I saw all my favorite books there and others that I now want to read

Frank Asch

William Martin’s prodigious effort will prove of enormous benefit to every teacher, parent, librarian, and readers of all ages for many years to come.

David Morris

What a great list of books, and many of my all time children's favorites: Seuss, Sendak, and even the book I buy for all new moms. .. Owl Babies!

Larry Rosenstock

Martin’s stated purpose for writing his book is to give teachers, parents, and grandparents trustworthy guidance in choosing reading material for children and teenagers. In this he succeeds admirably, providing lists of not-to-be-missed titles for readers of all ages and interests.. . .Martin’s work of synthesizing the many book lists, his knowledgeable commentary, and the book’s convenient one-volume format make this a useful resource, especially for those new to the world of children’s and young adult literature.. . .For me at least, part of the pleasure of the more idiosyncratic, individualistic lists is finding quirky, obscure books that I’ve never heard of before.. . .[H]is extensive bibliography provides plenty of guidance for those seeking more specialized reading recommendations.

Technical Services Quarterly

A Lifetime of Fiction is a towering achievement. It belongs in every school’s library and on every parent’s bookshelf.

Kathryn Hughes Martin

K-12 school libraries would be very well-served in purchasing this concise, well-researched book for their reference collections, as it does an excellent job of listing both contemporary and older children’s classics for a wide range of age groups.

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K-12 school libraries would be very well-served in purchasing this concise, well-researched book for their reference collections, as it does an excellent job of listing both contemporary and older children’s classics for a wide range of age groups.

"American Reference Books Annual"