We started reading Harry Potter in my house before the craze hit. I’d saw the book in a Scholastic catalog and ordered it for my oldest daughter, who protested (she wasn’t a fan of anything paranormal at the time) but since we homeschooled and I made it an assignment (I’m mean that way) she had to read it. By chapter three she was hooked. We’ve read them together since that first one.

My youngest daughter is 8 now and has pretty much avoided the Harry Potter craze, even though her older sister and I are major HP fans. But for her, the movies were scary and the books too difficult. Until last week. Last week, she came to me and told me that ‘now she’s old enough to watch Harry Pottter and Pirates of the Carribean.” I almost did backflips!! I love nothing more than introducing my favorite obsessions to others So we settled in to watch the first movie, then the second, and on till the 4th (I’m revising this week, so the 5th is on hold until I’m done). But when she asked me to read her the books, I glanced at that three foot high stack and shook my head. Nope, uh uhn. We’ll do the CD’s. So we got the first on CD and she’s loving it! Each night she goes to bed listening to a new chapter. She’s hooked. Her excitement (and watching the movies) drew me in and I had to read the books again. All 7, first to last. Again. Now my older daughter is reading them again, and the youngest is waiting to read along to the CD.

I love that. Love the thrill of those stories that touch all ages. Or of the stories that mean so much to us that we get all jazzed to share them. So often, I fall in love with a book, or a series or author, and can’t wait to share my excitement. For those across the ages, family reads I love to share - Harry Potter, of course. But also David Eddings The Belgariand and The Mallorean - my oldest loves them as much as I do, but I doubt the youngest will read them till she’s in her teens. I loved Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women and Little Men, but my oldest never got into Little Women enough to be willing to give Little Men a try. The youngest… might. Maybe. Beth’s storyline would be rough on her.

Thats about it on my ’sharing with family’ list of favorite reads. But I want more, so I’m asking for ideas. What stories or series did you LOVE and would you share with your kids - stories that rock, no matter what age you are?