I’m sure many have read or at least seen the brand called Whitman Classics of which frequently can be seen in flea markets and antique shops. They are abridged, easily readable editions of classic literature like Heidi and such, with some originals sprinkled in as well. I have a whole collection of them for my summer reading and so I must impart my love for them.

Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott

I’m going to shock peopple by saying I like this novel of Alcott’s more than Little Women. While Little Women is a classic, I have read this over ten times and I just find it more homey. It follows a young twelve year old Rose a year after the death of her father. She lives with her aunts on the appropriately named Aunt Hill but is still ever so depressed. However, this year brings a change. She will be under the temporary guardianship of Uncle Mac, if he can brighten her spirits and bring her a healthier color, he can continue his guardianship. Through Uncle Mac, who’s a sailor and a doctor, Alcott introduces newfangled notions for her time like pajamas, no corsets, exercise and education for women while also praising the simplier pleasures like being able to do inventory and bake bread. As for the titular eight cousins, Rose learns to rough and tumble and play with her seven cousins, all boys and all full of personality. It’s a sweet story about family and very enjoyable.

Polly French and the Surprising Stranger

This was one of the original creations in the 50s, but it is surprisingly modern. Polly French is a regular, dungaree wearing American girl, and the surprising stranger she meets is Lita, a foreign exchange student she is hosting from Peru. I was surprised by its progressiveness in refuting the idea that South America is backwards but rather a rich, populous, prosperous country (during this time). Lita is portrayed as sophiscated, hard working and demure with all the girls wanting to copy her feminine charm. But she also learns some American ideals like being able to have house and a career as well as the fact that Americans are all about fun-fun-fun and don’t know where to find anything on a map (still true!). There’s a few problems and communication issues but I think it’s a nice story of a cultural exchange.

Donna Parker at Cherrydale

This is the first of the Donna Parker series following an average American girl at her first summer job at Camp Cherrydale with her best friend, Ricky. She square dances with cute boys, she solves mysteries, deals with bratty kids and helps another little boy find his voice. Honestly, it’s nothing special but I think it’s a cool time capsule of what was considered contemporary fun literature for the time.

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell and Beautiful Joe by Marshall Saunders

Both stories focus on animals, a horse and a dog around the turn of the century, and both can be brutal if you’re an animal lover. They don’t shy away from the constant abuse and torment animals go through because they are, well, animals. They eloquently put into words the numerous thoughts and feelings animals are capable of, their unique world and all the suffering they see their friends and themselves are put through. Plus lots of preaching from the good human characters against practices like docking tails/ears, clipping wings, blinders and other human contraptions that we put them through to make animals look “handsome.” Basically the moral is one many should think of today, treat “dumb, ignorant” animals with respect and love for they are loyal good creatures.

A non fiction Whitman book on horses and dogs is More than Courage by Patrick Larson which is about real life stories on their intelligence and courage surmount to any human.

If you’re a wild animal fan, Wild Animals I have Known by Ernest Thompson Seton takes a similar vein, descibing true tales of wild animals and their humanity, how smart they are, creating communities and families and feeling love for their freedom. Basically we are all more similar than we think.

For fictional dog tales, try Lassie, Treasure Hunter or Rin Tin Tin’s Rinty which make up more adventures for these tv dog heroes. Lassie’s pretty classic for her as she foils bank robbers and saves the ever troublesome Timmy. Rinty’s story takes its plot from The Incredible Journey when young Rinty is stolen by the greedy Burt and sold across the country. However, Rinty is a determined young pup and travels across the US to get back home to his original owners.

If you’re into cowgirls, try Annie Oakley in the Ghost Town Secret or Dale Evens and the Danger in Crooked Canyon.

Both feature the fictional western adventures of these cowgirls, Annie on the hunt for treasure meant for her father, and Dale for medicine for the ailing Comache population. While these are clearly products of their time (especially with how Dale represents the Comaches as backwards, speak little English, scarred and evil or passive squaws) they do have action, and mystery and hold you till the last page.

Another western is Troy Nesbit’s Sand Dune Pony, a mystery concerning a city slicker boy who longs for a horse of his own. With his uncle’s eccentric friend, Hatsy they go into the Nevada desert to wrangle a stallion of his own. However, while taming the horse, the two find horses and deers being mysteriously slaughtered. Why and who? Go read to find out.

Whitman also released books based on tv celebrities with their fictional mystery adventures. For a nice blast to the past I suggest Annette and the Desert Inn Mystery where she saves her friend’s inn from being closed by the banks and greedy thieves.

Lennon Sisters: The Secret to Hollywood Island

Join the Lennon singing stars as they occupy what seems like an ideal summer cottage, but someone doesn’t want them to move in.

Beverly Hillbillies: The Saga of Wildcat Creek

I found these hillibillies hilarious with their country twang, wrassling animals and complete inability to fit in with the Beverely elite. Very fun book.

My final book suggestion in the Whitman collection is Toby Tyler.

Based on the Disney film of the same name, this heartwarming story follows Toby as he does what every kid dreams of doing, running away to the circus. However, he finds life there is not all fun and games when he works for the mean hearted Mr. Tupper. However, with a lovable chimp, a gruff yet softie strongman and other circus folk, Toby soon finds where he belongs in the big top world.

The Cuckoo Sister by Vivian Alcok

While it is not a Whitman classic, I still thnk it’s a classic. Set in the more modern era of possibly the 80s in Britain. It’s narrated by an older Kate who narrates about the time when she was 5 and evesdropping to learn that six years before she was born her older sister, Emma, had been baby-napped. Flash forward to her teen years, a girl comes to the door step with a note. That note is apparently from the kidnapper who has decided it’s time to sooth her guilty conscience and return the girl, Rosie to them. The bulk of the book has Kate trying to help Rose find her mother (the kidnapper) because neither of them want her to stay while Kate’s parents try to figure out if she’s actually their daughter. I believe the author did a nice job of keeping such an unbelievable premise grounded and realistic with lots of focus on everyone’s conflicting feelings.

Jacob I have loved by Katherine Paterson

Another book about battling sisters. Sara Louise has always related to the despised Esau as she feels her younger, prettier twin Caroline has stolen almost everything in her life. Louise had an easy birth while Caroline struggled to survive. Ever since, Caroline has been awed over, admired and beloved by her parents and her grandmother while good, dependable Sara Louise stands at the side. The book follows Louise as she tries to figure out what she wants for her life and hopefully escape from her sister’s shadow and distinguish herself. It can be slow, but it is moving I think with its atmosphere descriptions of a small crabbing community off of Maryland, and small town life.