Oct 30, 2025
There’s nothing better than reading to little ones or watching them cozy up in a quiet corner with a good book. But not all kids—or adults—can read.
On average, only 79% of U.S. adults nationwide are literate, and in 2024, California had the lowest rate of adult literacy, according to the National Literacy Institute.
In honor of Family Literacy Day and National Authors Day on Nov. 1, we asked Kern County Family friends what their favorite authors/books are, whether to read as adults or to read as children. Here’s what our friends recommend:
The Giving Tree
By Shel Silverstein
$10.59; Ages 2 and up
Publisher: HarperCollins
Amazon.com
This children’s classic tells a parable of the gift of giving and an acceptance of love.
“It’s about acts of service and sacrifice for others that fosters joy and a sense of purpose for the individual,” –Zane Smith, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County
Charlotte’s Web
By E.B. White & Garth Williams
$6.29; Ages 5+
Publisher: Harper Collins
Amazon.com
Originally published in 1952, this classic tale has spanned generations. Charlotte's spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur's life when he was born the runt of his litter.
“This was my favorite book as a child. Today it symbolizes the key areas that help me to address autism matters: Friendship serves as a reminder that kindness and compassion can be found in even the most unexpected places. Sometimes we need to think beyond our own needs and consider the needs of others. Perseverance reminds us that with enough determination and creativity, anything is possible,” –Ramona Puget, Executive Director, Kern Autism Network
Little House on the Prairie
By Laura Ingalls Wilder
$47.00; Ages: 6+
Publisher: Harper Trophy
Amazon.com
This classic series is based on the true story of the Ingalls family—Laura, Ma, Pa, Mary, and baby Carrie—who live in a log cabin in the Midwest in the 1870s. It was later made into a TV series.
“Laura’s bold spirit, everyday adventures and close-knit family life make her deeply relatable to young girls. She’s not only brave and curious—she’s a natural problem-solver, tackling challenges with creativity and grit. The cozy scenes of baking, sewing, and storytelling offer a sense of warmth and belonging that continues to charm readers.”—LJ Peterson Radon, Kern County Family Owner/Publisher
The Mouse and the Motorcycle
By Beverly Cleary
$5.71; Ages 5-9
Publisher: HarperCollins
Ralph is a young mouse whose world gets exciting after he encounters a boy and his toy motorcycle. It’s the first in a trilogy (“Runaway Ralph” and “Ralph S. Mouse”).
“Ralph was really out there, just having fun shredding up that old hotel while everyone was all stressed out! There’s a lot to learn there if you ask me.” – Greg DeWitt, Executive Director, The Bakersfield Skateboard Foundation
The Three Investigators: The Mystery of the Stuttering Parrot
By Robert Arthur & Elizabeth Arthur
$12.95; Ages 8-13
Publisher: Independently published
Amazon.com
This series was introduced about 60 years ago and was originally branded “Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators in: …” and featured three young detectives, Jupiter Jones, Pete Crenshaw, and Bob Andrews, who solved mysteries. As the series built to more than two dozen books, Hitchcock’s name was dropped.
“The Three Investigators were my favorite books as a kid—and I re-read them as an adult. The series was out of print for a while, but they have updated and re-released the original part of the series. This second book in the original series was my favorite and I think most pre-teens would enjoy them!” –Andrea Rose, Contributing Writer, Kern County Family magazine
Sweet Valley High: Double Love
By Francine Pascal
$9.04; Ages: 12-15
Publisher: Bantam Books
Amazon.com
This series was released in 1983 and grew to include more than 100 books. All tell the tale of twins Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield, who attend Sweet Valley High and look identical, but couldn’t be more different in personality.
“The ‘Sweet Valley High Series’ by Francine Pascal was my favorite.” – Jennifer Henry, Executive Director, Links for Life
Weetzie Bat
By Francesca Lia Block
$15.81; Ages: 14+
Publisher: HarperCollins
Amazon.com
The first in a six-book series follows a girl and her best friend and their adventures. This time, Weetzie is granted three wishes by a genie—but it’s not as great as she thought.
“Growing up, I loved reading and still do to this day. Instead of recess, I spent time in book clubs, earning me the nickname ‘Bookworm’ at a very young age. "Weetzie Bat" is one of my favorites.”- Lisa Keosouphanh, Kern County Family Magazine
First to Die: A Novel (Women’s Murder Club #1)
By James Patterson
$6.99; Ages: adult
Publisher: Warner Books
Amazon.com
In the first of a 25-book series, four crime-solving friends face off against a killer in San Francisco, each one bringing different skills to solve the crime.
“I wasn’t much of a reader as a child, but I’ve really come to enjoy James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club Series. Each new release feels like a mini getaway, an escape that lets me unwind and recharge before diving back into the work I love.” – Debbie Powers, Executive Director, Golden Empire Gleaners
The Cat Who Talked to Ghosts
By Lilian Jackson Braun
$7.18; Ages: adult
Publisher: Berkley
Amazon.com
Lots of things happen in Moose County—"400 miles north of everywhere” and ex-journalist Jim Qwilleran and his two cat companions are primed to solve the mystery.
“Oh, my gosh, do I love this series! No blood, no gore, just good, clean mysteries you can even read with older kids. I think the series got better as it went on. Braun created engaging characters and just the right amount of mystery. And if you love cats—especially Siamese—you’ll adore these books.” – Andrea Rose, Contributing Writer, Kern County Family magazine
Little Mommy (Little Golden Book Hardcover)
By Sharon Kane
Ages: Child
Publisher: Golden Books
Price varies
Thriftbooks.com
Little Mommy, a fun story about a traditional mommy taking care of her three children, was my absolute favorite book as a child. As early as I could walk and talk, I would hold this book in my chubby little hands and eagerly ask any one of my five sisters to repeatedly read it to me. In fact, my older sisters read it to me so often that many of them can still repeat the opening line from it today, which goes… “This is my house, and I am the mommy, my children are Annabelle, Betsy, and Bonnie.” Thanks to my mom, who saved my original copy of this much-loved, worn-out book, I could read it to my children. Vaun Thyrgerson, Contributing Writer, Kern County Family Magazine
On average, only 79% of U.S. adults nationwide are literate, and in 2024, California had the lowest rate of adult literacy, according to the National Literacy Institute.
In honor of Family Literacy Day and National Authors Day on Nov. 1, we asked Kern County Family friends what their favorite authors/books are, whether to read as adults or to read as children. Here’s what our friends recommend:
By Shel Silverstein
$10.59; Ages 2 and up
Publisher: HarperCollins
Amazon.com
This children’s classic tells a parable of the gift of giving and an acceptance of love.
“It’s about acts of service and sacrifice for others that fosters joy and a sense of purpose for the individual,” –Zane Smith, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County
By E.B. White & Garth Williams
$6.29; Ages 5+
Publisher: Harper Collins
Amazon.com
Originally published in 1952, this classic tale has spanned generations. Charlotte's spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur's life when he was born the runt of his litter.
“This was my favorite book as a child. Today it symbolizes the key areas that help me to address autism matters: Friendship serves as a reminder that kindness and compassion can be found in even the most unexpected places. Sometimes we need to think beyond our own needs and consider the needs of others. Perseverance reminds us that with enough determination and creativity, anything is possible,” –Ramona Puget, Executive Director, Kern Autism Network
By Laura Ingalls Wilder
$47.00; Ages: 6+
Publisher: Harper Trophy
Amazon.com
This classic series is based on the true story of the Ingalls family—Laura, Ma, Pa, Mary, and baby Carrie—who live in a log cabin in the Midwest in the 1870s. It was later made into a TV series.
“Laura’s bold spirit, everyday adventures and close-knit family life make her deeply relatable to young girls. She’s not only brave and curious—she’s a natural problem-solver, tackling challenges with creativity and grit. The cozy scenes of baking, sewing, and storytelling offer a sense of warmth and belonging that continues to charm readers.”—LJ Peterson Radon, Kern County Family Owner/Publisher
By Beverly Cleary
$5.71; Ages 5-9
Publisher: HarperCollins
Ralph is a young mouse whose world gets exciting after he encounters a boy and his toy motorcycle. It’s the first in a trilogy (“Runaway Ralph” and “Ralph S. Mouse”).
“Ralph was really out there, just having fun shredding up that old hotel while everyone was all stressed out! There’s a lot to learn there if you ask me.” – Greg DeWitt, Executive Director, The Bakersfield Skateboard Foundation
By Robert Arthur & Elizabeth Arthur
$12.95; Ages 8-13
Publisher: Independently published
Amazon.com
This series was introduced about 60 years ago and was originally branded “Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators in: …” and featured three young detectives, Jupiter Jones, Pete Crenshaw, and Bob Andrews, who solved mysteries. As the series built to more than two dozen books, Hitchcock’s name was dropped.
“The Three Investigators were my favorite books as a kid—and I re-read them as an adult. The series was out of print for a while, but they have updated and re-released the original part of the series. This second book in the original series was my favorite and I think most pre-teens would enjoy them!” –Andrea Rose, Contributing Writer, Kern County Family magazine
By Francine Pascal
$9.04; Ages: 12-15
Publisher: Bantam Books
Amazon.com
This series was released in 1983 and grew to include more than 100 books. All tell the tale of twins Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield, who attend Sweet Valley High and look identical, but couldn’t be more different in personality.
“The ‘Sweet Valley High Series’ by Francine Pascal was my favorite.” – Jennifer Henry, Executive Director, Links for Life
By Francesca Lia Block
$15.81; Ages: 14+
Publisher: HarperCollins
Amazon.com
The first in a six-book series follows a girl and her best friend and their adventures. This time, Weetzie is granted three wishes by a genie—but it’s not as great as she thought.
“Growing up, I loved reading and still do to this day. Instead of recess, I spent time in book clubs, earning me the nickname ‘Bookworm’ at a very young age. "Weetzie Bat" is one of my favorites.”- Lisa Keosouphanh, Kern County Family Magazine
By James Patterson
$6.99; Ages: adult
Publisher: Warner Books
Amazon.com
In the first of a 25-book series, four crime-solving friends face off against a killer in San Francisco, each one bringing different skills to solve the crime.
“I wasn’t much of a reader as a child, but I’ve really come to enjoy James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club Series. Each new release feels like a mini getaway, an escape that lets me unwind and recharge before diving back into the work I love.” – Debbie Powers, Executive Director, Golden Empire Gleaners
By Lilian Jackson Braun
$7.18; Ages: adult
Publisher: Berkley
Amazon.com
Lots of things happen in Moose County—"400 miles north of everywhere” and ex-journalist Jim Qwilleran and his two cat companions are primed to solve the mystery.
“Oh, my gosh, do I love this series! No blood, no gore, just good, clean mysteries you can even read with older kids. I think the series got better as it went on. Braun created engaging characters and just the right amount of mystery. And if you love cats—especially Siamese—you’ll adore these books.” – Andrea Rose, Contributing Writer, Kern County Family magazine
By Sharon Kane
Ages: Child
Publisher: Golden Books
Price varies
Thriftbooks.com
Little Mommy, a fun story about a traditional mommy taking care of her three children, was my absolute favorite book as a child. As early as I could walk and talk, I would hold this book in my chubby little hands and eagerly ask any one of my five sisters to repeatedly read it to me. In fact, my older sisters read it to me so often that many of them can still repeat the opening line from it today, which goes… “This is my house, and I am the mommy, my children are Annabelle, Betsy, and Bonnie.” Thanks to my mom, who saved my original copy of this much-loved, worn-out book, I could read it to my children. Vaun Thyrgerson, Contributing Writer, Kern County Family Magazine
