These stories of Laura and her family are still popular for their heartwarming depiction of a family on the American frontier. However, there are stereotypical and damaging depictions of Native Americans and African Americans that appear throughout the book. 

The Birchbark House series by Louise Erdrich 

Erdrich's books are set during a similar time period, but are about an Indigenous family and offer a more nuanced depiction of Native people.

Prairie Lotusby Linda Sue Park

This beautiful story set in a newly developing frontier town introduces readers to a half-White, half-Chinese girl facing racism from her fellow settlers while trying to fulfill her dreams.

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis

A novel that imagines the life and adventures of the first free-born child in Buxton, Canada, a haven for runaway refugees from the slavery of the American South in 1859.

Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic books featuring children in early 20th century Britain are beloved and lively tales of family and friendship, but the author often employs offensive depictions of India as a mystical or uncivilized place.

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall 

For a modern story of friendship, sisterhood, and light-hearted adventures presented with an old-fashioned sensibility, try these heartwarming stories.

Ahimsaby Supriya Kelkar 

Balance Burnett’s stories that romanticize colonization with this moving historical fiction novel bringing the harrowing fight for India’s independence from British rule to life through one child’s eyes.

Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver 

For an old-fashioned tale with orphans, magic, adventure, friendship, and all-the-Victorian-feels, you can’t go wrong with this remarkable book published in 2011. 

Many readers are entranced by the idea of a tiny figurine come to life in one boy’s mysterious cupboard where he stores his treasures, but the depiction of the Native American character presents many harmful stereotypes.

The Borrowers by Mary Norton

A classic in its own right, this adventure also imagines the life of tiny people, without prejudicing Indigenous people.

Indian No More by Charlene Willing McManis 

An illuminating coming-of-age story set in 1957 about one girl’s loss and rediscovery of her identity after the U.S. government enacts a law saying that her tribe no longer exists. Really powerful examination of the country’s history of discrimination against its native peoples.

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate 

For a different book about a boy and his connection with an unbelievable friend - in this case, a giant imaginary cat - try this funny and sometimes heart wrenching book from the one-and-only Katherine Applegate.

The stories of J. M. Barrie offer readers lots of delightful adventures and thoughts on childhood and growing up, but unfortunately the depiction of Native Americans on Never Never Land is harmful and disturbing to modern ears.

Lintang and the Pirate Queen by Tamara Moss 

Need a pirate-filled adventure? This book is brimming with action on the high seas, along with some magical creatures and a tough young heroine.

Granted by John David Anderson

This contemporary-set story imagines the lives of fairies seeking to help us with wishes. The charming personalities and elaborate world of these little human-like creatures makes this book quite enjoyable.

Wildwood by Colin Meloy 

Lose yourself in this charming contemporary fantasy about a girl who must try to rescue her baby brother from crows who have flown off with him into an enchanted forest kingdom outside Portland, Oregon.

The Watsons Go To Birmingham - 1963by Christopher Paul Curtis

Often humorous and ultimately moving, this is the story of one family who, on a trip from their home in Flint, Michigan, to visit Grandma in Birmingham, Alabama, become witnesses to a terrible act of violence against Black people during the Civil Rights movement.

The Lotterys Plus One by Emma Donoghue 

A story of a super-contemporary homeschooling family with LGBTQ parents and an enchanting mix of cultures and traditions, told with all the warmth and gentleness of an old-fashioned classic.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moonby Grace Lin

Chinese folklore twists through this beautiful and adventure-filled quest one girl takes to find a mythical dragon and save her family’s fortune.

This Newbery Medal-winning book brings ancient Korea to bright life through the eyes of an orphan who becomes fascinated by the skilled potters in his village and longs to create the artistic ceramics himself.

A fascinating book that combines prose and pages-and-pages of line-drawn artwork to tell a story of mystery and friendship during the early days of film-making in Paris.