Some well - known contenders might be the 'Harry Potter' series by J.K. Rowling. It has a richly imagined magical world, complex characters, and an engaging plot that has captured the hearts of children and adults alike all over the world.
The 'Chronicles of Narnia' by C.S. Lewis. This classic series takes readers into a magical land of talking animals, epic battles between good and evil, and deep spiritual themes. It has been beloved for generations and has had a huge influence on the children's fantasy genre.
Definitely 'My Year of Rest and Relaxation' by Ottessa Moshfegh. It's a darkly humorous and introspective look at a young woman's decision to basically hibernate for a year. It's a unique take on modern life and mental health.
For me, 'Crime and Punishment' stands out with its intense plot and character study. 'The Idiot' is also a great one as it challenges our ideas of normalcy and goodness. 'The Brothers Karamazov' is not to be overlooked either, given its vast scope in exploring human nature, relationships, and beliefs.
'Uprooted' by Naomi Novik is another great one. It has a medieval - style setting with a young girl who has a special connection to a powerful wizard. The forest in the story is full of magic and danger, and the relationship between the two main characters is complex and interesting, making it a great read in the medieval fantasy genre.
The 'Book of the New Sun' by Gene Wolfe. It has a complex origin story woven throughout the narrative. It presents a unique and often cryptic view of how the world in the story came to be, with elements of science - fiction and fantasy combined in a very interesting way.
Definitely 'The Old Man and the Sea'. The way Hemingway builds the tension as the old man battles the fish and then the sea on his way back is amazing. It also has a lot of deeper meaning about life's struggles and perseverance.
The 'Harry Potter' series is also a very popular winner or nominee for best children's novel awards. J.K. Rowling created a magical world full of adventure, friendship, and the fight between good and evil. It has captured the hearts of children and adults alike all over the world.
Typically, a panel of judges decides the award for best children's novel. These judges can be made up of librarians, who are very familiar with children's literature. They know what books are popular among young readers and which ones have educational value.
'The Dubliners' by James Joyce as well. It presents a collection of short stories that together paint a picture of Dublin life at a particular time in Irish history. Each story delves into different aspects of Irish society, such as class differences, family relationships, and the struggle for a better life.
Chinese contemporary award-winning children's literature The 10 volumes referred to the Chinese contemporary award-winning children's literature jointly compiled by China and the China Children's Literature Research Association, including 10 award-winning books. These books are loved by readers of different ages, covering content suitable for different age groups from kindergarten to high school.
A great children's fantasy novel usually has a really unique and immersive world. For example, in 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland', the strange and topsy - turvy world that Lewis Carroll created was so different from our own that it immediately draws readers in. It also needs relatable characters. Kids should be able to see themselves in the main character, like how in 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' Dorothy is an ordinary girl in an extraordinary situation.