300 Classic Books For Ages 9 To Adult

Humans develop our moral sense through the stories we see and hear. Good fiction is key to developing what great thinkers have called the moral imagination -- a true heart that hates evil and loves good.

This list of more than 300 books for independent readers ages 9 to adult collects a broad swath of "mid-range classics." These are quality fiction, often written a half-century ago or more, especially suitable for summer or free-time reading for ages 9 to adult. These books would ideally be read in addition to a quality classical literature curriculum, but could also help compensate for poor school assignments.

Classics like these prepare readers for the most difficult classics, such as Moby Dick and The Odyssey. If you or your child tried books like those and didn't understand them, this list (and cutting down screen time) will help readers work up to those. Young people should start enjoying these kinds of books once they can handle short novels like The Hardy Boys or longer ones written at an elementary-school level like Harry Potter. 

This 30-page list with short descriptions of each book is the sequel to Classic Books For Young Children. Some of the selections are out of print, but can still be obtained from a good library, interlibrary loan, book sales, or online. This list marks the best books for ages 9-12, family read-alouds, and older teens and adults. It also includes a few content warnings for parents to make informed decisions.