4.26 avg rating — 6,902,982 ratings

"This is an incredible book about hope and the inherent goodness to be found in people you least expect. It also tells part of the story of racial prejudice in the American South through the eyes of children."

3.80 avg rating — 3,901,997 ratings

"This book portrays adolescence realistically, and adolescence as a social concept has really only been around since the 20th century."

4.02 avg rating — 4,569,963 ratings

"A good metaphor for what was happening in many states during the 20th century. If there was one enduring theme of that century, it was the battle against totalitarian governments."

4.47 avg rating — 11,443,553 ratings

"Apart from being on millions of people's favorite book list, this book revolutionized the idea of children's literature and influenced an entire generation of readers just as we were entering a new century. (So actually it might be better if it went on a list about the 21st century, since that's when it had its biggest impact, but it was published in 1996, so it goes on this list too.)"

4.03 avg rating — 996,431 ratings

"A beautifully-written book about flawed but wonderful characters at a dynamic time in our nation's history. It's about hope and new beginnings and people who rebuild, which is a major theme in American history."

4.58 avg rating — 4,856,426 ratings

4.43 avg rating — 4,506,241 ratings

4.33 avg rating — 1,116,251 ratings

"I think everyone should read this book because it is about growing up and discovering yourself as you succeed. Anne remains true to herself while still caring for the people who love her and pursuing an education in a time when not all girls did, and education is something we need really to promote, especially for girls, and we progress into the 21st century."

4.11 avg rating — 521,337 ratings

"Anti-war sentiment was a huge theme in the 20th century, and this book describes that sentiment in the context of the century's first major war, a war which impacted the rest of the century."