6 Great Children’s Books Set in NYC
New York may be the city that never sleeps for some, but for many of its residents, bedtime’s a little closer to 8:30 p.m. Still, any kid who grew up in New York City can tell you it is its own kind of special and unique experience, and Eloise, queen of the Plaza, aside, here are six of the children’s books that show it best:
Harriet the Spy, by Louise Fitzhugh
Incredibly, this year marked the 50th anniversary of the glorious story of everyone’s favorite pre-teen spy’s release. There are two kinds of people who grew up with Harriet: those who carried around notebooks and wanted to be her, and those who are liars. But it wasn’t just Harriet’s occupation that Fitzhugh nailed; it was the unique experience of growing up as a city kid.
At Your Service, by Jen Malone
This wonderfully fun debut about a New York City concierge-in-training is packed with sensory adventures from all over Manhattan and even (gasp!) the Bronx. Chloe is an ambitious, driven 13-year-old, and though she may bump into some trouble every now and again, she’s got a lot of fans in her corner. Number one on that list is her dad, with whom she shares a great relationship full of mutual admiration and respect…and the adorable romance between her and one of her VIP guests isn’t too shabby either.
When You Reach Me, by Rebecca Stead
A gorgeous, twisted mystery that bends time and space in a lovely homage to A Wrinkle in Time, this late 70s–set Newbery Medal winner is a wonderful pick for readers of any age.
Better Nate Than Ever, by Tim Federle
Young Nate has one of the funniest, most genuine voices I’ve come across in a while, and watching him claw his way out of his small town to achieve superstardom on Broadway is a delightfully fun journey. (But for all the warmth and humor, I dare your heart not to ping at Nate’s realization that New York City is a place where two boys can dance together in a club with nobody stopping them.) And if you love Nate as much as I do, you can get a whole lot more of him and NYC in the sequel, Five, Six, Seven, Nate!
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, by E.L. Konigsburg
The classic Newbery-winning story of two siblings who run away from home to live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the best homages to a New York landmark literature has to offer, for children or otherwise. From the mystery of the maybe-Michelangelo statue to figuring out sleeping arrangements and hygiene, everything about this book is the stuff of which childhood fantasies are made.
Under the Egg, by Laura Marx Fitzgerald
If you were a fan of Mixed-Up Files, this modern incarnation is a Must Read. Though Theodora Tenpenny lives in an old townhouse and not a museum, and her companion is her brand-new BFF and not her brother, all the magic of a young art-loving girl trying to solve the mystery of a potentially priceless artwork’s provenance while also essentially raising herself is there. Bringing its own fascinating subplots and complicated characters to the table, this NYC-set debut is not to be missed.
What’s your favorite book set in NYC?