The Greatest "Family, Animals" Books of All Time

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 300 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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Family

The "Family" category of books encompasses stories that revolve around the dynamics, relationships, and experiences of families. These books explore the complexities of familial bonds, including love, loyalty, conflict, and forgiveness. They may focus on different types of families, such as nuclear families, blended families, or extended families, and may cover a range of themes, from coming-of-age tales to domestic dramas. Overall, the "Family" category offers a rich and diverse collection of books that delve into the joys and challenges of family life.

Animals

The "Animals" category for books encompasses a wide range of literature that focuses on the animal kingdom. This includes books about domesticated pets, wildlife, endangered species, animal behavior, and animal rights. The category may also include fictional stories featuring anthropomorphic animals or non-fiction books about animal science and biology. Overall, the "Animals" category celebrates the diversity and wonder of the animal world and encourages readers to learn more about the creatures that share our planet.

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  1. 1. Charlotte's Web by E. B. White

    A young girl named Fern saves a runt piglet from being slaughtered and names him Wilbur. When Wilbur grows too large, he is sent to live in her uncle's barn, where he befriends a clever spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur's life is in danger again, Charlotte weaves messages into her web to convince the farmer that Wilbur is too special to kill. The book explores themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the cycle of life.

  2. 2. The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

    "The Yearling" is a coming-of-age story set in the late 19th century, in the scrubland of Florida. It follows a young boy who adopts an orphaned baby deer and nurtures it into adulthood. As the deer grows, it begins to cause problems for the boy's family, who are struggling to survive as subsistence farmers. The boy is eventually forced to choose between his love for the deer and his responsibility to his family, leading to a heartbreaking decision that marks his transition into adulthood.

  3. 3. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

    This novel tells the story of a young boy living in the Ozark Mountains who dreams of owning a pair of Redbone Coonhounds for hunting. After working hard to save up enough money, he buys two pups and trains them to be champion hunters. The book explores themes of determination, love, and loss as the boy experiences the joys and heartbreak of owning and training his beloved dogs.

  4. 4. A Kestrel for a Knave by Barry Hines

    Set in a small mining town in England, the novel follows the life of a young boy who, despite his bleak surroundings and abusive family, finds solace and a sense of purpose in training a kestrel. He learns about falconry from a book he steals from his school library. His connection with the bird offers a brief respite from his harsh reality, but tragedy strikes when his brother kills the bird out of spite. The story ends with the boy forced to return to his grim reality, with his only source of happiness gone.

  5. 5. The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans

    A devastating horse riding accident leaves a young girl, Grace, and her horse, Pilgrim, physically and emotionally traumatized. In a desperate attempt to heal them both, Grace's mother seeks out a man with a unique gift for communicating with horses. As he works to heal Pilgrim, the horse whisperer also helps Grace and her mother confront their own pain and begin to rebuild their shattered lives.

  6. 6. The Mouse And His Child by Russell Hoban

    "The Mouse and His Child" is a heartwarming tale about a wind-up mouse and his child who embark on a journey to find their place in the world. Along the way, they encounter a diverse cast of characters, including a group of tramp-like animals and a malicious rat. Through their trials and adventures, the mouse and his child learn about the importance of family, friendship, and perseverance, ultimately discovering their true purpose in life.

  7. 7. A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

    The book follows the journey of a devoted dog who is reincarnated into several lives, each time with a different purpose. Through his various lives, he experiences life as a stray puppy, a golden retriever, a German shepherd, and a Labrador, among others. Each life teaches him something new and brings him closer to understanding his true purpose, which is to bring joy and comfort to the humans he loves. The book explores themes of love, loyalty, and the deep bond between humans and their pets.

  8. 8. The Story Of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

    "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" is a coming-of-age tale about a mute boy, Edgar, who communicates with his family and dogs through sign language. He lives on a farm in Wisconsin with his parents, where they breed a fictional type of dog. After his father's mysterious death, Edgar suspects his uncle, who has recently returned to the farm, is responsible. The boy flees into the wilderness with three of his dogs, where he must learn to survive on his own. When he eventually returns home, he faces a dramatic confrontation with his uncle, leading to a tragic, yet transformative end.

  9. 9. We are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler

    The novel follows the story of a woman named Rosemary who grew up in an unusual family, with her parents being behavioral scientists and her sister being a chimpanzee, part of an experiment her parents were conducting. As she grows older, Rosemary grapples with the loss of her sister, who was sent away when she was five, and her brother, who left the family due to the emotional turmoil caused by the experiment. The book explores themes of memory, family, and the ethical treatment of animals.

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download