15 Classic Childhood Books That Are Out of Print
A treasure trove of forgotten childhood classics, these out-of-print books once captured young imaginations with their magic, mystery, and adventure—only to quietly vanish from shelves, waiting to be rediscovered.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
Among the most memorable and captivating children’s books, some of the finest have slipped from existence and left behind only worn copies and fond recollections. Such vanished classics—steeped in mystery, adventure, and sentiment—had molded youthful imaginations before they fell through the gaps of contemporary publishing. Whether a creepy ghost story, a fantastical journey through time, or a side-splitting tale of maturation, these lost treasures await discovery by those willing to look.
1. The Wicked Pigeon Ladies in the Garden (1968) – Mary Chase
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It is a chilling middle-grade thriller about a girl who discovers a family of spooky, cursed women living in a neglected garden. Composed by Harvey playwright Mary Chase, this novel combined suspense and fantasy in a manner that resonated with readers. Though it has a cult following, it somehow went out of print, so copies in good condition are now in great demand.
2. Humbug (1966) – Nina Bawden
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A sweet British romance about siblings living through family angst during the holiday season, Humbug won readers in the ’60s and ’70s with its witty repartee and touchingly tender scenes. Although Nina Bawden’s other books continue in print, Humbug is long out of fashion.
3. The Teddy Bear Habit (1967) – James Lincoln Collier
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This is a weird, offbeat book about a boy who secretly keeps a teddy bear as a comfort, only to become embroiled in a crazy crime caper. It is a mix of humor, music, and a bit of noir and is unlike typical middle-grade reading. Although briefly re-published, it has again vanished.
4. The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I Mean Noel) (1971) – Ellen Raskin
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This charmingly strange mystery, full of puns and puzzles, follows a widow on a quest to locate her missing husband. Raskin, who is more famous for The Westing Game, wrote an unforgettable and side-splitting detective novel. Unfortunately, it has not been reprinted in a major way in decades.
5. I Was a Teenage Dwarf (1965) – Max Shulman
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This was a sidesplitting coming-of-age book on the embarrassment of adolescence, full of 1950s jargon and acid wit. It chronicled the misadventures of Dobie Gillis, the same protagonist of Shulman’s classic TV-adapted tales. Although a favorite for its satirical portrayal of teen life, it has been out of print for a long time.
6. The Spaceship Under the Apple Tree (1952) – Louis Slobodkin
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This is a charming story about a young boy who finds a friendly space alien’s spaceship in his backyard. The book’s subtle humor and warm pictures made it a favorite among young sci-fi fans. Although popular when first released, it has fallen out of print and is a forgotten gem.
7. Fog Magic (1943) – Julia L. Sauer
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This book is about a dreamy, time-traveling adventure in which a girl discovers herself sliding between her world and a ghostly, abandoned village. It was acclaimed for its atmospheric storytelling and poetic prose. Although it received a Newbery Honor, it’s no longer in print.
8. Miss Osborne-the-Mop (1971) – Wilson Gage
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This book is about a charming, bittersweet tale of a young girl whose stern teacher is far more than meets the eye. Gage (a pen name for Mary Q. Steele) wrote a crafty, charming story with an air of mystery. Though loved by those who knew it, it slipped quietly out of print.
9. Tippy Lemmey (1952) – Patricia C. McKissack
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This is a lesser-known but charming book about three children and a fierce neighborhood dog that is not as frightening as it appears. McKissack’s retelling introduced humor and warmth to a common childhood conflict. Although the book had a lasting influence on children’s literature, it wasn’t easy to obtain.
10. The Diamond in the Window (1962) – Jane Langton
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This book is a dream-like blend of fantasy and philosophy. It tells the story of two brothers trying to find a secret treasure in a strange house. It includes dream-like scenes that deal with transcendence and identity. Though it is loved, it is out of print but holds a special position in the history of children’s literature.
11. The Lively Adventures of the Aramis Boys (1967) – Alberta Constant
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This historical adventure follows two brothers during the 19th century in Kansas, compellingly combining humor and history. It is replete with offbeat characters and quaint adventures reminiscent of Tom Sawyer. However, it is too charming and slipped off the shelves quietly.
12. An Otter’s Story (1949) – Emil Liers
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This is a lovely nature novel about the life of an otter named Lutra, in a tone reminiscent of Rascal and The Yearling. It was prized for its realistic portrayal of animals and its poetic writing style. As with so many animal classics, contemporary publishing taste has abandoned it uneconomically.
13. The Boy Who Could Make Himself Disappear (1971) – Kin Platt
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This is a chilling tale of a neglected and lonely boy who finds he can become invisible. The book was pioneering in its handling of emotional abuse and trauma in children’s literature. Though it had a profound effect on readers, it fell out of print.
14. Jane-Emily (1969) – Patricia Clapp
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This is a spine-tingling ghost tale of a girl discovering the sinister secrets of her cousin Emily’s history. This gothic novel was likened to greats such as The Turn of the Screw, with its atmospheric location and depth of psychological complexity. While it had a loyal following, it has not survived in print.
15. Toby Tyler, or Ten Weeks with a Circus (1881) – James Otis
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This timeless tale tells the story of a boy who flees to join the circus only to discover it’s not the glamorous existence he had envisioned. It was once a childhood favorite and even made into a Disney movie. Though its themes of adventure and self-reliance spoke to generations, it has largely disappeared from bookshelves.