Reissues are a wonderful way to find some of the best books from the past that have been written for kids. Here are some exceptional books for young, and old, that will likely be read again and again. The first four books are geared for ages 9 through adult.

The Egypt Game, by Ziopha Keatley Snyder, was first written back in 1967 and the story reads with the genuine feel of growing up in an earlier era. A group of diverse children begin pretending that a forgotten and weed infested backyard is Ancient Egypt. They go to great lengths to make this location feel and look as authentic as possible by research and then acting out various life rituals from thousands of years before. The interaction between the kids, the mystery and Egypt intertwined throughout made this book a Newbery Honor winner in years past.

The Westing Game, by Ellen Raskin, is a mystery full of surprises and intrigue. This Newbery winner was first published back in 1978 and still holds up even over time. Sam Westing has recently died and leaves a will indicating that he was murdered. The first of the 16 heirs to solve the mystery and find the murderer will receive Sam's entire fortune. But beware – all is not as it seems and many of the 16 turn out to be different than you may think. Could one of them be the actual murderer? This mystery has to be one of the best books written for any age!

The Hoboken Chicken Emergency, by Daniel Pinkwater, and illustrated by Tony Auth, was published back in 1977 and is as hilarious as the title indicates. This adventure begins when Arthur Bobowicz is supposed to bring home a turkey for Thanksgiving but brings a chicken, Henrietta, instead. This isn't just any chicken; it's a 266 pound chicken with a mind of her own. And this sets into motion humorous calamities that put both Arthur and his pet center stage throughout the story!

Here's a beautifully bound and illustrated classic that was written back in 1911. The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett, is a story that crosses over all times because the story is rich, sweet and full of imagination and perseverance. A young orphan cousin has been sent to live in a large manor where she becomes great friends with a high-spirited young cousin who is sick and an invalid. But both of their lives are about to change when the girl finds a secret locked-up garden. The pictures are beautiful and inviting, making this the perfect story for many nights just before bed.

A Bear Called Paddington: 50th Anniversary Edition, by Michael Bond, and illustrated by Peggy Fortnum, was written back in 1958 and this special edition marks it well. Paddington Bear has just traveled all the way from Peru when he meets the Brown family. They adopt him and the adventures begin.

The rest of the books are picture books and are best suited for children ages three to eight.

Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories, by Dr. Seuss, is also celebrating 50 years since the first publication about Yertle the Turtle. The last part of the book has an extensive retrospective about this great author of youngster's rhyming tales.

The Happy Lion Roars, by Louise Fatio, and illustrated by Roger Duvoisin, was written in 1957 and still has the original cover and picture display. This darling story celebrates friendship and happiness and still conveys this exceptionality in this story about a lion in the zoo who notices other animals that seem sad and lonely. This is a wonderful read-aloud.

The Ballad of Wilbur and the Moose, by John Stadler, was published back in 1989 and is a hilarious story about the old west and Wilbur, the smallish cowboy, and his trusted companion, Alvin (a blue and large moose). This fun to read-aloud book is full of adventures that hail back to the days of cowboys and rustlers.

The last five books are fairy-tale classics with new illustrations that are beautiful and colorful and breath new life into an old story.