Smart Books for Smartass Kids

Who doesn't like a smart protagonist with an attitude? In children's literature especially, there are some great books with role-models for those young and growing smartasses among us: characters who outwit their adult counterparts, rebel against dimwitted rules, and save the day. Here are some fantastic books with intelligent characters and a plot you can actually sink your teeth into. (Bella Swann need not apply, sorry.)

flag

All Votes Add Books To This List

1	Matilda by Roald Dahl 4.33 avg rating — 803,124 ratings score: 398, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli 3.89 avg rating — 121,642 ratings score: 393, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree by Lauren Tarshis 3.80 avg rating — 4,244 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead 4.07 avg rating — 105,357 ratings score: 199, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg 4.15 avg rating — 201,832 ratings score: 196, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Artemis Fowl (Artemis Fowl, #1) by Eoin Colfer 3.85 avg rating — 531,281 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin 4.01 avg rating — 193,283 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet, #1) by Madeleine L'Engle 3.99 avg rating — 1,123,816 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars