20 Books From Your Childhood You Completely Forgot You Loved

12. The Giving Tree

Few books written for young readers are as profound or as sweetly painful as The Giving Tree, Shel Silverstein€™s 1964 masterpiece. The tale of a tree who slowly but surely gives up everything she has for a boy she loves is both beautiful and heart-wrenching, as the tree goes from a young, strong apple tree to little more than a stump, all to keep her dear friend happy. Silverstein's book teaches the lessons of selflessness and giving, but also that of loss, creating a bittersweet and exquisite work that is loved by readers of all ages.