For me, books with honorific titles—depending on the honorific used—do one (or more) of a few things. One, they endear me to the character even before I open the book, like Dear Mr. Henshaw or Miss Rumphius. Two, they make me smile with clever wordplay, like Sir Cumference. And sometimes, they add an air of intrigue, nobility, or mystery—think The Little Princess or Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This week’s Top Ten Tuesday is all about books where the title itself tips its hat (or crown or cape) to the characters within. And it has everything from beloved children’s stories, timeless classics, graphic novels, and more.

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Note: Book title links take you to Amazon or other bookstores while my OWR -one word review – when linked – will take you previous posts/reviews featuring the book or the author/illustrator.

✅ Top Ten Books with Honorific Titles

1. Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary (Middle Grade Fiction | 8–12 years)
   Told through letters, a boy shares his worries and growth with his favorite author.
   My OWR: Touching.
2. Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi by Cindy Neuschwander, illustrated by Wayne Geehan (Children’s Fiction | 6–9 years)
   A math-meets-medieval tale full of puns, problem-solving, and geometry.
   My OWR: Clever.
3. Lady Susan by Jane Austen (Classic Novella | Teens & Adults)
   A sharp-tongued socialite manipulates suitors and family in this early lesser-known Austen work.
   My OWR: Witty.
4. Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson, illustrated by Adrian Alphona (YA Graphic Novel | 12+, but great for teens and adults)
   Kamala Khan, a Jersey city teen, discovers her superpowers while juggling identity and community.
   My OWR: Empowering.
5. Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney (Children’s Picture Book | 4–8 years)
   An inspiring story of a woman who sets out to make the world more beautiful.
   My OWR: Poetic.
6. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien, illustrated by Zena Bernstein (Middle Grade | 8–12 years)
   A brave mouse seeks help from genetically modified rats to save her family.
   My OWR: Courage.
7. The Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett, illustrated in many editions (Classic Children’s Fiction | 7+, especially 8–12)
   An orphaned girl keeps her dignity and kindness in the face of cruelty and loss.
   My OWR: Sweetness.
8. The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain (Classic | 10+, good for middle grade to adult)
   Two boys—one royal, one poor—switch places and experience each other’s worlds.
   My OWR: Timeless.
9. The Happy Prince and Other Tales by Oscar Wilde, illustrated in many editions (Classic Short Story Collection | 8+; poetic readers)
   A golden statue and a swallow teach lessons on love, sacrifice, and beauty.
   My OWR: Bittersweet.
10. Tomas and the Library Lady by Pat Mora, illustrated by Raul Colón (Children’s Fiction | 3–7 years, and up)
    A tribute to books, librarians, and the immigrant experience.
    My OWR: Heartwarming.

📖 More Reads

1. M.C. Higgins, the Great by Virginia Hamilton (Middle Grade/YA Fiction | 10–14 years)
   A richly layered coming-of-age tale about heritage, identity, and change in Appalachia.
   My OWR: Groundbreaking.
2. To Sir, With Love by E.R. Braithwaite (Memoir/Fiction Hybrid | Teens & Adults)
   A Black teacher confronts prejudice and earns respect in postwar London.
   My OWR: Inspiration.
3. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (Classic Novella | Teens & Adults)
   A classic tale of duality and the darkness within.
   My OWR: Tormented.
4. Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan (Adult Fiction | 16+ and adult readers)
   A quirky bibliophile mystery mixing secret codes, Google, and old books.
   My OWR: Bibliophilic.
5. Commander Toad in Space by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Bruce Degen (Early Reader | 6–8 years)
   A silly space spoof where a toad captain leads his crew through comic adventures.
   My OWR: Playful.
6. Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater, illustrated by Robert Lawson (Children’s Fiction | 7–10 years)
   A house painter receives a troupe of penguins and hilarity ensues.
   My OWR: Delightful.
7. Lord of the Flies by William Golding (Classic Fiction | 13+ and up)
   Stranded schoolboys, chaos, chilling tale.
   My OWR: Stark.
8. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien (Epic Fantasy | Teens & Adults)
   A legendary quest to destroy evil, full of friendship, sacrifice, and courage.
   My OWR: Epic!
9. The Baron in the Tree (Our Ancestors trilogy by Italo Calvino (Surreal Fiction | Adults, literary teens)
   Three quirky, symbolic stories about fragmented identities and nobility that I will definitely be reading soon!
   My OWR: Yet-to-read-but-I-know-I’ll-Love-them.
10. Knight Owl by Christopher Denise (Children’s Picture Book | 4–8 years)
    A brave little owl follows his dream to become a knight.
    My OWR: Endearing.

And Now, the End of This Post

Dear reader, do honorifics in titles charm you too—or do they make you raise an eyebrow and wonder what kind of character you’re about to meet? I’d love to hear your favorites or any fun ones I’ve missed. Also, if you have read any of these books or any of them intrigue you, do let me know why. Drop a comment here with your thoughts and recommendations. Don’t forget to bookmark this list for your next great read or gift idea. 👒📚✨