The Giant Ball of String

Author: Arthur Geisert

First line: For generations, the youngsters of Rumpus Ridge had collected string.

Why you should read this book: This book has it all: theft, revenge, remarkable feats of engineering, incredibly intelligent porcine children, and a giant ball of string. When their town's one claim to fame is washed away in a storm and appropriated by the folks downstream, the piglets set about to recovering their stolen property. With a plan that would make Rube Goldberg sit up and smile, they infiltrate the enemy encampment and reverse an act of municipal espionage.

Why you shouldn't read this book: You believe strongly in the doctrine of "finders keepers" and you're gearing up to celebrate Columbus Day.