Danny the Champion of the World

Author: Roald Dahl

First line: When I was four months old, my mother died suddenly and my father was left to look after me all by himself.

Why you should read this book: At the age of nine, Danny is about to learn that his father, the most marvelous and exciting father in the world, harbors some wicked secrets; in fact, he is about to learn that pretty much every adult in town enjoys poaching, or stealing pheasant from the forest stocked by the wealthy and unpleasant Mr. Hazell. When Mr. Hazell goes too far, even Danny wants to teach him a lesson, and with the help of the people he trusts most, Danny concocts the greatest poaching scheme the world has ever known. Fast-paced, intelligent, and magically realistic, this is a delightful novel sure to enchant readers of all ages.

Why you shouldn't read this book: You don't want kids to get the idea that robbing from the rich and giving to the poor can be fun.