The Tale of Despereaux, by Kate DiCamillo

(Paperback, 272 pages, first published in 2003)

A brave mouse, a covetous rat, a wishful serving girl, and a princess named Pea come together in Kate DiCamillo's enchanting, can't-put-it-down, Newbery Medal-winning tale.

Welcome to the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who is in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in the darkness and covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl who harbors a simple, impossible wish. These three characters are about to embark on a journey that will lead them down into a horrible dungeon, up into a glittering castle, and, ultimately, into each other's lives. What happens then? As Kate DiCamillo would say: Reader, it is your destiny to find out.

Cautions: This book contains a little bit of violence that may disturb sensitive readers. For detail, see Common Sense Media's review here.

Ages: 7+