James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

Enormous talking insects, evil aunts and one larger-than-life piece of fruit take the lead in Roald Dahl’s fantastical tale of a lonely young boy finding his place in the world. While Dahl’s reputed anti-Semitism has raised questions about his legacy as an author in the years since his death, James and the Giant Peach remains a favorite among kids and parents alike nearly 60 years after it was first published, thanks to its vivid imagery, vibrant characters and forthright exploration of mature themes like death and hope. Readers around the world can join 7-year-old James Henry Trotter, rapscallion Centipede, misunderstood Miss Spider and the rest of the titular peach’s distinctly eccentric occupants on a journey unlike any other. —Megan McCluskey

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