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The first volume in McCarthy's Border Trilogy, ALL THE PRETTY HORSES begins with the death of John Grady Cole's grandfather. John Grady, age 16, has lived with his grandfather for much of his life, and when the old man dies and the family home--a ranch in Texas--is sold, John Grady and his old friend Lacey Rawlins take off for Mexico, looking for a place in a world that seems increasingly hostile. Almost immediately, they encounter trouble, and the trip is studded with death, loss, violence, stolen horses, and thwarted love. By the time John Grady returns home--alone--he is irrevocably changed.

2. Eldest

by Christopher Paolini

A sensational avalanche of shifting political alliances, unexpected bombshells, and intense relationships races through this gripping, fast-paced sequel to the phenomenal bestseller ERAGON (which was written when Christopher Paolini was just a teenager). The Varden's struggle to end the reign of the villainous King Galbatorix continues as they and their numerous allies prepare to fight the Empire for control of Alagaesia. Still reeling from the intense battle of Farthen Dur, the young Rider, Eragon, and his shimmering blue dragon companion, Saphira, must continue their training in magic with the elves in the great city of Ellesmera. There, amidst the enchanted forest, the two are privy to an incredible secret that will aid in their growth as warriors and leaders. In the meantime, Eragon's hometown of Carvahall is under siege, with Galbatorix's soldiers and the dreaded Ra'zac pursuing his cousin, Roran, who is forced to decide between taking the easy path of cowardice and the difficult road to heroism. A whirling cauldron of intrigue, combining themes of personal and political power, coming-of-age drama, and family bonds, bubble at the heart of this intense, captivating story of good versus evil.

3. The Cat in the Hat / El Gato Ensombrerado

by Dr. Seuss

When Mom's away, the mischievous Cat in the Hat comes to play--and turns the house into a total uproar. But the Cat manages to make things right in the end, not a split second before Mom returns. Dr. Seuss's timeless classic, told in simple words and delightful rhymes, continues to make learning to read lots of fun. A 50th-anniversary limited edition.

4. Cat in the Hat Comes Back

by Dr. Seuss

The outrageous Cat in the Hat is back--just when there's work to be done. With a playmate like this cat, the work multiplies, but the cat manages to get everything done and then some, thanks to 26 little helpers, ranging from the small to the extremely small.

5. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? My First Reader

by Bill Martin

A rhythmic text and bold collage illustrations combine to introduce children to a variety of animals and colors in this classic book for the very young. The chant-like text ("Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see? I see a red bird looking at me. Red, Red Bird, what do you see? I see a yellow duck looking at me," and so on) practically begs to be read aloud while the lovely illustrations promote close observation with their bright colors and interesting textures. A staple in both the preschool classroom and the toddler's home library, BROWN BEAR, BROWN BEAR, WHAT DO YOU SEE? is the first book in a series which also includes POLAR BEAR, POLAR BEAR, WHAT DO YOU HEAR? and PANDA BEAR, PANDA BEAR, WHAT DO YOU SEE?

6. Charlotte's Web

by E. B. White

A timeless story of friendship, growth, death, and acceptance, CHARLOTTE'S WEB was E.B. White's second children's book. It tells the story of a pig named Wilbur, the runt of his litter, who is saved from an untimely death by Fern Arable, a spunky eight-year-old farmer�s daughter. Hand-raised by Fern, Wilbur grows into a healthy young pig that Fern sells to her uncle, Homer Zuckerman, a farmer who lives nearby. Each day Fern lovingly visits with Wilbur, but her role as his best friend and nurturer is soon taken over by Charlotte, a wise spider who also lives in the barnyard. When Wilbur learns that he is being fattened up for slaughter, his despair moves Charlotte to promise him that she will do all she can to protect him from this fate. A no-nonsense but compassionate arachnid, Charlotte finds a unique way to let the world know that Wilbur is worthy of saving because he is indeed "SOME PIG."

7. Redwall

by Brian Jacques

It seems like nothing can save the animals holed up in Redwall Abbey from the siege of the evil one-eyed rat Cluny and his wicked band. Matthias, a young novice at the Abbey, vows to find the legendary sword of Martin the Warrior, founder of the Abbey, and use it against Cluny. On his quest to find the sword, Matthias befriends many animals, and these friendships, along with the sword, help Matthias triumph over the evil Cluny and bring peace to the Abbey.

8. Shiloh

by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Set in the hills of rural West Virginia, this is the story of 11-year-old Marty Preston and the dog he sets out to rescue from its abusive owner. Although Marty knows better than to do battle with the foul-tempered Judd Travers, he is unable to stop himself when he discovers that the gentle but frightened beagle he found roaming in the woods has run away from Judd. Although Marty initially returns the dog, he is unable to do so when the dog escapes from him a second time and returns to Marty's gentle care. Knowing that his parents will send the dog right back, Marty builds a pen for his new pet, whom he names Shiloh, and secretly cares for him--hoping, in the meantime, to raise enough money to buy the dog from Judd. However, caring for Shiloh means lying to his friends and family, a situation that causes Marty great pain. A study of human nature, sacrifice, ethics, and the eternal bond between boy and dog, SHILOH won the 1992 Newbery Medal.

9. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

by Dr. Seuss

This beginning reader book features such fantastical creatures as the Yink (who likes to drink pink ink), the Zeds (who have only one hair on their heads), and a seven-humped wump owned by a man named Mr. Gump. A celebration of language and imagination, ONE FISH, TWO FISH, RED FISH, BLUE FISH features wild and colorful illustrations and a delightfully odd rhyming text.

10. The Phantom Tollbooth

by Norton Juster

A war between words and numbers sets the stage for this classic fantasy novel, which author Norton Juster says he created in order to help readers uncover "the joy of discovering that learning can be fun." One day a disaffected boy named Milo receives a mysterious gift of a turnpike tollbooth--through which he is able to enter the magical world of The Lands Beyond. Once there, he is caught up in the battle between two warring brothers--King Azaz of the Kingdom of Dictionopolis, the city of words, and the Mathemagician of the Kingdom of Digitopolis, the city of numbers. The brothers have been engaged in a years-long feud over the superiority of numbers vs. words. In fact, the last thing they agreed on was that their adopted sisters, the Princess Rhyme and the Princess Reason, should be banished to the Castle in the Air because they declared that words and numbers are equally important. Since that time, The Lands Beyond have been in chaos. Now it is up to Milo and his newfound friends, Tock the Watchdog and the Humbug, to return Rhyme and Reason to The Lands Beyond. But before they can, they must deal with such obstacles as the awful DYNNE, the Everpresent Wordsnatcher, and the Terrible Trivium. Illustrated with B&W drawings created by celebrated cartoonist (and Juster's onetime neighbor) Jules Feiffer.

11. Blueberries for Sal

by Robert McCloskey

When a young girl named Sal goes blueberry picking with her mother, she does far more eating than collecting. With her mother distracted by her goal of picking enough berries to preserve for the winter, young Sal wonders off, and is soon far from her mother's watchful eye. Meanwhile, a mother bear is urging her young cub to eat enough berries to survive the long hibernation that awaits them both. Like Sal, the bear cub wonders off on his own, and he, too, is soon far from his mother's protective care. Although both Sal and the bear cub each eventually find a mother, neither finds the mom they expected, in what proves to be two non-threatening human/animal encounters. An appreciation of the natural world, as well as a look at the similarities that exist between these two very different families, BLUEBERRIES FOR SAL features charming blue-and-white drawings and is a 1949 Caldecott Honor Book. Sal and her mother are based on author/illustrator Robert McCloskey's own wife and daughter, and the character of Sal also appears in the book ONE MORNING IN MAINE.

12. The Velveteen Rabbit Or How Toys Became Real

by Margery Williams

Originally published in 1922, this children's classic is about a stuffed rabbit that longs to be so loved by his little boy that he becomes Real. Tinged with sadness, the story explores the power of true love, children's fierce, but fickle, attachment to stuffed animals, and nursery magic. Over the years, numerous artists have illustrated the story.

13. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

by Laura Joffe Numeroff

Giving a mouse a cookie might seem like a nice thing to do, but in this book, it is only the first in a series of interconnected and ever-increasing requests from the mouse. For example, giving a mouse a cookie will lead him to ask for a glass of milk, which will then cause him to request a straw, and so on. Young readers will be amazed to see how giving a tiny mouse a small snack can actually result in having the mouse give himself a haircut, sweep and mop the house, and draw himself a picture. Brightly colored illustrations accompany the text. This book is the first in a series that also includes IF YOU TAKE A MOUSE TO SCHOOL, IF YOU GIVE A PIG A PANCAKE, and IF YOU GIVE A MOOSE A MUFFIN.

14. Fox in Socks

by Dr. Seuss

A collection of tongue twisters for the adventurous beginning reader.

15. The Long Patrol

by Brian Jacques

In this entry in the Redwall saga, Tamello De Fformelo Tussock wants to join the Long Patrol, an exclusive band of hare warriors who live atop Salamandastron Mountain. With the help of Russa, a nomad squirrel, Tamello travels to Redwall where the members of the Long Patrol are attempting to protect the Abbey from the evil rat Rapscallions.

16. The Legend of Luke

by Brian Jacques

The 12th book in the Redwall Abbey adventure series, this entry tells the story of Martin's journey to try and solve the legend of his father, Luke, who was one of the first Redwall warriors.

17. Martin the Warrior

by Brian Jacques

Martin, a slave mouse, becomes a warrior and starts on a quest for freedom with other furry friends. A part of the "Redwall" series.

18. Are You My Mother

by Philip D. Eastman

A baby bird sets out to find his mother. But he doesn't know what his mother looks like--or even that she's a bird! Mother and child are ultimately reunited, but not before some pretty confusing situations.

19. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh Student Packet Grades 7-8

by Robert C. O'Brien

When her youngest child falls ill, a mouse named Mrs. Frisby turns to the rats who live on Mr. Fitzgibbon's farm. Mrs. Frisby soon learns of a common bond shared by the rats and her late husband--they were all imprisoned at a laboratory known as NIMH, where they were used in experiments that gave them superior intelligence. When the farmer's son captures her, Mrs. Frisby learns that the farmer has hired an exterminator to rid his farm of vermin. Mrs. Frisby is determined to save her family and friends, but first she has to find a way to escape. Winner of the 1972 Newbery Medal.

20. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

by Kate DiCamillo

Edward, a finely turned-out, silk-suited rabbit made of china, with luxurious rabbit-fur ears, is quite self-interested until he experiences the adventure of his life. Beloved and cared for by Abilene, a girl whose grandmother is the only other person who appreciates him, Edward leads a comfortable, sheltered life. But when he goes astray, Edward learns that there is more to life than his own reflection and a warm bed. With sumptuous, full-color illustrations. Kate DiCamillo's THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX won the 2004 Newbery Medal. A 2006 Publishers Weekly Book of the Year. A 2006 New York Times Notable Book.

21. Frog and Toad Together

by Arnold Lobel

Whether gardening together or baking cookies, Frog and Toad are the best of friends. Five short vignettes about their special friendship are together in this early reader classic. In "The Garden", Toad learns that gardening requires a lot of hard work and a lot of patience, and in "Cookies", the pair tries very hard not to eat all the cookies. Three-color illustrations accompany the text of this beginning-reader book. A 1973 Newbery Honor Book.

22. Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories

by Dr. Seuss

A collection of three imaginative tales including "Gertrude McFuzz", "The Big Brag", and the title story, about the turtle king who is determined to have the highest throne in the world. Two-color illustrations accompany the text.