Redwall

The community prepares for siege. Constance, a strong and loyal badger, takes charge of the defenses, and creatures from the woods join them, including Basil Stag Hare, a boastful but brave old hare, and a friendly family of mice, including Cornflower, whom Matthias admires. Cluny tries every trick to break in: battering rams, a siege tower, tunnels and spies inside the walls. The defenders respond with courage and clever ideas.

Meanwhile, Matthias follows riddles hidden in old writings and tapestries to find Martin's lost sword. His quest takes him to the rooftops, where he must deal with fierce, quarrelsome sparrows, then across the countryside, where he wins the help of a band of argumentative shrews and outwits a fierce owl, and finally into the lair of Asmodeus, a giant adder. As Matthias grows in courage, the war for Redwall reaches its climax. The battles contain some violence, but the book also delights in friendship, humor, songs and detailed descriptions of food. It began a long and much-loved series.

Adventurous, warm and timeless, perfect for reading aloud. About 352 pages in the Ace paperback.