Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

And thus I read the last Dahl on our 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up list. It may be the best. What a great story! Dahl's characters are vibrant, from Charlie and his little impoverished family to the zany Willy Wonka to the shockingly selfish children that are invited to visit the factory. Dahl sets his story in the most amazing spot of all, a wacky candy factory. The good guys get rewarded and the bad guys learn to be better people, but all in a completely kooky and delightful way.