Rowan of Rin

The stream of water to Rin has stopped, and someone must solve the problem by climbing the forbidden Mountain that shadows the village. The villagers go to the wise woman for advice and she responds by scorning them and throwing a stick at the young boy, Rowan, the most fearful one of all. Rowan learns that there is a map concealed in the stick that only he can read, and so, against the wishes of all, especially himself, Rowan joins the group of brave souls who volunteer to climb the Mountain.

As children, we often feel small and powerless, and this story takes that idea and shares the deep truth of its opposite. There's a comfort in this story that the brave are not always so brave, that the weak can turn out to be strong.

I think this would make a wonderful read-aloud/readalong with early chapter book readers.

A 1001 Children's Book You Must Read.