RE: What is the best book you've ever read competition! 25 SBD prize money!

Great idea for a contest!
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White. Published in 1952.
This is a children's book with an opening line that draws you in: "where is Papa going with that axe?" I read this story when I was about 8 years old I think (I can't remember the exact age). The novel is about the friendship between a spider named Charlotte and a pig named Wilbur. Wilbur was born a runt and his owner was going to kill him were it not for Fern, the girl with a big heart who begs her father to spare the piglet's life. She promises to take care of Wilbur and her father reluctantly agrees but Wilbur is soon sold to Fern's Uncle. Wilbur does not know that his life is in danger until the old sheep tells him he will be killed and eaten.

The talking animals in this book all have distinct personalities and I still remember Charlotte saying "Salutations" to Wilbur. Like Wilbur, I had no idea what the word meant. Charlotte "saves" Wilbur from "becoming bacon" by weaving words to describe him on her web. The phrase that stood out to me when I was a kid is "Some Pig"! I found it really funny and I still smile when I say it now. There are many humorous moments in the book, and one of my favorite characters besides the two main characters is Templeton the Rat even though he is selfish and unlikeable. I felt like he was quite "real." There are many people like him in the world. I think the reason this book left a deep impression on me was because of the ending spoiler alert

Charlotte dies! I couldn't believe it. This was not your "happily ever after" story that I was used to but I think this story really illustrated the fact that life is not easy. I knew something about death even as a little kid because I distinctly remember you aunt's funeral and how everyone was wailing and crying. That was when I was 5 years old but I had kind of forgotten about it and reading Charlotte's Web reminded me that people and animals you love will die. It is a good book for illustrating the importance of friendship and loyalty as well as the realities of life and death. Charlotte dies but her legacy lives on. It also taught me about the power of words! Wilbur was an ordinary pig but people believed he was special because of the words written on the spider's web.

This book also inspired me to read E.B. White's other books, including the Trumpet of the Swan and Stuart Little. When I grew up I also read White's classic Elements of Style which I found very helpful for my writing. Good tips!