The Tale Of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

This enchanting narrative follows the adventures of Despereaux Tilling, a small mouse with oversized ears, born in a castle and in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. Unlike other mice, Despereaux is not timid; he seeks out adventures that break the strict rules of the mouse world, leading to his banishment to the dungeon—a place crawling with rats and devoid of light. His journey intertwines with that of a servant girl who wishes for a different life and a devious rat who desires the world above. Together, their stories weave a tale of bravery, forgiveness, and the importance of following one's heart, challenging the traditional roles and expectations placed upon them by society and their own kinds.

The 8534th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 66

Since this book was first published in 2003, there is a penalty of 46.4%. The age adjusted score is 35.38.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.