I think James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl is almost as well-known as his Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (which I’m embarrassed to say, I’ve not read – yet!) – especially since it has been made into a movie.
If you’ve only watched the movie, I urge you to read the book – or listen to it. Poor James is orphaned (in a rather ridiculous way) as a young boy, and sent to live with his horrible aunts, Aunt Spike and Aunt Sponge.
After a bit of strange magic, the barren peach tree in the yard suddenly starts growing a peach. It becomes a giant peach, so large Aunt Spike & Aunt Sponge set up business, briefly. Briefly because the peach soon carries James away, while flattening the awful aunts, and James has great adventures with the insects living inside.
His fun and crazy adventures will amaze readers, and while suspenseful, are not overly scary for younger readers. Jeremy Irons masterfully narrates the audiobook – highly recommended for family road trips.
Recommended for ages 4 and up.
Cultivating Readers 
I think James and the Giant Peach was my oldest son’s favorite book until he read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Roald Dahl’s imaginative storytelling is unmatchable!!!!
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