The Wee Free Men by Sir Terry Pratchett

The Wee Free Men is the first of four books in the Tiffany Aching series for young adults. It takes place in Discworld, and the only difference between this and the adult novels is that it's shorter and the language and humor are appropriate for all ages (instead of just most ages). Like Sir Pratchett's later novels, it is smart and insightful as well as hilarious. If you have read other Discworld books, then I can just say it is a good one and you can go buy it without further ado. If you haven't, repent, and this book or Guards! Guards! are good places to start.

The Wee Free Men is an adventure story about a young girl, Tiffany Aching. She is young but wise, and well suited to the role she takes on during the story. She is such a wonderful character that she manages to keep the Wee Free Men (also known as the Nac Mac Feegle) from upstaging her, which is not easy. They are hilarious. The way they speak, think, and act is one of the best things about the novel.

The adventure itself never slips into predictability. It is imaginative and fits well with the characters, although it is always the characters that really make the book shine.

Simply put, if you have not read this book, then you need to do so. The sooner you read it, the sooner you can re-read it later. So get cracking.

Format recommendation: Audiobook. Stephen Briggs, who reads the other Sir Pratchett books as well, has the perfect voice for these books. He does a stellar job with the voices of the Feegles. The book is also available on the Kindle.

Age recommendation: Any age old enough to read novels. The only things people might object to is that the Feegles like to drink alcoholic beverages (off-screen) and Tiffany's granny's favorite brand of pipe tobacco is mentioned several times. There are some scary monsters and events that could frighten young children.