The Wee Free Men

As far as Tiffany Aching knows, her main talent is making cheese — until such time comes as she needs to wollop an evil water monster over the head with a frying pan. Turns out Tiffany's got the makings of a good witch!

When the Queen of Faerie steals her younger brother away, it's up to Tiffany to save him, helped along by the Nac Mac Feegles, a mystical race of tiny, blue-tattooed men whose main occupations are drinkin', fightin', and stealin'. Oh, yes, and by an enchanted toad who used to be a lawyer.

In typical Pratchett fashion, The Wee Free Men is well-written, thoughtful, and a downright hoot. Tiffany's story continues in A Hat Full of Sky and Wintersmith. Wintersmith is probably my favorite of the three by a smidge, but this is a series best read in order. Reading level is junior high and up, but it would make a good read-aloud to slightly younger audiences, too.