A Good Book: The Railway Children

We are reading a really good book right now and I just had to share. It's called "The Railway Children" and it was written by E. (which stands for Edith) Nesbit. (By the way, this book is in no way related to "The Boxcar Children" by Gertrude Chandler Warner. Not even close. )This book was first published in 1906, so it's an oldy, but it's just one of those books that is such a delight to read. Here's the excerpt from the back cover:
Roberta, Peter and Phyllis don't realize how happy their life in London is until their beloved Father goes away unexpectedly. They move to a simple country cottage with Mother, and befriend the local railway porter, who goes by the name of Perks. But even though they have many exciting adventures, the mystery remains: where is Father, and will he ever return?

The story is simple, but beautifully written. Ms. Nesbit uses such rich language and her characters are so real (although they are a little "goody-two-shoes" at times) that the story just draws you in. It's one of those books that after I read a 20 page chapter, Bubba still rolls around on the floor begging me to "read another chapter..... please.....". It's one of those books that you can tell is quality literature. It makes you think. It makes you want to sit up a little straighter when you read it.