The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

By Douglas Adams

"For a moment, nothing happened. Then, after a second or so, nothing continued to happen. " - from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

What's it about?: This classic is the first in a five-part series, and undoubtedly the most famous. Protagonist Arthur Dent is forced to vacate Earth before it is bulldozed to make room for an intergalactic highway. As a result, Dent, and his best friend Ford Prefect (who he discovers is actually an alien), have only their Hitchhiker's Guide and a host of strange travel companions as they encounter adventure and adversity on their hilarious trek across the galaxy.

Why your child should read it: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy blends science fiction with parody and is considered by many to be the funniest sci-fi book ever written. It has an ingenious plot, eclectic characters and a style of humour that's been compared to Monty Python and other classic comedy acts. Loved by generations of fans, this book will appeal to even the ficklest of readers with its creativity and straight-forward narrative. However, it may leave you wondering why your child is all of a sudden so fond of towels. To find out why, you'll have to read it!

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