Charlotte's Web
This is a story about friendship, and one's will to live. It follows the life and times of Wilbur who is a pig and expected to die after a certain amount of time. He thinks his life has more value then that so after befriending a spider named Charlotte they set about saving his life.
A very good story to share with younger grades. 1st would be my recommendation. I would do a unit on farm animals and read them parts of this book.
