This delightful tale of a hobbit who finds himself through his travels is a page-turner read-aloud for younger children. Bilbo Baggins finds the courage to face his fears, the humility to forgo his creature comforts, and the resilience to overcome hopelessness. His refusal to give up on the inherent integrity of his fellow travelers, even when they themselves may have forgotten it, brings about the final good fortune of himself and his friends. Written for a younger audience, the language is simpler and the story more straightforward than the Lord of the Rings trilogy.