by E. B. White
First published 1993
Wilbur the pig starts life as the runt of his litter. Young Fern saves him from certain death and raises him until he must go to her uncle's farm. At Zuckerman's barn, Wilbur feels lonely among the other animals until he meets Charlotte, a spider who lives in the corner of his pen. Charlotte becomes his devoted friend, and when Wilbur learns he's destined for the dinner table, she devises a plan to save him. Charlotte spins words into her web above Wilbur's pen: "Some Pig," "Terrific," "Radiant," "Humble." The miraculous messages convince the humans that Wilbur is special and worth keeping alive. But Charlotte's efforts come at a cost, and Wilbur must learn what it means to lose someone he loves. The story explores how friendship can transcend differences and how love sometimes requires sacrifice.
Genres: fiction, classic-literature, friendship
Vibes: emotional, intimate, whimsical
Tropes: found-family, interspecies-friendship
Setting: Zuckerman's Barn
Period: 20th Century
256 pages · Paperback · Puffin Books