The Ocean At the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

I listened to the audio version with Neil Gaiman, the author, reading his book.  Always a treat to hear him read.  This story is about fighting an evil monster and two children.  Lettie Hempstock may actually be the oldest 11 year old ever.  She may be 11 but she's really older then that and she shows great strength and compassion evil for the monster that has taken over her little friend's family.  There is magic in the story.  Not wizards and witches but an older magic from another world.

This story is written/crafted as a fine piece of literature.  If I had a fantasy dinner in which authors would be invited,  I would sit Neil Gaiman and Ray Bradbury together and just listen to them talk about what ever.