When I was still in elementary, my uncle influenced us to study a lot and read a lot. One Christmas he gave me and my cousins a Reader's Digest Condensed Books. There are 5 stories in the books:

• Vermillion by Phyllis A. Whitney
• Totaled by Frances Rickett and Steven McGraw
• Ike & Mamie (The Story of the General and His Lady) by Lester David and Irene David
• The Dark Horse by Rumer Godden
• Fortress by Gabrielle Lord

This is actually one of my treasured gifts since its the first book that was given to me. I finished reading all the stories in the book when I was already in high school because I was lazy and care more of playing toys rather than reading. The stories in this books is great and I learned a lot.