The One and Only Ivan was really, really good - I didn't expect to like it as much as I did (although I've liked (using various meanings of the word there) everything I've read by K. A. Applegate.) It was just really good, beautiful in a sparse sort of way. And managed to have a moral without it feeling too much like it was being slammed into your head, which was surprising given that it was clearly a moral-led book in some ways.

King of Shadows is a magnificent book, one of my favourites. It is the reason that I nearly burst into tears at the end of The Tempest (though I had forgotten why until I re-read it and then was all "OH YES, THAT'S WHY THE CHOKED SOBS THEN.")

Good luck with Les Mis! :)