Suggestions, Please

I'm trying to work out an FDS to take so I can remain at CIU and be a student worker in Academic Services. I want to do something that will be productive, something I can send out at the end...a manuscript. [It sounds thrilling, doesn't it?]

Here's the basic idea of the FDS I want to take:

1. Read 10 children's books of a similar vein [award-winning, old favorites, fiction, fantasy, 3-6th grade, light-hearted but dealing with deep issues]

2. Write a paper comparing them and pick out certain themes and plot points that are the same.

3. Write a manuscript [working title: Violet's Monster] to submit.

I just have too many favorite children's books. Would you suggest some?

Here are some of my ideas:

1. The Lion, The Witch, & the Wardrobe - C.S. Lewis
2. A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L'Engle
3. Frindle - Andrew Clements
4. The Mona Lisa Mystery - Pat Hutchins
5. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - Ian Fleming
6. No Flying In The House - Betty Brock
7. The Light Princess - George MacDonald
8. The Search for Delicious by Natalie Babbitt
9. The Puppy Sister by S.E. Hinton
10. Howl's Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones
11. The Wolves of Willoughby Chase - Joan Aiken

The problem is, the only ones I can think of that have the same feel as "Violet's Monster" are the following:

1. No Flying in the House - Betty Brock
2. The Search for Delicious - Natalie Babbitt
3. Frindle - Andrew Clements

So...I need 7 more. Ideas? What did you enjoy as a child?