This research project explores the cultural values and aspirations that come through in the top five children's paperback books on the February 26th 2012, New York Times Best Seller list. It is a part of the analysis of my senior capstone project that includes the texts of War Horse by Michael Morpurgo, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, the Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan, and Switched by Amanda Hocking. With this sample of today's literature the project will present a summary and analysis of each story as well as the specific analysis on how American cultural values and aspirations are illustrated in the texts. The question that will be discussed is: what makes these books best sellers?