If you only have one book, I suggest you skip the old and new Testament…

Frederick Douglass often carried a copy of "The Columbian Orator", a popular anthology of speeches, essays, and dialogues that celebrated liberty, human rights, and democracy. This book profoundly influenced Douglass as it exposed him to arguments for abolition, the principles of natural rights, and the power of persuasive rhetoric.

He acquired the book as a young enslaved boy and read it repeatedly, drawing inspiration from its content. It helped him refine his skills in reading, critical thinking, and public speaking, which later became instrumental in his work as an abolitionist and orator.

If Douglass’ choice doesn’t call out to you, I recommend Don Quixote over the multi-author misogynist mess (the Old Testament) that’s driven kids away from literature since the time of King James and the mystic Jewish thinkers in Spain. 

(Don’t get me started on Revelation. Limericks are far better poetry.)

Cervantes wrote of a battle that was lost before it began, against the Spanish Inquisition. Those guys made Pontius Pilate and the Roman Guard look like kindergarten teachers. Don Quixote sang of beauty and love, while Jesus complained about betrayal and our ignorance. Did I ask to be forgiven before I was born?  No, I did not. Neither did anyone else.