James and the Giant Peach
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James and the Giant Peach
Grades 2 & up
Historical Fiction
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More Matilda The Witches Fantastic Mr. Fox |
Book Summary:
James lives with two horribly mean aunts, until one day when a strange and magical thing happens to the peach tree in their back yard. His adventure involves several over-sized insects, including a whining Earthworm, a rude Centipede, and a kindly Ladybug. Book Review: This shows some of the worst of humanity, in both its human characters and through the insect characters, but it also shows characters working together. James himself is a good-hearted, helpful person in wretched circumstances who finds himself rescued by some magic seeds, only to face a new series of challenges. He moves from a helping role to more of a problem-solving, leadership role as the story progresses. As with most Roald Dahl books, self-sufficient children in the face of wickedness from adults is a prominent theme in this story. "By lunchtime, the whole place was a seething mass of men, women, and children all pushing and shoving to get a glimpse of this miraculous fruit."
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