 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
James and the Giant Peach
- By Roald Dahl
- Genre: Fantasy
Common Sense Media says
Lonely boy's magical adventure still satisfies.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that James and the Giant Peach creates a marvelous, fantastical world for young independent readers. Dahl's original cast of characters, magical and suspenseful situations, and his liberal addition of comic poetry also make this a terrific read-aloud book. However, Dahl's books are not always warm-and-fuzzy: James is orphaned on Page One, and he is treated cruelly by his selfish aunts. And, incidentally, his only true friends are giant insects. This is a charming, fast-paced fantasy for children who are ready to separate fact from fiction. If your kids enjoy the novel, also check out Tim Burton and Henry Selick's wonderful animated film adaptation, which came out in 1996.
What's the story?
When young James Henry Trotter is orphaned, he must leave his pleasant home by the seaside and go to live with two cruel aunts, Sponge and Spiker, who treat him like a slave. One day, an old man appears, offering James a bag of crystals that he says will make marvelous things happen. The old man's magic causes a dead peach tree to grow a piece of fruit the size of a house, and that is the start of James' fantastic adventure.
Is it any good?
JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH is a delightful children's novel full of adventure and singular characters. As in many of the great Roald Dahl's works, the central character is a poor, deprived child, and seeing James Henry Trotter rise from his lowly state to become a leader with true friends is immensely satisfying. Dahl also weaves funny singsong poetry into his fantastical tale, which helps make the book wonderful to read aloud.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how at first the insects inside the peach frighten James, but he quickly learns to see past their unusual looks and makes friends. Also, each of the insects has a particular talent. What is special about each one? Which one is your favorite?
James' aunts are very cruel to him. Kids' books often have villains who are mean to the main character. Why do you think that is? What does it do to the story?
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AGE
Not the best examples for kids
I started reading this to my boys, ages 6 and 8, and I was disappointed right off the bat. The poor little boy lives with his abusive aunts - my kids were bothered that someone could be so mean to a child and I couldn't really explain that, because of course there is no explanation for abuse. Then he meets the mysterious little man who offers him a "magic" bag of that will make his life so much better, and then he makes James promise not to tell his aunts about it. Seriously? These are all things we teach our kids NOT to do....don't talk to strangers, don't EVER take things from strangers, and don't keep secrets from your parents. I suppose the story must have improved after that but I wasn't interested in finding out. I don't think this is appropriate for kids, especially these days.
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AGE
A classic.
I remember reading this at age 8. It has always been one of my favorite children's books. It is a charming and fanciful story about one boy’s brave journey, as well as a motivational tale about the boy James’ escape from an abusive situation. It is a literary classic. I have just ordered it on Amazon for my own 8-year-old boy.
I read the prior review and feel compelled to respond. As a parent, your job description is to TEACH - NOT to overly shelter. R-rated and some PG-movies are off-limits; understood; but this book is entirely appropriate reading material for age 7 and above. The parts of this book which bother you are - to me - wonderful openers for discussion. Part of my job as a parent is IMO to explain the world we all live in so that my future 40-year-olds are well-equipped with information. CPS exists in every city, after all. Explanations for Spiker and Sponge’s abuse might include that they have been abused themselves as children, or that they were never taught to be grateful for what they have, and thereby have grown overly selfish and unable to care for anyone but themselves. You might explain that such people (the latter) at their core tend to be unhappy and unfulfilled; as adults we have all encountered someone similar. (And also that such people (the former) can, if loved well by those in their lives, change course and become loving persons themselves.)
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Kid, 11 years old
January 1, 2012
AGE
Just Another GREAT Classic...
Wicked! A great Roald Dahl Book :D
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Kid, 10 years old
April 19, 2012
AGE
james and the giant peach reaview
it is amazing
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AGE
eh :)
i fink it is a good book at very high standers thankq xx
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Author: | Roald Dahl |
| Illustrator: | Quentin Blake |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | Puffin Books |
| Publication date: | January 1, 1961 |
| Number of pages: | 146 |
| Paperback price: | $6.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 9 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 12 |
| Read alone: | 12 |
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