Charlotte's Web by E. B. White

Charlotte's Web. by E.B. White. Harper Collins, 1980. 184 pages.

Plot: This is the story of Wilbur the pig and Charlotte the spider and their adventures as unlikely friends.  The story begins when Wilbur is born a runt and his owner plans to kill him because he will cost more than he is worth.  The farmer’s daughter, Fern, convinces her dad to spare the pig’s life. The father agrees to allow Fern to keep Wilbur as a pet.  This plan is short lived and Wilbur is sold to another farmer named Homer Zuckerman who lives down the road. Fern can visit Wilbur, but her visits decrease and Wilbur becomes lonely.  Wilbur longs for a friend and none of the other animals seem to have time for him with the exception of a grey spider named Charlotte. Their friendship grows deeper and stronger. The animals learn that Wilbur is to be slaughtered for Christmas dinner!  Charlotte starts a plan of action to save Wilbur.  She spins a web above the barnyard door with the words “some pig” in it and the gullible humans believe it to be a miracle brought about by Wilbur. Wilbur is saved again and is taken to the county fair where he wins a prize (because Charlotte has secretly come along and spins one final word “humble”).  Wilbur returns to Zuckerman’s barn and Charlotte has reached the end of her life span.  Wilbur manages to retrieve Charlotte’s egg sacks and cares for it until the baby spiders are hatched.  Wilbur never forgets the special friend he had in Charlotte.

Review/Personal thoughts:  This is a classic children’s story. It is well-written and award winning. Themes of friendship, loyalty, loneliness, growing up and mortality are explored in this simple story. Although this book will most likely appeal to younger tweens, it has withstood the test of time.  It is another book that is hard to put an age limit on because it appeals to adults as well. 

Genre: Fiction

Reading Level: 4.4 Interest level: Ages 8 to 11.

Awards: Newbery Medal/Honor 1953

The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford

The Incredible Journey.  by Sheila Burnford.  Illustrated by Carl Burger.  A Yearling Book, 1960.  148 pages.

Plot: Set in the Canadian wilderness, The Incredible Journey tells the story of three amazing animals who forge through difficult terrain and challenges of the road to get back to their human family.  It is the tale of Tao, the rather irreverent Siamese, Bodger, the ever-amusing bull terrier, and the ever-loyal Luath (a Labrador retriever), the young leader of the trio who longs for the companionship of his human friend Jim Hunter.  The trio set off from their temporary home, as they have been watched over by John Longridge, a friend of Jim’s.  The Hunters have been in England but are returning and though the animals have grown attached to John, there is,  especially in Luath’s heart, the desire to get back home. This trio faces the challenges of bears, a porcupine, a few unkind humans, the search for food, and the difficulty of surviving in an unrelenting terrain; they also experience the acceptance and kindness of strangers, humans who take them in, if only temporarily, to restore this trio to health, so they can once again move towards home.  What captures the heart of the reader is the absolute loyalty that this trio has for one another and the heartwarming connection they share with their human counterparts.  Watch this trio as they travel their incredible journey.

Review/Personal thoughts:  The Incredible Journey is a classic.  Burnford’s narrative description, with accompanying illustrations throughout the text, draws the reader in from the first chapter. The story is directed by the ever present commitment to the ideas of loyalty, love, companionship, friendship, and the simple desire “to be home”.  Tweens will be drawn into this story as many understand the love they have for their own animal companion – therein lies the tie that binds the reader to the story.  What exists at the core of this novel is the appreciation that we must all embrace:  animals simply make our lives better and hopefully, we do the same in return for them.  There is deep wisdom in the souls of this loyal trio and each reader will be reminded of how an animal has more than likely changed their life.

Genre: Fiction

Reading Level: 6.5  Interest level: Ages 10 and up.

Awards:  Young Reader's Choice Award, 1964 Winner

E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial

E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial: Film, 1982 Studio: Universal Pictures Director: Steven Spielberg Run time: 115 minutes.

Plot: This is the story of the connection between a 10-year old boy named Elliot and a stranded extra-terrestrial affectionately named E.T. E.T. is a very non-threatening, actually quite adorable, alien creature who got left behind by his spaceship as it hastily departed Earth.  Elliot finds E.T., befriends him and brings him home.  He doesn’t tell his single parent mom about his new friend.  Elliot begins to form very powerful psyche, emotional and physical bonds with E.T. Elliot says, “You could be happy here, I could take care of you. I wouldn't let anybody hurt you. We could grow up together, E.T.”  There are scenes where E.T. gets dressed up for halloween, government agents attempt to steal E.T. and E.T. nearly dies. Ultimately, Elliot realizes that the best thing for E.T. is for him to return to his home.  Everything he does from that point on is to help his friend reach that goal.

Review/Personal thoughts: It is difficult to be neutral in my assessment of this film because it is one of my all-time favorites.  The movie is professionally produced and the characters are as real as life.  The relationship between Elliot and E.T. is precious. Tweens will explore themes of single parent homes, the bonds of friendship, loyalty, tolerance, growing up and letting go.  This movie lets viewers laugh and cry. I have labeled this film as a classic.  Its universal themes and heart warming story have persisted for 28 years and I can only see it entertaining and enlightening audiences that have not yet been born.  I give this movie the highest possible recommendation and hope any tween who hans’t seen it, will get to soon. 

Rated: PG

Interest Level: Ages 7 and up

Awards: Academy Awards, Oscar, Best Effects, Sound Effects/Best Effects, Visual Effects/Best Music, Original Score/Best Sound, 1983

Golden Globe, Best Motion Picture - Drama/Best Original Score - Motion Picture, 1983

To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird: Film, 1962 - Based on the novel by Harper Lee Studio: Universal Pictures Director: Robert Mulligan Run time: 131 minutes.

Plot: The plot is the same as the novel which is also included in this collection: The story centers on a brother and sister, Jem (10 years old) and Scout (6 years old) who live in Maycomb, Alabama where class and race predominate in many residents’ minds, during the depression.   Over several summers the children share time and adventures with a friend named Dill.  Central to these adventures is the children’s sense of mystery and terror associated with a reclusive neighbor named Boo Radley.  The children’s widowed father, Atticus Finch, is a lawyer who agrees to defend an African American man accused of raping a white woman. There is drama that unfolds with the trial that includes a lynch mob and with the children who come under attack from an unknown assailant as they return home after dark.

Review/Personal thoughts: The themes of racism, misperceptions, injustice, integrity, courage and compassion all carry over from the book to the film. The film powerfully portrays the author’s original intentions.  Of course, no film can capture every detail of the novel it is bringing to the screen. Several characters are left out, most significantly Aunt Alexandra. Two scenes which don’t make it into the film, which were both significant to me, are when Jem and Scout attend a black church with Calpurnia and when Jem is required to read to Mrs. Dubose to help her overcome drug addiction.  Tweens will appreciate the story brought to a visual format.  I would recommend that they read the novel first and then enjoy the film version.

Rated: NR

Interest Level: Ages 12 and up

Awards: Academy Awards, Oscar, Best Actor in a Leading Role/Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White/Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium, 1963

Golden Globe, Best Film Promoting International Understanding/Best Motion Picture Actor - Drama - Gregory Peck/Best Motion Picture Score, 1963

Where the Red Fern Grows

Where the Red Fern Grows:  Film, 1974 - based on the novel by Wilson Rawls

Studio: Westamerica Film Director: Norman Tokar Run time: 97 minutes

Plot: Set in the Ozarks of Oklahoma, 12 year old Billy Coleman dreams of having his own hunting dogs.  Against the initial wishes of his mother (but having a quiet advocate in his father), Billy works hard to earn enough money to mail order two coon dogs.  With the mentoring guidance of his Grandpa (played by legendary actor James Whitmore), Billy soon has his dream.  Old Dan and L’il Ann become a part of Billy’s family and soon Billy and his two hunting dogs are out in the night hours tracking raccoons.  Word spreads throughout the county that young Billy Coleman and his two coon dogs are quite a successful team.  With the boyish inspiration of his Grandpa, Billy enters a raccoon hunting contest and finds himself in the midst of not only competition, but danger.  With Grandpa and his father accompanying him, Billy is a sure win…or is he?  And finally, as the film comes to its close, Billy’s love for his dogs and theirs for him, pays the ultimate price, with the “red fern” naming its meaning with the final panoramic view of Billy’s beloved home.

Review/Personal thoughts:  This classic film addresses the universal ideas of love, sacrifice, family, hard work, and the connection between humans and animals.  Billy’s dream speaks to a young person’s desire to make his/her own road, to work hard for something he/she wants with honesty and integrity.  Billy faces challenges in a story that deals with surviving amidst how others may perceive you, but being undaunted by those views.  The film captures the love of family and the simple joys of life.  This film, while adapted from a classic novel, does a reasonable job at poignantly displaying Wilson Rawls’ message.  However, the musical score lends itself to “cheesiness” and might well distract the tween viewer from the storyline.  Rarely is a film as good as the book, and while this proves true in this viewer’s experience, it was a joy to see the images of this classic novel come to life.

Rated: G

Interest Level: Ages 8 and up

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird. By Harper Lee.  HarperPerennial, 2002. 323 pages.

Plot:  The story centers on a brother and sister, Jem (10 years old) and Scout (6 years old) who live in Maycomb, Alabama where class and race predominate in many residents’ minds, during the depression.   Over several summers the children share time and adventures with a friend named Dill.  Central to these adventures is the children’s sense of mystery and terror associated with a reclusive neighbor named Boo Radley.  The children’s widowed father, Atticus Finch, is a lawyer who agrees to defend an African American man accused of raping a white woman. There is drama that unfolds with the trial that includes a lynch mob and with the children who come under attack from an unknown assailant as they return home after dark.

Review/Personal thoughts:  This book is a classic by any definition.  It is an excellent read for tweens.  To a degree, it is a coming of age story.  The children become acutely aware of the cruel reality of racism, misperceptions and  assumptions.  Injustice, integrity, courage and compassion are additional themes which are expertly woven into this story. The ending has several unexpected and thought-provoking scenes.  I don’t always understand the praises of some classic books - I totally understand the mastery in this story. A trial, summer memories, a mysterious neighbor, racism, family ties and a father’s love make this easy for me to recommend it.

Genre: Fiction

Reading Level: 5.2 Interest Level: Ages 12 and up

Awards:  1961 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction