The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
This book has many fantasy elements, including many of the characters such as a dragon named Smaug, a wizard named Gandalf, a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, and many dwarves. This book includes an imaginary world, which is a fantasy element as well. The author has made the story believable by using characters that have human-like qualities along with their elements of fantasy, and also by having a storyline that is imaginatively realistic as well. The story is logical and consistent within the framework established by the author. The story flows logically throughout the duration of the book. The plot is original and ingenious. It includes an adventurous storyline that is suspenseful but also creative and not highly predictable. There is a universal truth underlying the metaphor of the fantasy, which is the theme that anyone can be a hero and choose their own path in life no matter what race or family they come from. The story compares to other books from the same author because J.R.R. Tolkien also wrote the Lord of the Rings books as a follow-up to The Hobbit. The format of my copy of this book is paperback, and I think it would be fairly durable for classroom use.
This book has many fantasy elements, including many of the characters such as a dragon named Smaug, a wizard named Gandalf, a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, and many dwarves. This book includes an imaginary world, which is a fantasy element as well. The author has made the story believable by using characters that have human-like qualities along with their elements of fantasy, and also by having a storyline that is imaginatively realistic as well. The story is logical and consistent within the framework established by the author. The story flows logically throughout the duration of the book. The plot is original and ingenious. It includes an adventurous storyline that is suspenseful but also creative and not highly predictable. There is a universal truth underlying the metaphor of the fantasy, which is the theme that anyone can be a hero and choose their own path in life no matter what race or family they come from. The story compares to other books from the same author because J.R.R. Tolkien also wrote the Lord of the Rings books as a follow-up to The Hobbit. The format of my copy of this book is paperback, and I think it would be fairly durable for classroom use.
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
This book includes multiple fantasy elements, such as a fairy godmother named Lucinda who casts spells as well as ogres and giants who interact with Ella. The author has made this story believable by giving the characters in the story many human-like qualities that make them relatable to the reader. For example, Lucinda has the power to cast spells on people, but she also has the quality of wanting to do what is best for others which is a quality that many people possess. This story has a logical flow and is consistent within the framework established by the author. It has a plot that is not necessarily original since it is based off of the tale of Cinderella, but it is ingenious since it takes the original tale and puts a creative spin on it. There is a universal truth underlying the metaphor of the fantasy, which is that people deserve the right to make their own choices in life. Ella has a spell put on her where she has to be obedient, but throughout the story it is shown that having others make choices for a person is not right and that Ella can only be happy if she is allowed to have freedom of choice. This story compares with other modern versions of Cinderella such as Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix, where a young girl struggles with getting to make her own choices in life as well. My copy of Ella Enchanted is hardcover and would be highly durable for classroom use.
This book includes multiple fantasy elements, such as a fairy godmother named Lucinda who casts spells as well as ogres and giants who interact with Ella. The author has made this story believable by giving the characters in the story many human-like qualities that make them relatable to the reader. For example, Lucinda has the power to cast spells on people, but she also has the quality of wanting to do what is best for others which is a quality that many people possess. This story has a logical flow and is consistent within the framework established by the author. It has a plot that is not necessarily original since it is based off of the tale of Cinderella, but it is ingenious since it takes the original tale and puts a creative spin on it. There is a universal truth underlying the metaphor of the fantasy, which is that people deserve the right to make their own choices in life. Ella has a spell put on her where she has to be obedient, but throughout the story it is shown that having others make choices for a person is not right and that Ella can only be happy if she is allowed to have freedom of choice. This story compares with other modern versions of Cinderella such as Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix, where a young girl struggles with getting to make her own choices in life as well. My copy of Ella Enchanted is hardcover and would be highly durable for classroom use.
References:
Levine, G. (1997). Ella Enchanted. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.
Tolkien, J. (1996). The Hobbit. New York: Houghton Mifflin.
Levine, G. (1997). Ella Enchanted. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.
Tolkien, J. (1996). The Hobbit. New York: Houghton Mifflin.