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Thursday, August 16, 2012

James and the Giant Peach, by Roald Dahl



     This is a classic in children's literature...the "meat and potato" of books...Young James Henry Trotter loses his parents and is shuffled off to live with two hideous and abusive aunts. He then meets up with a strange (and sometimes cranky) mix of insect characters. Together they embark on an adventure of a lifetime, in a giant peach, of course! 
     Interestingly enough, some schools have actually banned or challenged this title. 
I like this book, especially as a read-aloud because the plot really moves along, and the short chapters leave young listeners yearning for more.
     This summer I read the book to my 7 year old and he was appalled by the wicked Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker. I suggest teachers be prepared for their students' reactions to the two Aunts. Some children come from homes where abusive language is part of life, and may be very sensitive to the subject.