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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
Simple and funny--two hallmarks of a good kids' book. My main complaints are 1) dialogue tags are often strange, i.e. Wilbur "screams" sentences all the time. Whenever it happens, it reads like a freshman creative writing student who thinks "said" is a bad verb. The rest of the writing is great, which make the bad tags especially jarring.
2) Fern gets a bad rap at the end! It reminds me a little bit of Susan in Narnia--Fern starts as a rowdy tomboy yelling about the injustice of pig slaughter, and in the end she abandons the farm for a boy. She's like 9 years old? I don't think there's anything wrong with letting a young girl grow up, but the way Fern's maturity completely removed her from the story rubbed me the wrong way. It's sad to consider young girls reading this "coming of age" as when you get interested in boys, you will abandon your interests and friends.
Still, I rate this book a 4, earning an extra star for Garth Williams' beautiful drawings.
2) Fern gets a bad rap at the end! It reminds me a little bit of Susan in Narnia--Fern starts as a rowdy tomboy yelling about the injustice of pig slaughter, and in the end she abandons the farm for a boy. She's like 9 years old? I don't think there's anything wrong with letting a young girl grow up, but the way Fern's maturity completely removed her from the story rubbed me the wrong way. It's sad to consider young girls reading this "coming of age" as when you get interested in boys, you will abandon your interests and friends.
Still, I rate this book a 4, earning an extra star for Garth Williams' beautiful drawings.
Sentient spiders are creepy. The only reason Charlotte's Web is a beloved classic (and rightfully so) is EB White was a brilliant writer.
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One of the best children's books out there. Even if you have seen the movie, which is good, go back and read the book. It is so much better!
I read this book with my 6 year old daughter. It is a perfect book for such an age.
Vera Kate’s Review:
My favorite part was when Wilbur went to the farm and he had lots of friends and I loved it when they went to the fair and he got a medal and I loved it when he got new babies and I loved it when Fern stopped her father from killing Wilbur. I love Charlotte because I love her voice and I love how she protected Wilbur and I’m really sad that she died.
My favorite part was when Wilbur went to the farm and he had lots of friends and I loved it when they went to the fair and he got a medal and I loved it when he got new babies and I loved it when Fern stopped her father from killing Wilbur. I love Charlotte because I love her voice and I love how she protected Wilbur and I’m really sad that she died.
“After all, what's a life, anyway? We're born, we live a little while, we die.”
Charlotte is one of the sweetest and most selfless character to ever exist and I love her so much. She tried really hard so that Wilbur wouldn’t be Christmas food and asked for nothing in return. Fern is also a hero since saved Wilbur first after her father was going to end him for being the runt of the litter. I thought I was old enough to reread this and not shed a few tears at the end, but I was wrong.
Rereading this now I realize that I don’t particularly like Wilbur since he is such a whiny character who is just waiting for everyone to save him (Elena Gilbert must have gotten character inspiration from him) but when I first read it over 10 years ago, I had no problem with this. Still, this book was really sweet and a must read for every kid!
Charlotte is one of the sweetest and most selfless character to ever exist and I love her so much. She tried really hard so that Wilbur wouldn’t be Christmas food and asked for nothing in return. Fern is also a hero since saved Wilbur first after her father was going to end him for being the runt of the litter. I thought I was old enough to reread this and not shed a few tears at the end, but I was wrong.
Rereading this now I realize that I don’t particularly like Wilbur since he is such a whiny character who is just waiting for everyone to save him (Elena Gilbert must have gotten character inspiration from him) but when I first read it over 10 years ago, I had no problem with this. Still, this book was really sweet and a must read for every kid!
One of my childhood favorites. But then I guess it's everybody's childhood favorite? :o)
2007:
"So simple, so brilliant. A true classic. I love kids stories that aren't soft, but are true and honest. And what an ending."
"So simple, so brilliant. A true classic. I love kids stories that aren't soft, but are true and honest. And what an ending."