Roald Dahl
Knopf, 1961
146 pages
Grades 3-6
Fantasy/Classic
James finds himself an orphan and is sent to live with his two terrible aunts Spiker and Sponge. He longs for a way out, but is trapped. One day a mysterious man offers James a bag of magic that can change his situation. Suddenly James's life is filled with hope--until he trips by the old peach tree and spills the bag's magical contents. All seems lost, until something incredible begins to happen: the tree grows an enormous peach that eventually drops to the ground. Late at night James explores the peach and discovers a secret tunnel, which leads him to an interior cavern. It is here that he meets giant, yet friendly, insects, made huge and able to communicate through the magic. The peach eventually breaks loose from its branch and rolls down the hill and into the sea. What follows next is an exciting, magical and hair-raising adventure across the sea where James and his new friends must keep their wits about them if they want to survive. Eventually they make it to a distant land and a new life, but will the residents of this new land accept them? And is there a place in the world for giant talking insects and an orphaned boy?
I felt it time to rediscover this classic by master storyteller, Roald Dahl. I remember being read this book aloud by my fourth grade teacher and it has since become one of my comfort stories. As with all works by Dahl, this story is very British, in the best possible way. The witty humor throughout is subtle and can never quite be captured in movie renditions. This is high fantasy, with giant talking insects, a house-sized peach, and ridiculous characters, situations, and coincidences. There is the characteristic Dahl language of clever made-up words that make kids, and adults, giggle. Many young people find themselves in unhappy situations of which they have no control over. What a fantasy to escape in a giant peach with new friends to distant lands! Weather disturbances are explained in a humorous way and kids will enjoy spending time in James simple world where the absurd makes perfect sense. The story may be a bit quaint and quiet for today's readers, yet it still makes an excellent read aloud and begs to be shared at bedtime or after lunch in the classroom when kids imaginations are open and they are ready to dream.
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