The Hobbit: or, There and Back Again
J.R.R Tolkien
George Allen & Unwin, 1937 (original publication)
320 pages
Grades 4-Adult
Fantasy/Adventure/Classic
Bilbo Baggins is surprised one day by a knock at his door only to be greeted by a party of dwarfs, expecting refreshment, and a wizard named Gandalf. The dwarfs are in need of a thief to help them retrieve their family treasure from an evil dragon and Gandalf thought that the quiet home-body was just the ticket. Naturally Bilbo resists, but something deep in his nature decides to go the adventure. Positive events happen along the way of this important quest, such as new friendships and being entertained by kind elves. Unfortunately, grave danger also awaits in the form of nasty trolls, wolves, giant spiders, and-finally-the dragon himself. Through it all Bilbo gains a new sense of confidence, as well as a sword and a magical possession that gets him out of many scrapes. The action reaches a crescendo as all of the creatures encountered throughout the tale come together in a battle of good verses evil. Who will come out the victor and will any of our friends parish? Most of all, will Bilbo ever return to the safety of his Hobbit hole?
The days are cold, we are stuck inside and it's time to revisit a classic. Before there was Harry Potter there was Bilbo Baggins, who sets the stage for many works of fantasy in the years to come. Although not strictly a children's novel, it is a tale that smart kids who want a challenge can safely dive into and enjoy. I find this book just the right size and it moves along quickly. The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a bit more hardcore and too much for kids. It practically broke me when I read it as a young adult. Bilbo's adventures will excite even the homiest homebody and encourage all of us to step out of our comfort zone and find adventure. Besides taking chances, Tolkien explores themes of loyalty, brains over brawn, and courage, while warning the reader of the traps of greed. There are plenty of magical creatures and characters and the plot move along quickly. It is written as if in days of old when dragons roamed the earth, which may put off today's readers. I find the writing style helpful to place me firmly in Middle Earth and I felt fully absorbed in this magical world of old. A readable classic, give this title to kids who need something more advanced, but aren't ready for adult themes.
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