James and the Giant Peach

Dahl, R. (1961). James and the Giant Peach. New York: Puffin Books

Plot Description: James life is perfect until the day his parents die and he is forced to live with his awful Aunts.  He becomes very lonely and sad until one day when he is given some magic bugs which he is promised will change his life.  They end up making a huge peach and that is where James meets the other large insects that live inside it.  They all embark on a journey which takes them to New York City where they all become successful and James gains many friends.

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure

Age Group: This book would be appropriate for grades 4-7.

Similar Books: George’s Marvelous Medicine, The Magic Finger and Matilda all by Roald Dahl.

Personal Thought: This book has magic and adventure which is sure to excite readers.

Subject/Themes: Magic, Insects, Flying, Friendship

Character Description: James is a boy whose parents die when he is still young.  He is forced to live with his mean Aunt’s.

Annotation: James is a lonely and sad boy after his parents die and he is forced to live with his mean Aunts until one day when he embarks on a wild adventure in a giant peach.  Follow James and his new friends as they travel the world and have encounters with sharks and cloud men.

Miscellaneous Information: This book was made into a movie and released in 1996.