The Hobbit

Gr 4 Up–Tolkien relates the tale of a middle-aged hobbit’s quest for maturity and wholeness, in the guise of an adventure undertaken to assist a group of 13 dwarfs in reclaiming the ancient treasure stolen long ago from their forefathers by the evil dragon Smaug. The author presents detailed descriptions of Middle Earth and its inhabitants, and the characters drawn from European folklore, medieval literature, and Tolkien’s own imagination. The hobbit’s world is strikingly like that of man, as it reveals human foibles and basic moral principles. Other themes explored include love versus power, and the renunciation of power. Tolkien intended this for a children’s audience, but readers of all ages have loved this book for decades. It is a text worthy of study, displaying in very pure form important traits and elements of stories; it shows how stories work, and how students, especially those in elementary grades, may acquire the skills of novel reading. The central image is the Heroic Journey or Quest, which is a well-known structural framework. While there is some fantasy violence throughout, Bilbo’s transformation from a homebody to a hero is something that will resonate with readers of all ages.