The+Polar+Express+Book+review

The Polar Express Written and illustrated by: Chris Van Allsburg Book review by: Samantha Brundage
 * Bibliographic data: **
 * Title- The Polar Express
 * Author- Chris Van Allsburg
 * Illustrator- Chris Van Allsburg
 * Pages- 32
 * Publisher- Houghton Miffin
 * Publication date- 1985
 * ISBN- 978-0-395-38949-2
 * Age- 5-9

The polar Express follows a young boy who is beginning to doubt the existence of Santa Claus. As he is going to bed on Christmas Eve, he looks out his <span style="background-color: transparent !important; background-position: initial initial !important; background-repeat: initial initial !important; border: none !important; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important; text-indent: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important;"> to see a train outside his house. He runs outside to find the conductor who explains that the train is the Polar Express heading to the North Pole. The boy boards and finds other children also dressed in there pajamas. When arriving at the North Pole, Santa picks the boy first to ask him what he wants for Christmas. The boy tells him that he wants one of the bells from the reindeer. Santa gives him one but when he gets home, the boy discovers that the bell fell out of his pocket because there was a hole. The next morning when opening Christmas presents, there was a small package for the boy from Santa. Inside was the bell he lost. When he rang it, the audience discovers that it is a bell only for those who believe in Santa Claus because the boy and his sister can hear it but their parents cannot. The Story ends with the lines, “// At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe.” //
 * Summary:**

This book is written in the first person point of view. I think it is important especially for young children to <span style="background-color: transparent !important; background-position: initial initial !important; background-repeat: initial initial !important; border: none !important; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important; text-indent: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important;"> that are in the first person point of view. This is because it helps students better relating to what they are reading. Also, I think it helps children expand their imagination because they can imagine themselves doing the things as the main characters of the story, even if it isn’t a realistic plot.
 * Analysis of a literary element (Point of view):**

I think this is a <span style="background-color: transparent !important; background-position: initial initial !important; background-repeat: initial initial !important; border: none !important; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important; text-indent: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important;"> for children from a kindergarten to about a third grade level. The words might be more difficult for younger grades but it would make a perfect story to read to the entire class. This story teaches kids that no matter how old you grow, you never have to be too old to believe in something from your childhood.
 * Review:**

Chris Van Allsburg is an American illustrator and author born in East Grand Rapids, Michigan. He has written and illustrated about 22 books along with illustrating many books for other authors. Van Allsburg began illustrating and writing books after he was unsatisfied sculpting for a living. He also is most famous for writing and illustrating the book, //Jumanji.// //More about the author//
 * Author Bio:**


 * Related Links:**
 * Lesson plan idea**
 * Polar Express classroom activities**
 * Polar Express day ideas**

Book narration- media type="youtube" key="9NkzNuB88OY" width="560" height="315"