Charlotte's+Web

Charlotte's Web By E.B. White Illustrated by Garth Williams



Title: Charlotte’s Web Author: E.B. White Illustrator: Garth Williams Reading Level: Grades 3-6 Age Range: 8-12 Paperback: 192 pages Publisher: Harper & Brothers; 1952 Language: English ISBN: 9780064400558
 * Bibliographic Data: **

Charlotte’s Web is a Newbery Medal winning classic that has warmed the hearts of many for years. The children’s novel begins when a litter of pigs is born. John Arable, the owner, wants to kill the runt of the litter, simply because he’s the runt. Fern Arable, Mr. Arable’s daughter, convinces her father otherwise, and names the little pig Wilbur. Wilbur stays at the Arable’s until he gets too big; he is then sold to Fern’s uncle, Homer Zuckerman. In Wilbur’s new home, he befriends a spider named Charlotte, who lives at the corner of a doorway above him. Charlotte ultimately saves Wilbur’s life by crafting phrases such as “SOME PIG,” “TERRIFIC,” “RADIANT,” and “Humble” into her web. Wilbur wins a prize at the county fair, and Charlotte knows that neither the Arable’s nor Zuckerman’s will kill such a special pig. However, Charlotte, who has just laid eggs of her own, is dying. So, Wilbur takes action and brings the egg sac back to the Zuckerman farm. Charlotte, unfortunately, is stranded at the fairgrounds, and dies there alone. Her baby spiders hatch in the spring, and Wilbur has lots of new friends. Those spiders eventually die, too, but leave egg sacs of their own behind so that Wilbur will never be alone for a day in his life.
 * Summary: **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">I remember reading Charlotte’s Web in elementary school; I think I was in third grade, and I know I absolutely loved the book! I don’t think it should be introduced to children much before age eight because of the death of Charlotte, which children younger than eight may have a difficult time dealing with. It teaches children the cycle of life as well as how to make and keep friendships, which are two things that all children should learn about at the youngest age possible. White also finds a way to add humor to such a tear-jerker.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">Book Review: **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">American writer Elwyn Brooks (E.B.) White was born on July 11, 1899 in Mount Vernon, NY. He attended Cornell University, where he graduated in 1921 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. His most famous children’s books are Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little, and The Trumpet of the Swan. He also wrote books for adults, poems, and essays, and wrote and drew sketches for The New Yorker magazine, which he became a staff member of a few years after graduating college. He won many awards, including the 1971 National Medal for Literature and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal. He died on October 1, 1985.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">Author Bio: **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">Friendship is one of the many themes present in Charlotte’s Web. Wilbur and Charlotte are the best of friends. Through Wilbur and Charlotte, the story shows how we should treat other people, and that friends should be there for each other no matter what. For instance, Charlotte shows her loyalty and care for Wilbur by weaving the four phrases into her web in an attempt to keep Wilbur alive, in which she succeeds. In the end, Wilbur reciprocates the loyalty and care for Charlotte by bringing her egg sac back to the Zuckerman farm; he knew that he couldn’t leave the little spiders at the fairground without anyone to look after them. The friendship of Wilbur and Charlotte is a model for kids to follow; friendship requires loyalty and sometimes sacrifices.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">Literary Element Analysis: **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">@http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/harperchildrens/kids/gamesandcontests/features/charlottesweb/default.aspx <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/charlottes-web-0#cart/cleanup
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">Related Links: **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">media type="youtube" key="iGOUoAWetE0" width="420" height="315"
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">Summary and Book Review of //Charlotte's Web//: **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">Review done by: Jennifer Rochefort