Charlotte's Web
Author: E.B. White
Genre: Fantasy
Age Level: 8-12 years
SUMMARY
Wilbur was raised by Fern who refused to allow her father to kill the runt pig. Now Wilbur lives on the farm of her uncle, Mr. Zuckerman, and at first he is quite lonely without his playmate. But then Wilbur becomes friends with Charlotte, the spider who lives in a corner of the barnyard door. When Wilbur discovers the terrible fate that awaits him in the fall, Charlotte vows to save his life. She concocts a clever plan to convince the Zuckermans that Wilbur is no ordinary pig and should be spared.
CRITIQUE
I loved this story as a child and appreciate it still as an adult. In this classic tale, E.B. White addressed serious themes of friendship, loyalty, and death in a manner that is accessible to children. His descriptions of the countryside and barnyard bring these places to life for the young reader who may not otherwise be familiar with these settings. He filled the story with memorable characters whom we love despite their various faults. As always, the illustrations by Garth Williams are wonderful.
Although this book is probably written to an elementary-aged audience, I think it is an enjoyable read aloud for younger children as well. Also, don't forget to check out Stuart Little and Trumpet of the Swan, found in this E. B. White Box Set
.RATINGS
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude: Mild
Frightening/Suspenseful: None
Profanity: None
Sex: None
Substance Use: Mild
Mature Themes: Mild
Violence: Moderate
SPECIFIC CONTENT
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude:
-A lamb tells Wilbur, "Pigs mean less than nothing to me."
-Templeton says, "Let him die" when he hears that the others are trying to come up with a plan to save Wilbur.
Substance Use:
-One mention of Lurvy smoking a pipe.
Mature Themes:
-Death.
-Killing of animals for food.
Violence:
-Mr. Arable heads to the barn with an ax to kill a runt pig. He doesn't go through with it when Fern begs him not to.
-Charlotte describes to Wilbur how she kills the fly and drinks its blood.
-Goose threatens to give Templeton "the worst pounding a rat ever took" if he goes near the goslings.
-Wilbur learns that Mr. Zuckerman plans to kill him and eat him.
-Avery tries to knock Charlotte out of her web with a stick.
-Charlotte tells a story of a struggle to the death between her cousin and a fish.
-Wilbur has a dream that "men were coming to get him with knives and guns."
-Templeton tells Wilbur that Mr. Zuckerman "will take the knife to you, my boy."
-Templeton bites Wilbur's tail to revive him from his faint.
