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Charlotte's Web
For our very last class, the students are busy finishing up their final projects so I like to lighten the reading load a bit.
For our very last class, the students are busy finishing up their final projects so I like to lighten the reading load a bit. Charlotte's Web has been my last class staple for several years, and I call it our dessert book. Of course, most of the students have already read it, but most years about a third haven't, particularly those who didn't grow up in the U.S.If this was your first read, what did you think? Did it live up to its reputation as a classic? If this was a re-read, what did you notice this time that you might have missed before?
We're also reading an article about E. B. White from the Smithsonian Magazine website that sheds some light on the origins of this book. Rather than dividing up this week's reading, let's discuss both the book and the article in the comments of this post.
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Zohra Manjee
I remember Charlotte’s Web was the first chapter book I read that featured animals as central characters. Re-reading this book as an adult, with the added perspective of the Smithsonian article, I found a renewed appreciation for this classic story. Even though the only pets I had growing up were fish, I remember feeling very connected to the bonds in this story and experiencing a range of emotions when I read this as child. Additionally, the vivid imagery and sincere characterization of these charming animals really made me nostalgic as I re-read this story was able to explore the larger embedded themes.Posted : Apr 10, 2014 07:57
Ashley Szofer
I don't have much of a personal remembrance of Charlotte's Web as a book from my childhood; although, I do remember watching a movie version of it frequently. I don't think I was a kid who particularly loved animal stories, and I always thought Fern was a weird name. But maybe because I thought it was weird, I named myself Fernie Fernie when my sister and I played princesses (yeah, I was a weird kid). But I digress. Reading this again was a delight (and a great break from all of the policy I've been reading). I love the story of the unlikely friendship, and this is a story that deals with loss in a healthy way that invites discussion on the part of parents or teachers. It reads well, and it was also really entertaining to hear how much went into the writing of this article by E.B. White. It's such a classic tale with great reason for being so with it's deep themes of love, friendship, and loss.Posted : Apr 10, 2014 06:06
Cami Gordon
I too loved Charlotte's Web as a child and was really struck by the Smithsonian article as it made the fictional tale of a spider and pig so much more real for me. Rereading it for this class shed new light on a book I felt I knew very well. I especially agree with Stacey-Ann's comment about the "Last Day" chapter. As a child, I don't remember this chapter having such an apparent grappling with life and death and I wonder if it had been brought to my attention where the conversation could have gone.Posted : Apr 10, 2014 04:39
Stacey-Ann Morris
Growing up, this was actually one of my favorite books. I remember wishing I had a barn full of talking animals, that I could share my secrets and moments with. I also remember telling my parents that we shouldn't eat bacon anymore, and that we should go vegetarian. I can say that my parents didn't take me too seriously! Now, re-visiting the book, one theme that really stuck with me is the concept of life and death. In the chapter, "Last Day", Charlotte tells Wilbur "After all, what's a life, anyway? We're born, we live a little while, we die.” I think this is an interesting quote, and perhaps a great opportunity to have classroom discussions on mortality with children. Many times, we tend to shy away from these discussions, but I think there are ways to create healthy conversations about with children.Posted : Apr 10, 2014 03:49
E. Ucan
Similar to Long's experience, I also only now, as an adult, was able to really appreciate the underlying themes of love and sacrifice that resonate throughout Charlotte's Web. The choice of language, which many have mentioned, is something that I enjoyed as a child and enjoyed while re-reading the story as an adult. White's use of language has the ability to transport you to a different time and place. Also, like Corinne mentioned, I think that Charlotte defining words for Wilbur could be a great opportunity to discuss vocabulary with a young reader. The instructional elements and serious topics (life, death, love) throughout the story could arguably, be considered one of the more complex children's books we have explored this semester. The Smithsonian article enabled me to appreciate the book even more, because it signaled many of the subtleties that were incorporated into White's descriptions. Overall, it was enjoyable to revisit this classic children's story.Posted : Apr 10, 2014 02:43