Monday, February 25, 2013

Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

I think this is the third time I've read The Chronicles of Narnia and I still can't put it down.  But finding the time to read (mostly in the car) is easier than finding the time to write.

Title:  The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
Series:  The Chronicles of Narnia
Author: C. S. Lewis
Approximate Reading Level:  7th grade

Summary:  "Always winter and never Christmas."  This is the curse that Narnia is under when the children get there.  Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy are sent away during the war for their safety, away from the air raids that often happened in major cities.  While there, Lucy discovers a way to Narnia, although it isn't there all the time.  At first, the others don't believe, but when they travel to Narnia too, they have no choice.  While there, they help Aslan (the lion in the title) rescue Narnia from the White Witch.  They have many adventures and many trials, including a traitor among them.  How can they defeat the witch's magic and reclaim Narnia?  Will they ever be able to return to England?  You'll have to read to find out.

Review:  I love the way the Narnia series reads.  Lewis tells the story as though you're sitting next to him listening, rather than reading decades later.
Fantasy elements in the story include talking animals, a magical portal between worlds, and mythical creatures.  Battle scenes may be intense for some children.  A traitor is judged, but forgiven; and good triumphs over evil in the end.
****4 stars

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician's Nephew

Wow, has it really been over 3 months since I last posted?  Yikes!  Sorry :(  A lot has happened since then.  My "part time" job scheduled me for way more than part time hours, and there's been a couple new additions to the bookworm family (one canine, one human). :)  Here's hoping I'll be able to post more regularly than every 3 months, although I won't guarantee every week.
Keep reading,
Bella

Title:  The Magician's Nephew
Author:  C. S. Lewis
Series:  The Chronicles of Narnia
Approximate Reading Level:  7th grade

Summary:  In The Magician's Nephew, readers see how Narnia began.  Digory and Polly, two young children living in London, England, are sent on an incredible journey by Digory's uncle.  They visit an in-between place, a world between worlds.  From here, they visit a world much older than their own, and a world much younger than their own.  A danger is brought into the new world of Narnia, but Aslan is forgiving, and allows Digory and Polly to bring back some magic into their own world.

Review:  C. S. Lewis is a wonderful writer, and his fantasy worlds come alive.  He often talks directly to the reader, bringing him into the story.  Uncle Andrew uses the word "dem" several times, a variation of "damn" in C. S. Lewis' time.  In another scene, one character objects to the "harsh language" used by another.  However, the language used is no longer "harsh."  Good morals, regarding stealing and lying, are well represented.

****Four stars