Charlotte's Web - E.B. White

Title: Charlotte’s Web
Author: E.B. White
Illustrator: Garth Willaims
Publisher: Harper Collins
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Type: Chapter Book
ISBN: 978-0064410939
About:

A young girl, Fern, saves the runt piglet of the litter from being killed. She raises him and names him Wilber. When he gets too big he goes to live in a barn where he makes many friends. After Wilber learns he will be killed and eaten for dinner he turns to Charlotte, the spider, for help. She decides that if she makes him famous he will survive!

The book is written in third person narrative. This helps young readers receive an unbiased view of the story. It is set in the 1950’s on a farm in middle America. The major themes are the importance of friendship, death and growing up. The plot seemed to follow a typical rising action and falling action although one could also consider the beginning conflict of Fern saving Wilber as another high point in the plot.

The illustrations are done in a cartoon style. They are present every few pages or so. They are done in black and white pen sketches except for the cover that is in color. Line is very important to these illustrations and it is used to in shading to suggest three-dimensional figures.

This classic novel is one of the first I remember as a child. I fell in love with Charlotte's motherly demeanor and Wilber's childlike worry. This is a story that will not soon be forgotten. It lives in our hearts and just as I was lead to this book by my mother will I surely guide future children to it!