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The Hobbit
by: J. R. R. Tolkien
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Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling further than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard, Gandalf, and a company of thirteen dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day, to whisk him away on a dangerous expedition to raid the treasure-hoard of Smaug the dragon. Bilbo's life is never to be the same again…
SYNOPSIS
REVIEW
Content warning: The hobbits and dwarves like to smoke tobacco and drink beer and wine.
The Hobbit is a wonderfully whimsical and wholesome adventure about Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit who lives a simple life, blissfully free from danger and uncertainty. Bilbo is comfortable in his cozy corner of the Shire but he’s both afraid and curious about what lies beyond its borders. When he’s unexpectedly thrust into an exhilarating quest across Middle Earth with a band of dwarves and a wizard, he encounters perils beyond his wildest imagination—and triumphs that are even greater.
This book is all about stepping out of your comfort zone and finding the bravery to embrace the unknown. It reminds us that, like Bilbo, we may sometimes feel intimidated, underprepared, or unqualified for the opportunities that come our way. But, if we muster the courage to take a leap of faith and dive right into the thick of things, we can embark on amazing adventures and discover that life can lead us to places we never thought possible.
Bilbo’s journey is filled with challenges, and while most of us may not have to sneak past a hungry dragon, like him, we will encounter people who doubt our abilities. Bilbo’s patience, perseverance, and resilience in the face of these trials offer both children and adults valuable lessons about using criticism and obstacles as fuel to propel us forward.
My only criticism of The Hobbit is that while it is a beautifully crafted tale with vivid, detailed imagery that draws you right into the story, some of the vocabulary may be a bit advanced for younger readers. Words like “flummoxed” and “sorcerous” pop up frequently and phrases like “behold” and “shan’t” definitely age the novel. However, despite its dated language, I still recommend this book to kids because I believe that the lessons at its heart are timeless. Just be prepared for some “What does this word mean?” questions!
As always, for the kids who are completely enchanted by the world of The Hobbit, here are a few fun activities they can dive into!
