The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

Bibliographic Information:
Tolkien, J. (1986). The hobbit. New York, NY: Ballantine Books.
ISBN# 978-0345339683

Plot Summary:
Bilbo Baggins is a mild-mannered hobbit who minds his own business without having any adventures. That is until Gandalf the Grey, a renowned wizard stops by to chat one day. After their conversation Bilbo finds that he has signed on to be the fourteenth member of a quest as thirteen is highly unlucky. Bilbo is to join thirteen dwarves as their burglar. The dwarves want to get back to their ancestral land and take back their gold from Smaug the dragon. Bilbo will get a fourteenth share of any treasure that they recover or if he doesn’t survive, his heirs will receive his share. Used to at least two breakfasts each day, Bilbo finds traveling with the thirteen dwarves uncomfortable to say the least. The dwarves aren’t thrilled with him either especially when they have to take turns carrying him. They run into goblins, greedy elves, gigantic spiders, a bearlike person and orcs. Eventually they get to the Lonely Mountain where Smaug lives. Unfortunately, they aren’t the only ones who feel that they should get Smaug’s treasures. Battle breaks out. Will anyone get the treasure? Will Smaug fry them all? Will Bilbo ever be the quiet, comfortable hobbit merely enjoying his hobbit hole?

Critical Evaluation:
This is a great fantasy novel. Although it was intended for adults it has crossed over into young adult literature and even younger. Tolkien uses very descriptive language which allows the reader to fully visualize his world of Middle Earth. Amazingly Tolkien created new languages for the different peoples in his books. Bilbo Baggins grows as a character as the book progresses. At first he is more of a burden to the dwarves. But after their encounter with the goblins, the dwarves start relying on him more. He is key in helping them when they are captured by the elves. Without him they would have died when they were trapped by the spiders. Bilbo goes from being a pudgy hobbit content to eat, drink and smoke his pipe to a stern, clever, hero who takes initiative. At the beginning of their journey the dwarves grumble about Bilbo. But their attitude changes; they ask for his advice and look to him to solve their problems. This book is a must for most libraries.

Reader's Annotation:
Based on the recommendation of Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit, joins the 13 dwarves as their burglar on their quest to get back to their ancestral land and take back their gold from Smaug the dragon.

Information about the author:
Born in South Africa in 1892, John Ronald Reul Tolkien moved to England at the age of 3. His father died when he was 4. He may have based his description of the Shire on the Warwickshire countryside where he lived. When he was 12 his mother died and Tolkien was reared by Father Xavier Morgan, the family priest. Tolkien excelled in languages and studied Greek, Anglo Saxon, Finnish. He married when he was 21. After getting his degree he joined the army in 1916. While he rarely discussed his military experiences, it is thought that they influenced his writings especially in creating the land of Mordor. He started writing the Silmarillion, which he worked on continuously even while writing his other books. Tolkien wrote The Hobbit and was convinced to get it published after C. S. Lewis read the manuscript and gave it a glowing review. It was a success and he was encouraged to write a sequel. This sequel began The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Tolkien was never thrilled with his fame. He valued his privacy. In 1973 he died.
http://www.biographyonline.net/writers/tolkien_jrr.html

Genre: Fantasy

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts

Booktalking Ideas:
• What does Bilbo mean when he says, “Good day” to Gandalf?
• How do the dwarves react to having Bilbo go with them?
• What is their goal?
• Do you think the riddle game was fair? Why? Why not?
• When does Bilbo become useful?
• What are your thoughts about Gollum? Why?
• What do you think of Bilbo’s trade? Why?
• Does this book make you want to read The Lord of the Rings trilogy? Why?


Reading Level/Interest Level:
This book was intended for adults, but is a cross-over for teens. It can also be used for children in upper elementary and middle school with support.

Challenge Issues:
Magic; smoking

If the book is challenged:
• Listen calmly to the complainant.
• Ask if s/he has read the entire novel.
• Show positive reviews of the novel.
• Show the selection policy.
If the complainant still has issues with the book:
• Request that the complainant read the entire book if this has not already occurred.
• Have the complainant fill out a reconsideration form.
• Set up a reconsideration meeting.
• Provide the reconsideration meeting members with:
o Positive reviews
o Selection policy
o Reconsideration policy

Selection Process:
My older sister read The Hobbit to me when I was in junior high. I enjoyed the book so much that over the years I have read it, and the trilogy, well over ten times. My daughter’s fifth grade class is currently listening to teacher read The Hobbit. This book is a classic and one I couldn’t overlook.