Book ideas for a Hobbit lover

[thowell]

Dd12 just finished reading the Hobbit and loved it. I don't want her to start on TLOTR yet since I want to do that next year for her lit study. What else is out there that she might like?

[Lori D.]

Dd12 just finished reading the Hobbit and loved it... What else is out there that she might like?

 

 

 

Seriously, there is nothing else like The Hobbit. Even Lord of the Rings is very different in tone and purpose. However, I've tried to come up with something for you. ;) I'm assuming it is the combination of fantasy world, and the lighter tone that DD would like to repeat? Based on that assumption, below are some ideas. BEST of luck! Warmly, Lori D.

 

 

Others by Tolkien:

- Roverandom (the weakest of Tolkien's writings; story he told to son Michael who lost a toy dog on a family vacation of the dog's adventures)

- Farmer Giles of Ham (short story) -- very fun and funny "mock epic" with a dragon and a wily

- Smith of Wooten Major (short story) -- more like Lord of the Rings in tone than The Hobbit

- Father Christmas Letters (series of letters Tolkien wrote and illustrated to his children in the voice of Father Christmas -- out of print; go with the edition linked, as other editions are much abridged)

 

 

Possibilities:

- The Princess and the Goblins (George MacDonald) -- similar slightly goofy goblins; Christian themes in the background

- The Sea of Trolls (Nancy Farmer) -- Norse influence, which is also a big influence on Tolkien in Lord of the Rings

- Enchanted Forest Chronicles (series) (Patricia Wrede) -- dragons and humans

- The Dragon of Lonely Island (and sequel) (Rebecca Rupp) -- dragons and children

 

 

Further Afield Ideas:

I didn't think these were at ALL as well written (they seemed repetitive, the vocabulary was not as rich, and the characters were not very deeply developed), BUT, the Belgariad series by David Eddings is clean, creates an entire fantasy world, has several non-human races as well as human characters, and is an epic-quest tale:

1. Pawn of Prophecy

2. Queen of Sorcery

3. Magician's Gambit

4. Castle of Wizardry

5. Enchanters' End Game

 

 

A fantasy world series with Christian themes (which Lord of the Rings has, but not so much The Hobbit), and with non-human characters is C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. Another fantasy world often enjoyed at about that age is The Chronicles of Prydain series by Lloyd Alexander, with The Book of Three being the first in the series; all human characters, as I recall.

 

I don't recommend The Dark is Rising Series by Susan Cooper or The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials series), as the first gets more adult and is never "light" in tone, while the second becomes rather bleak in worldview -- neither has the light, "hobbit-ish" adventure tone of The Hobbit -- however, as long as students understands that, and tone was not what they were looking for, then those could be possibilities.

 

The Eragon series by Christopher Paolli is much more like Lord of the Rings in tone and epic-ness, and generally a better fit for older teens.

[thowell]

You are the best!!!! She has read The Chronicles of Narnia last year and liked them well enough, but so far nothing has compared to the Hobbit. She now has her walls covered with the posters. I will research the other ones you sent me. I would love to find her a series that will last longer!

[Kareni]

Is she studying Latin? My daughter received Hobbitus Ille: The Latin Hobbit

as a Christmas gift.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[PeterPan]

You're unnecessarily holding her back from LotR. If she likes it, she'll reread it multiple, multiple times. If she doesn't, well then you might as well know now, before you plan so much study of it. And for the record, last time I asked (months ago), my dd had read the trilogy 16 times. ;) I really wouldn't sweat it. Go to B&N and pick a size with a font she prefers. My dd uses a softback set of the separate volumes for reading quickly and has a hardbound, all in one, extra beautiful version for when she wants that.

 

BTW, to answer your question, look for mysteries. That's the other thing my dd has been going through the past couple years. There was a mystery thread a while back that had some good lists. My dd's surprise was Dorothy Sayers.

[VaKim]

She might also like The Annotated Hobbit. My dds have this.

 

http://www.amazon.com/The-Annotated-Hobbit-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0618134700/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356695787&sr=8-1&keywords=the+annotated+hobbit

[maize]

You're unnecessarily holding her back from LotR. If she likes it, she'll reread it multiple, multiple times. If she doesn't, well then you might as well know now, before you plan so much study of it.

 

I agree with this. LOTR can be read and re-read, I would let her read it now then go back to it when you do your lit study.

[Hedgehogs4]

You're unnecessarily holding her back from LotR. If she likes it, she'll reread it multiple, multiple times. If she doesn't, well then you might as well know now, before you plan so much study of it. And for the record, last time I asked (months ago), my dd had read the trilogy 16 times. ;) I really wouldn't sweat it. Go to B&N and pick a size with a font she prefers. My dd uses a softback set of the separate volumes for reading quickly and has a hardbound, all in one, extra beautiful version for when she wants that.

 

 

 

I definitely agree.

[thowell]

I am so glad you ladies posted this. I have been torn with if it is the right thing to stop her from reading something she is interested in. I am going to let her go on and read the series now and then come back to it next year when we do the Literary lessons. I started thinking this might actually make it easier to get all the good stuff out of the lit study if it isn't her first time through the books. Thanks ladies !!!

[PeterPan]

I am so glad you ladies posted this. I have been torn with if it is the right thing to stop her from reading something she is interested in. I am going to let her go on and read the series now and then come back to it next year when we do the Literary lessons. I started thinking this might actually make it easier to get all the good stuff out of the lit study if it isn't her first time through the books. Thanks ladies !!!

 

Yes! KarenAnne here on the boards used to say that she didn't even *try* to discuss a work until they had read it three times through. Hard to see patterns and symbolism and go deeper when you're just trying to get through the basics. With LotR especially there's SO much there. It will definitely be fine to read multiple times ahead. :)

[6wishes]

I read The Hobbit with my 9 and 11 year old. They also enjoyed it, but I've heard LoTR can be scary- I personally haven't read them, but want to read them to them when we do, so what is a good, recommended age? We also saw The Hobbit, would LoTR be too scary for them to see with their ages?

[JudoMom]

I am so glad you ladies posted this. I have been torn with if it is the right thing to stop her from reading something she is interested in. I am going to let her go on and read the series now and then come back to it next year when we do the Literary lessons. I started thinking this might actually make it easier to get all the good stuff out of the lit study if it isn't her first time through the books. Thanks ladies !!!

 

Oh, good. If it helps, my ds12 has read LOTR multiple times, and he's very excited that we might study it in school next year.

[thowell]

I read The Hobbit with my 9 and 11 year old. They also enjoyed it, but I've heard LoTR can be scary- I personally haven't read them, but want to read them to them when we do, so what is a good, recommended age? We also saw The Hobbit, would LoTR be too scary for them to see with their ages?

 

I have seen LOTR several times and have not seen the Hobbit yet. I heard the Hobbit was scarier than LOTR. As far as the movies go.

[thowell]

ok so she will read it on her Nook. Should I get the 3 separate books or the 3 volumes in one? I know the LL uses the 3 in 1. Is there any other advantage over getting the 3 separate?

[Mrs Mungo]

I really liked the Riddle-Master of Hed trilogy as a teen. You MUST buy all three books at once; it is cruel not to do so.

[Lori D.]

I read The Hobbit with my 9 and 11 year old. They also enjoyed it, but I've heard LoTR can be scary- I personally haven't read them, but want to read them to them when we do, so what is a good, recommended age? We also saw The Hobbit, would LoTR be too scary for them to see with their ages?

 

 

 

re: the books

I would say the difference is that LotR is not "more scary", but rather, "more serious" than The Hobbit. The Hobbit has a light, almost whimsical, fairytale-type of tone. The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a serious epic, bringing in powerful themes, plus more of the elevated vocabulary, history and high culture of the peoples of the various realms of Middle Earth -- plus Tolkien's mythology and languages.

 

Hard to say what is the best age for LotR. If you've read aloud a lot of works with elevated vocabulary and concepts, and your children have a good, long attention span, then ages 9 and 11 could be fine -- esp. if they really liked The Hobbit and want more Middle Earth. Consider abridging as you read by skipping over the many songs (some in Elvish), and some of the extended descriptive paragraphs, to keep focused on the story. Another thought: there are a lot of fun interactive maps and other interesting LotR websites out there that may increase interest and help your children stick with the trilogy.

 

Or, you may prefer to wait and read the trilogy yourself, first, and see what you think. Be aware that the first volume, Fellowship of the Ring, is most similar in tone at the start to The Hobbit, and is more about direct action, than the next two volumes (The Two Towers, Return of the King), which "feel" slower and more serious.

 

At some point (a few years in the future), you may enjoy doing Literary Lessons from the Lord of the Rings together -- a full-year study and wonderful, gentle intro into beginning literary analysis, with 12 fascinating units of related material, for grades 7-10.

 

 

re: the movies

The films are so completely different in tone, purpose, characterization, and even in what events happen that I would set them aside as something separate and other than the books. I think of the movies as action/spectacles, with a focus on fabulous scenery, great sets and costuming, and battles with lots of disfigured Halloween-mask type characters and a lot of getting shot with arrows, sword whacking, and heads lopped off -- same level of dirt, blood and gore as The Hobbit. The movies are about the visuals, the action, and the occasional moment of relationship thrown in. The books are about powerful images and ideas, nobility, temptation and choice, consequences of choice, redemption, depth of character, and the world of Middle Earth itself.

 

Having seen The Hobbit and the 3 LotR movies, I'd say that if your children were okay with the serious and violent parts of The Hobbit (for example, chased up the trees by the wargs and then battling the pale orc and the goblin warg-riders), then they will probably be okay with LotR. Nothing worse battle-wise; the battles just go on a lot longer. (FWIW: our personal choice was to wait until our DSs were about 11-12 before introducing them to any of these types of films -- but older DS was sensitive, and younger DS had bad nightmares when he was younger -- no way we wanted to fuel that.)

 

However, JMO -- I would NOT use the films to introduce the LotR books. The films made some big changes in the motivation and character of several of the characters, plus the films completely change some events and even make up new events that never happen in the books.

 

 

Just my 2 cents worth, FWIW! :) BEST of luck, whatever you decide. Warmest regards, Lori D.

[6wishes]

 

 

 

re: the books

I would say the difference is that LotR is not "more scary", but rather, "more serious" than The Hobbit. The Hobbit has a light, almost whimsical, fairytale-type of tone. The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a serious epic, bringing in powerful themes, plus more of the elevated vocabulary, history and high culture of the peoples of the various realms of Middle Earth -- plus Tolkien's mythology and languages.

 

Hard to say what is the best age for LotR. If you've read aloud a lot of works with elevated vocabulary and concepts, and your children have a good, long attention span, then ages 9 and 11 could be fine -- esp. if they really liked The Hobbit and want more Middle Earth. Consider abridging as you read by skipping over the many songs (some in Elvish), and some of the extended descriptive paragraphs, to keep focused on the story. Another thought: there are a lot of fun interactive maps and other interesting LotR websites out there that may increase interest and help your children stick with the trilogy.

 

Or, you may prefer to wait and read the trilogy yourself, first, and see what you think. Be aware that the first volume, Fellowship of the Ring, is most similar in tone at the start to The Hobbit, and is more about direct action, than the next two volumes (The Two Towers, Return of the King), which "feel" slower and more serious.

 

At some point (a few years in the future), you may enjoy doing Literary Lessons from the Lord of the Rings together -- a full-year study and wonderful, gentle intro into beginning literary analysis, with 12 fascinating units of related material, for grades 7-10.

 

 

re: the movies

The films are so completely different in tone, purpose, characterization, and even in what events happen that I would set them aside as something separate and other than the books. I think of the movies as action/spectacles, with a focus on fabulous scenery, great sets and costuming, and battles with lots of disfigured Halloween-mask type characters and a lot of getting shot with arrows, sword whacking, and heads lopped off -- same level of dirt, blood and gore as The Hobbit. The movies are about the visuals, the action, and the occasional moment of relationship thrown in. The books are about powerful images and ideas, nobility, temptation and choice, consequences of choice, redemption, depth of character, and the world of Middle Earth itself.

 

Having seen The Hobbit and the 3 LotR movies, I'd say that if your children were okay with the serious and violent parts of The Hobbit (for example, chased up the trees by the wargs and then battling the pale orc and the goblin warg-riders), then they will probably be okay with LotR. Nothing worse battle-wise; the battles just go on a lot longer. (FWIW: our personal choice was to wait until our DSs were about 11-12 before introducing them to any of these types of films -- but older DS was sensitive, and younger DS had bad nightmares when he was younger -- no way we wanted to fuel that.)

 

However, JMO -- I would NOT use the films to introduce the LotR books. The films made some big changes in the motivation and character of several of the characters, plus the films completely change some events and even make up new events that never happen in the books.

 

 

Just my 2 cents worth, FWIW! :) BEST of luck, whatever you decide. Warmest regards, Lori D.

 

 

Thanks for this info. It helps a lot. I prefer to read books before movies anyways. I'm assuming it would take us a while to read through, so they might be a year older each before we even get to he movies. Sorry about the double post-still figuring out this new format :).

[Hedgehogs4]

My son read the Hobbit and then wanted to read LoTR when he was 9. He read the first one--it took him a while. Then he listened to the Rob Ingliss unabridged version of the Two Towers. Then he lost momentum. This year The Hobbit was required reading for our literature, and so he and his 7yo sister and I listened to the Rob Ingliss version together. He thoroughly enjoyed it AGAIN, and she loved it for the first time. He went on to re-read the trilogy and complete it this time. He is now also interested in reading the History of Middle Earth and Simarillon. He is 11.

 

I think LoTR is very much a particular story that appeals to some people and definitely not to others. If it appeals to your child, I think it will take on a life of its own in their thoughts and imagination. I would not hold back. The books are not scary--they are full of adventure and difficulty and serious themes, but the story is spellbinding--if you like it. You fall in love with certain characters and get to know them so well. These books become old friends.

[thowell]

So little update. I ordered Dd12 the one volume book yesterday around 5:30 and I have not seen her since expect for the occasional "Mom guess what!" She was more excited about getting to read the books than she was over any other christmas present??!! I am very glad I decided to let her go ahead with them. Why hold her back! I just dont know where she will find the room to add LOTR posters to her room as every wall is covered with The Hobbit!!!

[Roadrunner]

I have the same question with a younger kid (seven). He fell in love with the Hobbit and is now begging to read TLOTR. If I can produce a good substitute until he is at least 10, I will be happy. He has already devoured most of Harry Potter but isn't taken by Narnia. Off to check out Lori.D's suggestions.