A Dog's Purpose

Cameron, W. Bruce. A Dog’s Purpose, New York: Forge Books, 2010.

This is not just another dog story but it will force us to question what we really know about dogs and their purpose in life. Bruce Cameron's fast-paced and character driven novel presents a tale of friendship, love, courage and loyalty.

The novel begins with the perspective of a stray dog and his family struggling to survive in the woods. A surprise turn of events causes his life to be cut short but is surprisingly reborn as a new puppy. Cameron’s use of first person narration introduces the readers to two main protagonists, Bailey the golden retriever and his loving companion Ethan.

A Dog’s Purpose is a heart-warming and humorous story of Bailey’s love for Ethan an eight-year-old boy and his spiritual and physical journey in finding purpose in all his reincarnated lives.

Cameron is known to be a New York Times Bestselling Author and has written a sequel called "A Dog's Journey". A Dog's Purpose has also been adapted into film and is scheduled to be released on 27 January 2017.

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Author Website
Movie Trailer

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Lewis, C.S. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia). Scranton, Pennsylvania : HarperCollins Publishers, 2005.

The story follows Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy as they enter a wardrobe which leads them to the magical land of Narnia. Narnia a place filled with talking animals but the children soon discover not everything is magical and great as it appears to be. The evil White Witch has taken captive of the land and has placed a curse of an eternal winter. Will the children be able to find Aslan the lion and help triumph over the evil White Witch?

Lewis uses the third person omniscient point of view where readers are able to hear the thoughts of any character and see the story unfold. The tone of the book is suspenseful and Lewis has the ability to capture the attention of the audience by the style of his writing.

Lewis has won two awards which include the Hugo Award Nominee for Best Novel (1954) and the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award (1962).

The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe is part of The Chronicles of Narnia Series and is the first book of the series. There are seven books in the series. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has also inspired many adaptions including television, stage productions, audio recordings and film. In 2005 a film adaption was released.

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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on Goodreads
The Chronicles of Narnia Series Order Reading List
2005 Movie Trailer

Charlotte's Web

White, E.B., Williams, Garth. Charlotte's Web. New York : Harper copyright, 1952.

Charlotte's Web tells a tale of friendship between Wilbur the farmyard pig and Charlotte the grey spider. Wilbur soon learns that his life will be cut short and as a result becoming farmer Zuckerman's Christmas dinner. Will Charlotte be able to save Wilbur and can Wilbur escape his fate with death?

White uses the third person omniscient point of view which mainly focuses on the characters of Wilbur and Charlotte. This narrative style is common among children's books and an effective way of telling the story. The tone of the book can be described as feel-good, moving and whimsical. Charlotte's Web is a beautiful story of friendship, loyalty, life and death which is suitable for all ages.

White has won numerous book awards including the Newbury Honor (1953), Ingalls Wilder Award (1970) and the Massachusetts Children's Book (1984).  

Charlotte's Web has inspired many adaptions including film, musical and a video game. The most recent film adaption is the 2006 version.

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Charlotte's Web on Goodreads
2006 Movie Trailer

Animal Farm

Orwell, George. Animal Farm. New York : NAL, 2003

Animal farm is a timeless classic and is so much more than just a story about farm animals. Orwell uses satire to present a political tale of totalitarianism and the Russian Evolution. A boar named Old Major shares his dream of a utopian farm governed by animals where freedom and equality exist. Sick and tired of being used and mistreated by man, the animals at Manor Farm revolt against their drunk owner Mr Jones. A new government has risen and all seems to be right in the world. But soon the animals will learn that, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”

Orwell uses third person narration where the story is mainly told from the view of the animals. The novel is written in an objective tone, the narrator acts as a bystander telling the readers the facts and events unfolding in the story. This allows the story to progress and for readers to interpret the moral behind Animal farm.  

Orwell has won a Hugo Award for best novella (1946) and the book has been adapted to film, the 1954 version was released as a cartoon and a remake was made in 1999.

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Animal Farm on Goodreads
1954 Movie Trailer
1999 Movie Trailer

Alice in Wonderland

Carroll, Lewis, Tenniel, John, Gardner, Martin. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: and Through the Looking Glass. New York : Signet Classics, 2001.

A classic favourite among adults and children. Alice in Wonderland is about a girl who falls down a rabbit hole and enters into a new world of fascinating animals and characters. The adventure that Alice embarks on becomes a strange and confusing place. Only time will tell if Alice will be able to make it back home.

Lewis uses third person narration but occasionally first and second person. Readers are able to follow Alice's journey, hear her feelings and thoughts throughout the book. Lewis' writing style can be described as witty and nonsensical. The tone throughout the book is whimsical and humorous. Alice in Wonderland is for all readers, there is never a dull moment, readers will find the book to be lighthearted and leisurely paced. 

The book has inspired many different adaptions including films, television, comics, live performances and music records.
There are two recent film releases, Alice in Wonderland in 2010 and Alice Through the Looking Glass in 2016.

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Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass on Goodreads
Alice in Wonderland 2010 Movie Trailer
Alice Through the Looking Glass 2016 Movie Trailer

Horse Heaven

Smiley, Jane. Horse Heaven. New York: Knopf, 2000.

Horse Heaven explores the world of thoroughbred horse racing, everything from owners, trainers and jockeys. The stakes can not be higher for these horses and that anything can happen on the track. Readers will learn about the life of a racing horse, the dangers and risks of each race.    

Smiley introduces readers to a complex world filled with a plethora of characters and horses. Smiley's writing style is both richly detailed and witty which gives a balance of humour and interest. The tone of the book can be described as dramatic, moody and sardonic. This allows readers to experience and enjoy the depth and complexity of the story. Horse Heaven is a fast-paced book that leaves readers excited and ready for the story to unravel.

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Horse Heaven on Goodreads
Author Website

Watership Down

Adams, Richard. Watership Down. New York : Macmillan, 1974, c1972.

Sensing that there will be danger in their warren a group of rabbits venture out in search of a new home. Watership Down is a tale of adventure, survival and courage. Can Hazel their leader be able to successfully bring the rabbits to a land of peace? Peace always comes at a cost, but at what price?

Adam's writing style is compelling and lyrical which allows the readers to be drawn into the story. Adams also uses the third person omniscient point of view that allows readers to understand the story from the rabbits and humans. The tone of the book is both moving and suspenseful which makes it such a captivating tale.

Watership Down has inspired many adaptions including films, television, miniseries, audiobooks, radio, stage productions and music records. The 1978 version was made an animated film.

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Watership Down on Goodreads
1978 Movie Trailer