Modern Fantasy Book Review: Zathura

Zathura: A Space Adventure

"A buzzing sound came from the board and, with a click, a small green card popped out of the edge right in front of him. He picked it up and read, "'Meteor showers, take evasive action.'" 
'Hey Walter,' Danny started to say, "what does eva-' when he was interrupted by a noisy rat-a-tat-tat sound coming from the roof." - Zathura

Author/Illustrator: Chris Van Allsburg

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company

Copyright Date: 2002

Number of Pages: 32 pages

Reading Level: Pre-K, Grades 1-3

Genre: Modern Fantasy

Cost: $13.98 (Amazon)

Rating: ★★★★★

Zathura is the second book in the Jumanji series by Chris Van Allsburg, and it tells the story of two young boys who find a boring, old board game, but under that game they find another board. This board is about space, and the map goes from Earth to a planet called Zathura, then back to Earth. The younger brother, Danny, decides to play, and soon Walter is playing too. This game is unlike any other that they have ever played - the cards pop out of the board, and whatever the card says actually happens! The first event is a meteor shower, then Walter loses his gravity, and with every move the boys make, something different happens to them while they are in space. They continue to play in hopes of making it back to Earth, but things don't look good for them as the play continues on. To find out if they make it back to Earth or not, you'll have to read this book!

Zathura tells a fun, interesting, and creative story, and it would be a great book to use in the classroom. One way that this book could be used is for a creative writing activity. The teacher could read this book to the class, then tell the students to come up with their own game and write a story about people playing it, just as Danny and Walter played the game in the book. This activity would be fun for the students because they get to come up with their own game and tell a story about the adventures that occur as people play their game. It would also give the teacher a better insight about each student based on the games that they create. 

Book Rating:

	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★	★★	★	COMMENTS
PLOT	Plot is well developed with all five elements of a good plot structure (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution).	Plot is developed, but lacking one of the five elements of plot structure.	This book has a decent plot, but is lacking two of the five elements of plot structure.	This book has a weak plot that is lacking three of the five elements of plot structure.	This book does not have a defined plot, and is lacking four or more of the five elements of plot structure.	★★★★★ I give Zathura five stars for its plot because, even though the ending felt rushed, all five elements of good plot structure were included. Using those elements helped get the readers attention and keep them engaged throughout the story.
CHARACTER	The characters are well developed, have personality, and are believable.	Characters are well rounded, but lack in personality or they are not totally believable.	Characters are somewhat developed, and lack in personality or they are not totally believable.	The characters are underdeveloped, lack in depth and are not believable.	The characters are not developed   so the readers cannot connect to the book.	★★★★★ I give Zathura five stars for its characters. Both of the main characters are developed, and the audience can relate to the relationship that the two brothers have throughout the book, which is what makes the characters believable.
PACING	The story flows freely and is not rushed or slow.	The story moves freely for the most part, but there are a few spots where it feels rushed or slow.	The story moves freely for about half of the book, but the other half is rushed or slow.	The story often moves too fast or too slow and does not move freely.	There is no pacing in the story, which makes it difficult to read.	★★★★ I give Zathura four stars for pacing. This book it a short picture book, but it felt rushed the end. The story caught my interest and I wanted to keep reading, but I felt that the story was cut short at the end.

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