Storks no longer make their seasonal homes in the seaside Dutch village of Shora. Many decades have past since they have taken up residence but there are some who remember and begin to dream of having them back. This dream is sparked by a young girl, Lina, who asks why the storks do not come to their village but do stop and stay in the neighboring ones. Encouraged by their teacher, Lina and her five classmates work to solve the mystery and take steps toward fulfilling the dream of the storks' return. These steps are arduous, frustrating, and frightening but each one gets them closer to the "impossibly impossible". The novel teaches a respect for tradition and the elders amongst us. Without old Douwa and Grandmother Sibble III, the children would not have been able to begin making their dream come true. The children must also overcome their fear of Janus, a man who has lost his legs in a rumored shark attack, and when they do, find his smarts, experience, physical strength and leadership are indispensable to the obstacles they encounter. DeJong's writing is suspenseful and humorous and slightly rebellious against the established political and journalistic order of Holland which transcends time and culture. The book most certainly deserved the Newbury medal (awarded in 1955) but I wonder if it could win today in our hypersensitive, politically correct and highly litigious society. There was a whole lot of cutting school, climbing buildings, risking life and limb battling the ocean tides, handling of wild animals, talk of corporal punishment, and several instances of 'verbal' abuse. I have to say I enjoyed it all so much, I felt slightly naughty. In all seriousness... it takes the courage and tenacity of the whole town to make this dream come true and not once did the dream die. Believing that the "impossibly impossible" can be realized is the great lesson of The Wheel on the School.
(The book is full of delightful illustrations by Maurice Sendak which makes the reading even more enjoyable.)
4 comments:
I loved this book when I read it in 4th grade and have been disappointed that my own children haven't liked it as much as I did. Perhaps they find it hard to overlook the things you mentioned as being politically incorrect today. Good point. Great review!
Laura - Sorry so long in responding...I am always a little sad when my daughter doesn't love a book as much as I did when I was a kid. I would be interested to have her read this book and see what she thinks.
Just wanted to say that my second grade son just read this book in his elementary school reading group. When he finished it, he "highly recommended" it to me. I am glad to say that I was equally enthralled by this gem of a story and feel blessed too have been introduced to it. I love that the characters all have distinct personalities and complete character arcs. My son loved it because the kids were at times naughty, cranky, frustrated curious, and filled with wonder. These kids seemed real and knowable compared to the watered down characters and stories often offered children today. Each character in this story grows and becomes a better person on his/her journey. I love the messages here -- that the elderly and disabled have much to offer; that pursuing a dream can make the dream become a reality, and that working as a team has many benefits rather than the messages we often see today of me first! I look forward to reading something else by DeJong. Any suggestions? Best, Penny
Penny - I loved it for all the same reasons:) I am ashamed to say that I have not sought out another DeJong work but I hope to soon as I am always looking for a good Dutch read. I would recommend Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates if you nor your son have not had the chance to read it yet (I still can't believe I didn't pick this one up until my early 30s). Has a lot of the same themes as Wheel and amazed by the exhilarating freedom for children found in these two works...wonderful to find in books since not always achievable in today's world. A huge theme in Silver Skates is the responsibility we have for others. I love that your son 'highly recommended' The Wheel and you read it. I try to do that with my oldest (the best book that she led me to so far was Number the Stars by Lois Lowry) but often fall short (I just barely read Love That Dog which she has been begging me to read for about five years:( and hope to get to Twilight this year). Thank you for stopping by and sorry I could not be more helpful concerning a DeJong recommendation.
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