The Wheel on the School

Rating:
Summary: a favorite for 20+ years
Review: I discovered this book when I was in fourth grade or thereabouts, quite by accident in the public library. Because it seemed to be about animals (it is about storks, but it's about people even more), I took it home. And it became one of three or four books that I reread every year or two thereafter. I've read it at least three times since I finally bought my own copy as an adult.

Why is it so enchanting? I realized last night as I reread it yet again that The Wheel on the School says effectively in a story what most of today's children's books try to say in cliches and lectures: You are special, and people who are different from you are special too. Why is the message and the book effective? Because each person in the town realizes he or she, or the others in the town, is an important part of the town as the person actually contributes to it. No one is sitting around discussing self-esteem, but, for example, the town's fat boy, who usually gets left out of games, discovers he is strong, and the town's grumpy cripple becomes a leader, as they take part in what has become the town's mission--to bring storks to Shora. The old people emerge with stories and with memories of their own childhood longings and feats, and the adults and children work together. The book represents adults the way children see them (mysterious, sometimes scary, sometimes annoying, but protective, stronger, and wiser than the children), not with today's irreverence or irrelevance and not in a way where they take over the book or the children's project.

The book was a balm to me as a kid, the child who was left out of everything, and who discovered in real life, with Lina, that sometimes old ladies make good friends when children don't. And now as an adult with friends ranging from children to old ladies, I still find the book warm and almost magical.

Rating:
Summary: Good, Simple, Easy to understand
Review: I read this book twice, and each time, I enjoyed it greatly. Even though it doesn't have any action with guns and blood, this little book is written as if a child wrote it (but it is much too long for a child to have written it!). A 2nd grader could understand this book, but a grown human could enjoy it.

Rating:
Summary: Keep trying! Don't ever give up!
Review: I read this to my son who is eleven. It is a great story. It is an old classic which certainly bears being remembered and read today. The story shows us a place and a time with which we were not familiar. Nature is a very close and intimate part of these children's lives. The admonition that their teacher gave them of looking for an old, unused wheel and to keep looking until they found one and that if they didn't find one where they thought one might be, then to look where they didn't think one might be, was the thing that impressed me most. We learned that storks come from Africa and make their nests on roofs of houses in northern Europe. My son and I both learned from and enjoyed reading this book and recommend it heartily to anyone looking for something "out of the ordinary".

Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: I was in 6th grade and I still find this book really interesting. It tells the story of kids at a northern Denmark, who ponder and act on the mystery for why the stoks migrating from Africa never came back one year to the wheels which were on top of houses in their village. The storks were a part of their life and for the children to not find them one year was really saddening. "The Wheel on the School" incorportates mystery and suspense as well as adventure. In addition we learn about the culture of Denmark, including the traditional wooden shoes and dikes which prevented flooding. I really think it is essential for any child to read this book. I loved this book when I read it and I know you or your child will too. It shows that even though a certain culture may be different, some aspects such as adventure and mystery can still stay the same.

Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: Meindert DeJong's literary voice is one of a old man sitting on a bench telling this charming tale with realism and character. This story takes you away to Shora, a small, fishing village where life has a pace of its own. The characters, mostly children, develop fully within the context of this inspiring story about their determination and ability to change their world. It is definitely one of those books you read furiously and hate to have end.

Rating:
Summary: Breathlessly exciting!
Review: Ok I'll admit I was very skeptical. The premise does seem a bit dry. School children band together to find a wheel to put on their school and attract storks....I was not excited by the prospect. Thank goodness I decided to read it aloud to my children anyway! Some parts of this book are so exciting and suspenseful that I literally had sweaty palms during the reading.

And just because it is a rousing good tale doesn't mean that there aren't some wonderful life lessons to be learned by it as well. Perserverance. Friendship. And the reality the EVERYONE has something to offer to common good. This is a timeless story with appeal to all ages. Grown-ups will enjoy reading this aloud as much as their children will enjoy hearing it. I confess....I read to the end because I couldn't wait for the next read-aloud session.

Rating:
Summary: The wheel on the School!!!!
Review: The Wheel on the School, a powerful well-written book, about the determination of young children. Meindert Dejong has a writing talent to write such a adventures book with the warm hearts of children. The story starts when Lena, a school girl in the only class full of boys, wondered why storks never came to the fishing villege of Shora. Why do they never come to Shora? That's what Lena and her friends wanted to find out. So what did they do, set out to bring them back. Soon the whole villege was trying to bring them back.And slowly thier wish began coming true.This 1955 Newberry award winner is a detailed story that everyone can enjoy of all ages.

Rating:
Summary: The most stupidest book I have ever read!
Review: This book is so boaring. I mean storks! Thats for like 5 year olds. This book is for people who like nice calm books. This book doesn't even have have any action,unlike Buffy the Vampire Slayer or the Angel series. If I reccommened any books i reccomened Charmed, Angel, or Buffy the Vampire Slayer books.