Rating: 
Summary: Not as great, but not terrible
Review: The concept and the incredible resolution are still interesting. However, I feel it lacked the exciting and dangerous quality of the first. The space theme seems more difficult for students to identify with. The wonderful development of the sibling relationship is still there and the illustrations are still incredible, although they have a more rough and textured quality. Children will still enjoy it, just not as breathtaking as Jumanji.
Rating:
Summary: Not as great, but not terrible
Review: The concept and the incredible resolution are still interesting. However, I feel it lacked the exciting and dangerous quality of the first. The space theme seems more difficult for students to identify with. The wonderful development of the sibling relationship is still there and the illustrations are still incredible, although they have a more rough and textured quality. Children will still enjoy it, just not as breathtaking as Jumanji.
Rating: 
Summary: Mind Bending and Smart Children's Literature
Review: Zathura by Chris Van Allsburg is the sequel to Jumanji. However, you don't need to know this in order to enjoy Zathura. Zathura is sort of like 2001 A Space Odyssey for children. Two brothers have mysteriously discovered the Jumanji game board. When you play the game a parallel universe is created in which events on the board occur in real life. This time the two brothers find a new game called Zathura. Zathura is a space board game. What makes this story fascinating and exciting is the way Van Allsburg is able to weave together a story of sibling rivalry with elements of astronomy. Black Holes, parallel universes, time travel Etc.. If the brothers want to survive the game they must learn to work together and put aside their jealousies. The story creates a real sense of danger for them. We aren't sure how things will turn out for the brothers. The ending of the story is a real brain twister. The illustrations of the two brothers flying through outer space in their house are mind blowing. The payoff for this story is in it's big ideas, not in pictures of monkeys storming through a kitchen. Van Allsburg has already done this in Jumanji. In Zathura he wants to break new ground. Zathura is smart and daring in the way it is willing to take risks by presenting large ideas to children.Preston McClear, author The Boy Under the Bed
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