What do you think?
Rate this book
Jumanji
Welcome to the safari!
Can a board game change Peter and Judy Shepherd's lives? If it's the extraordinary game Jumanji, it can!
Alan Parrish discovered Jumanji's magical power twenty-six years ago. Now he's back to help Judy and Peter finish the game he started. Together they fend off a herd of elephants in the living room, battle a hunter from the jungle, and survive an earthquake in the house. It's all part of the incredible game of Jumanji, a game they'll never forget!
This book is the novelization of the 1995 Tristar hit film Jumanji, featuring Robbin Williams as Alan Parish.
Can a board game change Peter and Judy Shepherd's lives? If it's the extraordinary game Jumanji, it can!
Alan Parrish discovered Jumanji's magical power twenty-six years ago. Now he's back to help Judy and Peter finish the game he started. Together they fend off a herd of elephants in the living room, battle a hunter from the jungle, and survive an earthquake in the house. It's all part of the incredible game of Jumanji, a game they'll never forget!
This book is the novelization of the 1995 Tristar hit film Jumanji, featuring Robbin Williams as Alan Parish.
139 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
12 people are currently reading
353 people want to read
About the author
Todd Strasser
221 books797 followersTodd Strasser is an American author of more than 130 novels for adults, young-adults, and middle graders.
His most recent novel is Summer of '69
Booklist review: "Drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll, those hallmarks of the summer of 1969, are all here, but there's so much more. In this loosely autobiographical novel, Strasser introduces 18-year-old Lucas, who is bright and sensitive but also a screw up…. The picture painted of the Woodstock music festival shows the dark side of peace and love, and the prevalence of drugs is on almost every page…The best part of the book, however, is the one that transcends eras: Lucas' introspection as he contemplates his place in the world."
Kirkus review: "Strasser perfectly captures the golden haze of youth and life on the cusp of adulthood. Readers fascinated with this time period will find much to enjoy... Vietnam, Woodstock, road trips, and acid trips: a sweetly bittersweet, surprising, even melancholy bildungsroman set against a world in flux. Groovy, man."
His most recent young adult novel is Price of Duty:
2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens
“Compact and suspenseful, the novel raises important questions about war.” – Kirkus
“This thought-provoking book is both welcome and imperative.” – Booklist * (starred review).
"Rather than attempting to sway the reader, it offers awareness." - VOYA
“Tightly wound and compelling ... appropriate for an older middle school and high school audience. VERDICT: Highly recommended.” – School Library Journal
Bio: Todd was born in New York City. When he was young his parents moved to Roslyn Heights, New York (Long Island). Todd went to the I.U. Willets Elementary school and then attended the Wheatley School for junior high and high school. His best subjects were math and science. He also liked to read, but he had trouble with spelling and grammar, and didn't do well in English. His favorite sports were tennis, skiing and fishing. Todd went to college at New York University for a few years, and then dropped out. He lived on a commune, then lived in Europe where he was a street musician.
All the while, Todd wrote songs and poems and lots of letters to his friends back home. Finally he decided to try being a writer. He returned to the United States and went to Beloit College where he studied literature and writing.
After college, Todd worked at the Middletown Times Herald-Record newspaper in Middletown, New York, and later at Compton Advertising in New York City. In 1978, Todd sold his first novel, Angel Dust Blues. He used the money to start the Dr. Wing Tip Shoo fortune cookie company. For the next 12 years, Todd sold more fortune cookies than books.
Todd now divides his time between writing books and speaking at schools and conferences. When he's at home, he likes to spend time with his children and dog, Cooper. He still likes to play tennis and ski, but his favorite new sport is surfing.
His most recent novel is Summer of '69
Booklist review: "Drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll, those hallmarks of the summer of 1969, are all here, but there's so much more. In this loosely autobiographical novel, Strasser introduces 18-year-old Lucas, who is bright and sensitive but also a screw up…. The picture painted of the Woodstock music festival shows the dark side of peace and love, and the prevalence of drugs is on almost every page…The best part of the book, however, is the one that transcends eras: Lucas' introspection as he contemplates his place in the world."
Kirkus review: "Strasser perfectly captures the golden haze of youth and life on the cusp of adulthood. Readers fascinated with this time period will find much to enjoy... Vietnam, Woodstock, road trips, and acid trips: a sweetly bittersweet, surprising, even melancholy bildungsroman set against a world in flux. Groovy, man."
His most recent young adult novel is Price of Duty:
2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens
“Compact and suspenseful, the novel raises important questions about war.” – Kirkus
“This thought-provoking book is both welcome and imperative.” – Booklist * (starred review).
"Rather than attempting to sway the reader, it offers awareness." - VOYA
“Tightly wound and compelling ... appropriate for an older middle school and high school audience. VERDICT: Highly recommended.” – School Library Journal
Bio: Todd was born in New York City. When he was young his parents moved to Roslyn Heights, New York (Long Island). Todd went to the I.U. Willets Elementary school and then attended the Wheatley School for junior high and high school. His best subjects were math and science. He also liked to read, but he had trouble with spelling and grammar, and didn't do well in English. His favorite sports were tennis, skiing and fishing. Todd went to college at New York University for a few years, and then dropped out. He lived on a commune, then lived in Europe where he was a street musician.
All the while, Todd wrote songs and poems and lots of letters to his friends back home. Finally he decided to try being a writer. He returned to the United States and went to Beloit College where he studied literature and writing.
After college, Todd worked at the Middletown Times Herald-Record newspaper in Middletown, New York, and later at Compton Advertising in New York City. In 1978, Todd sold his first novel, Angel Dust Blues. He used the money to start the Dr. Wing Tip Shoo fortune cookie company. For the next 12 years, Todd sold more fortune cookies than books.
Todd now divides his time between writing books and speaking at schools and conferences. When he's at home, he likes to spend time with his children and dog, Cooper. He still likes to play tennis and ski, but his favorite new sport is surfing.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
November 13, 2024
I’ve opted for a nostalgic ‘90’s Robin Williams Junior Novelization Triple Feature Spectacular Extravaganza!
Jumanji: A Novelization by Todd Strasser: Based on the Exciting New Motion Picture from Tristar Pictures: Based on a Screenplay by Jonathan Hensleigh and Greg Taylor & Jim Strain: Based on a Screen Story by Greg Taylor & Jim Strain and Chris Van Allsburg: Based on the Book by Chris Van Allsburg (full title) is horror. The quotidian promotional movie photo used for the cover of this novelization does not negate that. (I mean, c’mon. It looks like a self-distributed Board Games and Your kids: Is it Safe? release during the VHS boom).
Revisiting this story as an adult, the themes of fatherhood and facing one’s past were welcome accompaniments to the man-eating plants, cat-sized spiders, and gremlin monkeys I loved as a kid.
A doppelgänger of Alan’s domineering father emerging from the cursed game to hunt him for not being man enough to face him after being taunted by the cryptic warning is such a powerful inclusion that doesn’t draw an obvious amount of attention to itself. It’s as if Alan’s fear of his father’s disapproval manifested inside the green inferno of the game to torment him—and perhaps to help him learn to stand up for himself—as he navigated the jungle all those years after being sucked into the game. Alan may have created the hunter, Van Pelt.
In light of this interpretation, the Home Alone shenanigans scene in the supermarket is all the more trivializing and almost ruins the story.
Jumanji: A Novelization by Todd Strasser: Based on the Exciting New Motion Picture from Tristar Pictures: Based on a Screenplay by Jonathan Hensleigh and Greg Taylor & Jim Strain: Based on a Screen Story by Greg Taylor & Jim Strain and Chris Van Allsburg: Based on the Book by Chris Van Allsburg (full title) is horror. The quotidian promotional movie photo used for the cover of this novelization does not negate that. (I mean, c’mon. It looks like a self-distributed Board Games and Your kids: Is it Safe? release during the VHS boom).
”Hunter from the Darkest Wild.
Makes you feel just like a child.”
Revisiting this story as an adult, the themes of fatherhood and facing one’s past were welcome accompaniments to the man-eating plants, cat-sized spiders, and gremlin monkeys I loved as a kid.
A doppelgänger of Alan’s domineering father emerging from the cursed game to hunt him for not being man enough to face him after being taunted by the cryptic warning is such a powerful inclusion that doesn’t draw an obvious amount of attention to itself. It’s as if Alan’s fear of his father’s disapproval manifested inside the green inferno of the game to torment him—and perhaps to help him learn to stand up for himself—as he navigated the jungle all those years after being sucked into the game. Alan may have created the hunter, Van Pelt.
In light of this interpretation, the Home Alone shenanigans scene in the supermarket is all the more trivializing and almost ruins the story.
October 6, 2019
This book really freaked me out...
This book is about a game jumanji when u roll the dice whatever hint u get comes to life and u need to understand what it wants u to...
Who ever get to the end needs to say jumanji loudly and all the horrors and creeps disappear
Suggestion for all ages
This book is about a game jumanji when u roll the dice whatever hint u get comes to life and u need to understand what it wants u to...
Who ever get to the end needs to say jumanji loudly and all the horrors and creeps disappear
Suggestion for all ages
October 21, 2015
1. Penguin Readers level2
2. Oct 19 / 30 minutes, Oct 20 / 45 minutes
3. board game / four children / animals / jangle
4. a) This is a book which turned the movie into the novel. The story is about a board game called "Jumanji". It is terrible game that was buried in the ground in 1869. The things on the board happen realy, and if somebody start the game, it does not be over by somebody make a goal. 100 years later, In 1969, A boy named Alan who is 12 years old then, and a girl named Sarah who is 13 years old and Alan's friend, started this game. And more two children joined, they continues to do the game while they were exposed many dangerous things..
b) The most exciting scene was that a Lion appeared in front of them. A lion almost attacked Peter and Judy (they are two of the children who played jumanji), but they were helped thanks to Peter. It made me feel uneasy.
5. I have seen this movie, so I felt that the book lacked dynamism. But, it is easy to understand and feel then situations by those photographies of the movie. This story was really excited because I could not guess the future and ending of this story. I lost track of time while I had read it, because this book was really thrilling.
2. Oct 19 / 30 minutes, Oct 20 / 45 minutes
3. board game / four children / animals / jangle
4. a) This is a book which turned the movie into the novel. The story is about a board game called "Jumanji". It is terrible game that was buried in the ground in 1869. The things on the board happen realy, and if somebody start the game, it does not be over by somebody make a goal. 100 years later, In 1969, A boy named Alan who is 12 years old then, and a girl named Sarah who is 13 years old and Alan's friend, started this game. And more two children joined, they continues to do the game while they were exposed many dangerous things..
b) The most exciting scene was that a Lion appeared in front of them. A lion almost attacked Peter and Judy (they are two of the children who played jumanji), but they were helped thanks to Peter. It made me feel uneasy.
5. I have seen this movie, so I felt that the book lacked dynamism. But, it is easy to understand and feel then situations by those photographies of the movie. This story was really excited because I could not guess the future and ending of this story. I lost track of time while I had read it, because this book was really thrilling.
August 13, 2011
A vivid story of adventure as two orphans, Judy and Peter, continue a game begun twenty-six years earlier. A great action adventure that can be enjoyed by adults as well as kids with vivid writing that puts you in the heart of the action. The only down side is the simplicity of the writing and of course the slightly unrealistic story of a game that comes to life...but of course we can all dream.
February 2, 2025
"Jumanji. A game for those who seek to find a way to leave their world behind".
One of my all time favorite movies! When I tell you the scream I scumpt when I stumbled across this book on eBay 🫣.
Anyway to my review...
I absolutely LOVED this. Reliving my childhood, apart from the original Jurassic Park movies this is one of my alltime favorites too!
The story starts with Alan Parrish and his crush Sarah Whittle starting a game called Jumanji that Alan found. "In the Jungle you must wait, until the dice read five or eight". Alan gets sucked into the boardgame until someone rolls a 5 or an 8. He's s stuck in there for 26 years as Sarah didn't continue to play...
Alan gets out of the game when a couple of kids named Judy and Peter get their hands on the game and roll an 8.
Filled with thrills, chills and suspense the four intend to end the game that Alan and Sarah started in 1969.
Stampedes, Monkeys, Mosquitos, Spiders, Crocodiles, Killer Plants and a Monsoon, oh and not forgetting Van Pelt. These are some of the atrocities that they face.
One of my all time favorite movies! When I tell you the scream I scumpt when I stumbled across this book on eBay 🫣.
Anyway to my review...
I absolutely LOVED this. Reliving my childhood, apart from the original Jurassic Park movies this is one of my alltime favorites too!
The story starts with Alan Parrish and his crush Sarah Whittle starting a game called Jumanji that Alan found. "In the Jungle you must wait, until the dice read five or eight". Alan gets sucked into the boardgame until someone rolls a 5 or an 8. He's s stuck in there for 26 years as Sarah didn't continue to play...
Alan gets out of the game when a couple of kids named Judy and Peter get their hands on the game and roll an 8.
Filled with thrills, chills and suspense the four intend to end the game that Alan and Sarah started in 1969.
Stampedes, Monkeys, Mosquitos, Spiders, Crocodiles, Killer Plants and a Monsoon, oh and not forgetting Van Pelt. These are some of the atrocities that they face.
November 1, 2012
BOOK TITLE : JUMANJI
Author : Todd Strasser
Publisher : Penguin Readers
Level : 2
Aran, JUMANJI, Sarah, animal, Peter, Judy, dig
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1: In this story, Aran opened strange box, and picked up JUMANJI and started the game. Will you open the strange box?
Answer:No, I wil not, because there may be bomb in the box.
2: In this sotry, Aran digged and put JUMANJI under the ground. Will you do the same thing?
Answer: No, I won’t. But, before putting it underground, I will break it completely.
Author : Todd Strasser
Publisher : Penguin Readers
Level : 2
Aran, JUMANJI, Sarah, animal, Peter, Judy, dig
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1: In this story, Aran opened strange box, and picked up JUMANJI and started the game. Will you open the strange box?
Answer:No, I wil not, because there may be bomb in the box.
2: In this sotry, Aran digged and put JUMANJI under the ground. Will you do the same thing?
Answer: No, I won’t. But, before putting it underground, I will break it completely.
April 17, 2013
The title is JUMANJI which was written by Tood Strasser, level 2.
It took me about 100 minute to fiinsh reading.
7wrords summary
1.dice
2.map
3.hunter
4.policeman
5.jungle
6.mosquit
7.scream
Q: Have you screamed after you came of age? please tell me why you
screamed.
This book was so interesting for me that I enjoyed reading it.
The most important scene for me is that when Alan threw his dice, elephants appeared in the game, JUMANJI, and they broke a lot of cars on the street . It is unbelievable realistic, but it made involve in it.
May 8, 2013
１. PENGUIN ATTRACTION LEVEL2
２. 190minutes
３. Aran Jumanji 26years family monkey jungle
lion
４. Do you want to play Jumanji?
５.I got interested in this stories, because I
think the game named Jumanji will be continued forever if someone found it.
I thought Aran was very brave, because when he play Jumanji, he was decided to go to the jungle. And he kept living the jungle by himself for 26 years!! If I were him, I was dead as soon as reaching there. This stories made me very excited and imagination. Thank you.
２. 190minutes
３. Aran Jumanji 26years family monkey jungle
lion
４. Do you want to play Jumanji?
５.I got interested in this stories, because I
think the game named Jumanji will be continued forever if someone found it.
I thought Aran was very brave, because when he play Jumanji, he was decided to go to the jungle. And he kept living the jungle by himself for 26 years!! If I were him, I was dead as soon as reaching there. This stories made me very excited and imagination. Thank you.
April 29, 2009
Jumanji is one of those films that I'd never list as a favourite, yet every time it's on TV I just end up watching it again! Loved the book of the film as well.
Read
May 1, 2009Fiction,Children's fiction,Caldecott Medal
Want to read
May 7, 2009well i saw the movie and i thought that was a cool movie and then i heard there was a book, then i went to good reads and found the book but if i find the book im going to read it for sure.
Read
August 26, 2011bruno
February 13, 2014
I like JUMANJI movie better than this book. It was easy to read, but I felt like something missing.
July 2, 2014
I read this book because my son loved it and wanted me to read it too. Fun, imaginative story. Great book for an 8-12 year old.
September 26, 2017
Fun plot, but not one I would read over and over again.
December 24, 2017
A book about some people who have a game and every time they roll the dice they find some animals.🐺
April 25, 2020
A game for those who seek to find a way to leave their world behind
A book based on a film based on a book. Why did there need to be a novelization of the book, when the film was already based on a book? It’s almost as bad as having a novelization of the Great Expectations film.
I have not read the original Chris Van Allsburg book, but have been watching Jumanji for many years now and although I don’t think some of the effects have aged particularly well, the film is still excellent. This novelization I would treat very similar to one of the Disney novelizations - a junior novelization. It’s pretty basic, with not much additional detail added - the beginning is very slightly changed, with more from Judy and Peter’s aunt and more of a look at Alan and Sarah’s relationship. And obviously Robin Williams’s endless adlibs would not have been in the original script.
This would be an excellent book to read to your children or read along with them, if they liked the film, or prior to seeing the film. It’s quite an easy read, with short chapters spread across 152 pages. There’s also 8 pages of photos contained within, although I will say that these are black and white and quite low quality images. Todd Strasser has written a good novelization and it’s a great page turner - the children will be shouting out for just one more chapter before bed!
I don’t really think that you need this AND the film AND the original book however. I have this because for some reason, despite my love of the film, I’ve never bought the book it was based on (I keep meaning to). But from a novelization collectors perspective, I would still recommend picking this up. It won’t take you long to read and you won’t learn anything that you didn’t really see on screen. It will make you want to watch the film again.
A book based on a film based on a book. Why did there need to be a novelization of the book, when the film was already based on a book? It’s almost as bad as having a novelization of the Great Expectations film.
I have not read the original Chris Van Allsburg book, but have been watching Jumanji for many years now and although I don’t think some of the effects have aged particularly well, the film is still excellent. This novelization I would treat very similar to one of the Disney novelizations - a junior novelization. It’s pretty basic, with not much additional detail added - the beginning is very slightly changed, with more from Judy and Peter’s aunt and more of a look at Alan and Sarah’s relationship. And obviously Robin Williams’s endless adlibs would not have been in the original script.
This would be an excellent book to read to your children or read along with them, if they liked the film, or prior to seeing the film. It’s quite an easy read, with short chapters spread across 152 pages. There’s also 8 pages of photos contained within, although I will say that these are black and white and quite low quality images. Todd Strasser has written a good novelization and it’s a great page turner - the children will be shouting out for just one more chapter before bed!
I don’t really think that you need this AND the film AND the original book however. I have this because for some reason, despite my love of the film, I’ve never bought the book it was based on (I keep meaning to). But from a novelization collectors perspective, I would still recommend picking this up. It won’t take you long to read and you won’t learn anything that you didn’t really see on screen. It will make you want to watch the film again.
Read
February 27, 2023The book teaches students that following and listening to directions is important and if you don't you might have a bad outcome. It also teaches that harm to other living things is unacceptable. This book is good to read to a little older students about their behavior and how they should act in a classroom.
February 28, 2023
Jumanji is a classic story that will engage with young students creativity and eye for adventure. This book could be assigned for the class to read as a whole or let them checkthe book out individually. I would use this in the younger grades of elementary school as they would find some of the events moe humorous and fun then older students.
November 10, 2024
Read this as a 12 yr old, and I couldn't put it down. I remember loving it! I had never really loved reading before, and this was a page turner.
Clearing my parents' attic, I found it again and gave it another go.
It's a shame to try again with adults' eyes because this is a rushed summary of the movie. But it's completely forgiven because it is imaginative and exciting, and over quickly!
Clearing my parents' attic, I found it again and gave it another go.
It's a shame to try again with adults' eyes because this is a rushed summary of the movie. But it's completely forgiven because it is imaginative and exciting, and over quickly!
August 7, 2024
This is quite interesting. I am so glad that you have shared this amazing blog post. I will definitely share this informative blog with my friends and other social sites. Aviators Jackets
Read
August 8, 2024Your post is appreciated. I have read extensively on numerous related topics! In contrast to other articles, yours had a profoundly unique impact on me Wholesale Health And Beauty Products
October 5, 2024
It's an amazing read! I first saw the movie years ago, and this book only enriched the experience :-) I highly recommend that fans of the book by Chris Van Allsburg and the original movie read this novel.
July 21, 2019
There’s more to writing a movie based book than describing what’s happening on the screen
November 20, 2020
A great read if you want to relive the movie. It's shorter, but I love the imagination in this story. It brings me back to childhood when I was enchanted by it all. I have to say I still am.
August 7, 2022
Light read and very helpful to read it in German
January 22, 2023
Jumanji greatest movie of all time
February 15, 2024
I really enjoyed reading the book because it reminded me of the original Jumanji movie which i watched when i was a kid
December 4, 2014
1. penguin level 2
2. 11/30 = 80 minutes
3. brothers, jumanji, dice, game, play, animals, world
4. Alan began the game, Jumanji. however, he went into the world of Jumanji. 26 years later, Judy and Peter found it and met Alan from Jumanji. Alan noticed the world a little bit changed. they began the game again but some things happened because of it. they tried to solve those.
5. I enjoyed reading this book. Ms. Sophie says don't write all things of the story on our book reports. I really understand this meaning by reading this book because I want everyone to enjoy the story without ideas of the end of this story.
2. 11/30 = 80 minutes
3. brothers, jumanji, dice, game, play, animals, world
4. Alan began the game, Jumanji. however, he went into the world of Jumanji. 26 years later, Judy and Peter found it and met Alan from Jumanji. Alan noticed the world a little bit changed. they began the game again but some things happened because of it. they tried to solve those.
5. I enjoyed reading this book. Ms. Sophie says don't write all things of the story on our book reports. I really understand this meaning by reading this book because I want everyone to enjoy the story without ideas of the end of this story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews