Oxford Reading Tree TreeTops Greatest Stories: Oxford Level 19: Moby Dick

by Geraldine McCaughrean

Sometimes we kill the whale. Sometimes the whaling kills us.When Ishmael joins the crew of the Pequod he is told of the danger he faces, but he still longs for the adventure that whale-hunting brings. As the ship travels the globe looking for its prey, Ishmael realises that there is more to their mission than oil, blubber and riches. Captain Ahab is a man consumed by obsession, but will he ever find the elusive Moby Dick? This tale beautifully depicts the power and mystery of the magnificent whale, and the trials of those who seek to harm him. TreeTops Greatest Stories offers children some of the worlds best-loved tales in a collection of timeless classics. Top children's authors and talented illustrators work together to bring to life our literary heritage for a new generation, engaging and delighting children. The books are carefully levelled, making it easy to match every child to the right book. Each book contains inside cover notes to help children explore the content, supporting their reading development. Teaching notes on Oxford Owl offer cross-curricular links and activities to support guided reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Genres: Classics, Fiction

112 pages, Paperback

Published May 12, 2016

About the author

Geraldine McCaughrean is a British children's novelist. She has written more than 170 books, including Peter Pan in Scarlet (2004), the official sequel to Peter Pan commissioned by Great Ormond Street Hospital, the holder of Peter Pan's copyright. Her work has been translated into 44 languages worldwide. She has received the Carnegie Medal twice and the Michael L. Printz Award among others.

Reviews

[Repix Pix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Las adaptaciones de Geraldine son una maravilla.

[Barbara DaCosta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This version of Moby Dick presents Herman Melville's complete story line. I came across this book while researching for my own work Mighty Moby, and really enjoyed McCaughren's adaptation of this classic. She was able to capture the majesty of the story, and the poetic elegance of Melville's writing while making it her own original work. She also did this without talking down to a younger audience or calling attention to her writing unecessarily. The illustrations are fabulous.

[Zoe Kennard]

The problem with abridging an 800 page novel from 1851 into a 100 page picture book is that the things I found charming in the original (the homoeroticism and the digressions about dubiously accurate whale facts) are of course the first things to be cut, leaving behind mostly just the racism and depression. I'm also fascinated by the choice to add an epilogue that somehow makes it even more dismal. I do sort of like the illustrations though.

[Kalen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s be real, I was never going to read the original full version of Moby Dick. That’s not the kind of reader I am. That’s why I like this book so much. It gives me all the knowledge I need to answer Jeopardy questions and some very splendid pictures to help my imagination along.

[Gig Wailgum · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting take on the classic. did not like the beginning but the middle and end were strong. illustrations were excellent.

[Kátia Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Que história linda! Que obsessão trágica!Uma lição para aprendermos que a vingança não traz paz de espírito. Perdoar/esquecer e seguir em frente é o melhor remédio.

[Glenn Banks · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s ok

[Stefani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read the original--I hear it's boring and slow in the vast middle--so I think we just got all the action in this Oxford Illustrated version! My children enjoyed listening to me read it to them.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned more history of the sea and sparked memories of a childhood spent near the ocean.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm recommending this for the illustrations. Victor Ambrus at his best!