book review of james and the giant peach

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Parents' guide to, james and the giant peach.

• Common Sense Says
• Parents Say 8 Reviews
• Kids Say 18 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

Lonely boy's magical adventure still satisfies.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that James and the Giant Peach creates a marvelous, fantastical world for young independent readers. Dahl's original cast of characters, magical and suspenseful situations, and his liberal addition of comic poetry also make this a terrific read-aloud book. However, Dahl's books are not…

Why Age 8+?

On two occasions, Centipede calls other characters "asses."

The demise of James' parents happens before the action in the novel begins, and

Any Positive Content?

Like Roald Dahl's other great children's novels, James and the Giant Peach is re

Dahl was a master at creating these fantastical Dickensian situations, in which

There are some mean grownups in this book, but James is an upstanding little boy

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Violence & Scariness

The demise of James' parents happens before the action in the novel begins, and that is probably the only event in the novel that could be upsetting to children. James' cruel aunts, Sponge and Spiker, beat him often, but that action is not shown. Later, the peach itself leaves some destruction in its wake, and sharks and the weather-making cloudmen threaten harm, but this is all within the realm of fantasy.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Educational Value

Like Roald Dahl's other great children's novels, James and the Giant Peach is really meant to entertain and uplift, not necessarily to educate. Dahl did throw in a few fascinating facts about insects and animals (ladybugs eat garden pests, and so are considered farmer's helpers, for example), but young readers might not necessarily separate the true from the fantastic, such as the "cloudmen" who send rain and hail down to earth.

Positive Messages

Dahl was a master at creating these fantastical Dickensian situations, in which a poor, deserving but unloved child's life is magically transformed. The positive message here is primarily that, as the old man tells James, "marvelous things" can happen. It's also worth noting the way James overcomes his fear of the insects once he sees past their shocking size and appearance. You can't judge a book by its cover, in other words.

Positive Role Models

There are some mean grownups in this book, but James is an upstanding little boy: good, kind, clever, and resourceful. James and his insect pals also show how teamwork -- with everyone contributing his or her special talent -- can save the day.

Parents need to know that James and the Giant Peach creates a marvelous, fantastical world for young independent readers. Dahl's original cast of characters, magical and suspenseful situations, and his liberal addition of comic poetry also make this a terrific read-aloud book. However, Dahl's books are not always warm-and-fuzzy: James is orphaned on Page One, and he is treated cruelly by his selfish aunts. And, incidentally, his only true friends are giant insects. This is a charming, fast-paced fantasy for children who are ready to separate fact from fiction. If your kids enjoy the novel, also check out Tim Burton and Henry Selick's wonderful animated film adaptation , which came out in 1996.

Where to Read

Parent and kid reviews.

• Parents say (8)
• Kids say (18)

Based on 8 parent reviews

Not the best examples for kids

What's the story.

When young James Henry Trotter is orphaned, he must leave his pleasant home by the seaside and go to live with two cruel aunts, Sponge and Spiker, who treat him like a slave. One day, an old man appears, offering James a bag of crystals that he says will make marvelous things happen. The old man's magic causes a dead peach tree to grow a piece of fruit the size of a house, and that is the start of James' fantastic adventure.

Is It Any Good?

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH is a delightful children's novel full of adventure and singular characters. As in many of the great Roald Dahl's works, the central character is a poor, deprived child, and seeing James Henry Trotter rise from his lowly state to become a leader with true friends is immensely satisfying. Dahl also weaves funny singsong poetry into his fantastical tale, which helps make the book wonderful to read aloud.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about how at first the insects inside the peach frighten James, but he quickly learns to see past their unusual looks and makes friends. Also, each of the insects has a particular talent. What is special about each one? Which one is your favorite?

James' aunts are very cruel to him. Kids' books often have villains who are mean to the main character. Why do you think that is? What does it do to the story?

Book Details

• Author : Roald Dahl
• Illustrator : Quentin Blake
• Genre : Fantasy
• Topics : Magic and Fantasy
• Book type : Fiction
• Publisher : Puffin Books
• Publication date : January 1, 1961
• Publisher's recommended age(s) : 9 - 12
• Number of pages : 146
• Last updated : July 12, 2017

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What to read next.

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The Little Bibliophile

Great Books for the Little Bookworms

Book Review- James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

I was actually searching for Nancy Drew books at our school library at that time when I came across this book with its funny cover of a boy with insects as big as him. Curious, I forgot about the books I looked for and sat down to read the book all in one sitting. It has become a favorite ever since.

And just recently, when I came across Chalie and the Chocolate Factory , I suddenly got the urge to read it again and revisit the funny adventure that introduced me to the witty, literary genius Roald Dahl.

The book is an easy read, sad at first but downright engaging and past-faced as the chapters roll by.

The protagonist, James Henry Trotter seems to be a very unlucky boy, being orphaned at a young age and living with two mean aunts. James could easily pass as the little boy version of Cinderella what with the ill-treatment he received from his aunts.

But some magic crystals soon changed the boy’s life one day and a giant peach grew out of the tree in their yard.

James somehow ended up inside the giant peach and befriended the talking bugs and insects who were as large as him. And as the peach grew bigger, it snapped off the stem and away, rolled James and his insect friends inside the giant peach, leaving his two mean aunts flattened as the peach roll down their yard. I could say Roald Dahl is so good at giving punishments to bad characters in his stories and he really didn’t fail me in this one. I’m mean all right, but they are just so mean to poor little James that I can’t help it.

As the peach rolled away, James and his new-found friends quickly found themselves in a rather unpredictable journey and series of adventures.

May it be on sea or above in the air, through crazy shark escapades, learning about the weather, and being deemed as intruders from outer space in New York, the diverse crew of the giant peach, buckle down readers to join their wildly entertaining adventures.

Throughout their journey, James soon distinguished himself as a clever boy and an able leader to his fellow voyagers which they openly admired. It is quite fun to follow their adventures and one just can’t put the book down until the end. Readers will surely want to finish the book to know how their journey ended and the ending wouldn’t surely disappoint those who believe James deserve his very own safe place in the world.

Just as how concerned the readers will be for our little hero, they will also be wondering what will happen to his friends. And indeed, this book will really make you nod and smile to see how they are aptly given their happy endings.

I absolutely recommend this book to be read to or by children. It has the elements of a delightful adventure, original characters, an ingenious plot and off-beat narration that will surely tickle the minds of your little ones.

Quite an imaginative tale, this book is not one to disappoint readers.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Author: roald dahl, age level: 9+.

• ← Book Review- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
• Book Review- The Magician’s Nephew (The Chronicles of Narnia Book #1 Chronological Order) by C. S. Lewis →

4 thoughts on “ Book Review- James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl ”

Thanks for this book review. 🙂

Now my mind itches with the thought of having the book and know what the ending was and what happened to James and his friends on their adventures. Thanks!

It’s great that you enjoyed the review. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the book! 🙂

Yeah! Will check that soon and I would want my daughter, Yumi, have the book be read to her by her mother. 🙂 Thanks!

Aww, that is so sweet. 🙂

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James And The Giant Peach | Roald Dahl | Book Review

I like to start off my participation in every Dewey 24 Hour Readathon by reading a  Roald Dahl book. My first book for the April 2013 Readathon was  James And The Giant Peach . Of course, because I am lazy as heck, I’ve waited until September to review this whimsical, awesome book that was one of my childhood favorites. Also? Remember the movie? That was so awesome and I think I need to revisit it like right now and you know put my review off for even LONGER! Anyways, first things first, I totally read  James In The Giant Peach in under an hour because I am a bit of a super reader AND because it’s fast pacing and interesting and one of my favorites.

The plot of  James And The Giant Peach is one that I totally remember months after reading, heck even years after reading this for the first time. Basically James lives with the meanest aunts ever, because his parents died when he was very, very young. One day, he obtains some magical crystals, I think, and accidentally spills them on this peach tree. From there, a peach grows to be the biggest ever seen. His awful Aunts Spiker and Aunt Sponge decide to charge admission to people wanting to see the peach and let James see none of the profits. THEN James ends up crawling inside of the peach, meets some human sized bugs and is rolling off into the horizon to better days. And really, that’s the story, well plus his journey with the peach.

Obviously I loved James Henry Trotter. He’s a plucky orphan, what is not to love. I also LOLed at the mean aunts because I am an awful human being. There was one bug that I found super annoying, the centipede. He’s selfish and a total jerk. Ugh. I am just annoyed thinking about it. OHHHHHH and there are some seagulls in the adventure and of course they were my favorite part of the whole book, you’ll see when you read it or remember it.

James And The Giant Peach by Roald Dahl is a fun, short adventure about an orphan who overcomes terrible circumstances with the help of magic and some bugs that actually are not scary. If you’ve got a small child in your life, I highly recommend you read this one to them. Also! I am just going to put out there that my version did not have Quentin Blake illustrations which is a bit of a disappointment, I need to get an edition that has his illustrations. Seriously, Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake are a match made in heaven and it’s just weird reading a version that doesn’t have the Blake illustrations, even if the illustrations were perfectly nice in my version.

Disclosure: Purchased Copy.

Other reviews of James And The Giant Peach by Roald Dahl:

A Reader Of Fictions – “ he has imagination and humor like no other ”

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April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

I can’t remember if I’ve ever read this book or only seen the movie… XD Either way, the story’s good!

I absolutely adore the work of Roald Dahl, so I was extremely excited when I saw your review today 😀 I’ve read The Witches more times than I can count, and while James and the Giant Peach isn’t one of my personal favourites, I never fail to marvel at Dahl’s seemingly endless creativity. As you mentioned, it’s nearly impossible to forget his novels months or even years after you’ve read them because Dahl’s concepts are alway so outlandish and ingenuously bizarre. I also appreciate that they’re a little darker than middle grade fiction traditionally tends to be. I like stories with a little bit of bite, and you never feel as though Dahl was ‘dumbing down’ his concepts simply because he was writing for a younger target audience, which I appreciate immensely.

This was a wonderful review, April, and you made me want to dust off all of my Dahl novels and re-read them immediately. I would pretend to be angry if I weren’t so excited and inspired 😛

I got all nervous for a sec that I had missed the Dewey readathon this year-I thought it was in October and I really want to participate in one as I’ve been blogging for almost 4 years without doing so. But then you shared that this was from April. I like your idea of starting with a Dahl book and may borrow that idea for my own experience.

I remember loving this book as a kid and reading it often. Most of the plot escapes me now though. Can’t believe it was ever a banned books.

Yeah, the Centipede! That guy’s such a jerk, but at least he knows he’s a jerk. Meanwhile this book left a permanent mark on me in that I find it very very difficult to kill spiders. I always think of James’s song about spiders and how helpful and good they are.

(Centipedes no. I killed a centipede the other day and I felt horror at its grossness but zero remorse.)

Hmmm, I did not like this one as much as an adult. SAD DAY. Probably I should have let it remain there. I always want to revisit, but sometimes I end up ruining books for myself. Like The Giver and Madaleine L’engle.

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JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH

by Roald Dahl & illustrated by Lane Smith ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1996

This newly illustrated edition of an avowed children's favorite has all the makings of a classic match-up: Milne had Shepard, Carroll had Tenniel, and now Dahl has Smith. Yes, there is a movie tied in to all of this, but more importantly, author and illustrator were made for each other, and it's of little consequence that it took almost 35 years for them to meet. (Fiction. 6-12)

Pub Date: April 1, 1996

ISBN: 0-679-88090-9

Page Count: 126

Publisher: Knopf

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 1996

CHILDREN'S ACTION & ADVENTURE FICTION | CHILDREN'S SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY

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by Peter Brown ; illustrated by Peter Brown ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 5, 2016

Thought-provoking and charming.

A sophisticated robot—with the capacity to use senses of sight, hearing, and smell—is washed to shore on an island, the only robot survivor of a cargo of 500.

When otters play with her protective packaging, the robot is accidently activated. Roz, though without emotions, is intelligent and versatile. She can observe and learn in service of both her survival and her principle function: to help. Brown links these basic functions to the kind of evolution Roz undergoes as she figures out how to stay dry and intact in her wild environment—not easy, with pine cones and poop dropping from above, stormy weather, and a family of cranky bears. She learns to understand and eventually speak the language of the wild creatures (each species with its different “accent”). An accident leaves her the sole protector of a baby goose, and Roz must ask other creatures for help to shelter and feed the gosling. Roz’s growing connection with her environment is sweetly funny, reminiscent of Randall Jarrell’s The Animal Family . At every moment Roz’s actions seem plausible and logical yet surprisingly full of something like feeling. Robot hunters with guns figure into the climax of the story as the outside world intrudes. While the end to Roz’s benign and wild life is startling and violent, Brown leaves Roz and her companions—and readers—with hope.

Pub Date: April 5, 2016

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Publisher: Little, Brown

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Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant.

Robot Roz undertakes an unusual ocean journey to save her adopted island home in this third series entry.

When a poison tide flowing across the ocean threatens their island, Roz works with the resident creatures to ensure that they will have clean water, but the destruction of vegetation and crowding of habitats jeopardize everyone’s survival. Brown’s tale of environmental depredation and turmoil is by turns poignant, graceful, endearing, and inspiring, with his (mostly) gentle robot protagonist at its heart. Though Roz is different from the creatures she lives with or encounters—including her son, Brightbill the goose, and his new mate, Glimmerwing—she makes connections through her versatile communication abilities and her desire to understand and help others. When Roz accidentally discovers that the replacement body given to her by Dr. Molovo is waterproof, she sets out to seek help and discovers the human-engineered source of the toxic tide. Brown’s rich descriptions of undersea landscapes, entertaining conversations between Roz and wild creatures, and concise yet powerful explanations of the effect of the poison tide on the ecology of the island are superb. Simple, spare illustrations offer just enough glimpses of Roz and her surroundings to spark the imagination. The climactic confrontation pits oceangoing mammals, seabirds, fish, and even zooplankton against hardware and technology in a nicely choreographed battle. But it is Roz’s heroism and peacemaking that save the day.

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James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl Review

illustrated by Quentin Blake

Whatever you think about Roald Dahl , he was and excellent author, writing fantastic stories for young children, older children, teenagers and adults that captured the imagination and were pure dark, humorous escapism. Storytelling at its best. First published in 1961, James and the Giant Peach is a scrumptious story of a very sad and lonely boy, and, of course, a GIANT PEACH.

Roll up, roll up, ladies and gentlemen, and feast your eyes on the marvel that is James and the Giant Peach! This is not just any old fruit we’re talking about; it’s a first-class ticket to adventure, served with a side of laughter and a dollop of whimsy.

James is James Henry Trotter (no relation to Delboy as far as I know). When he was just four years old his parents were eaten by a rhino that had escaped from the zoo. Still grieving, he was shipped off to live with his horribly selfish, lazy and cruel aunts – Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker. They aren’t the nicest of people and used James as a slave. James had gone from a loving happy household to one of cruelty and neglect, leaving him a very sad and extremely lonely boy with no one to play with and certainly no friends.

3 long years go by and things are about to change when a strange old man gives James a bag of magic. In his rush to get them home without his aunts seeing he accidentally spills then under an old peach tree that never bore any fruit. Just par for the course in James’ life.

But then the magic starts to happen and a single solitary peach starts to grow on the tree. And it doesn’t stop growing until it is as almost as big as a house. James is about to make some very remarkable friendships and go on a fabulous adventure that will leave the reader flabbergasted and change James’ gloomy life for the better.

Overall, James and the Giant Peach really is a giant of a children’s adventure story. Obviously it has one massive giant peach but it also features oversized garden insects that create a wonderful world for children age 9+ (and adults) to lose themselves in a marvellous tale.

With a giant peach (no, it’s not a new genetically modified fruit or the latest health craze) creating a gateway to a fantastical journey, 2 wicked and despicable aunts, Sponge and Spiker, providing the fairytale villains (they are the kind of aunts who would make the Wicked Witch of the West look like a candidate for Aunt of the Year) and a variety of kind and fun overgrown, chatty garden insects providing James with the friendships he has be yearning for, together they embark on a magical adventure.

Readers will love this tale of adventure with extra-large insects, each with their own quirks and sass, horrible aunties and sinister men that live in the clouds.

As for the plot, it’s tighter than Aunt Spikers long wet narrow lips. The story rolls from one thrilling escapade to another, much like the peach itself. The narrative is so engaging that you’ll find yourself rooting for a centipede and conversing with a worm long after you’ve turned the last page. And it makes you think twice about evicting the spider that has taken up residence in your bathroom.

James and the Giant Peach is just scrumdiddlyumptious, a rambunctious tale of loneliness, friendship and wonderous adventure that you can’t put down. Dahl’s unique storytelling is as rich and satisfying as a chocolate river, while dark and funny with a pinch of scary.

And we can’t forgot about the illustrations sprinkled through the chapters by Quentin Blake, which are as essential to the story as ketchup to fries. They bring the characters to life with a stroke of genius that captures the essence of Dahl’s imagination.

A fantasy adventure story with a zest of the bizarre. It’s a book that proves no matter how small you are, you can still have big adventures.

And remember, in the words of the great Roald Dahl himself, “those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” So, believe in the magic of giant fruits and talking insects, and who knows, maybe your next peach could be the start of an extraordinary journey. Bon voyage, arrivederci, auf wiedersehen, or as Mr Dahl might have said, ha det bra, or just simply goodbye for now and embark on this excellent whiz-banger of a story.

Rating: 5/5

RRP: £10.99 (Hardback) / £6.99 (Paperback) / £6.99 (Kindle)

For more information, visit www.roalddahl.com . Available to buy from Amazon here .

DISCLOSURE: All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review uses an affiliate link which I may receive a small commission from if you purchase through the Amazon link.

Click here to read more reviews of books by Roald Dahl

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Privacy Overview

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

James and the Giant Peach is a much-loved children’s book written by the world-renowned Welsh author Roald Dahl. First published in the US in 1961 and the UK in 1967, the book’s rich imagery and amusing characters have made it a firm favourite of both children and parents for over 50 years.

When poor James Henry Trotter loses his parents in a horrible rhinoceros accident, he is forced to live with his two wicked aunts, Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker. After three years he becomes "the saddest and loneliest boy you could find". Then one day, a wizened old man in a dark-green suit gives James a bag of magic crystals that promise to reverse his misery forever. When James accidentally spills the crystals on his aunts' withered peach tree, he sets the adventure in motion. From the old tree a single peach grows, and grows, and grows some more, until finally James climbs inside the giant fruit and rolls away from his despicable aunts to a whole new life…

Roald Dahl wrote many excellent children’s books and James and the Giant Peach is up there amongst his very best. This brilliant and hugely popular story of James’s journey to New York alongside his insect friends is a joy for children to read and a delight for parents to read from. The book’s humour is always warm and the story is always engaging, providing a multitude of memorable moments.

When Dahl made up James and the Giant Peach as a bedtime story for his daughters Olivia and Tessa, little could he have know that half a century later millions of parents would have read exactly the same story to their own children. A book that fully deserves the accolade of children’s classic.

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Review by Floresiensis

79 positive reader review(s) for James and the Giant Peach

Roald Dahl biography

Jeff Kinney from Australia

Anonymus from India

It is a splendid book. One of my favorite books.

Anonymus from LOL really?

Love It!!!! :)

Noxolo Ndelane from South Africa

Best book ever.

James from UK

Love the book.

James and the giant peach from UK

When poor James loses his parent’s because of a rhinoceros accident, he is forced to live with his two horrible aunts, Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker. After three years he becomes “ the most saddest and loneliest boy” in the country. Then one day, James wanderers in the woods. He sees a wizened, old man in a funny dark green suit who sprung up from the bushes. He gives James a bag of magic crystals that promises to reverse his misery forever. When James accidentally spills the crystals on his two aunts, a withered peach tree strikes into motion . The adventure begins......

Olivia from UK

I loved James and the Giant Peach as it inspires me to be courageous, kind, generous and helpful! This book is amazing!

Diana from Germany

It's gucci!

Princess from London, England

I like it�'��'"�'�

Shwesa from Nepal

It ia an amazing book. I love the character of James.

Anon from UK

This book is so nice, I like it.

Campbell from Redding

It's amazing!!!

Kartik from India

A good book but hard word to understand for small children below 10 year

Namita from India

This book was amazing. It just made me little emotional at first but when James adventure started, it was superb!!!!

Abhi from India

Good book. Recommended to all.

Millie from England

it was the best book I ever read in my life because it is adventurous book to read and makes me happy and I would like to say thank you to Roald Dahl for writting many books that inspires a lot of people. May God bless all readers!

Moe Sheikh from Labanon

Love this story.

Basil from Sharjah

The book is interesting and funny. Roald Dahl is a great author. This book is good for young children.

Ali from Pakistan

This is a great book and it's filled with a lot of adventure.

Mbali from South Africa

This book is full of adventures and I really enjoyed reading it

Jayden from South Africa

It was great to read and the story it self was good I definitely recommend this for kids

Ethan from Pakistan

It's an amazing adventure. The best story ever.

Jessica from London

Very very very good

Flame from South Africa

This book is awesome I love it. Something does not have to be real for it to be real.

Jamie from United Arab Emirates

I loved this book.

Samlags from Amsterdam

Helped me a lot in school.

Minahil from Pakistan

I LOVE it! 😊

Adrian from India

Awsome book. I loved it.

Bushra from Pakistan

Its amazing!! I absolutely love the plot <3

Uma from India

It is such an awesome book. I love it.

Dazy from England

The book is awesome

Pooja from India

I will read the store in Hindi.

Fatima from Pakistan

It is amazing😍😍😍

Unknown from Ireland

James and the giant peach is a great book and is made by my favourite authors Roald Dahl you should also read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

umaima from pakistan

James and the Gaint is written by Roald Dahl. Its about a boy James loses his parents and was forced to live with his aunts.one day he met a man who gave him green crystals and promised that his all problems would be solved. Unfortuanately those magical crystals fell on ground and near old peach tree.then the peach grow grow growed who was really famous.then james was totally changed................

Very interesting and sometimes funny kids book although some parts are boring.

Arafath from Africa

Amazing book

Marriam from America

The Best Book Ever.

David from UK

James and the Giant Peach is far by one of Roald Dahl’s best books. It is very funny. When James the main character goes to London with his parents a rinocerous gobbles them up. Poor James is taken to his horrible aunts who treat him terribly. Will he escape? Roald Dahl is one of the best writers ever. You will very much laugh when you see what happened to the aunts.

Samah from Pakistan

This is a great book.I really loved reading it and Roald Dahl is the best author ever. Kids do read this book its amazing!!!!

Taha from Pakistan

Wow! What a book  Best to read all the time. So intersting Roald Dahl.

Mohammed zaid khan from Singapore

I love the book, it's my favorite.

Zainab from Italy

Mary from America

The book is fantastic and interesting.

Zaid Khan from India

It is my favorite book ever.

Maheen from Pakistan

This is a very good story! You can also read it. It's a bit of a new one for young children 6-9 years. 

I love this book a lot. Roald Dahl is the best author of all time.

Natasha from India

I personally liked the book. It is good for young readers as you can have a quick read. Roald Dahl is one of my favourite authors. I love the language he uses, the numerous words he has invented. The theme of the book is hope and friendship. A very important life lesson has been taught to us through this extremely hilarious and wonderful sweet book. I would recommend it.

Ansh Kumar from Indonesia

Cool!!!!!!!!!!

Vidushi from India

It was an amazing story but I was really sorry and pity full sometimes in the story for James.

Anon from Pakistan

Wow! Children should read this book.

Vartika from India

The book was amazing but i felt pity for poor james.

Ali from Russia

Saad from England

Amazing !!!!

Moeed Hassan from Pakistan

It is fantastic and very good read for the children.

Serena R from England

James and the giant peach is the best book that I have ever read.I love the animals, they are so funny with their peculiar characteristics.I even find James' two aunties are funny although they were very mean and rude towards James.I definitely recommend this book , specially to young readers like myself.

Shreyank from South Africa

Anam from Canada

The book James And The Giant Peach is a great book that teaches you to have hope. In the book James is an orphan that lives with his 2 cruel aunts in a ramshackle house and a desolate garden. But with a few magical seeds and a dead Peach tree, James' life is about to change forever. Roald Dahl is the author of many great children's books that all teach you to have perseverance and to never give up. The book "Matilda", also by Roald Dahl, is about a 4 year old girl that lives with her cruel parents but escapes with her sheer knowledge. Hopefully James will find a better home, friends to play with, and a welcoming environment. This Roald Dahl book is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats till the last page.

Kinza from Pakistan

Mashal from Pakistan

James and the giant peach is a fictional novel . It is best for kids . James and the giant peach is written by the famous author Roald Dahl . This story is about an orphan boy James Henry Trotter who lived with her aunts and was the saddest and lonniest boy ever . One day while he was working he saw an old man fully dressed in green he gave him magical powder but it was James bad luck that he fell and the powder scattered around an old peach tree . Suddenly a peach as big as an house grew and it was growing much bigger and bigger . James saw a tunnel in the peach and he entered in it . His adventure to a new and lovely place started . This book is amazing for kids to read it . My favourite part was when the Aunts were crushed under the peach . I liked this book as it gives us a lesson of hope and the theme of this book is hope and friendship . I think everyone shoul read this book as it is awesome and you will enjoy .

Joanne from Australia

James and the Giant Peach is the best!

Julia from America

Such an original, hilarious read. Though it does have some words that are mild for younger viewers, and can make you fall asleep at parts. Overall this book is fantastic. 10/10 WOULD RECOMMEND!!! :)

Selena from China

Best read ever!!!

Santrupth Shetty from India

This book is worth reading for young children. I have really enjoyed reading it. This is an adventure and it speaks about facing obstacles with courage. I also recommend other children to read this book.

Angus from Austrailia

James and the Giant Peach is a very good fairytale which is good for young children. It is very interesting and I would recommend this to anyone which is interested into Fairy Tales and this book has very easy language. It is a good book and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a quick read. Bad luck that James is so miserable.

Lisa from United States of America

I loved it! It was funny. Plus I love fictional books. Any book that has a character who goes on an adventure with friends and has a happily ever after is a book I love!

Harsh from India

I am Jagrut's brother and I liked it alot and I have performed an activity on it. This book is going be a thumbs up.

Jagrut from India

It was an amazing book by Roald Dahl. I would recommend this book to other children.

Devanshi from India

It is the best book I have ever read.

Zoha Taj from Pakistan

This is the best read ever!

Anoushka from India

This is an awesome and amazing novel. Very charming and interesting. :-) It's very fascinating. The made the book good to great and funny. It's too sad the Roald Dahl passed away soon. Just wanted to tell him that we love you now too!!! I love all his books <3

Emmanuel from India

Best book by the best author.

Sabriyah from England

It was one of the best books I had ever read. I have to give it a double thumbs up for it's so good. Poor little James is so miserable and I would just like him to stay where I live. It's too disappointing that Roald Dahl died too soon. I've already got the whole collection of Roald Dahl except for Dirty Beasts and Revolting Rhymes. I have to say, the whole story is right in my head. I would just have to go running out of those gates if I were James Henry Trotter myself. Anyway, if Roald was still alive I would have wanted to give him a gift made out of pure gold. His books are stupendous, brilliant, marvellous,superb. AMAZING!!!

Kiara from England

Amazing book!! Seriously becuz it is written by the best author ever!!!! I think it was a very interesting story!!

It's a very good book for children. A must read.

Alina from England

THE BEST BOOK EVER!

Haleemah from England

Poor James, I feel so sorry for him because his mean ugly nasty aunties be mean and treat him like nothing but the book is really good. I think people should read it they would enjoy.

Sneha Pandiyan from India

As Dahl's novel begins, the reader is introduced to James, a young boy who is orphaned when his parents are eaten by a rhinoceros. James is consequently sent to live with his two aunts, Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker. These relatives are very cruel to him, and he is incredibly lonely, since he has no friends yet longs to play with children his own age. But on one particularly hard day, James's luck changes: an Old Man appears in the backyard garden and offers James a packet of magical green objects. If James follows a set of specific instructions (says the Old Man), something spectacular will happen. James is very excited, but as he runs back to his house to execute the instructions, he trips and the magical green objects burrow into the ground. James is incredibly upset, but as he begins to resume his chores, he hears his aunts shouting. James soon discovers the source of the commotion: a peach has begun to grow on a top branch of a previously barren peach tree. As the three of them watch, the peach becomes larger and larger, until it is bigger than the aunts' entire house. Seeking to capitalize on this strange event, Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker set up a fence and begin charging admission to see the peach. They forbid James from interfering, fearing that he will ruin their profit-making scheme. The night after the first day of visitors, James sneaks out of the house to visit the peach. He sees a hole at the bottom of the peach, and he realizes that this hole is the opening to a tunnel. He begins to crawl through, and he eventually enters the hollow peach pit at the center of the fruit. When James enters the pit's inner chamber, he meets an odd assortment of creatures, who initially intimidate him: Miss Spider, Centipede, Earthworm, Old-Green-Grasshopper, and others. The next day James and his new companions begin their journey away from Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker. Centipede cuts the peach away from its tree and the peach begins to roll, flattening everything in its way - including Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker, who are killed. The peach then rolls off of a cliff several miles away and lands in the Atlantic Ocean. From this point forward, James and his friends face a series of obstacles. They must escape attacking sharks, evade the Cloud-Men and their anger, and settle internal disputes. James asserts himself as the leader and frequently saves the day. When sharks attack, he has his companions fasten ropes to nearby seagulls, then to the stem of the peach, the peach rises out of the water and begins flying through the air. After one day of flying, James and his friends realize that they have flown across the entire Atlantic - they can now see New York City below them. They begin to cut the seagull strings one-by-one, when suddenly a passenger plane flies above them and cuts all of the lines at once. Their gradual descent into the city is ruined and they begin to sink rapidly. Everyone holds on for dear life, thinking death is imminent, but they land safely on the pinnacle of the Empire State Building. After explaining their situation to the New York City policemen and firemen, James and his friends are brought to street level and are welcomed lavishly. The city throws a parade in their honor, and by the end of the parade the entire peach has been eaten by local children, who want to taste the giant fruit. After the parade, James and his friends live happily ever after. The remaining peach pit is set up as a monument in Central Park, and James lives inside of it. So many children visit him, hoping to hear his story, that he decides to write a book about the journey. The book that he wrote is the book that the reader has just read.

Preethi from India

Amazing book, just loved it. Watch the book trailer, if you want to know the gist of the book https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgCJQdz6l_U

Matthew from United Kingdom

It was amazing because the insects made it funny.

Yashu from India

It was excellent. Roald Dahl is a great author.

Maria from England

The book is obviously going to recieve a thumbs up from me due to its originality and because it was written by Roald Dahl who is an excellent author and it is such a shame that he only wrote a limited amount of books in his lifetime, he died too soon! :( Anyway enough of that, in my opinion the book was a great success and I loved it, love it, and will carry on loving it. (past, present, future and nobody can do anything about it,:b).

9.7 /10 from 83 reviews

All Roald Dahl Reviews

• James and the Giant Peach
• Revolting Rhymes
• Dirty Beasts
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
• Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator‏

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