The Polar Express - Picture Book

The Polar Express

Author: Chris Van Allsburg

Genre: Children's Picture Book, Adventure, Fable

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Copyright Date: 1985

Number of Pages: 32

Awards: Caldecott Medal (1986), Kentucky Bluegrass Award (1987), Buckeye Children's Book Award for K-2 (1991), Nevada Young Readers' Award for Primary Category/Picture Book Caregory (1988), Little Archer Award (1986), Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Nominee for Picture Book-Honor Book (1986).

Grade Level: K-2

Summary:

A young boy, struggling with the idea of Santa Claus, is invited on an adventure aboard a magical train heading straight to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. While traveling through the frozen landscape the young boy will face challenges and build friendships. When he wakes in his bed on Christmas morning he believes the adventure was nothing more than a dream until he finds a special present under the Christmas tree. 

Use in Teaching:

The Polar Express is ideal for sequencing activities (students would need to put the events from the book in order). Another activity that can be used in the classroom is for a writing assignment with the prompt "If I could have one wish come true for Christmas it would be ..." Or "I would (or would not) get on the Polar Express because ..."

	3 Bookmarks	2 Bookmarks	1 Bookmark	0 Bookmarks	Comments
Plot	These books consist of a well-developed plot with includes all five elements of a good plot structure (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution).	These books have a defined plot that might be lacking one of the five elements of plot structure.	The books have a weak plot that is difficult to follow and/or is missing two of the five elements of plot structure.	The books do not have a defined plot structure which leaves the reader trying to guess the purpose of the story.	3 Bookmarks: Van Allsburg has done a great job of creating a fun and exciting plot that includes all five elements of a good plot structure.
Character Development	These books have well rounded, believable characters with sufficient depth and personality.	Characters in these books are fairly well rounded but might be lacking in depth or personality, or believability.	Characters in these books are underdeveloped and lacking detail needed to have depth and believability.	Characters are evident but not developed.	3 Bookmarks: Although the main characters are not named and there is little backstory to these children the characters are believable with interesting personalities.
Pacing	The story moves and flows freely and does not feel rushed or too slow.	The story mostly moves and flows freely with occasional instances of being to slow or too fast.	The story often feels like it is moving too fast or too slow.	The pacing is entirely off causing the story to feel disjointed or illogical.	3 Bookmarks: The pacing of the book is right on target. The excitement moves the story forward and the tender moments pull the pace back occasionally.
Overall	These are excellent books and are highly recommended.	These are good books are recommended.	These books are okay and would only be recommended with reservations.	These books are considered poor choices and are not recommended.	3 Bookmarks: The book is written so well and the story so heartwarming it’s the type of book that you just wish wouldn’t end!