I am of the mindset that as long as the material is age appropriate, it is beneficial for a child to read any piece of literature. So, whether it be a magazine, comic book, back of a cereal box, or chapter book, each of those materials has inspired your child to read, and that is a wonderful thing. However, sometimes there are pieces of literature that offer more than the opportunity to read. One such book is Miss Trimble’s Trapdoor by Lori Jordan-Rice.
This book, which is the first in a series of five books, tells the story of Tyler Thompson. Tyler is a fifth grade student with whom many children can relate. School isn’t particularly easy for Tyler, and sometimes he needs to work in his own special “quiet area” of the classroom. Unlike many protagonists, he deals with typical school situations: not paying attention in class, trying to make new friends, and wanting to fit in. Reading about Tyler reassures other children that their everyday struggles are normal and part of growing up.
While it would seem that reading about a child who is just like you could become boring, this series of books has an interesting twist. In Tyler’s quiet area, there is a secret trapdoor. Within this world he meets Barnabas Bailey, a brown and white dog that becomes his companion in his journeys. When Tyler travels through the trapdoor he enters the world of history and begins to learn more about topics from his classroom. These travels through the trapdoor give readers the opportunity to imagine experiencing life in different times.
Finally, this series teaches kids about history. Covering events from Christopher Columber to Lewis and Clark, children will learn more about America’s history with a little help from Tyler, Barnaby, and the actual historical figures.
What more could you want in a children’s book? This book offers history, an interesting storyline, and a character with whom many can identify. It seems like a winner to me.
