(Cover picture courtesy of Tumblr.)

Now that he’s won the chocolate factory, what’s next for Charlie?  Last seen flying through the sky in a giant elevator in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie Bucket’s back for another adventure.  When the giant elevator picks up speed, Charlie, Willy Wonka, and the gang are sent hurtling through space and time.  Visiting the world’s first space hotel, battling the dreaded Vermicious Knids, and saving the world are only a few stops along this remarkable, inter-galactic joyride.

Only Roald Dahl could write a book like this and pull it off so well.  It’s hilarious and over-the-top, but also has some nice messages for kids at the end because Charlie Bucket is a great character.  Willy Wonka himself is most definitely a memorable character; you can never forget the eccentric chocolate factory owner, even if you try.

My fourth grade teacher read this book aloud to my class and I never, ever forgot it.  The Vermicious Knids, Miss Tibbs, Grandpa Joe, the Oompa-Loompas…how could anyone ever forget creatures and characters like that?  Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator has an interesting plot and fantastic world-building on Roald Dahl’s part.  I have no idea where he came up with half of this stuff, but I can say that everyone who reads his books will appreciate his creativity.

This is one of those books I re-read about once every year and I find something new to enjoy about it every single time!  It’s a classic that will never really be outdated and because of that, it’s a great book to pass on to your kids.  The writing style is simple enough for younger kids to understand, but it doesn’t feel as if Roald Dahl is talking down to you, even for older readers.

I give this book 5/5 stars.

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