Lewis, C. S. Prince Caspian (Chronicles of Narnia). HarperCollins (1994). ISBN-10: 0064471055

Plot Summary

Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy magically transported to Narnia while waiting at a train station in this exciting sequel to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The children return to Narnia to find that their castle of Cair Paravel is in ruins, Narnia has been overthrown by the Telmarines, and King Caspian’s uncle has stolen his throne. Caspian’s wicked and cruel uncle, King Miraz wants to kill Caspian. When Caspian learns of his uncle’s intent, he escapes. Then, Lucy, Edmund, Peter, and Susan join Caspian in his fight. In the end, a talking badger, two dwarfs, a dethroned prince, and four children defeat the Telmarine army and save the whole country.

Critical Evaluation

This book is full of adventure! The additional characters (e.g., kings, queens, etc.) are well developed and brilliantly described. The plot is full of action-packed mystery, and I especially enjoyed the fact that Narnia, as described in the book, is a place where time passes much more quickly than on earth. This makes for a dramatic storyline!

Reader's Annotation

Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy magically transported to Narnia while waiting at a train station in this exciting sequel to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

About the Author

Jack Lewis (or C.S.) was born on November 29, 1898, in Belfast, Ireland. As a child, he lived a happy and carefree life. When he was only eight years old, his mother died of cancer, and he, along with his brother, were sent to live in an English boarding school. Eventually, the school closed, and he returned to Ireland. But, he later returned to England to continue his studies. As a teenager, C.S. enjoyed reading poetry and learning languages.

Although he was accepted to Oxford University in 1916, he volunteered to serve in the British Army during World War I. He returned to Oxford in 1918, and he graduated in 1925 with honors in Greek and Latin Literature, English Literature, and Philosophy and Ancient History. He stayed on at Oxford as an English teacher for 29 years, and in 1955, he became a professor of medieval and renaissance literature Magdalene College in Cambridge. During these years, Lewis began publishing books. Although his earlier works were written for adults, he later became a writer of children’s books. In 1950, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was published. And the subsequent six other books in the series were written over the next six years. Today, these books have sold more than 100 million copies, and they are considered classics in children’s literature.

Genre

Fantasy Ficiton

Curriculum Ties

Language Arts

Booktalking Ideas

Teaser: Read aloud from page 129.

“Then—all at once—whizz, and a sound rather like the stroke of a woodpecker. The children were still wondering where they had heard a sound just like that when Trumpkin shouted “Down,” at the same moment forcing Lucy flat down into the bracken—a long cruel arrow had sunk into a tree just above his head. “Quick! Quick! Get back! Crawl,” panted Trumpkin. Arrows whizzed all around them, one struck Susan’s helmet….” Will they escape the evil Telmarines? Will the children ever return to England? If you like excitement, and you enjoyed The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, then you will love reading Prince Caspian: Book 2 in the Chronicles of Narnia.

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 9-12
Grades 4-8

Reason for Book Selection

This book is the next in the series…The Chronicles of Narnia. Most students continue the series once they have read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.