For children grappling with big emotions like injustice or the power of forgiveness, this story explores enchantment, family, and letting go of grudges on a magical island.
When a child is grappling with a deep sense of unfairness or struggling to forgive someone who has wronged them, this story offers a powerful exploration of letting go. This book, an adaptation of Shakespeare's The Tempest, is about a powerful magician named Prospero, who was betrayed by his own brother and exiled to a remote island with his daughter. He uses his magic to conjure a storm, shipwrecking his enemies on his shores with a plan for revenge. However, the story unfolds into a profound journey about justice, family conflict, and the strength it takes to choose forgiveness. It is an excellent choice for starting conversations with older children about complex emotions and morality in a captivating, magical setting.
A magical shipwreck occurs at the beginning, but it is made clear that no one is truly harmed.
Sensitive Topics
The central themes are betrayal, revenge, and forgiveness. A significant and sensitive topic is the master/servant dynamic, particularly Prospero's enslavement of both the spirit Ariel and the island native Caliban. Caliban's treatment as a 'savage monster' provides a direct, though potentially challenging, entry point for discussions on colonialism, prejudice, and dehumanization. The story's resolution is ultimately hopeful, centering on reconciliation and mercy.
Ideal Reader
This book is for a child aged 9 to 12 who enjoys fantasy but is ready for more moral complexity than a simple good vs. evil story. It would resonate with a child who is nursing a grudge against a friend or sibling, feeling deeply wronged and fantasizing about getting even. It provides a model for finding a different, more powerful path.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared to discuss the treatment of Caliban. It is a key part of the story and raises important questions about fairness, power, and prejudice. Asking questions like, "Why does Prospero treat Caliban so differently from Ariel?" or "Is it fair to call Caliban a monster?" can provide valuable context and lead to a critical conversation. No other specific scenes require major preparation. A parent might reach for this after their child says something like, "I hate him! I hope something bad happens to him," or seems unable to move past a social slight or family injustice.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will likely focus on the overt magic: Ariel's invisibility, the storm, and the love story between Miranda and Ferdinand. An older reader (10-12) will be more capable of grasping the abstract themes of justice vs. revenge, the complex morality of Prospero's actions, and the subtext of power and colonization.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many fantasy books where the climax is a great magical battle, the resolution here is an act of quiet, internal strength. The protagonist's greatest power is not his magic, but his ability to forgive. This focus on mercy and emotional resolution as the true victory makes it unique.
Read plot summary
This story is an adaptation of Shakespeare's The Tempest. The magician Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, and his daughter Miranda were exiled to a remote island years ago by his treacherous brother, Antonio. Using his magic, and with the help of the spirit Ariel, Prospero conjures a storm to shipwreck Antonio, the King of Naples, and their companions on the island. Through a series of magical encounters and manipulations, Prospero confronts his enemies, while Miranda falls in love with the King's son, Ferdinand. The climax is not a battle, but Prospero's internal decision to renounce his powerful magic, forgive his brother, and return to his life in Milan.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Prospero has the power to punish his brother Antonio for his betrayal. Why do you think he chooses to forgive him instead? Do you think this was the more difficult choice?
2
Ariel serves Prospero to earn his freedom, but Caliban also serves Prospero and is treated very differently. Why do you think that is? Do you think Prospero is a fair master?
3
If you had Prospero's magical powers, would you have used them to get revenge, or would you have done something different? What would you have done?
4
Miranda has only ever known her father and the island. When she sees the other men, she says, 'O brave new world, that has such people in't!' Is she being naive? What might she learn about people when she leaves the island?
