Children who are asked to read slightly above their comfort level will develop into superior readers. Reading requires an active, discriminating mind that is challenged to think, compare, and contrast. Our literature study guides train students to become active readers. They focus on vocabulary, spelling, comprehension, and composition skills. The Hobbit is the fantastic story of Bilbo and his adventure as they seek to overcome Smaug the dragon, by the famed author J.R.R. Tolkien.