61 pages • 2 hours read
Johann David WyssThe Swiss Family Robinson
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1812A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss recounts the ten-year adventure of Robinson, his wife Elizabeth, and their four sons—Fritz, Ernest, Jack, and Franz—after being shipwrecked on an uninhabited island in the late 1700s, detailing their resourceful activities to build a life, their eventual discovery of Jenny Montrose, and their rescue by a Royal Navy ship. The book deals with themes of shipwreck, survival in isolation, and animal attacks.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss is praised for its engaging adventure and imaginative survival tale, stirring young readers' love for nature and ingenuity. Critics, however, note its outdated colonial mindset and some implausible elements. Despite these, the novel remains beloved for its wholesome family dynamics and exploration of self-sufficiency.
Who Should Read The Swiss Family Robinson?
Fans of stories like Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe and Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift will enjoy The Swiss Family Robinson. Ideal for readers who savor adventure, survival tales, and family dynamics, especially those who appreciate 19th-century literature and imaginative exploration of untamed wilderness.
Recommended
Reading Age
8-12yearsLexile Level
NC1210LBook Details
Action / Adventure
Children's Literature
Historical Fiction