Elves, dwarves, and dragons; oh my! These creatures appear in JRR Tolkien’s the Hobbit, a well-known and well-loved fantasy novel read and enjoyed by millions. The Hobbit was the beginning of an epic era for many people across the world and it has sold 100 million copies across the globe. Originally meant as a bedtime story for Tolkien’s children, it has turned into an adventure of a lifetime.

The Hobbit tells the story of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who lives his life very peacefully away from the dangers of the world. What it is a hobbit, someone may ask? Well, they are people who are 3 feet tall, live in holes, and who love to eat. They are a serene race who loves nothing better to do than sit in their arm chairs and plant their heads into a book but on very rare occasions they do love an adventure.

In this extremely rare occasion for a Baggins, Bilbo is pulled into adventure one day by a meddling wizard named Gandalf when 13 dwarves show up, unexpectedly, on his doorstep with plans of recapturing their home from a wicked dragon. With much complaint, Bilbo finally agrees to go on this adventure. Along the way, the dwarves turned from being his greatest source of discomfort to being his closest friends.

Using his wit and quick feet Bilbo battles trolls, goblins, dragons, and a couple of angry kings in this journey to help the dwarves take back their kingdom and home. Bilbo makes a tough decision that could save everyone but with a great cost; save everyone or lose his friends?

In this tale of greed and heroism, Bilbo finds out who he really is and what he was always meant to become. He overcomes his fears and in the end becomes the hero that the dwarves had needed all along. This story shows that it is possible to overcome the power of greed but if we let it, it can destroy us. The Hobbit is an unexpected journey to self-discovery and newfound strength.

“There is a lot more in him than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself. You may (possibly) all live to thank me yet,” Gandalf said.