Groosham Grange

Groosham Grange #1

by Anthony Horowitz

From Anthony Horowitz, a Groosham . . . make that gruesome . . . new adventure! Sent to Groosham Grange as a last resort by his frustrated parents, thirteen-year-old David Eliot quickly discovers that his new boarding school is very peculiar. New pupils are made to sign their names in blood . . . the French teacher cancels classes on days there's a full moon . . . there are chilling secrets hidden in the assistant headmaster's office. What's the meaning of the black rings everyone wears? Where do the other pupils vanish to at night? Suddenly, his biggest problem isn't staying in school it's getting out alive.For Anthony Horowitz's legion of fans, this fun thriller is a must have.

Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Mystery, Middle Grade

155 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 1988

About the author

Anthony Horowitz, OBE is ranked alongside Enid Blyton and Mark A. Cooper as "The most original and best spy-kids authors of the century." (New York Times). Anthony has been writing since the age of eight, and professionally since the age of twenty. In addition to the highly successful Alex Rider books, he is also the writer and creator of award winning detective series Foyle’s War, and more recently event drama Collision, among his other television works he has written episodes for Poirot, Murder in Mind, Midsomer Murders and Murder Most Horrid. Anthony became patron to East Anglia Children’s Hospices in 2009.

On 19 January 2011, the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle announced that Horowitz was to be the writer of a new Sherlock Holmes novel, the first such effort to receive an official endorsement from them and to be entitled the House of Silk.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/anthon...

Reviews

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Más que una carta de Hogwarts, yo siempre deseé haber sido la séptima hija de una séptima hija para ir a la Granja Groosham.

Leí este libro por primera vez hace muchísimos años, cuando iba en la primaria. Harry Potter todavía no se publicaba y la Granja Groosham fue la primera vez que me encontré con una escuela poco usual y que se quedó en mi corazón.

En esta historia, un chico de 12 años de nombre David Eliot, es expulsado de la estricta escuela en la que estudia. Nunca ha congeniado con sus padres, quienes se sienten decepcionados de que David no se adapta a sus reglas y expectativas. Sin embargo, después de haber sido expulsado, llega a su casa una carta diciéndole que fue aceptado a la Granja Groosham, una escuela de férrea disciplina en donde sólo hay 1 día de vacaciones al año. Sin pensarlo más, sus padres lo mandan al misterioso instituto.

De camino a la escuela, David conoce a Julia y a Jeffrey, dos niños que también fueron aceptados en la Granja Groosham. No necesitan esperar demasiado para darse cuenta de que el lugar a donde se dirigen es bastante macabro.

Para empezar, la escuela parece el castillo de Frankenstein y se encuentra en una isla llamada "Isla Cadavera", todos los alumnos son taciturnos y extraños, y además todos usan un raro anillo negro.

Poco a poco, nuestros protagonistas van a irse dando cuenta de que sus maestros son criaturas sobrenaturales y que hay demasiados secretos en este instituto. ¿Por qué están ahí? ¿Qué es lo que estos monstruos quieren hacerles? Deberán de descifrar estas preguntas al tiempo que intentan escapar.

Este libro es súper entretenido. De la mano de David vamos descubriendo los misterios de la Granja Groosham, que son bastante terroríficos. Una de las cosas que más disfruto de este libro es que el autor -a pesar de ser un libro para niños- no escatimó en incluir y describir temas bastantes oscuros. Cofradías de brujos, celebraciones paganas, muñecos vudú y vampiros, son solo algunas de la sorpresas que le esperan a nuestro protagonista.

Honestamente, si yo hubiera sido David, estaría fascinada de tener clases de latín, de francés, de "cocina" y de todas las cosas raras que enseñan ahí. Creo que hubiera encajado perfecto desde el primer día. Si bien todo el libro es memorable, el final es una de mis cosas favoritas en el mundo. David no sólo crece y descubre su poder, también se le presenta una opción: el tiene la libertad de escoger entre ser bueno o ser malo. Y como dicen en la Granja Groosham: "Somos francamente malignos, pero ¿qué hay de malo en ser maligno? Nuestra malignidad es más bien agradable."

Una última nota más. Para los fans de Harry Potter habrán varios paralelismo en esta historia. Por ejemplo, la idea de una escuela mágica, o bien que aparezcan tres niños como protagonistas (dos niños y una niña). Sin embargo, recuerden que La Granja Groosham se publicó en 1988, varios años antes que HP. (Esto lo digo porque he leído algunas crítica diciendo que la historia le copia a HP...).

Un libro que les recomiendo ampliamente para pasar un buen rato.

[carlos carroll · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Chris Horsefield · Rating 2 out of 5]

The characters in this book are stereotypical and flat--you've got the fat kid who seems like he will be a bigger secondary character but then disappears halfway through the story. Then there's the tomboy girl best friend that doesn't really do anything. I never bonded with the main character, and felt like he was just a puppet of the author, not a real person. Let's face it, we read books to escape not to follow a lifeless boy whose decisions make no sense. The ending doesn't add up, and we are never given the main character's thought process, so it just leaves you feeling like, "What the heck?" For such a short book, it kind of drags on.

It could almost be enjoyable except that every time you get interested in the plot, the author decides to throw a cheesy joke in. He also uses a couple characters at random points throughout the book to expound upon the horrors of Christianity--one character is a priest that Horowitz treats with a negative bias that completely breaks the narration. Then there is the teacher's soliloquy about how Christmas was never a Christian holiday and still isn't. They just don't fit with the book or the narration. It's like the author had a point to drive home and his treatment of it is awkward and lopsided.

[Kate Treatman-clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anthony Horowitz wrote Groosham Grange before the Harry Potter series came out, yet it is hard to read Groosham without comparing it to Harry Potter. David Eliot is 10 year old boy who does not know he is a sorcerer until his father recieves a strange letter in the mail inviting David to a special school. David's parents are far worse than the Dursleys, and so Groosham Grange makes a welcome change for David, except that there are clearly strange things going on there. Students disappear from the library, and the teachers don't seem to be human. Groosham Grange is filled with puns and oddball humor- an Anthony Horowitz staple. When I met Anthony Horowitz a few years ago, he said that David Eliot was the character most like himself, and that David's bad report cards from school were based on bad report cards that Anthony himself had received as a boy. I recommend this book!

[Coos Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pronto la reseña.

[Saar The Book owl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this book when I was a child of about 11 years old an I always wanted to re - read it. Byt maybe I shouldn't have done that, because it has lost his magic. I always looked forward to Fridays when the teacher was reading us from this book, but now I couldn't wait to finish it. Not because of the magic, but because of the plain and simple writing. I love Anthony Horowitz, but sometimes you need to read books for children when you're a child.

[Malice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me encantó todo acerca de este libro y la granja Groosham, pero siento que justo cuando estaba empezando la historia, se termina. Es un libro para niños, sobre una escuela especial, para niños especiales y sí, fue antes de Harry Potter.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this for a read-aloud for Logan (10), J.B. (8) and Soren (6). Logan gave it 4 stars, J.B. 4 1/3, and Soren 4 1/4. You can tell that Horowitz is a screen writer; there were so many passages at the beginning that read like a movie. Whenever we'd tell someone else about this book they'd say, "Now what movie was this?" The first part was also quite funny. And the whole thing was a bit demented. David Eliot, after being kicked out of his private school is sent to a new private school, Groosham Grange. They only get one day of vacation a year, and he and his two friends immediately start to become suspicious about the staff and other strange events.
I can't say whether we'll continue this series. I'm a little bothered that David, the main character hasn't decided whether he'll be practicing black magic or white magic. Quote from the book--this is Mr. Kilgraw, the vampire speaking to David to convince him to join them in their witch coven school: "All right, I admit it. We are, frankly, evil...Mr. Fitch and Mr. Teagle have won awards for being evil...But what's so bad about being evil? We've never dropped an atom bomb on anyone. We've never polluted the environment or experimented on animals or cut back on entitlement programs for the disadvantaged. Our evil is rather agreeable. Why do you think there are so many books and movies about us? It's because people like us. We are actually rather pleasantly evil."

[Aylin Kuhls · Rating 3 out of 5]

Die Inspiration zur Harry Potter, habe ich gehört und wollte es unbedingt lesen.
Leider ist dieses Buch aber ein Opfer seiner Zeit. Sehr oberflächlich, viele Klischees und aus heutiger Sicht ein völlig unangebrachter Humor (Gewalt, Misogynie).
Eine Szenen waren zwar sehr unterhaltsam und toll, wozu diese Idee einer Hexenschule die heutige Literatur geführt hat, aber dann lese ich beim nächsten Mal doch lieber die modernen Werke.

[Jesus Flores · Rating 3 out of 5]

Granja Groosham

Raro, son 3 chicos que los manda a una escuela internado llamada Granja Groosham, donde con los nombres es muy obvio que son los maestros, pero te lo mantienen “oculto”, este entretenida, pero si te quedas como con ganas de saber que paso después del cumpleaños, que clases que todo ya una vez que.

3 stars

Reto posugar 2022 - 36. Un libro del que no sabes nada

[Lemony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jkr has done nothing more than plagiarize the whole set up of this book, another proof she’s a terrible person and writer, f u jkr

[Talia_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chokbar comment Rowling a full plagié

[Amina (ⴰⵎⵉⵏⴰ) · Rating 2 out of 5]

The thing about this book is that it ended before even starting, just when things were moving, I found myself turning the last page. and also, the characters felt flat, there were three friends promissing each other loyalty, then one of them becomes unheard of in the very first chapters. Jill wasn't that present neither and I foud David to be a real pain in the a**.
I don't know if it's because it's a children book meant only for children or me missing out on something, wondering...

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

When people call this a Harry Potter knockoff I want to force them to look up the publishing date. It's really not that hard to do a little bit of research before writing a review and calling this a ripoff (Groosham Grange was published in 1988 and Harry Potter in 1997). Harry Potter definitely borrowed elements from the two Groosham Grange books: a boring history teacher who is actually a ghost, a teacher who is a werewolf, a magical school for children, the main character having a female and a male friend, they go to school by train, ... see my point. I loved this book when I was little and read it at least 30 times. I especially love the typical British humour, like the really awful parents (a bit like the adults in Roald Dahl's books), especially the father who is a real bully and the mother who is just as awful, but this is what makes the book so hilarious. The characters are well written, and I think it's a shame that we only got two books. This is not Harry Potter, this book is way darker and a lot crueler to its main character. So if you don't like satirical British humour, you're not going to like this book.

[Riona Daly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was very captivating and intriguing as it was focused around David Eliot's disappointing schooling experiences that led him to a paranormal world. After getting expelled for poor conduct he is offered a place at Groosham Grange, however this proposal was not by coincidence. On route to his new school, he befriends Jill and Jeffrey and through their discussion it seems that they had each received a letter with differing information to portray this school ideally for their parents. The experience of getting to Groosham Grange was a terrifying and eye opening journey for each child. Upon arrival, they had a pact made to stick together in order to escape. Their fears increased rapidly when they met their teachers, none of which seemed ordinary and after different discoveries their alarm escalated that things were not normal in the school. Through several incidents, findings, ease droppings, Jill and David plotted their escape for help as they knew they were in a place where everything was abnormal. However, on all attempts they failed and on their 13th birthdays, they were converted to the magical side at Groosham Grange.
This book would be best suited to children age nine and up.
It uses simple and informative language which engages the reader and sets the finish of each chapter with the suspense of wanting to continue.
It would be a very appropriate book to aid in creative writing as the story is very imaginative through unusual events and unique characters. It is based around a school which will allow children to relate to it easily, therefore engaging their attention. I find that portraying the main friendship of the book as male/female is excellent to focus in on gender dimensions as primary school children are often male versus female but this book challenges that idealogy.

[Dee-Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is like Harry Potter, but more brutal and wickedly funny. This tale is about David, who comes from a household comprising a very brutal and boorish dad. David has six older siblings, though we never meet any of them, making him the seventh son of the seventh son. After being expelled again from school, he receives an invitation to attend an unusual school located on an island. He is practically forced to attend by his father and the story goes from there.

The humour is wicked and I am not sure about the early bits of humour, which seem to revolve around extreme forms of domestic violence. However, when I did finish, I scoured the library to see if they had the next one in the series (with no luck!).

[Parinaz Mosayebi · Rating 1 out of 5]

کتاب خیلی خیلی مضحکی بود. از همون چند صفحه ی اوّل از فضای کتاب متنفّر شدم ولی دوست نداشتم نیمه کاره ولش کنم.
چند سال بعد شنیدم که رولینگ از این کتاب الهام گرفته برای هری پاتر. ولی ایده ی "مدرسه ی جادوگری" به ذهن هر نویسنده ی فانتزی نویسی ممکنه برسه ولی هری پاتر خیلی فراتر از یه کتاب درباره ی "مدرسه ی جادوگری"
، اونم با چنین شخصیت پردازیهای غیرمنطقی و فضاسازیهای بیروحه. حتّی نمیتونم برای یه مقایسه ی ساده، شاهکار رولینگو در این حد پایین بیارم.

[Arghavan · Rating 3 out of 5]

درست یادم نیست؛ شاید هشت یا نه ساله بودم وقتی این رو خوندم. ولی همون موقع هم ازش چندان خوش‌م نیومد. زیادی شبیهِ هری پاتر بود. اگه دوست‌مون از روی هری پاتر نوشته‌ش، که خب من صحبتی ندارم. اگه هم رولینگ از روی این، هری پاتر رو نوشته خیلی کارِ مضحکی کرده که تقریباً موبه‌مو از این اقتباس کرده. اگه هم که هیچ ربطی به هم نداشته‌ن، معجزه‌ی قرن ه.

[Maryam · Rating 5 out of 5]

کتابی که بعدها هری پاتر از روی آن بی سر و صدا کپی شد.

The book Harry Potter series, specially book #1, were/was written based on its plot and ideas. I wonder why Horowitz did not sue Her. : ))

[Crash Fanny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Écrit bien avant Harry Potter, la mère Rowling y a clairement pillé toute la base de son histoire, qui est ici plus loufoque, plus drôle et plus "famille Adams" vibe. Plus mieux quoi.

[Melodie Roy · Rating 2 out of 5]

J’ai lu ce livre pour pouvoir écouter le podcast « La Réserve » de Potter Québec qui souligne les similitudes entre les livres d’Harry Potter et ce roman, qui est paru en premier. On peut clairement voir que JK Rowling s’est fortement inspiré de ce roman jeunesse pour écrire le premier Harry Potter. Toutefois, cette histoire est loin d’arriver à la cheville des romans de Rowling! Contrairement aux livres d’Harry Potter, l’univers est peu développé, les personnages manquent de profondeurs et l’histoire est prévisible. Il s’agit surtout d’un roman jeunesse et en tant qu’adulte, la lecture tombe à plat. Ce n’était pas mauvais, mais bien loin du chef d’oeuvre qu’est Harry Potter selon moi!

[Jimena Leal · Rating 4 out of 5]

No puede evitar hacer ciertas comparaciones con Harry Potter. Me quedé con ganas de saber cuál fue la decisión de David.

Amé cuando habla de la discriminación, una gran verdad, las personas solemos desconfiar y criticar aquello que nos es ajeno, distinto y en ese "temor" por la diferencia, despreciamos cualquiera cosa/persona/idea que no es igual a la norma.

Seguiré leyendo más de Anthony...

[MoisesRd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un viaje maravilloso por la Granja Groosham con un final donde tienen razón los involucrados finales y la decisión fue la más correcta.
El único pero fueron las ilustraciones, pudieron ser mejor.

[Les Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book with a strange ending. But to be fair this is not my usual genre.

[Ika Grela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Idealna, by na chwilę dać oddech mózgowi między jednym Sandersonem a drugim :P

[Whereforekrig · Rating 5 out of 5]

בפעם האחרונה שקראתי את הספר הזה הייתי בן עשר וחשבתי שזה ספר מושלם ועכשיו אני בן שלושים ושתיים וקראתי אותו שוב והוא ספר מושלם

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Une lecture simple et prenante ayant un air d'Harry Potter.

[Mae !!!!! · Rating 3 out of 5]

-SPOILERS-




I loved the plotline, twists and how everything became clear in the end even when you'd forgotten certain details
It's been said that this book is both similar to and predates Harry Potter and it's true- I think JK HEAVILY took inspiration from this and I'm not surprised it's a very good book that's written well (then again of course it is this is Anthony Horowitz we're talking about)
IT BUGGED ME THAT THEY HAVE TO CHANGE THE NAMES, I DON'T KNOW IF IT EXPLAINS IT LATER ON BUT THERE'S NO NEED- I LIKE MY NAME :c
Jill is very cool :)
I KNEW HE WAS GOING TO BE A VAMPIREEEEE (I love it)
I genuinely did not see that ending coming and I think it was really good (even though it was everything they fought against) because it shows that he doesn't know if he's going to be evil or not because main characters don't have to be good and it's always really cool when they're not in books because you get to see the reasoning why and understand them more- plus it's different and we need more difference in books- especially hero's journey ones :)
Overall would recommend

[Zahra Labbafan · Rating 3 out of 5]

وقتی این کتاب رو از کتابخونه مدرسه قرض گرفتم تازه با هری پاتر آشنا شده بودم و این کتاب هم در توضیحاتش نوشته بود بعضی با هری پاتر مقایسه اش میکنند و حتی الهام بخش جی کی رولینگ بوده
داستان بامزه ای داشت و دوستش داشتم.
*خوانش دوم
اسفند ۱۴۰۱
بعد اینکه اینجا نظر قبلی ام رو با توجه به خوندن کتاب در ۱۶ ۱۷ سال پیش گذاشتم هوس کردم دوباره بخونمش و از طاقچه گرفتمش
خوب واقعا برای یک نوجوان ۱۲ الی ۱۴ ساله جذابه اینکه با هری پاتر مقایسه بشه که اصلا ولی شاید الهام بخش رولینگ باشه میشه گفت
نویسنده کلی موضوع و اتفاق رو تو دو جلد سرجمع ۳۰۰ صفحه بسته و خوب این باعث خامی داستان تو خیلی قسمت شده و میتونست خیلی بهتر بهش بپردازه
انقدر اتفاقات سریع و بعضی جاها بدون توضیح می افتاد که دوست داشتی بگی آقا یک کم یواش تر :))
میدونم نویسنده یک مجموعه چند جلدی به اسم الکس رایدر داره که نخوندم و شاید تمرکزش روی اون بوده این داستان پر ایده رو فقط نوشته ذهنش خالی شه!
در کل برای یک بار خوندن و اونم برای نوجوان ها خوبه
البته با توجه به کتاب های مثلا ۲۰ سال پیش
در این سبک و سیاق الان خیلی کتاب هست:)

[Jael ~ *~ Syhren ~* ~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book was just horrible. It's about 100 and so pages , and yet it took me weeks to finish. I kept putting it down and picking it back. I literally had to make myself finish. They parents were horrible! That, who is wheel chairbound, was very abusive physically and verbally to both David and his mother. I can't imagine kids reading this. It felt a under written , Harry Potter knockoff.