An enchanted green violin, an automaton that comes to life, and a hidden treasure. . . . THE CLOCKWORK THREE is a richly woven adventure story that...
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Jan 10, 2011
Elizabeth
rated it: 
I’m in a weird position. I’m tired of Steampunk, and yet if I say that word to most kids that walk into my library they’ll give me a blank stare followed by an immediate, “What’s Steampunk?” I’d explain to them that it’s this strange amalgamation of historical fiction plus futuristic gear-based clockwork technology but I know that this would not cause the blank stares to cease. They'd simply grow blanker. I’m tired of Steampunk, you see, but even then I have a confession to make. I’m only r
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Feb 27, 2011
Alan
rated it: 
ATOS Book Level: 4.5
Interest Level: Middle Grades (MG 4-8)
AR Points: 15.0
Lexile: 680
Word Count: 100530
The cover flap describes this story as "a dose of fantasy, (and) a hint of magic". My problem with the book, for me, is that it would work better if this was a fantasy. In fantasy there is a suspension of beliefs, a stepping away from what "you know to be true" with/in this world. Giuseppe's fiddle playing has a "hint of magic", why More...
Interest Level: Middle Grades (MG 4-8)
AR Points: 15.0
Lexile: 680
Word Count: 100530
The cover flap describes this story as "a dose of fantasy, (and) a hint of magic". My problem with the book, for me, is that it would work better if this was a fantasy. In fantasy there is a suspension of beliefs, a stepping away from what "you know to be true" with/in this world. Giuseppe's fiddle playing has a "hint of magic", why More...
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Jan 02, 2012
Alexandra
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The Clockwork Three is a suspense filled, view-changing tale of a boy named Guiseppe. He is a violinist and is under the control of his padrone named Stephano. Then one day he finds a magical green violin, and it earns him much more money than usual. He decides to earn his way out of he city and go home to Italy. The other two characters Hannah and Frederick also have many questions throughout their life, and as friends they all realize that one friend of theirs has the answer to their question
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Dec 22, 2011
Maedel
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Dec 19, 2011
Natasha
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This middle-grade read was given to me by my mom as a senior in college gift. The writing is geared towards middle grade, so no lavish descriptions or large words, but it is just as lyrical as some young adult books. Throughout this book, I was reminded of The Thief Lord with the whimsical characters and action.
This book is more of a suspense book. Nothing huge, but each chapter alternates between the three main characters and the chapters more often than not end in cliffhangers. I had More...
This book is more of a suspense book. Nothing huge, but each chapter alternates between the three main characters and the chapters more often than not end in cliffhangers. I had More...
Oct 31, 2011
Lalageh
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Sep 01, 2011
Sarah-Greenbeanteenqueen
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About the Book: Frederick is an apprentice in a clockwork shop who is secretly working on his own clockwork man in the hopes of making journeyman.
Hannah is a maid working at a hotel trying to raise money for her family and sick father. When she hears of the possibility of a treasure, Hannah decides to seek her fortune.
Giuseppe was kidnapped from his home in Italy and works as a street musician. He dreams of returning home and when he finds a green violin, he wonders if i More...
Hannah is a maid working at a hotel trying to raise money for her family and sick father. When she hears of the possibility of a treasure, Hannah decides to seek her fortune.
Giuseppe was kidnapped from his home in Italy and works as a street musician. He dreams of returning home and when he finds a green violin, he wonders if i More...
Apr 19, 2011
Reading
rated it:
We ended up requesting that our library order the audio cd so that we could listen to it together. Luckily our library is AWESOME, and they bought it.
The reader of The Clockwork Three was fantastic! I was really impressed by all of the voices that he created, and even some different accents, with a little Italian thrown in there. There was one part that I thought was especially cool when the Clockwork man spoke. I'm not sure what they did for the voice, but I loved it. The only com More...
The reader of The Clockwork Three was fantastic! I was really impressed by all of the voices that he created, and even some different accents, with a little Italian thrown in there. There was one part that I thought was especially cool when the Clockwork man spoke. I'm not sure what they did for the voice, but I loved it. The only com More...
Feb 14, 2011
Mrs. Riding
rated it:
The Clockwork Three is an incredible story of three young people with the great desire to be free. Giuseppe is a orphan street musician with a master who demands much and gives so little. Longing for his home in Italy, Giuseppe uses his passion to fuel his music. Hannah is a maid of a grand hotel and the sole provider for her family. Wanting to have what is needed for her family, she goes in search for a hidden treasure. Frederick, an apprentice clockmaker, works every moment on a special projec
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Feb 04, 2011
Yearning To Read
rated it:
Hannah is a young girl working hard to provide for her family who is in desperate need of money and provision. When a rich woman named Madame Pomeroy hires Hannah, she thinks her and her family’s problems might just be solved. Will they?
Giuseppe is a young boy who lives in an orphanage under the wicked Stephano. He plays the fiddle in the streets to make money to give to Stephano. But when he finds a beautiful green violin, he believes his life could be permanently altered…that h More...
Giuseppe is a young boy who lives in an orphanage under the wicked Stephano. He plays the fiddle in the streets to make money to give to Stephano. But when he finds a beautiful green violin, he believes his life could be permanently altered…that h More...
Jan 14, 2011
Kira
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Desperate to escape from his cruel master and make his way back to his home in Italy, Giuseppe is excited to find a green violin that is like new. Playing it every day in the streets, he is able to make large amounts of money for his escape each day. Storing it in a crypt of a man by the name of Stroop, he dreams of the day he will be able to buy his passage. His cruel master, Stephano, however, grows suspicious of Giuseppe and begins watching him like a hawk.
Once a great stonemanso More...
Once a great stonemanso More...
Dec 07, 2010
Kate
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Nov 23, 2010
Jennifer
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The Good Stuff
Absolutely, positively delightful historical fantasy fiction for the 8-14 range
Both girls and boys will adore
Absorbing and addictive, I got lost in the story many a time
Wonderfully descriptive - you can almost smell and touch your surroundings
Intriguing characters introduced one by one so you really get a sense of their personality and their place in the story
Heartrendingly sad at times, but also very hopeful
Has a bit of Steamp More...
Absolutely, positively delightful historical fantasy fiction for the 8-14 range
Both girls and boys will adore
Absorbing and addictive, I got lost in the story many a time
Wonderfully descriptive - you can almost smell and touch your surroundings
Intriguing characters introduced one by one so you really get a sense of their personality and their place in the story
Heartrendingly sad at times, but also very hopeful
Has a bit of Steamp More...
Oct 28, 2010
Chibineko
rated it:
I have to admit that while I'm not in the target age group for this book (7-10 years old), that doesn't mean that such books can't be enjoyed by adults or that the story can't touch on mature subjects. Luckily for all age groups involved, this book manages to do both.
The story follows three very different children, all of whom find that their destinies are intertwined together. One of them is Hannah, a young girl who has been forced to give up her schooling in order to work at a loca More...
The story follows three very different children, all of whom find that their destinies are intertwined together. One of them is Hannah, a young girl who has been forced to give up her schooling in order to work at a loca More...
Oct 06, 2010
Handd51
rated it:
This book is well written and very interesting, set in 1870's NYC without identifying the city or the park and with great literary license to make the story. Kirby interweaves the stories of three teens, apparently unrelated until the last of the book, connected by chance meetings. Giuseppe is Italian and a violin player, bought from his poor shepherd father in Italy and shipped to this city to play and busque on street corners to turn his money to his padrone for a less than meager dinner and
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Sep 30, 2010
Walt
rated it:
Every boy or girl, no matter how old, should read this book. I'll try to tell you why.
I believe at some time every child, no matter who or where they are, feels at least once and maybe several times like a slave of sorts, even in the best of times and in the most favorable of conditions. I know I did, and most of the people I've talked to enough about it to know, did also. Even though I was raised in pleasant circumstances with everything I needed, I did. Nonetheless, I had red hair More...
I believe at some time every child, no matter who or where they are, feels at least once and maybe several times like a slave of sorts, even in the best of times and in the most favorable of conditions. I know I did, and most of the people I've talked to enough about it to know, did also. Even though I was raised in pleasant circumstances with everything I needed, I did. Nonetheless, I had red hair More...
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Aug 13, 2010
Missie
rated it:
http://www.theunreadreader.com/2010/08/c...
I was pleasantly surprise to find how much I enjoyed this book. The story of three children who face hardships that no child should have to endure was, at times, heart breaking, and this was espeically true of Giuseppe's struggle. I don't want to give too much away so make sure you read the synopsis because it provides a great summary.
Each child's POV is presented in alternating chapters, which was a great way to read the stor More...
I was pleasantly surprise to find how much I enjoyed this book. The story of three children who face hardships that no child should have to endure was, at times, heart breaking, and this was espeically true of Giuseppe's struggle. I don't want to give too much away so make sure you read the synopsis because it provides a great summary.
Each child's POV is presented in alternating chapters, which was a great way to read the stor More...
Mar 11, 2011
Karissa
rated it:
I got an advanced reading copy of this book through the Amazon Vine program. It was a fantastic read, I really enjoyed it. Extremely well written, I loved the writing style and enjoyed how the stories of three children were woven together.
Giuseppe is an orphan who is living as a busker and trying to survive under a brutal padrone named Stephano. When he finds a green violin that seems magical when he plays it he thinks it may help him escape back to his home in Italy. Frederic More...
Oct 08, 2010
Destinee
rated it:
Shades of Hugo Cabret, Thief Lord, and Oliver Twist, with a sort of Gangs of New York setting, brought together in a kind of magical, sad, but ultimately hopeful, plot. Once I was about halfway through, I found this big, ambitious first novel hard to put down.
It's basically about three kids with very hard lives wandering around a big 19th Century New England city (presumably New York, though it isn't actually identified as such). They're each deeply troubled in some way, and each ye More...
It's basically about three kids with very hard lives wandering around a big 19th Century New England city (presumably New York, though it isn't actually identified as such). They're each deeply troubled in some way, and each ye More...
Nov 10, 2011
Hannah
rated it:
This book is about three adventurous children named Hannah,Frederick,and Giuseppe,who all want something.Hannah wants her ill father to heal.Frederick wants to become a journeyman clockmaker, and Giuseppe wants a boat ticket home to Italy.They must team up to achieve these goals.Will they succeed,or plummet into the horrible realm known as failure?
What I liked about this book was that the moods fluctuated often.At one point in the book,when it looked like the three characters had won, More...
What I liked about this book was that the moods fluctuated often.At one point in the book,when it looked like the three characters had won, More...
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Feb 06, 2011
Michael
rated it:
What do a maid, a street side musician, and an apprentice clockmaker have in common? Apparently nothing. But these three young people have personal problems that bring them together in ways that they never expected. Through mysteries and dangers Giuseppe, Frederick, and Hannah all find the answers they needed, but not necessarily the ones they wanted.
“The Clockwork Three” is Matthew J. Kirby’s debut novel and an enchanting one at that. Set in the late 19th century, the story takes pl More...
“The Clockwork Three” is Matthew J. Kirby’s debut novel and an enchanting one at that. Set in the late 19th century, the story takes pl More...
Nov 01, 2010
Emily
rated it:
Hey-I almost know the author of this book!! Okay, not really at all. I know his sister, though I have never met him but that's why I put it on the hold list at the library before it even came out.
So, the book. It was about three different children and their three different problems who all come together and help each out. Also there's some suspense, a teeny-tiny bit of romance (or I'm just hopeful), and even some mysticism.
I was surprised to find that it was juve More...
So, the book. It was about three different children and their three different problems who all come together and help each out. Also there's some suspense, a teeny-tiny bit of romance (or I'm just hopeful), and even some mysticism.
I was surprised to find that it was juve More...
Nov 25, 2011
Nico
rated it:
The Clockwork Three: My Review
The Clockwork Three was a very enchanting book. It was very Steampunk, except it was set in America.
It was about three kids, each trying to solve their own mysteries.
Giuseppe was an Italian busker who worked in the Padrone System. Then he finds a magical green violin floating in the harbor one day. He does not know then it will help him escape.
Fredrick is an apprentice clockmaker who wants nothing more than to make journeyman in his ma More...
The Clockwork Three was a very enchanting book. It was very Steampunk, except it was set in America.
It was about three kids, each trying to solve their own mysteries.
Giuseppe was an Italian busker who worked in the Padrone System. Then he finds a magical green violin floating in the harbor one day. He does not know then it will help him escape.
Fredrick is an apprentice clockmaker who wants nothing more than to make journeyman in his ma More...
Oct 25, 2011
Carol
rated it:
At first glance Giuseppe, Frederick and Hannah have nothing in common save for the city in which they live. Through a series of seemingly unrelated events their paths cross and re-cross until they are thoroughly intertwined. Each has a secret heart's desire that they will need to divulge to the others in order to achieve it. When working together the three remarkable children accomplish amazing things and learn more about themselves in the process.
The three main characters are superbly deve More...
The three main characters are superbly deve More...
Feb 08, 2012
Wendy
rated it:
I listened to this one on audiobook. I picked it up because I had seen it on the shelf at the kids' book fair and at the library. I think it's a Beehive Award nominee this year.
I wanted to like this one more than I actual did. It took me a little bit to get into it, but once I was in I enjoyed it. The author uses some really great metaphors in the book, but I found myself a little disappointed at how often I noticed them being used. I'm not sure I should be thinking "Oh look, an More...
I wanted to like this one more than I actual did. It took me a little bit to get into it, but once I was in I enjoyed it. The author uses some really great metaphors in the book, but I found myself a little disappointed at how often I noticed them being used. I'm not sure I should be thinking "Oh look, an More...
Feb 14, 2011
Mark
rated it:
I just finished this last night and the phrase that kept repeating in my brain during the last chapter was "missed opportunities." The Clockwork Three is, by no means, a bad book. But I really think it could have been great rather than just average.
The plot revolves around 3 kids in a steam punkish 1920s city who overcome their own personal struggles thanks to help from some unexpected sources. Guiseppe is a lad from Italy who was kidnapped by a gang on criminals and forced t More...
The plot revolves around 3 kids in a steam punkish 1920s city who overcome their own personal struggles thanks to help from some unexpected sources. Guiseppe is a lad from Italy who was kidnapped by a gang on criminals and forced t More...
Oct 14, 2011
The Winter Rose
rated it:
This was a book my husband picked up for me at the store and I am glad he did. He handed it to me saying, "This seems like your type of book". He was right.
The Clockwork Three is the story of three down-and-out, scrappy youngsters each striving for their own goal: For apprentice clockmaker Frederick, it's to become a journeyman to the clockmakers guild, for young maid Hannah, it's to take care of her poverty stricken family and for street musician Guissepe, it's to get back More...
The Clockwork Three is the story of three down-and-out, scrappy youngsters each striving for their own goal: For apprentice clockmaker Frederick, it's to become a journeyman to the clockmakers guild, for young maid Hannah, it's to take care of her poverty stricken family and for street musician Guissepe, it's to get back More...
Apr 12, 2011
Shivering William
rated it:
Those three stars would probably lead you to believe that I didn't love this book. I did. A lot. This is some of the best writing I've seen in kid's lit in recent years. I love the characters. I love the story. I'm fascinated by the world and all of its intricacies. But there were quite a few flaws that cropped up in the last hundred pages that prevented me from giving it a higher rating. Okay, now I'll drop the spoiler warning.
SPOILERS FOLLOW!!!
The problems lie i More...
SPOILERS FOLLOW!!!
The problems lie i More...
Jan 09, 2011
Robert
rated it:
Matthew J. Kirby has remarkably taken the stories of three individual children and woven into one cohesive tale. Giuseppe, an Italian immigrant sold into white slavery: Hannah, a maid at an exclusive hotel desperate to help her sick father and family, and Frederick, an apprentice clock maker working to become a successful business man meet and become dependent on each other for success in the city. Their mutual friendship and different gifts bind them together. A green violin, a mysterious ma
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Dec 01, 2010
David
rated it:
Three ordinary children are brought together by extraordinary events. . .
Giuseppe is an orphaned street musician from Italy, who was sold by his uncle to work as a slave for an evil padrone in the U.S. But when a mysterious green violin enters his life he begins to imagine a life of freedom.
Hannah is a soft-hearted, strong-willed girl from the tenements, who supports her family as a hotel maid when tragedy strikes & her father can no longer work. She learns about a hidden More...
Giuseppe is an orphaned street musician from Italy, who was sold by his uncle to work as a slave for an evil padrone in the U.S. But when a mysterious green violin enters his life he begins to imagine a life of freedom.
Hannah is a soft-hearted, strong-willed girl from the tenements, who supports her family as a hotel maid when tragedy strikes & her father can no longer work. She learns about a hidden More...
