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What Members Thought
Part of me wants to say I loved this book, that it verges on Trumpet of the Swan or Jane Langton territory, and part of me is afraid I've been sucked into the next Jonathan Livingston Seagull or Kahlil Gibran. (I finally put my finger on what this book reminds me of: The Polar Express. And that's perfect, because I can never decide about that book, either.)
I think the prose is very lovely, and I don't always go for lovely prose, but this is funny, too. There's humor and pathos both in the contin ...more
I think the prose is very lovely, and I don't always go for lovely prose, but this is funny, too. There's humor and pathos both in the contin ...more
Oh boy, I wanted to like this one. I adored The Tale of Despereaux Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread, I enjoyed Because of Winn-Dixie, I was fascinated with The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (and loved the illustrations), but this left me a little cold. I've been trying to put my finger on it, since this is on this year's OLA Mock Newbery list and I'll have to back up my opinion. I didn't feel that it went deep enough - it stayed on the surface of a po
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Kate Di Camillo has done it again. An exquisitively crafted tale with perfect pacing, wonderful word choice, and a theme of hope. It starts off with a magic trick gone awry. It has the most satisfying ending in children's literature, well that is how I feel today. I took the afternoon off of attending NCTE sessions to read it and I'm glad I did. Pam, I picked up a copy for you!
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I am disappointed that I simply just didn't like this book. I usually love her work, but this one was just not one of them. And I don't think it's a very good children's story. Which means it will probably when a Newbery because they seem bent on choosing books that children would not read.
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Not even meat to this one. Beautiful sentiments, but characters weren't fleshed out enough. Ethereal. Written more for adults than children. All a dream, and I can't feel for anyone in the story, really.
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I was disappointed in this latest book from Kate DiCamillo. It was much too symbolic and tedious for the intended audience. I was never drawn into the story or particularly moved by the characters.
I didn't like this book as much as other books by Kate DiCamillo--it seemed rather slow moving--I can't see that kids would like it that much.
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Beautiful writing, mysterious happenings, gorgeous muted illustrations. Those who liked Edward Tulane will like this too.
Sweet story, but nothing like Winn-Dixie, or Despereaux, or Edward Tulane. Disappointing and I can't think of who I'd hand-sell this to.
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This reminded me of The Little Prince...magical, philosophical...full of memorable characters and a unique story. Not sure it is a J book as much as it is an adult one...
Beautifully strange - I read it in one sitting. I love her work.
Beautiful, poetic and lyrical. I personally preferred Despereaux and Edward Tulane, but there is a depth and darkness to this book that didn't exist in DiCamillo's other fantasies. Not really a kid's story, but well worth reading.
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Hmm, a good one to partner with Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin. Both involve themes of love and family. Both involve children believing in magic and pursuing it to the surprise and consternation of the adults, and both children succeed in achieving their dreams through their belief in magic.
Wonderful illustrations by Yoko Tanaka
Apr 05, 2010
Melinda Caldwell
added it
