From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026…
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
No group discussions for this book yet.
What Members Thought
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
...more
I will probably re-read this when it comes out to see how the illustrations enhance the text. DiCamillo's view of the darkness of the world and how it can be saved by asking "what if?" and "why not" may not be everyone's cup of tea. I wasn't as enthralled by it as I was by Despereaux, but it isn't too bad. I can see that some kids will really like it. Especially those kids who are dissatisfied with their lives and feel there is something more out there for them. For Peter Duchene it is the hope
...more
May 17, 2009
Monica Edinger
added it
I'm still mulling this one over. There is magic, but more in the magical realism vein of Tiger Rising than in the fairy tale vein of Despereaux. Someone elsewhere here wrote that it had a bit of the feeling of Rumer Godden which made me recall how much I loved that author's work when young. It also made me think of a very favorite book of mine --- Hoban's The Mouse and his Child --- that is, this one too involves the making of an unconventional family group by the end. There is some gorgeous ima
...more
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!
...more
I finally got a copy of this book through our library system. I'm so glad. DiCamillo has such a glorious way of telling a story. Every word is carefully chosen and beautifully arranged. The story is magical and soars. A young boy (as usual without birth parents) lives with an old soldier who is training him to be a good soldier as the boy's father was. Those who live around him have their own strange and sad stories. As the tale progresses, Peter (for that's his name) dreams and imagines his pas
...more
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.
...more
This book was just okay. I felt like I didn't really get to know any of the characters.
...more
Meh. It was like DiCamillo was trying too hard to make this feel special. I found it annoying that it was so repetitive. The characters all say the same things over and over. The boy Peter is always taking his hat on and off.
And the worst part was the reader absolutely knows Peter's going to find his sister and the magician will send the elephant home so there was no real drama. The finding of the sister and sending home of the elephant were not even that exciting or interesting.
I'm a big fan ...more
And the worst part was the reader absolutely knows Peter's going to find his sister and the magician will send the elephant home so there was no real drama. The finding of the sister and sending home of the elephant were not even that exciting or interesting.
I'm a big fan ...more
I love Kate DiCamillo, but this one fell flat with me.
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.
...more
Perfectly elegant and charming.
Aug 17, 2009
Laura
added it
Apr 05, 2010
Melinda Caldwell
added it
Jun 22, 2011
Monica
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
childrensbooks,
favourites
Jul 23, 2016
Natane
marked it as to-read
