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hannah_cauldron's review against another edition
5.0
https://hannahcauldronsbookreviews.com/2021/04/18/review-the-word-keeper---veronica-del-valle/
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Word-Keeper is a story which explores the power of language. I believe that this is a really powerful theme for a Children’s Book, and Veronica del Valle very cleverly presented this throughout The Word-Keeper.
When we open The Word-Keeper, we immediately encounter a map – which is the journey to Inkwell. I really liked this map, as I was constantly referring to it when reading about Florence’s journey to Inkwell, and imagining myself in each of the locations.
We then see a map of Inkwell, which is where most of the story is set. Again, I really liked this map, as I would refer to it whenever Florence’s movements around Inkwell were described. This really helped me to feel like I was a part of the story, as I could imagine each place that Florence visited. I also loved it how each street in Inkwell was named after a literary technique.
The Word-Keeper was a very gripping story throughout. The plot was packed with twists and turns, and I was left constantly wanting to know what would happen next. As the story raced towards the end, I kept on guessing and guessing how it would end. This is something that I do love in a book, as it makes me feel like I am a part of the story.
All the way through The Word-Keeper, I found the text style to be really engaging. Different font sizes were used to represent really loud noises, or noises gradually getting louder. I really liked this as it really helped to bring this story to life. Also, the subheadings throughout Florence’s journey to Inkwell made it very clear when she was moving on to the next stage of her journey. When I saw a new subheading, I would look back at the map and I would picture what the next stage would look like – whether that was The Great Grumbling Grassland, the Pathway of Pedantic Plum Trees, or anywhere else that Florence travelled through to get to Inkwell.
Something which I thought was really powerful in The Word-Keeper was the way that it incorporated many issues from today’s world – such as the negativity of gossip magazines, not being able to take words back, and body image. I thought that this was very important to talk about in a Children’s Book, as I think that is important that everyone is aware of these issues, and how they can be prevented.
Throughout The Word-Keeper, there are many beautiful illustrations, which bring the characters and the events to life. When reading The Word-Keeper, I was wondering if Florence maybe could have drawn them, as we know that she’s artistic from the fact that she makes a new bookmark for each book that she reads.
If I had to chose a favourite character in The Word-Keeper, I’d definitely choose Florence. She was such a strong character throughout, and she constantly faced each problem that she encountered with nothing but bravery and logic.
I highly recommend The Word-Keeper to everyone – regardless of age! Although The Word-Keeper is a Children’s Book, I believe that there is something in it for everyone.
Read my interview with Veronica del Valle, the author of The Word-Keeper here.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Word-Keeper is a story which explores the power of language. I believe that this is a really powerful theme for a Children’s Book, and Veronica del Valle very cleverly presented this throughout The Word-Keeper.
When we open The Word-Keeper, we immediately encounter a map – which is the journey to Inkwell. I really liked this map, as I was constantly referring to it when reading about Florence’s journey to Inkwell, and imagining myself in each of the locations.
We then see a map of Inkwell, which is where most of the story is set. Again, I really liked this map, as I would refer to it whenever Florence’s movements around Inkwell were described. This really helped me to feel like I was a part of the story, as I could imagine each place that Florence visited. I also loved it how each street in Inkwell was named after a literary technique.
The Word-Keeper was a very gripping story throughout. The plot was packed with twists and turns, and I was left constantly wanting to know what would happen next. As the story raced towards the end, I kept on guessing and guessing how it would end. This is something that I do love in a book, as it makes me feel like I am a part of the story.
All the way through The Word-Keeper, I found the text style to be really engaging. Different font sizes were used to represent really loud noises, or noises gradually getting louder. I really liked this as it really helped to bring this story to life. Also, the subheadings throughout Florence’s journey to Inkwell made it very clear when she was moving on to the next stage of her journey. When I saw a new subheading, I would look back at the map and I would picture what the next stage would look like – whether that was The Great Grumbling Grassland, the Pathway of Pedantic Plum Trees, or anywhere else that Florence travelled through to get to Inkwell.
Something which I thought was really powerful in The Word-Keeper was the way that it incorporated many issues from today’s world – such as the negativity of gossip magazines, not being able to take words back, and body image. I thought that this was very important to talk about in a Children’s Book, as I think that is important that everyone is aware of these issues, and how they can be prevented.
Throughout The Word-Keeper, there are many beautiful illustrations, which bring the characters and the events to life. When reading The Word-Keeper, I was wondering if Florence maybe could have drawn them, as we know that she’s artistic from the fact that she makes a new bookmark for each book that she reads.
If I had to chose a favourite character in The Word-Keeper, I’d definitely choose Florence. She was such a strong character throughout, and she constantly faced each problem that she encountered with nothing but bravery and logic.
I highly recommend The Word-Keeper to everyone – regardless of age! Although The Word-Keeper is a Children’s Book, I believe that there is something in it for everyone.
Read my interview with Veronica del Valle, the author of The Word-Keeper here.
stephbookshine's review against another edition
5.0
*I received a free ARC of this book with thanks to the author and Rachel Gilbey at Rachel’s Random Resources blog tours. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
If this book had been around when I was a child, I would have read it again and again, until I practically knew it by heart! As it is, in adulthood I merely think it is wonderful!
Florence doesn’t really fit in at school, or even at home very much. Her facility with words makes her extraordinary and yet she always feels like there’s something missing deep inside her. Then, on one of her annual visits to her grandfather in Inkwell, a magical village of inspiration and community spirit, things start to go wrong. The words are getting muddled up and even disappearing. And finally, Florence sees her path… if she’s willing to take it.
I adore Florence. She’s so calm and collected, and I enjoy how she takes the time to think things through properly rather than simply reacting to situations. She’s a bookworm too, so I feel we have lots in common!
In fact, there’s nothing and no one I don’t love in this quirky story about the power of words and the love of reading. There are poems and puzzles, books and recipes, a battle between good and evil, and a sentient bookmark called Ben.
Perfect for any child who enjoys fantasy adventure stories and has a love for words and reading, The Word-Keeper shows us whether the pen really is mightier than the sword, and whether brains beat brawn.
I wish I could live in Inkwell, but failing that I would settle for many, many more stories set there, please!
As soon as the first swish-swish sound of the wind touched her ears, Florence knew it would happen. It always happened on windy nights. She didn’t know why. When she was alone in her bed under her hand-knitted blanket, an itchy feeling loomed in her heart. It was a feeling that told her there was a void in her life. It had nothing to do with the Quarrelsome Queens, nor with Gideon Green. It wasn’t something she’d lost either. It was something that had never been there, yet needed to be, like a clock that won’t start ticking if it has a missing piece.
– Veronica Del Valle, The Word-Keeper
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2020/02/29/blog-tour-the-word-keeper-veronica-del-valle/
If this book had been around when I was a child, I would have read it again and again, until I practically knew it by heart! As it is, in adulthood I merely think it is wonderful!
Florence doesn’t really fit in at school, or even at home very much. Her facility with words makes her extraordinary and yet she always feels like there’s something missing deep inside her. Then, on one of her annual visits to her grandfather in Inkwell, a magical village of inspiration and community spirit, things start to go wrong. The words are getting muddled up and even disappearing. And finally, Florence sees her path… if she’s willing to take it.
I adore Florence. She’s so calm and collected, and I enjoy how she takes the time to think things through properly rather than simply reacting to situations. She’s a bookworm too, so I feel we have lots in common!
In fact, there’s nothing and no one I don’t love in this quirky story about the power of words and the love of reading. There are poems and puzzles, books and recipes, a battle between good and evil, and a sentient bookmark called Ben.
Perfect for any child who enjoys fantasy adventure stories and has a love for words and reading, The Word-Keeper shows us whether the pen really is mightier than the sword, and whether brains beat brawn.
I wish I could live in Inkwell, but failing that I would settle for many, many more stories set there, please!
As soon as the first swish-swish sound of the wind touched her ears, Florence knew it would happen. It always happened on windy nights. She didn’t know why. When she was alone in her bed under her hand-knitted blanket, an itchy feeling loomed in her heart. It was a feeling that told her there was a void in her life. It had nothing to do with the Quarrelsome Queens, nor with Gideon Green. It wasn’t something she’d lost either. It was something that had never been there, yet needed to be, like a clock that won’t start ticking if it has a missing piece.
– Veronica Del Valle, The Word-Keeper
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2020/02/29/blog-tour-the-word-keeper-veronica-del-valle/
ravenclawlibrarybooks's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very enjoyable read and the protagonist was very likable! It's a very recommended middle grade book. A tale of bravery, of the love of words and of their importance in our daily lives.
Thanks to Cameron Publicity & Marketing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. My review is honest and unbiased.
Thanks to Cameron Publicity & Marketing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. My review is honest and unbiased.
stephbookshine's review
5.0
*I received a free ARC of this book with thanks to the author and Rachel Gilbey at Rachel’s Random Resources blog tours. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
If this book had been around when I was a child, I would have read it again and again, until I practically knew it by heart! As it is, in adulthood I merely think it is wonderful!
Florence doesn’t really fit in at school, or even at home very much. Her facility with words makes her extraordinary and yet she always feels like there’s something missing deep inside her. Then, on one of her annual visits to her grandfather in Inkwell, a magical village of inspiration and community spirit, things start to go wrong. The words are getting muddled up and even disappearing. And finally, Florence sees her path… if she’s willing to take it.
I adore Florence. She’s so calm and collected, and I enjoy how she takes the time to think things through properly rather than simply reacting to situations. She’s a bookworm too, so I feel we have lots in common!
In fact, there’s nothing and no one I don’t love in this quirky story about the power of words and the love of reading. There are poems and puzzles, books and recipes, a battle between good and evil, and a sentient bookmark called Ben.
Perfect for any child who enjoys fantasy adventure stories and has a love for words and reading, The Word-Keeper shows us whether the pen really is mightier than the sword, and whether brains beat brawn.
I wish I could live in Inkwell, but failing that I would settle for many, many more stories set there, please!
As soon as the first swish-swish sound of the wind touched her ears, Florence knew it would happen. It always happened on windy nights. She didn’t know why. When she was alone in her bed under her hand-knitted blanket, an itchy feeling loomed in her heart. It was a feeling that told her there was a void in her life. It had nothing to do with the Quarrelsome Queens, nor with Gideon Green. It wasn’t something she’d lost either. It was something that had never been there, yet needed to be, like a clock that won’t start ticking if it has a missing piece.
– Veronica Del Valle, The Word-Keeper
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2020/02/29/blog-tour-the-word-keeper-veronica-del-valle/
If this book had been around when I was a child, I would have read it again and again, until I practically knew it by heart! As it is, in adulthood I merely think it is wonderful!
Florence doesn’t really fit in at school, or even at home very much. Her facility with words makes her extraordinary and yet she always feels like there’s something missing deep inside her. Then, on one of her annual visits to her grandfather in Inkwell, a magical village of inspiration and community spirit, things start to go wrong. The words are getting muddled up and even disappearing. And finally, Florence sees her path… if she’s willing to take it.
I adore Florence. She’s so calm and collected, and I enjoy how she takes the time to think things through properly rather than simply reacting to situations. She’s a bookworm too, so I feel we have lots in common!
In fact, there’s nothing and no one I don’t love in this quirky story about the power of words and the love of reading. There are poems and puzzles, books and recipes, a battle between good and evil, and a sentient bookmark called Ben.
Perfect for any child who enjoys fantasy adventure stories and has a love for words and reading, The Word-Keeper shows us whether the pen really is mightier than the sword, and whether brains beat brawn.
I wish I could live in Inkwell, but failing that I would settle for many, many more stories set there, please!
As soon as the first swish-swish sound of the wind touched her ears, Florence knew it would happen. It always happened on windy nights. She didn’t know why. When she was alone in her bed under her hand-knitted blanket, an itchy feeling loomed in her heart. It was a feeling that told her there was a void in her life. It had nothing to do with the Quarrelsome Queens, nor with Gideon Green. It wasn’t something she’d lost either. It was something that had never been there, yet needed to be, like a clock that won’t start ticking if it has a missing piece.
– Veronica Del Valle, The Word-Keeper
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2020/02/29/blog-tour-the-word-keeper-veronica-del-valle/
booksnbookends's review
3.0
The concept for this book was superb, it's different from other middle grade books, which may be exactly what some young readers are desperately looking for. The story reminded me somewhat of Chris Colfer's Land of Stories series and Alice in Wonderland, but without the fairytale aspects.
Florence possessed an unusual verbal extravagance, putting to good use words like debacle or conundrum or bodacious. But this also made her a lonely girl, for not many of the other kids understood what she was saying. Using words as power is the main focus of the story, but I'm not sure that most middle grade readers will understand the words she's using either.
The journey aspect of the story seemed to really slow the pace of the book down at the beginning and it felt like it was traipsing along with very little happening. When Florence arrived at the mysterious town of Inkwell, the story improved drastically. Her friends and the helpful tradespeople made her unexpected experience with forces she never imagined possible.
The Word Keeper has a great message about the power of words and how we can use them can have a profound impact upon others. It would have to be a fairly capable middle grade reader to fully appreciate the message that the book is trying to send.
A magical middle grade fantasy with a fantastic message.
Florence possessed an unusual verbal extravagance, putting to good use words like debacle or conundrum or bodacious. But this also made her a lonely girl, for not many of the other kids understood what she was saying. Using words as power is the main focus of the story, but I'm not sure that most middle grade readers will understand the words she's using either.
The journey aspect of the story seemed to really slow the pace of the book down at the beginning and it felt like it was traipsing along with very little happening. When Florence arrived at the mysterious town of Inkwell, the story improved drastically. Her friends and the helpful tradespeople made her unexpected experience with forces she never imagined possible.
The Word Keeper has a great message about the power of words and how we can use them can have a profound impact upon others. It would have to be a fairly capable middle grade reader to fully appreciate the message that the book is trying to send.
A magical middle grade fantasy with a fantastic message.
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