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katykelly's review
4.0
4.5 stars
I had hoped this would be a 'find' for a book club I run, but on reflection, this is one for already confident readers who enjoy something a little different, rather than a group of differing abilities who may be used to something more straightforward.
This is wonderful though. In a start reminiscent of James and the Giant Peach and A Series of Unfortunate Events, our young heroes, Connor and Cordelia, are left orphaned by an unfortunate accident (not a stampeding rhino or fire) on their capybara farm. With their two fathers dead (yes, you read that right - it's never made an issue of at all, its inclusion interesting but never commented on). The two, with their one remaining capybara are sent to their aunt's house in the very strange town of Woundabout. Where all is not as it seems...
Woundabout is a dead-seeming town, devoid of life and laughter... change and questions are not permitted, by order of the Mayor.
I love this type of story - strangers arriving in a town and making changes, their newness bringing fresh air to a place. It's highly original though, with our children discovering some beautiful ways they can do something to make their own and other people's lives better.
Their grief is dealt with well - they don't just forget about their family and home, they are still suffering, which I was glad to see - too often protagonists seem to overcome death and move on into an exciting adventure.
There's a wonderful film to be had here as well, some great visuals, scenes and devices, as well as characters I'd love to see cast - the Mayor, their aunt, her servant who has a hidden past of his own.
The children learn to make a fresh start - and maybe... can Woundabout too?
The illustrations by the author's brother, black and white, suit the drabness of the town, and add to the spooky sense of the inhabitants' lives. They are also childlike and distinctive, with lots of detail older children will enjoy.
A really enjoyable read for confident upper primary children, a good mixture of sadness, mystery and adventure, with children at the heart of it all.
I had hoped this would be a 'find' for a book club I run, but on reflection, this is one for already confident readers who enjoy something a little different, rather than a group of differing abilities who may be used to something more straightforward.
This is wonderful though. In a start reminiscent of James and the Giant Peach and A Series of Unfortunate Events, our young heroes, Connor and Cordelia, are left orphaned by an unfortunate accident (not a stampeding rhino or fire) on their capybara farm. With their two fathers dead (yes, you read that right - it's never made an issue of at all, its inclusion interesting but never commented on). The two, with their one remaining capybara are sent to their aunt's house in the very strange town of Woundabout. Where all is not as it seems...
Woundabout is a dead-seeming town, devoid of life and laughter... change and questions are not permitted, by order of the Mayor.
I love this type of story - strangers arriving in a town and making changes, their newness bringing fresh air to a place. It's highly original though, with our children discovering some beautiful ways they can do something to make their own and other people's lives better.
Their grief is dealt with well - they don't just forget about their family and home, they are still suffering, which I was glad to see - too often protagonists seem to overcome death and move on into an exciting adventure.
There's a wonderful film to be had here as well, some great visuals, scenes and devices, as well as characters I'd love to see cast - the Mayor, their aunt, her servant who has a hidden past of his own.
The children learn to make a fresh start - and maybe... can Woundabout too?
The illustrations by the author's brother, black and white, suit the drabness of the town, and add to the spooky sense of the inhabitants' lives. They are also childlike and distinctive, with lots of detail older children will enjoy.
A really enjoyable read for confident upper primary children, a good mixture of sadness, mystery and adventure, with children at the heart of it all.
lisawreading's review
5.0
I can't say enough about this wonderful middle grade novel! Woundabout is the touching -- yet not heavy -- story of orphaned siblings Connor and Cordelia, who go to live with their aunt Marigold in the very weird town of Woundabout after the death of their parents. Woundabout is a strange, strange place, under the firm control of a dictatorial mayor who hates questions and any deviation from routine. The park is brown and dried up, the river barely flows, and wind constantly buffets the cliffs of the town. Connor and Cordelia, still reeling from their loss, have to adjust to their new lives, and decide to figure out the mysteries of Woundabout, both as diversion and to see if they can somehow find a place for themselves.
The writing is wonderful. There's humor and a light touch, even on the darkest of subjects. I love the portrayal of Connor and Cordelia (ages 11 and 9), who are tightly bonded, yet each have their own personality and interests.
The author and illustrator, who are brothers, are clearly in sync. The marvelous black and white illustrations throughout the book are wonderfully detailed and expressive, and perfectly capture the personalities of the characters and the town.
Woundabout is a terrific read -- whether you're an adult who enjoys reading good children's books for your own enjoyment, or you're looking for a book to share with the younger folks in your life, or you want a book to give to a young reader. Woundabout strikes me as a good choice for an adult/child read-aloud, or a great book for an independent reader in the 8 - 12 age range (or so -- I hate pinning a label on a book that older and younger kids would enjoy too.)
Check it out... for yourself, or for a kid you'd like to treat to a great read.
See more at Bookshelf Fantasies.
The writing is wonderful. There's humor and a light touch, even on the darkest of subjects. I love the portrayal of Connor and Cordelia (ages 11 and 9), who are tightly bonded, yet each have their own personality and interests.
The author and illustrator, who are brothers, are clearly in sync. The marvelous black and white illustrations throughout the book are wonderfully detailed and expressive, and perfectly capture the personalities of the characters and the town.
Woundabout is a terrific read -- whether you're an adult who enjoys reading good children's books for your own enjoyment, or you're looking for a book to share with the younger folks in your life, or you want a book to give to a young reader. Woundabout strikes me as a good choice for an adult/child read-aloud, or a great book for an independent reader in the 8 - 12 age range (or so -- I hate pinning a label on a book that older and younger kids would enjoy too.)
Check it out... for yourself, or for a kid you'd like to treat to a great read.
See more at Bookshelf Fantasies.
carolynaugustyn's review
4.0
2019 Reading Challenge- Read a book you stumbled upon.
*3.5 stars*
For a book I just happened upon in the store, I was pleasantly surprised at what I found! I thought this was a fun and unique story, definitely unlike anything else I've ever read. It does have some similar vibes to the Series of Unfortunate Events series- a dark tale surrounding orphans. The story is a little slow to start but I found that the story picks up after the first 1/3 or so. It definitely won't be a story for everyone, it is dark and a little simple but I had a good time reading this and I would have enjoyed this as a kid. I wish the book had had a little more to it (like maybe an extra 25 pages or so) so that certain events would have been more fleshed out but otherwise I quite liked this!
*3.5 stars*
For a book I just happened upon in the store, I was pleasantly surprised at what I found! I thought this was a fun and unique story, definitely unlike anything else I've ever read. It does have some similar vibes to the Series of Unfortunate Events series- a dark tale surrounding orphans. The story is a little slow to start but I found that the story picks up after the first 1/3 or so. It definitely won't be a story for everyone, it is dark and a little simple but I had a good time reading this and I would have enjoyed this as a kid. I wish the book had had a little more to it (like maybe an extra 25 pages or so) so that certain events would have been more fleshed out but otherwise I quite liked this!
kjersten's review
2.0
This book had an interesting storyline, but overall read strangely. It was clearly meant for younger readers, but I feel like it also somehow wasn't. I liked the character that used a wheelchair and thought that her setting/attitude was cool and refreshing! However, other parts of the book almost read a bit "political" to me, even with myself not strongly identifying with a party. It seemed like the author's goal was more to share his ideas than to entertain younger kiddos. It is good for books to teach life lessons and such, but it was integrated strangely and a bit too directly. There was also quite a bit of "telling" rather than "showing", and too many of the same "this child liked photography" and "this child liked architecture" sentences that were unnecessarily repetitive and didn't flesh out the characters in the way the author seemed to think it would. In addition, basic concepts were often over explained, even for a middle grade audience. I probably would not recommend this book to friends, but did think it was at least interesting enough to finish reading.
picked up at a little-free-library in IL and later returned to the same library in IL.
picked up at a little-free-library in IL and later returned to the same library in IL.
mslibrarynerd's review
3.0
Sweet orphan book with curious orphans in a mysterious town where nothing changes. I liked the fun adventure and the message of the importance of change in our lives.
theartolater's review against another edition
4.0
Closer to a 3.5.
Woundabout is your classic strange middle grade book about kids in a place where things aren't quite right. To give away the mystery of this town gives away the whole book, so I won't do that, but in terms of what this offers, it works. A fun book with smart kids solving mysteries and a pet capybara? Sign me up.
Woundabout is your classic strange middle grade book about kids in a place where things aren't quite right. To give away the mystery of this town gives away the whole book, so I won't do that, but in terms of what this offers, it works. A fun book with smart kids solving mysteries and a pet capybara? Sign me up.
hjeter's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyable read about how change can be scary, but good. Illustrations were neat, the story was slightly dark, which kids like, and the story really made sense with the fantastical elements. I would order it for a school library.
starnosedmole's review against another edition
2.0
I read this book because it features a pet capybara, but it fell flat. It's a heavy-handed novel for kids about how positive changes can emerge from negative ones.
alicejwhite17's review against another edition
5.0
I've had this book for several months now and used it to recover between books. I actually thought it would be more of a graphic novel than words with pictures but despite that it was an incredibly fun book to read that had a powerful message. I hate change but this book showed me that while yes change can be bad it can also be good because without change we become like the citizens of Woundabout-stuck with boring routine. This book made me laugh and worry a little but mostly smile because the story was so fun and perfect for younger kids.
*Warning*-while this is recommended for ages 8-12 some of the issues discussed in this book may be a little much for a second grader or even a third grader. Know your student before you recommend this book. That much said this is a great book for even older kids to read who just want a book that talks about a strange little town that needs winding up to change.
*Warning*-while this is recommended for ages 8-12 some of the issues discussed in this book may be a little much for a second grader or even a third grader. Know your student before you recommend this book. That much said this is a great book for even older kids to read who just want a book that talks about a strange little town that needs winding up to change.
pussreboots's review against another edition
5.0
http://pussreboots.pair.com/blog/2015/comments_11/woundabout.html