Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

8 reviews

leahgustafson's review

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is one of the few Kate DiCamillo books I have not re-read as an adult. However, I recently went to an event to celebrate The Tale of Despereaux’s 20th anniversary so I figured it was the perfect time!
•
The Tale of Despereaux is setup like a fairytale which is super fun and engaging for kids. It’s told in four different parts, and each part focuses on a different character. Eventually, all of these story lines come together. This is a great introduction to books told from multiple perspectives for young readers.
•
The light vs dark imagery is also great for middle grade readers. As with her other books, Kate DiCamillo explores BIG themes (love, courage, family, forgiveness, revenge, and truth) in a way that is accessible to young children. It truly amazes me every time. 
•
One of my favorite things about this book is how it highlights the importance of sharing stories with others. I love how this so beautifully captures the magic of reading/stories✨📖✨
•
Check out what I’m reading next on Instagram @LeahsLitReview!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse

nellsir's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Ableism

Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death

mckiheather's review

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I loved this story when I was younger and wanted to reread it and see what I thought. On the surface, it’s still a very sweet story about a mouse facing obstacles on his quest to create his own place where he belongs, with people he chose and who chose him. I liked, looking back at it, the folktale style of it and how it used these very simple characters and language to explore very complex things like empathy, understanding, hope, and love to its childhood audience.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Classism, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Blood, Bullying, Death of parent, Grief, Child abuse, Ableism, and Physical abuse

Minor: Confinement, Gore, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping

mandi4886's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Confinement, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Slavery, Grief, Abandonment, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Classism, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

jenigmatic's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Torture, Child abuse, Violence, Abandonment, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Fatphobia

alyssapusateri's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

this is cringe, and the miraculous journey of edward tulane is superior in every way

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Ableism, Child abuse, Bullying, Confinement, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Abandonment, Physical abuse, and Death of parent

Moderate: Fatphobia

kirsto's review

adventurous dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

cannot believe this DEPRESSING book is meant for children

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Abandonment, and Ableism

Moderate: Death of parent

najiii's review

adventurous dark sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

It was a very nostalgic read for me and I know I used to absolutely love this book as a kid but rereading it now was a bit of a shock. I was not expecting the nonchalant manner in which certain topics are brought up and not addressed

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Death of parent, Death, Emotional abuse, Animal cruelty, and Child abuse

Minor: Physical abuse, Grief, Classism, and Animal death