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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
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
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
a wonderful kids book, it teaches a lot of good lessons and is fun enough to be engaging. i read this as a child and wanted to revisit it and i am glad i did, it’s a cute little story with some nice messages.
"Kate DiCamillo’s writing style really stuck out to me as different than so many other authors. DiCamillo tells a little tale about a mouse, a rat, a princess, and a servant girl and how their four lives intersect. The narrative manages to stay simple while containing incredible depth. The Tale of Despereaux contains wonderful commentaries on love, light, and darkness." Read more DiCamillo praise at my blog: http://tattooedmissionary.wordpress.com/2013/12/28/the-tale-of-despereaux-a-book-report-of-sorts/
At the start, I confess that I love things that have a dark edge where you wouldn't expect it. I enjoy works that juxtapose light fairy tales with heavier themes. And, I adore small heroes. That being said, The Tale of Despereaux is one of my favorite books.
While I understand that some reviewers (and parents) find issue with the darker parts of the story, I think we need to ask ourselves if Despereaux would benefit from more light. What would it become if we changed the story? It'd be something completely different. It'd be the movie, and I was so disappointed by it.
As for the text, I think many people's discomfort stems from their expectations for a children's story. It's supposed to be filled with light, right? But if you reflect on children's literature as a whole, many popular stories are actually quite dark. Charlotte's Web, for instance. James and the Giant Peach. Original fairy tales. The Guardians of Ga'Hoole takes a very dark turn. Heck, even Harry Potter becomes something frightening. Yet, this does not stop them from being considered fantastic stories. So Despereaux is dark. Kids clearly are acquainted with that world if they've read anything else (especially if they've been reading horribly depressing historical fiction in their classes).
I also understand that the narrator of the story is very heavy-handed in terms of looking for light in the dark, understanding character's suffering and leading us by the hand through the different stories. I suppose you have to have a taste for that kind of deliverance; even I admit, some days I just do not want a sugary voice whispering me messages of the goodness in people's hearts. But, on the whole, I adore the way the narrator serves as another character in need of saving, too, and the overall layout of the book serves the purpose of the characters.
So, my review of Despereaux? A fantastic look into the darker side of children's literature that is suited for both young and old. The ending leaves you with a kind of satisfactory hope in an imperfect world.
While I understand that some reviewers (and parents) find issue with the darker parts of the story, I think we need to ask ourselves if Despereaux would benefit from more light. What would it become if we changed the story? It'd be something completely different. It'd be the movie, and I was so disappointed by it.
As for the text, I think many people's discomfort stems from their expectations for a children's story. It's supposed to be filled with light, right? But if you reflect on children's literature as a whole, many popular stories are actually quite dark. Charlotte's Web, for instance. James and the Giant Peach. Original fairy tales. The Guardians of Ga'Hoole takes a very dark turn. Heck, even Harry Potter becomes something frightening. Yet, this does not stop them from being considered fantastic stories. So Despereaux is dark. Kids clearly are acquainted with that world if they've read anything else (especially if they've been reading horribly depressing historical fiction in their classes).
I also understand that the narrator of the story is very heavy-handed in terms of looking for light in the dark, understanding character's suffering and leading us by the hand through the different stories. I suppose you have to have a taste for that kind of deliverance; even I admit, some days I just do not want a sugary voice whispering me messages of the goodness in people's hearts. But, on the whole, I adore the way the narrator serves as another character in need of saving, too, and the overall layout of the book serves the purpose of the characters.
So, my review of Despereaux? A fantastic look into the darker side of children's literature that is suited for both young and old. The ending leaves you with a kind of satisfactory hope in an imperfect world.
I loved this book, but I do wish that weight would stop being a defining factor of "evil" (if redeemed/redeemable) characters...
True classic. Beautiful , poetic, lovely and full of adventure like how children's book should be and yet real and very grounded (especially the climax), like how an adult book should be. Best book. Well written.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sept. 10: Ch. 6, This Drum, pg. 34
Sept. 11: ch. 11, The Threadmaster Cometh, pg. 57
Sept. 14: Ch. 18, Confessions, pg. 98
Sept. 15: Ch. 21, The Queen's Last Words, pg. 110
Sept. 16: Ch. 27, A Wish, pg. 136
Sept. 17: Ch. 31, A Song in the Dark, pg. 158
Sept. 18: Ch. 36, What Mig Carried, pg. 183
Sept. 21: Ch. 45, Some Soup, pg. 231
Sept. 22: Finish it; ch. 45, Some Soup, pg. 231 - ch. 52, Happily Ever After, pg. 269
Sept. 11: ch. 11, The Threadmaster Cometh, pg. 57
Sept. 14: Ch. 18, Confessions, pg. 98
Sept. 15: Ch. 21, The Queen's Last Words, pg. 110
Sept. 16: Ch. 27, A Wish, pg. 136
Sept. 17: Ch. 31, A Song in the Dark, pg. 158
Sept. 18: Ch. 36, What Mig Carried, pg. 183
Sept. 21: Ch. 45, Some Soup, pg. 231
Sept. 22: Finish it; ch. 45, Some Soup, pg. 231 - ch. 52, Happily Ever After, pg. 269
Reading this book to my students this year and to prep I read it again, it's amazing the way that the part of this book that stood out to me in 2002 stood out again today. I love this story, and my heart will always beat for the little knight in Despereaux.