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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My fifth Dicamillo and her exquisite writing is still making my heart feel BIG feelings and comforted because she was thoughtful about telling stories about sorrow and hardship in the simplest way you could ever imagine. It was a good read albeit a bit depressing.
This is more of a 3.5 star read but it wasn't quite 4 for me. This story was very cute but I am not entirely sure how I felt about the way that it was written.
It was however a cute children's story.
It was however a cute children's story.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Honestly I probably ranked it this high because it’s my comfort book.
I'm a fan! It was definitely a sad-ish story, but I really enjoyed this one.
Pleasant little story, with creepy rat villains (and as someone who is viscerally revolted by rats, it's nice to see them as the horrible antagonists for once, rather than some cutesy friendly things - even though I know intellectually that, yes, yes, they're intelligent creatures and can be loyal pets, still ew). I did however find it a little repetitive and a lot self-conscious.
THE TALE OF Despereaux
This book is all about the ups and downs of life. It has the story of a mouse in love with a princess
This book is all about the ups and downs of life. It has the story of a mouse in love with a princess
I thought this was absolutely adorable and just a joy to read. I thought it would be geared to a younger age group but is actually appropriate for middle school kids. The themes in it are pretty complex - not fitting in, finding your path in life, death, grief, forgiveness, courage, appreciation of beauty. Just wonderful.
Course evaluation:
Personal Response: This modern fairy tale is just delightful. Despereaux is a relatable hero, struggling with his ideals and limitations, while the other characters are similarly complex and interesting.
Evaluation: DiCamillo’s style is suited well to the fairy tale-like quality of the story; she addresses the reader directly (mimicking the oral tradition), uses many motifs (the princess, talking animals, the phrase “happily ever after”), and creates dark moods with plenty of foreshadowing. However, her characterization veers from traditional literature, as characters are not reduced to stereotypes or simple traits; villains are not solely evil while heroes have dark thoughts or show weakness. She reveals her characters slowly, through natural dialogue and flashback. The perspective switches between characters so we see the full story and understand how different factors account for the events.
Course evaluation:
Personal Response: This modern fairy tale is just delightful. Despereaux is a relatable hero, struggling with his ideals and limitations, while the other characters are similarly complex and interesting.
Evaluation: DiCamillo’s style is suited well to the fairy tale-like quality of the story; she addresses the reader directly (mimicking the oral tradition), uses many motifs (the princess, talking animals, the phrase “happily ever after”), and creates dark moods with plenty of foreshadowing. However, her characterization veers from traditional literature, as characters are not reduced to stereotypes or simple traits; villains are not solely evil while heroes have dark thoughts or show weakness. She reveals her characters slowly, through natural dialogue and flashback. The perspective switches between characters so we see the full story and understand how different factors account for the events.