Scan barcode
dveater's review against another edition
3.0
The stories themselves were fun to read but I feel like this book takes away some of the magic of The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. If you are a fan of that book, I would almost recommend not reading this one.
nishitha17's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.5
ibj's review against another edition
3.0
Short Story. I enjoyed this book, but I didn't love it. I love the idea of working from the pictures, but I got lost in the story. In "Another Place, Another Time" I though that Doctorow was heading down an interesting path, but I had a hard time getting connected with the characters. They did not reach out to me. I had a hard time even sympathizing with the death of Gilbert's father. I think that short stories, even for children, need a strong emotional base, and I did not find that here. I also shy away from more abstract representations of things. Thus, then ending was not my favorite.
harukoreads's review against another edition
4.0
I spent so much of my childhood pouring over these illustrations and trying to come up with my own stories for them, so when I found out some of my favorite authors had made their own stories I knew I had to read them. Overall I was a little underwhelmed by some, but others reminded me just how talented this roster of authors are. Individual reviews below.
Introduction by Lemony Snicket ★★★★★
Snicket is so fun, and was the perfect choice to start of this collection with an air of mystery and whimsy.
Archie Smith, Boy Wonder by Tabitha King ★★☆☆☆
This one was a perfectly decent way to start off the collection, but in retrospect it was one of the least memorable and probably one of the least imaginative.
Under the Rug by Jon Scieszka ★★★★★
One of the best - for such a short page count this story established so much and built both tension and humor.
A Strange Day in July by Sherman Alexie ★☆☆☆☆
This one was weirdly mean-spirited and just didn't do much for me. What was the point? Also I think there was a continuity error in this related to the quotation... which feels like a really crucial detail to mess up.
Missing in Venice by Gregory Maguire ★★★★☆
Another highlight of the collection, reminiscent of middle grade adventure stories I used to love.
Another Place, Another Time by Cory Doctorow ★★★★☆
Classic fantasy that feels like a cousin to A Wrinkle in Time, very heartfelt and gentle.
Uninvited Guests by Jules Feiffer ★☆☆☆☆
Another weird one, I didn't think this took advantage of the compelling illustration as much as it could have.
The Harp by Linda Sue Park ★★★★☆
Is this technically cozy fantasy? It felt like it. Very wholesome and wacky in a classic childrens' fantasy way.
Mr. Linden's Library by Walter Dean Myers ★★★☆☆
Fun, but felt like it didn't quite reach it's potential. And the illustration was only barely related, which was disappointing.
The Seven Chairs by Lois Lowry ★★★☆☆
Creative, but again, the illustration didn't seem to match up very well.
The Third-Floor Bedroom by Kate DiCamillo ★★★★★
Another favorite, this was wildly creative and surprisingly sweet - but then, what else would you expect from DiCamillo.
Just Desert by M.T. Anderson ★★★★☆
Very creative and creepy, I have to give this one props for tying into the larger story of Burdick's collection in a thoughtful way that no other story in this collection attempted to do. This also felt like CLASSIC M.T. Anderson scifi dystopia in a surprising way, so kudos.
Captain Tory by Louis Sachar ★★★★☆
Very sweet and well paced, with one of the most wholesome conclusions.
Oscar and Alphonse by Chris Van Allsburg ★★★★★
I'm glad Allsburg got to illustrate one of his own stories - although this probably isn't my favorite, it's inarguably one of the most creative and one that most takes advantage of the illustration's potential, which is unsurprising, I suppose.
The House on Maple Street by Stephen King ☆n/a
I read a digital version of this book that didn't include this short story; If I ever manage to read this one I'll add my review later.
Introduction by Lemony Snicket ★★★★★
Snicket is so fun, and was the perfect choice to start of this collection with an air of mystery and whimsy.
Archie Smith, Boy Wonder by Tabitha King ★★☆☆☆
This one was a perfectly decent way to start off the collection, but in retrospect it was one of the least memorable and probably one of the least imaginative.
Under the Rug by Jon Scieszka ★★★★★
One of the best - for such a short page count this story established so much and built both tension and humor.
A Strange Day in July by Sherman Alexie ★☆☆☆☆
This one was weirdly mean-spirited and just didn't do much for me. What was the point? Also I think there was a continuity error in this related to the quotation... which feels like a really crucial detail to mess up.
Missing in Venice by Gregory Maguire ★★★★☆
Another highlight of the collection, reminiscent of middle grade adventure stories I used to love.
Another Place, Another Time by Cory Doctorow ★★★★☆
Classic fantasy that feels like a cousin to A Wrinkle in Time, very heartfelt and gentle.
Uninvited Guests by Jules Feiffer ★☆☆☆☆
Another weird one, I didn't think this took advantage of the compelling illustration as much as it could have.
The Harp by Linda Sue Park ★★★★☆
Is this technically cozy fantasy? It felt like it. Very wholesome and wacky in a classic childrens' fantasy way.
Mr. Linden's Library by Walter Dean Myers ★★★☆☆
Fun, but felt like it didn't quite reach it's potential. And the illustration was only barely related, which was disappointing.
The Seven Chairs by Lois Lowry ★★★☆☆
Creative, but again, the illustration didn't seem to match up very well.
The Third-Floor Bedroom by Kate DiCamillo ★★★★★
Another favorite, this was wildly creative and surprisingly sweet - but then, what else would you expect from DiCamillo.
Just Desert by M.T. Anderson ★★★★☆
Very creative and creepy, I have to give this one props for tying into the larger story of Burdick's collection in a thoughtful way that no other story in this collection attempted to do. This also felt like CLASSIC M.T. Anderson scifi dystopia in a surprising way, so kudos.
Captain Tory by Louis Sachar ★★★★☆
Very sweet and well paced, with one of the most wholesome conclusions.
Oscar and Alphonse by Chris Van Allsburg ★★★★★
I'm glad Allsburg got to illustrate one of his own stories - although this probably isn't my favorite, it's inarguably one of the most creative and one that most takes advantage of the illustration's potential, which is unsurprising, I suppose.
The House on Maple Street by Stephen King ☆n/a
I read a digital version of this book that didn't include this short story; If I ever manage to read this one I'll add my review later.
nissua's review against another edition
4.0
As a teen, I LOVED The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. I still love it. It's a wonderful book for daydreaming. This book is a wonderful addition: great authors interpreting the pictures in some surprising ways. MT Anderson's story was a particular high point for me, especially considering that the picture he wrote about was never one of my favorites in the original book.
beasleysbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Like with any short story collection, some of the stories were better than others. It’s a sad fact that not all of them can be on the same level.
I especially enjoyed the stories written to go with the flying house and glowing pumpkin! Those stood out to me the most.
I like how imaginative this book is. I’m excited to use it in the future to prompt writing from my students. It has a spooky quality that’s great for Halloween and can be used as a creative writing activity as well.
I especially enjoyed the stories written to go with the flying house and glowing pumpkin! Those stood out to me the most.
I like how imaginative this book is. I’m excited to use it in the future to prompt writing from my students. It has a spooky quality that’s great for Halloween and can be used as a creative writing activity as well.
erin_hibshman's review against another edition
4.0
Amazing writers tackle some haunting and wonderfully mysterious illustrations by Chris Van Allsburg. I couldn't put this book down!
leslie_d's review against another edition
3.0
Who has not had Chris Van Allsburg’s Mysteries of Harris Burdick used as a writing prompt—besides Sean? N and I were kicking around the idea of checking the book out from the library when I heard The Chronicles of Harris Burdick was coming out. I told Natalya she still should write her own inspired piece, but there was no having The Chronicles in the house without her getting a hold of it. It features some of her favorite authors.
(11 for a while now) Natalya’s response the experience? She handed the book over with a modest list of her favorites. The story by Sherman Alexie was number one, and I believe Stephen King’s was a good second (and I agree). She liked most of them, but there were a few that she couldn’t get into. After reading The Chronicles, I could see why those few failed to interest her, or were too confusing. Needless to say, I was just happy she honed in on two new-to-her authors who such phenomenal writers.
It is a successful anthology that can host such credible diversity, and The Chronicles of Harris Burdick is one such collection. There is the “mysterious, funny, creepy, [and] poignant.” There are the sports themed, the fantastical, the science fictional, the psychological, and the classically flavored morals & tales. There are some for the Readerly, but most all are for every reader. I liked the stories that could be read on multiple levels, but not necessarily more than the ones that drew me in rather singularly and had me scrambling for the ending. DiCamillo’s channeled Kate Chopin for me, and Lowry had me thinking about Madeleine L’Engle’s Walking on Water, the magic in childhood and a person’s potential. Everyone should find three or four stories to savor, if not more. All should honor The Chronicles of Harris Burdick’s placement of Stephen King’s story as the closer—for that lingering satisfaction in a book well-made.
It was interesting to see what the author’s took from the Illustration and how they used the caption in the story. Some were more literal with the elements, like Tabitha King’s contribution, but why the bat and no mention of the yo-yo? Another uses the image a bit more abstractly, like with Cory Doctorow’s. Many begin in one place and you can’t help but wonder how the Illustration comes in; I had to exercise a great deal of patience with Gregory Maguire’s piece. Others create the kind of suspense the Illustrations do, implications lingering, like Alexie’s, MT Anderson’s, and Allsburg’s.
I admit to being worried that The Chronicles of Harris Burdick would ruin The Mysteries of Harris Burdick for me. But it didn’t. I enjoyed some of the approaches, the imaginative takes on the Illustrations and captions. A few Illustrations seem impossible, but the story was good. The Chronicles of Harris Burdick is fun and intriguing in a new way. If anything, may this compendium present a new kind of challenge, to perhaps out-imagine and out-write some of these amazing writers collected here.
L @ omphaloskepsis
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/chronicles/
(11 for a while now) Natalya’s response the experience? She handed the book over with a modest list of her favorites. The story by Sherman Alexie was number one, and I believe Stephen King’s was a good second (and I agree). She liked most of them, but there were a few that she couldn’t get into. After reading The Chronicles, I could see why those few failed to interest her, or were too confusing. Needless to say, I was just happy she honed in on two new-to-her authors who such phenomenal writers.
It is a successful anthology that can host such credible diversity, and The Chronicles of Harris Burdick is one such collection. There is the “mysterious, funny, creepy, [and] poignant.” There are the sports themed, the fantastical, the science fictional, the psychological, and the classically flavored morals & tales. There are some for the Readerly, but most all are for every reader. I liked the stories that could be read on multiple levels, but not necessarily more than the ones that drew me in rather singularly and had me scrambling for the ending. DiCamillo’s channeled Kate Chopin for me, and Lowry had me thinking about Madeleine L’Engle’s Walking on Water, the magic in childhood and a person’s potential. Everyone should find three or four stories to savor, if not more. All should honor The Chronicles of Harris Burdick’s placement of Stephen King’s story as the closer—for that lingering satisfaction in a book well-made.
It was interesting to see what the author’s took from the Illustration and how they used the caption in the story. Some were more literal with the elements, like Tabitha King’s contribution, but why the bat and no mention of the yo-yo? Another uses the image a bit more abstractly, like with Cory Doctorow’s. Many begin in one place and you can’t help but wonder how the Illustration comes in; I had to exercise a great deal of patience with Gregory Maguire’s piece. Others create the kind of suspense the Illustrations do, implications lingering, like Alexie’s, MT Anderson’s, and Allsburg’s.
I admit to being worried that The Chronicles of Harris Burdick would ruin The Mysteries of Harris Burdick for me. But it didn’t. I enjoyed some of the approaches, the imaginative takes on the Illustrations and captions. A few Illustrations seem impossible, but the story was good. The Chronicles of Harris Burdick is fun and intriguing in a new way. If anything, may this compendium present a new kind of challenge, to perhaps out-imagine and out-write some of these amazing writers collected here.
L @ omphaloskepsis
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/chronicles/
kyleg99's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Possible review to come. Stephen King and Sherman Alexie's stories were by far the best though.
Possible review to come. Stephen King and Sherman Alexie's stories were by far the best though.