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2busyreading's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Chronic illness and Animal death
bookwyrm76's review against another edition
4.0
Breadcrumbs is a retelling of the Snow Queen. I thought that Urso did a great job is setting this fairytale in the modern world. Her main characters are real kids with relatable problems.
When the magical elements of the story start to blend with the realistic start there isn't a jarring disconnect which does often happen. There is an element of wonder if it is actually happening or if the main character simply has such a vivid imagination that she creates this dangerous fairytale world in her mind.
For some kids the world is a scary place and while there are always happy endings in fairytales, showing the fairytale world to be a dangerous place as well helps make it something that they can relate to. For some reading is in escape, and I love fantasy that is light and happy and there is no doubt that everyone will live happily every after. That said, there are times when reading those stories seem light years away from my own life in a bad way. When I can't imagine my world being that bright...when I feel that way it's nice to read something that is darker, but still ends well. Breadcrumbs does that on a younger level. It never gets nightmare scary for the kids who love princess tales and daring knights, but it shows how even the most innocent seeming fairytale elements can have a bad side no matter how good they seem at first.
Maybe not a laught a page, but a good story with some sound lessons for real life without being didactic.
When the magical elements of the story start to blend with the realistic start there isn't a jarring disconnect which does often happen. There is an element of wonder if it is actually happening or if the main character simply has such a vivid imagination that she creates this dangerous fairytale world in her mind.
For some kids the world is a scary place and while there are always happy endings in fairytales, showing the fairytale world to be a dangerous place as well helps make it something that they can relate to. For some reading is in escape, and I love fantasy that is light and happy and there is no doubt that everyone will live happily every after. That said, there are times when reading those stories seem light years away from my own life in a bad way. When I can't imagine my world being that bright...when I feel that way it's nice to read something that is darker, but still ends well. Breadcrumbs does that on a younger level. It never gets nightmare scary for the kids who love princess tales and daring knights, but it shows how even the most innocent seeming fairytale elements can have a bad side no matter how good they seem at first.
Maybe not a laught a page, but a good story with some sound lessons for real life without being didactic.
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
Let's just say that the blurb, is somehow right, and somehow not. :)
I expected immediate fantasy and a search throughout a forest that is enchanted. Instead, we get about 50% before that happens stuff, filled with just friendship, friendship breaking, a wonderful girl with too much imagination and snow. After all that, we get a beautiful search throughout the woods.
I have to say I really liked Hazel, though her insecurity irked me a bit and also her obsession with Jack. I can imagine you want him as your best friend, but he should also be able to have other friends, without you being jealous as hell. She clung to him like he was a life vest and she was drowning. I wish we had more of Hazel and that other girl. I really liked those parts and how they were doing ballet and stories and more.
Hazel was a wonderful girl, though again, I wish she would open more to people. And also do her best on school. I know girl, you want to go to your fancy school with apparently no rules, but you won't go there any more, unless of course your mom finds the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, so the best is to do your best and make do.
With the whole contemporary part over, we dive head first in the fantasy part. Mysterious woods not far from her house, and Jack has been kidnapped. She takes the bare minimum with her (for a girl with imagination and book-knowledge, I would expect she would know what to bring) and goes on the journey. She meets strange people, people stuck forever in the forest, girls lost, witches and evil creatures, and last but not least, the witch that stole Jack. And let me say this, I was surprised by this witch.
But I loved the journey, and I was glad when like a lot of these books it had a HEA.
One thing though, I wish we had a little bit less referencing going on. I had to search things at times and that distracts from reading the book.
But in overall, a fun and lovely book. Really recommended to all. :)
I expected immediate fantasy and a search throughout a forest that is enchanted. Instead, we get about 50% before that happens stuff, filled with just friendship, friendship breaking, a wonderful girl with too much imagination and snow. After all that, we get a beautiful search throughout the woods.
I have to say I really liked Hazel, though her insecurity irked me a bit and also her obsession with Jack. I can imagine you want him as your best friend, but he should also be able to have other friends, without you being jealous as hell. She clung to him like he was a life vest and she was drowning. I wish we had more of Hazel and that other girl. I really liked those parts and how they were doing ballet and stories and more.
Hazel was a wonderful girl, though again, I wish she would open more to people. And also do her best on school. I know girl, you want to go to your fancy school with apparently no rules, but you won't go there any more, unless of course your mom finds the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, so the best is to do your best and make do.
With the whole contemporary part over, we dive head first in the fantasy part. Mysterious woods not far from her house, and Jack has been kidnapped. She takes the bare minimum with her (for a girl with imagination and book-knowledge, I would expect she would know what to bring) and goes on the journey. She meets strange people, people stuck forever in the forest, girls lost, witches and evil creatures, and last but not least, the witch that stole Jack. And let me say this, I was surprised by this witch.
But I loved the journey, and I was glad when like a lot of these books it had a HEA.
One thing though, I wish we had a little bit less referencing going on. I had to search things at times and that distracts from reading the book.
But in overall, a fun and lovely book. Really recommended to all. :)
vtsarahd's review against another edition
4.0
I thought that this book was well written and included beautiful word choices and descriptions. It was different than I expected in terms of plot - less based in fairy tale. I loved the references to Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia.
Hazel is best friends with Jack and depends on him as she transitions to life in public school after her parents' divorce. One day, a shard of a magical mirror falls out of the sky and hits Jack in the eye. The shard cuts right to Jack's heart and he no longer is friendly towards Hazel. He meets a White Witch who takes him deep into a magical winter forest. Meanwhile, Hazel heads off on a quest to find him and follows him deep into the woods. She meets several interesting and bizarre characters on her way and eventually makes her way back to Jack.
Readers who enjoy fantasy will like the details Ursu includes about the characters in the woods.
Hazel is best friends with Jack and depends on him as she transitions to life in public school after her parents' divorce. One day, a shard of a magical mirror falls out of the sky and hits Jack in the eye. The shard cuts right to Jack's heart and he no longer is friendly towards Hazel. He meets a White Witch who takes him deep into a magical winter forest. Meanwhile, Hazel heads off on a quest to find him and follows him deep into the woods. She meets several interesting and bizarre characters on her way and eventually makes her way back to Jack.
Readers who enjoy fantasy will like the details Ursu includes about the characters in the woods.
okollie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
5.0
Truly my first 5 star read of the year! I read this book as a kid and I loved it a lot. As I read it these past few weeks, I remembered bits and pieces but was absolutely blown away by how incredible every word felt. It was magical and surreal but also grounded in the universal truth that is the experience of growing up. It strikes a balance I continually strive for and I want to hand this book to every fifth grader I know, and adults too!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Blood, Mental illness, Animal death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit
gmamartha's review against another edition
3.0
Modern day fairy tale, using many references to those classics we know. True show of bravery and friendship.
agmcculloch1's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent mother-daughter read with my 10-year old. The author captures the tension of the middle grades perfectly, from shifting gender lines to the value placed on being accepted. As a book club, diving into some of the fairy tales that were woven into the story made for rich discussin.
unremi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Pretty much your basic fantasy book to help elementary age kids get through losing their friends to other friends. I think I was above the demographic age for the book.
misspippireads's review against another edition
3.0
I fell in love with the cover and the title when this book first appeared on the shelf. I knew it would be about fairy tales, and retold tales is one of my preferred genres. Sadly, this book did not meet my expectations. I expected Hansel and Gretel with trails of crumbs in the woods, but it's about friends instead of siblings, snow and ice instead of a candy cottage. It's a retelling of Andersen's Snow Queen. (I plan to go and re-read his original story.)
The text was deep and thoughtful, so I would recommend this story for older elementary students. Hazel struggles with fitting into her new school and overcoming being alone. This storyline can help loners, but it might also drag them down depending on their mood. She does overcome her alone-ness and fights for her friend, Jack, who appreciates being saved from the Snow Queen.
Kirby Heyborne narrated Breadcrumbs. As the story unfolded, I appreciated Heyborne's talent. At the beginning, his different characters blended together for me, but as more characters were introduced his voices broadened. I would listen to another audio by Heyborne.
Reviewed from a library copy.
The text was deep and thoughtful, so I would recommend this story for older elementary students. Hazel struggles with fitting into her new school and overcoming being alone. This storyline can help loners, but it might also drag them down depending on their mood. She does overcome her alone-ness and fights for her friend, Jack, who appreciates being saved from the Snow Queen.
Kirby Heyborne narrated Breadcrumbs. As the story unfolded, I appreciated Heyborne's talent. At the beginning, his different characters blended together for me, but as more characters were introduced his voices broadened. I would listen to another audio by Heyborne.
Reviewed from a library copy.