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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
When everything is terrible, I highly recommend reading a book you loosely remember from childhood. This was a delight, bringing some levity to long commutes and painful news cycles.
adventurous
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Super quick read! I really enjoyed reading this, the author doesn’t leave you wondering almost to a fault BUT it’s a children’s book so sometimes that age group needs you to point something out.
I think this book just got me out of a reading slump, it was fun, quick, and I liked the characters a lot.
I think this book just got me out of a reading slump, it was fun, quick, and I liked the characters a lot.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Death of parent
What a cute and delightful read! I picked this up to read with a small group of students not realizing how much I was going to like it. I quickly fell in love with the characters and was enchanted with the world that Kate DeCamillo created.
What I found very amusing was how each of the characters' names represented the type of character he/she was. Despereaux meant "despair" and poor little Despereaux was just that to his family. He was the only survivor from his litter, was born with his eyes opened (very unusual), was incredibly small compared to other mice, had huge ears, and was weak. Though he had many faults, Despereaux was intelligent with a very romantic personality. Next there was Chiaroscuro, also known as Roscuro, who's name meant the "strong contrast between light and dark." The poor rat dreamt of being in the light and because of the type of animal he was, he was hated and despised. The way he was treated caused him to turn to darkness and sought out revenge. Finally, there was Miggery Sow; sow of course meant pig. This was one tragic character and it was hard to stomach the cruelness she received from the people around her. She was the character I wanted to constantly save. Though there were many other great characters, these three were my favorite.
Kate DeCamillo presented her fantasy world beautifully. Though there were bad characters and good characters, DeCamillo was able to spin a positive side to all of them. Along with the character names, I liked the "fancy" words she used and how she took the time to explain them. It was wonderful to add more vocabulary to my list as I read this book. Another thing that was enjoyable was the switch between third person to second person. This was wonderful because I felt like I became part of the story. What I loved best about everything were the messages that were portrayed. The ending's message was my favorite that I even sighed after reading the last lines.
Tale of Despereaux has become a new favorite. I am very glad that I had the chance to read this charming book. I loved the characters and the world that was created to present them. I am now determined to read Kate DeCamillo's other works.
What I found very amusing was how each of the characters' names represented the type of character he/she was. Despereaux meant "despair" and poor little Despereaux was just that to his family. He was the only survivor from his litter, was born with his eyes opened (very unusual), was incredibly small compared to other mice, had huge ears, and was weak. Though he had many faults, Despereaux was intelligent with a very romantic personality. Next there was Chiaroscuro, also known as Roscuro, who's name meant the "strong contrast between light and dark." The poor rat dreamt of being in the light and because of the type of animal he was, he was hated and despised. The way he was treated caused him to turn to darkness and sought out revenge. Finally, there was Miggery Sow; sow of course meant pig. This was one tragic character and it was hard to stomach the cruelness she received from the people around her. She was the character I wanted to constantly save. Though there were many other great characters, these three were my favorite.
Kate DeCamillo presented her fantasy world beautifully. Though there were bad characters and good characters, DeCamillo was able to spin a positive side to all of them. Along with the character names, I liked the "fancy" words she used and how she took the time to explain them. It was wonderful to add more vocabulary to my list as I read this book. Another thing that was enjoyable was the switch between third person to second person. This was wonderful because I felt like I became part of the story. What I loved best about everything were the messages that were portrayed. The ending's message was my favorite that I even sighed after reading the last lines.
Tale of Despereaux has become a new favorite. I am very glad that I had the chance to read this charming book. I loved the characters and the world that was created to present them. I am now determined to read Kate DeCamillo's other works.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
5⭐️
It’s crazy what the human brain can remember. I read this book when I was in 4th grade (about 20 years ago) and never ended up watching the movie. As I was reading it today, I could remember the images of the story the same way I did then.
If you have never read this book, I highly recommend it. It’s such a sweet story and even though it’s marketed to children, it still can pull the heart strings of anyone reading it.
Outside of the story itself, the illustrations are amazing and I’ve never forgotten them. They capture the story in the perfect places.
Always going to be a fan of this book and will probably be making it a tradition to read it every holiday season.
It’s crazy what the human brain can remember. I read this book when I was in 4th grade (about 20 years ago) and never ended up watching the movie. As I was reading it today, I could remember the images of the story the same way I did then.
If you have never read this book, I highly recommend it. It’s such a sweet story and even though it’s marketed to children, it still can pull the heart strings of anyone reading it.
Outside of the story itself, the illustrations are amazing and I’ve never forgotten them. They capture the story in the perfect places.
Always going to be a fan of this book and will probably be making it a tradition to read it every holiday season.
My son found it quite dark so we didn't finish reading the book. I thought it was a bit sad but didn't want to force him into finishing it.
Read this with Hannah when she was in first grade. The whole family loved it!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
No