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mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
New kid Elliot and Uchenna become fast friends and also quickly discover that the world they live in has mystical creatures!
I love Adam Gidwitz's books. He has a wonderful way of writing and his books always make me laugh. I am delighted that he started a new series this time featuring a Unicorn Rescue Society (though they have never seen any unicorns).
In this one our new kid Elliot finds out that the first day of his new school is starting of with a field trip to a forest not that far away. He quickly bonds with Uchenna (whose name I still don't know how to pronounce, sorry girl). As they get further in the woods they see and learn of things that lurk in the forest. I love it that they discover a mystical creature and that they help it out. Others would probably have run away... but these two? Go for it.
But it seems when they saved the creature... it attached itself to them. So now the kids got a very cute little monster with them. I loved the name they gave him (though they also have alternatives). The creature is written very creative and fun, and even without the illustrations I could imagine him so well. I had such a big laugh when we learn that that little monster is NOT amused by balloons. What follows is more adventures.
I liked both the characters, they were fun, adventurous and really complimented each other. Elliot had a lot of smarts, Uchenna was brave. I loved how they clicked together and how fast they became friends.
The professor was a weird person but also interesting. But at times also a bit annoying. I am not sure what it is, but something just didn't sit right for me. I would love to learn more about him and the society he and others run. I guess now the kids know about it all we will learn more in the next books. I cannot wait what more mystical creatures we will meet in the upcoming books.
The only reason why I am rating this one a bit lower is that it feels more like a prologue that is very long instead of a first book in a series. I am not sure how to explain it better, but that is how it felt for me. There are things happening, but it all just feels very introductory. And yes, it is the first book, but no first book ever really gave me a feel of being a prologue and had me constantly waiting for more.
The illustrations were OK. Not totally my fav, but I am still glad that they were added.
All in all, I will keep on reading this series in the hopes for more friendship and magical adventures.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I love Adam Gidwitz's books. He has a wonderful way of writing and his books always make me laugh. I am delighted that he started a new series this time featuring a Unicorn Rescue Society (though they have never seen any unicorns).
In this one our new kid Elliot finds out that the first day of his new school is starting of with a field trip to a forest not that far away. He quickly bonds with Uchenna (whose name I still don't know how to pronounce, sorry girl). As they get further in the woods they see and learn of things that lurk in the forest. I love it that they discover a mystical creature and that they help it out. Others would probably have run away... but these two? Go for it.
But it seems when they saved the creature... it attached itself to them. So now the kids got a very cute little monster with them. I loved the name they gave him (though they also have alternatives). The creature is written very creative and fun, and even without the illustrations I could imagine him so well. I had such a big laugh when we learn that that little monster is NOT amused by balloons. What follows is more adventures.
I liked both the characters, they were fun, adventurous and really complimented each other. Elliot had a lot of smarts, Uchenna was brave. I loved how they clicked together and how fast they became friends.
The professor was a weird person but also interesting. But at times also a bit annoying. I am not sure what it is, but something just didn't sit right for me. I would love to learn more about him and the society he and others run. I guess now the kids know about it all we will learn more in the next books. I cannot wait what more mystical creatures we will meet in the upcoming books.
The only reason why I am rating this one a bit lower is that it feels more like a prologue that is very long instead of a first book in a series. I am not sure how to explain it better, but that is how it felt for me. There are things happening, but it all just feels very introductory. And yes, it is the first book, but no first book ever really gave me a feel of being a prologue and had me constantly waiting for more.
The illustrations were OK. Not totally my fav, but I am still glad that they were added.
All in all, I will keep on reading this series in the hopes for more friendship and magical adventures.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
bibliobrandie's review against another edition
3.0
Gidwitz really does humor well. I love the witty banter between Uchena and Elliot and the zainy professor, Doctor Fauna, is great. There is a good balance between short, engaging chapters and a mystery/adventure that makes you want to read more. I liked learning about the mythological creature as well as other fauna along the way. Would recommend for fans of Magic Tree House who want a little bit more mature adventure.
christiana's review against another edition
3.0
Cute start to a new series with an easy book talk: what if not only were unicorns and other creatures real, but you found one on a school field trip? I would have liked it to take the plot a bit further but I get it, first in the series, leave them wanting more. Also, I now want to create a unicorn display with all the narhwal (aka unicorn of the sea) and unicorn books coming out lately.
alyshadeshae's review against another edition
5.0
This book was absolutely adorable! I'm starting the second one now!!
stephoney22's review against another edition
There are no actual unicorns in this first book or perhaps the whole series (important to relay to kids looking for unicorn books) but we learn about the secret society dedicated to rescuing mythical creatures.
angaramiel's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? No
3.75
Great middle school book. A pretty good amount of repetition, and especially good amount of bringing back up previous jokes through out the book.
heidisreads's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to the audiobook. My 7yo son wants to read the next one together, so I wanted to know the story of the first one and be introduced to the characters. I like the themes of friendship, diversity of the characters and the adventure and I know my son will like that, too. Looking forward to reading the next one.
jwinchell's review against another edition
4.0
Orry gives this first novel in a series 4 stars. He liked all the talk about unicorns and the mythical Jersey Devil creature. He liked the characters Elliott and Uchenna. This is written for a 3rd grader, but I just got the series for our middle school. I think they would be a good high low speculative fiction pick for struggling middle school readers.
kice7788's review against another edition
5.0
I first saw this book on instagram I believe and it looked super cute so I picked it up. I was correct! It was such a cute kids book! One of the biggest things I liked about it is how much you can use your imagination! Yes there are some pictures but the author and illustrator does such a good job putting it all together! It is a series so I will be excited to see where the book goes. I Will say it did have a great kids ending. Enough for you to pick up the next book but not a twist ending.