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A review by harukoreads
The Chronicles of Harris Burdick: 14 Amazing Authors Tell the Tales by Chris Van Allsburg
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.