Hostesses:
Mother Daughter Book Reviews
Julie Grasso, Author/ Blogger
Cheryl Carpinello, Author / Blogger
Stacking Books
BeachBoundBooks
Pragmatic Mom
Reading Authors
The Logonauts
A Book Long Enough
Spark and Pook
Today, I am going to embark on a book that is fairly well known in the universe, but I am keen for our blogger community's take on it.
I can't seem to be able to save a cover photo, so It will have to just be the link
by Lemony Snicket
Description from Amazon
In a fading town, far from anyone he knew or trusted, a young Lemony Snicket began his apprenticeship in an organization nobody knows about. He started by asking questions that shouldn't have been on his mind. Now he has written an account that should not be published, in four volumes that shouldn't be read. This is the first volume.
This starts out with a great deal of intrigue when Snicket finds himself in a café with people he calls his parents, but things are not what they seem. As I am a huge fan of mystery in any form, I am naturally taken in. I actually started reading this as a research endeavour, for a steam punkish middle grade that I am intending on writing as my next project.
Snicket is certainly famous for this kind of genre, so I thought I would read the best in the business. Interesting how the writer in me, became instantly critical.
The story for me, meandered along, with excessive details, and descriptions I found myself getting very tired with. Lemony is apprenticed to an eccentric women, who seem to do nothing but want to control him, and teach him little, and she constantly uses large words then explains them, which felt so jolting and lesson like.
I did like the quirkiness of the mystery, but as the book drew to a close, I was 300 pages in and no wiser as to what was happening. It set up for a second book very much so, which has been published, but I couldn't help wondering, what kid would read this at the age of 10, with all that I have mentioned so far.
The illustration throughout were simple and kitchy, which I enjoy, but didn't really add very much to the story for me.
So, this is not so much review, but a research project.
How would this story captivate children, especially reluctant readers, and why are these kinds of books even pitched to kids.
It is a mystery to me, so if anyone has kids that love these books, I would love to hear it.
Until then folks, happy hopping.
How would this story captivate children, especially reluctant readers, and why are these kinds of books even pitched to kids.
It is a mystery to me, so if anyone has kids that love these books, I would love to hear it.
Until then folks, happy hopping.
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Julie, I often wonder the same thing myself when I read some of the books that are out there for kids. :) There are some picture books that may be funny for the parents, but i think they are just confusing and too busy for young kids. And chapter books and MG are the same...there are lots of great books out there...but some are not. ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts, Julie. I have seen a couple of reviews recently for Lemony Snicket books and wondered about them. My daughter loves to read, but books with excessive details leave her confused and she quits reading. I appreciate your thoughts.
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