Reading level: Ages 12 and up
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Andersen Press (November 11, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1842708465
ISBN-13: 978-1842708460
Sam knows that he and his friend Lloyd made a colossal mistake when they accepted the ride home. They have ended up in a dark mansion in the middle of nowhere with man who means to harm them. But Sam doesn't know how to get them out. They were trapped, then separated. Now they are alone. Will either of them get out alive? This gripping and hypnotic thriller will have you reading late into the night.
REVIEW:
This book was one of the few that I really loved. It was kind of violent, but I loved how realistic it was. I couldn't put it down, I stayed up late at night reading this book, I was involved in the story. Sam was the bravest 11-year-old ever. He would always find the smartest ways to get out of very rough situations. He was my favorite character in the whole book. The kidnapper was my LEAST favorite, he was very cruel to these boys, and pretty dumb all around. Lloyd was not as smart of Sam, but he knew how to make somebody laugh! I was thrilled to read this book. It was funny, it was freaky, and it made me laugh multiple times! It was a great read, Savita Kalhan did an amazing job!
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (October 1, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316113662
ISBN-13: 978-0316113663
In enormous lettering the first page warns: "Do not read beyond this page!" The reason? The book contains a secret so nefarious as to be dangerous even to innocent page-turners daring enough to venture forth. The first few chapters present a tricky little exercise in metafiction in which the story about a secret is revealed as being itself too secret to tell, a ploy sure to tickle more puzzlesome readers. But then the intrusive narrator, who is equal parts snarky and delightful, strikes a deal and deigns to tell the story with fake names in Your Hometown, as long as you agree to "forget everything you read as soon as you read it." Then follows a not terribly shocking story wherein two intrepid kids uncover a mysterious society bent on immortality, which gets them in and out of all manner of trouble.
My Review...
I liked this book a lot. It was one of the funniest books I have ever read before. It sometimes reminded me of
The Series of Unfortunate Events
series because it had a creepy kind of humor that was always keeping me laughing. I love the sense of mystery and that the author (whoever he might be) is always putting in words of his own. And little footnotes at the bottom of the pages where he will kinda clear something up that is top-secret. I had a lot of fu
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (September 14, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 031237772X
ISBN-13: 978-0312377724
Hilarious and heartbreaking, wild and down-to-earth, this story of dark family secrets starts off with all the conventional quest clichés. Since the three Hardscrabble kids’ mother mysteriously disappeared five years earlier, Dad will not talk about her, and the eldest, Otto, now 13, only communicates through sign language. After the kids get a hint that Mama may still be alive, they take off to find her, first in London and then in a small seaside town, where they search through a castle with dungeons, dragons, and secret passageways and try to save a young sultan held prisoner in a wild forest. Even fantasy fans may tire of the contrivances, but Potter keeps this genre adventure moving briskly, and the very end brings a huge surprise that Dad’s been in on all along. The combination of fantasy and realism makes a compelling story, and young people will relate easily to the characters’ struggles. As the author tells the reader, “All great adventures have moments that are really crap.” Grades 5-8.
My ReviewFirst of all I would have to say that I loved the cover. It's looks creepy and weird. Looking at the cover, made me think of
The Series of Unfortunate Events. If you read my review, a few days ago... You know I really liked
The Series of Unfortunate Events . I thought that this book was pretty weird, My mom got this from the ALA 10'. She told me to read this book... And I liked it!
With this book, from the very beginning, is very weird. I liked this book because each character has their own personality, and this story is so imaginative. FACT: Ellen Potter did an amazing job on "The Kneebone Boy". It's a mystery book and even though the children live with their father, the three Hardscrabble children are pretty used to doing things on their own. Since their mother mysteriously disappeared, their father has been very sad.
Both Otto and dad were suspected of killing their mom and burying her in the garden. Otto, Lucia, and Max, of course, go on adventure after adventure to try and figure out what happened to their mom. A lot happens in this book, and it can got really tiring at times. This book is worth reading though. I found it to be pretty good, not this best book I've read, but the adventure parts are worth it. And, Otto is a really cool guy! You wouldn't be able to guess the ending, either!
My favorite character was Max, because he's funny, he's smart, and he's helpful in hard situations.
"If you are interested in stories with happy endings, you would be better off reading some other book." So cautions Snicket, the exceedingly well-mannered narrator of these two witty mock-gothic novels featuring the misadventures of 14-year-old Violet, 12-year-old Klaus and infant Sunny Baudelaire. From the first, things look unfortunate indeed for the trio: a fire destroys their home, killing their parents along with it; the executor of their parents' estate, the obtuse Mr. Poe (with a son, Edgar), ignores whatever the children have to say; and their new guardian, Count Olaf, is determined to get his hands on the Baudelaire fortune. But by using their individual gifts (Violet's for inventing, Klaus's for reading and researching and baby Sunny's for biting) the three enterprising children thwart the Count's planAfor now. The author uses formal, Latinate language and intrusive commentary to hilarious effect, even for readers unfamiliar with the literary conventions he parodies. The peril in which he places the Baudelaires may be frightening (Count Olaf actually follows through on his threats of violence on several occasions), but the author paints the satire with such broad strokes that most readers will view it from a safe distance. Luckily for fans, the woes of the Baudelaires are far from over; readers eager for more misfortune can turn to The Reptile Room, for an even more suspenseful tale. Exquisitely detailed drawings of Gothic gargoyles and mischievous eyes echo the contents of this elegantly designed hardcover. Age 9-up.
ReviewMy review... "I loved this book so much, It was filled with adventure, jam packed with curiosity, and it exploded with pure awesomeness!" Just as my figure of speech reached the echoing point in the trees, mountains, the pure clear air. I realized, that I was up in a tree, the one I climbed up into, one hour ago. I'm back. At my house. Every time I'm reading a book ( especially this one) I feel like I'm really there, in the story, standing in the same room. Watching every little detail that people make, trying to find clues, and secrets hidden in the story. And you could probably relate to what I'm talking about. I Think this book was great, it had great detail, amazing writing, and Lemony Snicket really put loads of imagination into this great novel. My Opinion is, that you rush to your nearest book store ( or just go on Amazon ) and get this book. My favorite character was: Violet, Why? because she was smart, she had good inventing skills, and she was legend. Get this book now! and/or the whole series!
2 Comments on Book Review: The Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket, last added: 11/30/2010
This was my very first live drum performance, with the band at my church. I was really nervous, but had fun at the same time. I hope you enjoy it!
I feel you! When I read this book it totally creeped me out. A lot. But I ended up loving it quite a bit, more than I expected. :)
Great review!
Great review drew! I think i would want to read that! I love scary books!