The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
ehparrish's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Injury/Injury detail
especiallybooks's review against another edition
5.0
From my blog @ billbrarian.com
My thoughts:
Dr. Fell is a marvelously creepy character. He comes onto the scene and changes the lives of the residents of Hardscrabble Street almost immediately. I love good, creepy stories. I was eager to review this when I heard about it and it was recommended by fellow author, Chris Grabenstein. Neilsen leads us into the world of Nancy, Jerry, and Gail. Jerry and Gail are siblings. Nancy is Gail's best friend and the girls are two years older than Jerry. Nancy is definitely outspoken and a bit on the sarcastic side. She's pretty wise to the ways of the world, or so she thinks. Gail is the calmer of the two girls. Jerry is very smart for a boy his age. The creepy house that they have played in or around for years becomes the center of attention when Dr. Fell moves in.
After a few events, which I won't spoil, the children learn of Dr. Fell's nefarious plans. The story has the perfect build. It will keep kids engrossed from start to finished. The pacing is strong and the plot is effective. Kids will like this book.
Pros:
The names in the book just made me laugh out loud. They are hilarious: Jud Feditsky, Martha Doomburg, Meaty Gluttonsen, Veronica Plaguestein, etc. I chuckled every time I came across one.
The characters of Nancy, Jerry, and Gail are developed well as the story progresses. They act like real kids and with real kid problems.
Neilsen doesn't hold back when certain things happen to the kids. It's not over the top scary, but the scenes add to the suspense.
The dialogue is quite funny and paced well.
Cons:
My only con was initially how the parents were portrayed as being a bit dimwitted. But the longer I read the book, I realized that this might be how kids see adults sometimes. We are pathetically dimwitted to what is happening to them occasionally.
I also want to know if there is going to be a sequel and haven't been able to find out yet.
Pick up this book! It will be a great read-aloud for your classroom or your home. I will be adding it to my library collection and will recommend it to kids looking for a good, fun read.
My thoughts:
Dr. Fell is a marvelously creepy character. He comes onto the scene and changes the lives of the residents of Hardscrabble Street almost immediately. I love good, creepy stories. I was eager to review this when I heard about it and it was recommended by fellow author, Chris Grabenstein. Neilsen leads us into the world of Nancy, Jerry, and Gail. Jerry and Gail are siblings. Nancy is Gail's best friend and the girls are two years older than Jerry. Nancy is definitely outspoken and a bit on the sarcastic side. She's pretty wise to the ways of the world, or so she thinks. Gail is the calmer of the two girls. Jerry is very smart for a boy his age. The creepy house that they have played in or around for years becomes the center of attention when Dr. Fell moves in.
After a few events, which I won't spoil, the children learn of Dr. Fell's nefarious plans. The story has the perfect build. It will keep kids engrossed from start to finished. The pacing is strong and the plot is effective. Kids will like this book.
Pros:
The names in the book just made me laugh out loud. They are hilarious: Jud Feditsky, Martha Doomburg, Meaty Gluttonsen, Veronica Plaguestein, etc. I chuckled every time I came across one.
The characters of Nancy, Jerry, and Gail are developed well as the story progresses. They act like real kids and with real kid problems.
Neilsen doesn't hold back when certain things happen to the kids. It's not over the top scary, but the scenes add to the suspense.
The dialogue is quite funny and paced well.
Cons:
My only con was initially how the parents were portrayed as being a bit dimwitted. But the longer I read the book, I realized that this might be how kids see adults sometimes. We are pathetically dimwitted to what is happening to them occasionally.
I also want to know if there is going to be a sequel and haven't been able to find out yet.
Pick up this book! It will be a great read-aloud for your classroom or your home. I will be adding it to my library collection and will recommend it to kids looking for a good, fun read.
dlightfull's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Good quick read, interesting story line , fun characters.
doowopapocalypse's review against another edition
3.0
Bradbury’s “Something Wicked This Way Comes” cribbed by Lemony Snickett.
Some decent scares for the audience, but a few things that could have been left out. There are some seems involving check ups by the villain that left an unpleasant taste in my mouth.
Some decent scares for the audience, but a few things that could have been left out. There are some seems involving check ups by the villain that left an unpleasant taste in my mouth.
bananna_cupcake's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
bookbrig's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75
Good audiobook, with a suitably creepy villain and weird mystery.
reviewsmayvary's review against another edition
4.0
Received for free for a review:
All in all, I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars. It’s a quick read (for a grown- ass woman) that is fun and interesting. I will recommend it to 10 year olds and up (and the odd jaded 8 year old) that enjoys a bit of spook with their adventure story.
http://bookedupandbossy.blogspot.com/2017/03/BookReview-DrFell.html
All in all, I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars. It’s a quick read (for a grown- ass woman) that is fun and interesting. I will recommend it to 10 year olds and up (and the odd jaded 8 year old) that enjoys a bit of spook with their adventure story.
http://bookedupandbossy.blogspot.com/2017/03/BookReview-DrFell.html
libscote's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this one. All the local kids play at an old abandoned house, which is suddenly bought by a man named Dr. Fell. Gail, Jerry, and Nancy meet him, and notice that he seems a bit sinister. But he builds a fantastic playground that captivates the minds of all of their friends. Soon, kids start getting hurt and disappear into the house, only to return healed and saying "Dr. Fell is a wonderful man." Can the kids figure out what he's up to without him noticing?
I didn't get into it right away, but once the playground appeared, I was hooked. The purple prose may turn off some kids, so it's a little weird in that it has a large vocabulary but is aimed at younger readers. However, the language is almost always translated, so that will help. I really liked it.
I didn't get into it right away, but once the playground appeared, I was hooked. The purple prose may turn off some kids, so it's a little weird in that it has a large vocabulary but is aimed at younger readers. However, the language is almost always translated, so that will help. I really liked it.
reviewsmayvary's review
4.0
Received for free for a review:
All in all, I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars. It’s a quick read (for a grown- ass woman) that is fun and interesting. I will recommend it to 10 year olds and up (and the odd jaded 8 year old) that enjoys a bit of spook with their adventure story.
http://bookedupandbossy.blogspot.com/2017/03/BookReview-DrFell.html
All in all, I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars. It’s a quick read (for a grown- ass woman) that is fun and interesting. I will recommend it to 10 year olds and up (and the odd jaded 8 year old) that enjoys a bit of spook with their adventure story.
http://bookedupandbossy.blogspot.com/2017/03/BookReview-DrFell.html
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