Reviews

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg

ogreart's review against another edition

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5.0

This book. Wow! A series of Titles and captioned pictures without the stories. It is an amazing way to inspire students to write. It is an incredible idea that was executed brilliantly.

sducharme's review against another edition

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5.0

This nearly wordless book presents 14 story starters, pictorial mysteries that spark the imagination. They were left behind by a writer, Harris Burdick, who promised to return with the full manuscripts later, but he never did. This dramatic opening statement makes a good entry into discussion of real v pretend for older elementary students.

misswitch's review against another edition

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4.0

There is something slightly sinister about some of these illustrations and their captions. I'm not sure if it is because of my adult perspective or if it was purposely done. Either way, it makes me want to know more about what's going on.

radicaledwardiv's review against another edition

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5.0

I remember reading/looking at this book in second grade and it still hits! The nun is my favorite.

gelabray's review against another edition

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5.0

I found the brief backstory of Harris Burdick to be intriguing which made me appreciate the stories to each drawing even more. What a great way to spark curiosity and interest for children and adults in their own drawings and stories.

neilrcoulter's review against another edition

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5.0

I first encountered The Mysteries of Harris Burdick years ago, when my kids were much younger. It was at a time when we were enjoying Chris Van Allsburg's classics (I especially remember reading The Z Was Zapped many, many times; I still have it memorized). I loved Harris Burdick, but never got a copy for our home bookshelf. Yesterday at the Public Library, on the shelf in front with books for sale, there it was: $1.00 for a pristine hardcover copy. I brought it home and admired each story once again. It's all so beautifully eerie and just slightly, possibly, very disturbing. This copy will stay with us, and I'll gaze at it now and then, and smile.

I think my favorite is "The fifth one ended up in France."

I'm grateful to Peter Wenders, as well as to Van Allsburg and, of course, to Burdick himself. :)

allmadhere106's review against another edition

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4.0

A series on picture with only a few lines of text to give a story. A fun way to work on narrative skills and a good resource for added class activity.

sarahbringhurstfamilia's review against another edition

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5.0

This is my favorite Van Allsburg book. Beautiful, quirky and mysterious. I blogged about its use in my secret literary society here: http://casteluzzo.com/2011/11/21/live-poets-society/

vbeth01's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

mrlockyer's review against another edition

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5.0

Incredible book - used this in assembly and had 600 children completely spellbound. Phenomenal.