jules_lfpm's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
teacher2library's review against another edition
4.0
"There was once a cabinetmaker's apprentice who built a marionette, and this marionette was not a soul-thieving demon. Not at first..."
Pulled me in from the first sentence and wouldn't let me put it down! The perfect mix of mystery and adventure. It's Chance's last day at the Museum of Peculiarities. Not only is he moving out of the City, the Museum itself is closing. When the owner gives Chance a marionette as a parting gift, he has no idea he's about to open a box of worms (or should I say, a magical cabinet of curiosities...). For Penny is more than she seems, and old stories sometimes contain a grain of truth.
Pulled me in from the first sentence and wouldn't let me put it down! The perfect mix of mystery and adventure. It's Chance's last day at the Museum of Peculiarities. Not only is he moving out of the City, the Museum itself is closing. When the owner gives Chance a marionette as a parting gift, he has no idea he's about to open a box of worms (or should I say, a magical cabinet of curiosities...). For Penny is more than she seems, and old stories sometimes contain a grain of truth.
readingrobin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
katscribefever's review against another edition
3.0
This book about a boy and his marionette provides that shift of perspective on humanity that is difficult to possess when you've existed as a human for your whole life. It makes you stop, think, and want to work towards that better world we all hope will someday come.
bibliocatts's review against another edition
3.0
Saw a rec for this book on Twitter, it was described as a chilling tale. When I looked it up on Amazon, there were five 1-star reviews. People who thought it was inappropriate for their kids to read.
It wasn't scary at all. Strange at times, and a bit hard to follow at times, but overall an interesting story and a quick read. Plenty of suspense and short chapters with cliffhangers. I'd recommend it to kids if they're okay with reading about witchcraft-y things.
It wasn't scary at all. Strange at times, and a bit hard to follow at times, but overall an interesting story and a quick read. Plenty of suspense and short chapters with cliffhangers. I'd recommend it to kids if they're okay with reading about witchcraft-y things.
tshepiso's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Spell & Spindle follows Chance, a lonely young boy gifted with a stunningly lifelike, magical marionette named Penny. After discovering he can communicate with her Chance and Penny become fast friends. However, on the eve of Chance’s family’s move out of the city Penny and Chance swap bodies and to make matters worse the marionette is stolen. Penny, now in Chance’s body, has to figure out how to make things right before Chance’s soul is lost forever.
Spell & Spindle's tone was arresting. Unlike middle-grade fantasy I’ve read before it’s neither cute and cuddly nor whimsical. There was grit to Michelle Shusterman’s storytelling that was fascinating to explore. The bulk of the novel followed Penny’s journey through the city as she searched for Chance and Shusterman evoked a feeling of legitimate, palpable danger throughout it. The realism of the threats Penny faced added depth to the story. Shusterman tackled things like the street harassment of young girls and the racist profiling of black boys and integrated these issues organically into the story. She did so in a way that felt approachable for younger audiences and authentically represented the way children experience these things.
The sinister edge of this story is also perfectly captured in the story’s antagonist, the Puppeteer. While he was initially presented as an almost cartoonish villain as the stakes rise throughout the story and his motives are revealed he became a truly malignant threat. There was grounded malice to his actions that made the heart-pounding finale all the more dread-inducing.
But, Spell & Spindle's crowning jewel is its characters. Penny and Chance are such compelling characters to follow because of how invested I was in seeing them overcome everything stacked against them. Penny’s arc, in particular, was a gut punch. Seeing her grapple with newfound freedom and doing right by her friend was heartbreaking. Shusterman captured the moving emotional arc of Penny’s journey perfectly.
Chance had an equally heartbreaking perspective. Trapped in the body of a marionette, we saw him attempt to remain steadfast and hopeful under insurmountable circumstances. His bravery the face of that was so inspiring to watch. I also adored watching Constance, Chance’s sister, fight with everything she had to get her brother back. While she didn’t have a point of view in this novel her clever wit, fierce determination and unflinching love for her brother were wonderful to behold.
All these compelling characters were supported by a perfectly paced story that layered emotion and tension immaculately. Shusterman built her mystery excellently and I was consistently compelled to keep turning the pages. Shusterman’s exploration of the effects of grief and isolation on children broke my heart. But her demonstration of their resilience and bravery made all the heartache worth it.
Spell & Spindle was simply an incredibly crafted, resonant novel. It's a book that takes children seriously. I could tell Michelle Shusterman genuinely appreciates the rich inner lives and emotions of children. She told a spellbinding, captivating story and I would highly recommend it to children and children at heart.
Spell & Spindle's tone was arresting. Unlike middle-grade fantasy I’ve read before it’s neither cute and cuddly nor whimsical. There was grit to Michelle Shusterman’s storytelling that was fascinating to explore. The bulk of the novel followed Penny’s journey through the city as she searched for Chance and Shusterman evoked a feeling of legitimate, palpable danger throughout it. The realism of the threats Penny faced added depth to the story. Shusterman tackled things like the street harassment of young girls and the racist profiling of black boys and integrated these issues organically into the story. She did so in a way that felt approachable for younger audiences and authentically represented the way children experience these things.
The sinister edge of this story is also perfectly captured in the story’s antagonist, the Puppeteer. While he was initially presented as an almost cartoonish villain as the stakes rise throughout the story and his motives are revealed he became a truly malignant threat. There was grounded malice to his actions that made the heart-pounding finale all the more dread-inducing.
But, Spell & Spindle's crowning jewel is its characters. Penny and Chance are such compelling characters to follow because of how invested I was in seeing them overcome everything stacked against them. Penny’s arc, in particular, was a gut punch. Seeing her grapple with newfound freedom and doing right by her friend was heartbreaking. Shusterman captured the moving emotional arc of Penny’s journey perfectly.
Chance had an equally heartbreaking perspective. Trapped in the body of a marionette, we saw him attempt to remain steadfast and hopeful under insurmountable circumstances. His bravery the face of that was so inspiring to watch. I also adored watching Constance, Chance’s sister, fight with everything she had to get her brother back. While she didn’t have a point of view in this novel her clever wit, fierce determination and unflinching love for her brother were wonderful to behold.
All these compelling characters were supported by a perfectly paced story that layered emotion and tension immaculately. Shusterman built her mystery excellently and I was consistently compelled to keep turning the pages. Shusterman’s exploration of the effects of grief and isolation on children broke my heart. But her demonstration of their resilience and bravery made all the heartache worth it.
Spell & Spindle was simply an incredibly crafted, resonant novel. It's a book that takes children seriously. I could tell Michelle Shusterman genuinely appreciates the rich inner lives and emotions of children. She told a spellbinding, captivating story and I would highly recommend it to children and children at heart.
mandiewoodson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
pussreboots's review against another edition
5.0
Spell & Spindle by Michelle Schusterman is a middle grade horror about a boy who finds himself switched into the body of a full sized marionette, and the marionette who saves him with the help of his sister.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2020/comments_06/spell_and_spindle.html
990000 - S/M city interstate
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2020/comments_06/spell_and_spindle.html
990000 - S/M city interstate
More...