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bilbobaggings's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
eitakdid's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the best children's books I've read in a while. NPH has created an entirely believable cast of characters going on a mission to stop a villainous crew of carnies. Featuring a glowing review from Lemony Snicket, fictional author of A Series of Unfortunate Events, this book actually surpasses that series in my mind because of the characters.
Even as a child, one thing that bothered me about ASOUE is that there we almost NO adults who were good and believed the children. All of the adults missed the warning signs, completely ignored the children, had their own issues consuming them, or were evil. The children save themselves in the end, which is nice and different, but left child-me feeling that I never wanted to be a stupid and ignorant adult.
This book is different. While the villains are adults and the heroes are children, the children receive support from one amazing adult in particular. While he is not the hero, he encourages them to do good. I wonder if NPH's experience on the Netflix show for ASOUE left him looking for an adult who survives to the end to remind the children how important and special they are.
Another thing I liked about this were the magical breaks between some chapters. NPH provides easy to understand steps for children to learn magic tricks. Easy to follow illustrations by Kyle Hilton also help teach these magic lessons. But the main advantage of these magic trick chapters is that they break up the narrative and let the reader breathe for a little. We understand from research that boys in particular have trouble reading in a linear manner until they are older. Many boys and some girls struggle with long chapter books with chapter after chapter of narrative. Graphic novels and the like help them to read in a non-typical way and embraces the differences in interpretation of media. This type of story would be a step up from that, a nice scaffold for children to reach the next level of reading.
All in all, the plot, characters, and style of writing make this a book I will be buying for my school library and recommending to students.
Even as a child, one thing that bothered me about ASOUE is that there we almost NO adults who were good and believed the children. All of the adults missed the warning signs, completely ignored the children, had their own issues consuming them, or were evil. The children save themselves in the end, which is nice and different, but left child-me feeling that I never wanted to be a stupid and ignorant adult.
This book is different. While the villains are adults and the heroes are children, the children receive support from one amazing adult in particular. While he is not the hero, he encourages them to do good. I wonder if NPH's experience on the Netflix show for ASOUE left him looking for an adult who survives to the end to remind the children how important and special they are.
Another thing I liked about this were the magical breaks between some chapters. NPH provides easy to understand steps for children to learn magic tricks. Easy to follow illustrations by Kyle Hilton also help teach these magic lessons. But the main advantage of these magic trick chapters is that they break up the narrative and let the reader breathe for a little. We understand from research that boys in particular have trouble reading in a linear manner until they are older. Many boys and some girls struggle with long chapter books with chapter after chapter of narrative. Graphic novels and the like help them to read in a non-typical way and embraces the differences in interpretation of media. This type of story would be a step up from that, a nice scaffold for children to reach the next level of reading.
All in all, the plot, characters, and style of writing make this a book I will be buying for my school library and recommending to students.
pearljean's review against another edition
3.0
This book was funny, and interesting, and I liked the characters. I loved Lelia and her dads, and the other kids--Carter, Ridley, and Theo. The villains were a little cliché, with how they were complete villains who were just plain bad, but since it's a middle-grade novel, I guess I shouldn't complain that much. It was an amusing book.
a_writer_guy's review against another edition
4.0
I actually really loved this book. It was clever, fun, and most all, engaging! The cyphers and magic lessons throughout brought a whole new element to the story and the reading experience in general. There's so much more to this book than meets the eye. It's a brilliant little book for young readers and I can't wait to get into the rest of the series.
clenk's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
brii_brii's review against another edition
4.0
This was fun!
I was so excited to find this series when I was looking for books to read to my daughter, and although the overall storyline might have been quite predictable, it did not disappoint.
I loved Carter and the gang. It was so fun reading them all finding their places together and creating magic within their little group.
Mr. Vernon (and the other Mr. Vernon) were such awesome little side characters, and I had this little giggle every time Mr. Vernon came around pretending he had no idea what the kids were up to. As a parent reading the story to my daughter, I think he added so much to the overall story.
My 9 year old daughter thought it was fun and loved the riddles in the book and all the illustrations. Without spoilers here, she absolutely loved the ending and got so excited when everything came together.
We are without a doubt moving on to book 2 immediately!
I was so excited to find this series when I was looking for books to read to my daughter, and although the overall storyline might have been quite predictable, it did not disappoint.
I loved Carter and the gang. It was so fun reading them all finding their places together and creating magic within their little group.
Mr. Vernon (and the other Mr. Vernon) were such awesome little side characters, and I had this little giggle every time Mr. Vernon came around pretending he had no idea what the kids were up to. As a parent reading the story to my daughter, I think he added so much to the overall story.
My 9 year old daughter thought it was fun and loved the riddles in the book and all the illustrations. Without spoilers here, she absolutely loved the ending and got so excited when everything came together.
We are without a doubt moving on to book 2 immediately!
mai_crosoft's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
theglossreview's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
ceilingsandfloores's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
This was such a cute read! I can’t wait to see how the rest of the series goes. I wish the narrator backed off a bit with his Snicket-Esque style, but I liked learning about easy magic tricks.
This was such a cute read! I can’t wait to see how the rest of the series goes. I wish the narrator backed off a bit with his Snicket-Esque style, but I liked learning about easy magic tricks.