The Tale of Despereaux

Rating:
Summary: Dreamers Meet Their Match
Review: I just finished with this book and am struck by the mature themes it develops. Particularly, it develops the theme of forgiveness at the level a child can understand; Pea's realizaton that she must forgive for her own sake as well as for another's is poignant and a wonderful lesson for children to learn, especially in contrast to Roscuro's heart which healed crookedly because he did not forgive. I also appreciated the clear illustration that one can be dangerously misled by listening to unwise or evil people (rats, in this story). This book could be a real discussion starter on either of these topics. However, I do agree with the reviewer who cautioned that the abuse of Miggery Sow was treated lightly. Since her abuse was so severe, I'm not sure it belonged in a child's book at all. This was more than Cinderella being kept home from the ball sweeping ashes! Because of it's positive points, I recommend this book; however, because of the abuse issue, I do so with reservation.

Rating:
Summary: A Read Together Book
Review: Dear Reader, The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread is a 2004 Newberry Medal Book winner and that was what caught my eye in choosing this book. It is fun and easy to read, and would be especially fun to read with a child 6-10 years old. Children love being read to and even if they are wonderful readers it is good to share a book by reading to them.

Reader, there are some subjects that come up that may need explaining to a younger child, such as how the mother mouse could be so mean to abandon her deformed baby mouse. The father mouse sends the baby mouse off to the dungeon rather than being supportive of it. The young maid girl, Miggery Sow, is abandoned and clouted by her parents and uncle. Clouted, reader, means she was struck repeatedly in the ear area causing her to be deaf. It seemed a little much for young children to have to endure in the name of fun; I think reading should be fun to pleasant for all. So, dear reader, keep this in mind while reading this book and use it as a teachable moment to confirm your love and concern for you child.

I liked the writer's dear reader narrative. As a new and
unusual word was introduced the author questioned the reader on it and then often would share the meaning. Such as saying, "Reader, you do not have to go to the dictionary; I will tell you the meaning of perfidy. It is the state of being disloyal." I enjoyed this personal aspect of the book.

Reader, let's go back to the plot. The characters are outcasts that have dreams and goals just like everyone else. The book covers this in four books within a book. The last book brings it all together and everyone lives happily ever after. This does not mean marrying the princess, even in this strange world but reader; it means contentment, acceptance and forgiveness. Aren't these more important anyway dear readers?

Rating:
Summary: Poorly Written
Review: How did this book win the newbery award. It is simply a horribly written, random, stupid mess. Kate Dicamillo is a bad author. He other book, because of winn dixie, was better than this even though it wasn't great. It was at least a cute story and concept. The newbery award winners have been lacking over the past few years. With the exception of crispin, I havn't thought the winners should have been what they were. 2002's was good (A Single Shard)but couldn't compare to another book that year that should have one in a second. The book was house of the scorpion, and it was possibly the best book I have ever read. But I'm talking about this book. The stupid girl named Mig is so intensly retarded that I could hardly stand reading this book. It was okay until she came into the picture. I am serious about this though. I am in seventh grade and am a far more talented writer than this lady. Half the people in my class have better writing styles. My teachers,family, and friends, all love my stories, and I think that if this book can win, anything can. Its not even a very cute book. Aside from being stunningly repetitive and boring, its okay, but only if your expectations for this years newbery are very low.

Rating:
Summary: Tale of Desperaux
Review: I can't believe some of the reviews I'm reading here. As an author, when I read this book to my children, it literally depressed me because I wished I had done it. I loved the way she put it all together, the deep characterization and natural longings of those on the outside. It was just beautiful, inspirational, not to mention a great springboard for discussions with your children. My boys are 10, 9, 6 and they were rapt with attention. They don't even care that much about the pictures (which is amazing) because they have created their own in their mind.

I thought this story was an incredible allegory of wanting more and striving for better. Highly recommended! Kristin Billerbeck


Rating:
Summary: Outstanding, stylish, and romantic
Review: I just finished reading this one out loud to my daughter (5 years old) and it was a HUGE hit, even though I think it was really meant for older kids who can read it on their own. It is the story of a lonely little mouse, rejected by his family, who falls in love with the young Princess who rules the castles in which he lives.

Here are some reasons we really liked the book:

1) DiCamillo is a true romantic; Despereaux the mouse loves Pea the Princess with a love that is overwhelming and courtly (like a medieval knight), a love that makes him want to be a better person. At the same time, the author is not afraid to toss in some real Adventure and even Peril - the mouse must brave the dungeon, its murderous clan of rats, and a sad but frightening orphan girl named Miggery Sow who means to kidnap the princess and take her place. Scary enough to be exciting but not scary enough for nightmares.

2) Although DiCamillo's writing style is highly sophisticated, she stops along the way to explain the unusual and interesting words she uses ("perfidy," for one), so the book is comprehensible even to kids too young to read it themselves.

3) The illustrations are charming and many, to keep younger listeners/readers entertained. The chapters are also short enough to make good bed-time stories by themselves.

One caution though - although my 9-year-old son would have been able to tackle this on his own, the heavy romantic nature of the story (even though it's between a mouse and a girl) put him off. It's probably a much more appealing book to girls than boys. But even for some boys, the adventure will make it worth the while.