It's nearly back to school time -- at least here in the U.S.
In honor of the season, I'm featuring a week of great middle grade and tween books.
Whether you're a parent, a teacher, a librarian or just young at heart, I hope you enjoy these great titles! You'll have new chances to enter each day, and one lucky winner will walk away with all these books/ARCs!
August 9: Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead
August 10: Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer
August 11: When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
August 13: In a Glass Grimmly by Adam Gidwitz
August 16: The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy by Nikki Loftin
August 17: The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver
Today's feature:
by Adam Gidwitz
To be published on September 27, 2012
by Dutton Juvenile
Source: ARC from BEA (Book Expo America). Read my review policy/disclosure statement here.
My summary: In A Glass Grimmly is a companion novel to Adam Gidwitz's 2011 middle grade book A Tale Dark and Grimm.
A Tale Dark and Grimm featured Hansel and Gretel, while In a Glass Grimmly follows Jack and Jill as they enter other fairy tales that include The Frog Prince, and Jack and the Beanstalk.
My take: Adam Gidwitz's creative fairy tale mash-ups are addictive fun. This book would make a fantastic read-aloud, but will also appeal to independent readers from advanced elementary age to adults. We first meet Jill in a version of The Emperor's New Clothes, then she encounters Jack (of Beanstalk fame) and the two of them go on to encounter giants, mermaids and goblins.
Gidwitz's take on fairy tales is playful and fun. He promises to warn the reader of gory bits in advance and then apologizes after the fact.
"I'm sorry. I forgot to warn you that was coming. I was too caught up in the story. Anyway, it's all over now."Such great fun! That's the beauty of middle grade literature -- kids will not tolerate boring. They're not having any of "the story gets better eventually." Like all the best children's writers, Gidwitz never panders or patronizes, and a result, this book is one that will bring a smile to the face of readers of all different ages and reading levels.
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I love these fun twists on fairy tales. I feel like some authors try to take them very dark and add in epic fantasy elements to make them have more import but I much prefer the funny twists!
ReplyDeleteFor middle grade readers, this is the perfect combination. Fun and just a little dark.
DeleteThis book sounds so fun!! I love fairy tales and I love different takes on them!!
ReplyDeleteMe too. I hadn't read his first book but
Delete(cont) I don't think you have to to enjoy this one. Now that I read this I'll go back and read that one next.
DeleteI haven't read A Tale Dark and Grimm, but I love that they're companion books. :) They sound really fun & I love that the characters are visiting other fairy tales. Very cool. Great review, Jen!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't read book one either but really enjoyed this one!
DeleteI love fairy tale twists! I haven't read either of his books, but I added them to my tbr and I will definitely have to pick them up. These sound like great gifts for my nieces and nephews who are at that tween age that is so hard to find stuff for too.
ReplyDeleteGood tween books are SO hard to find! I should do a post on that!
DeleteThis is a book I would live to read. I will never get old of all the different fairy tales and this sounds like such a funny version of them. Its like the younger book version of my shows and I love when the tales get mixed up and become new unique stories.
ReplyDeleteMy son read A Tale Dark and Grimm and he loved it. Would be great to win this second book for him. Thanks for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteI was already excited to read this and now you've made me want to even more. I love fairytales and mashups and fun! Love it!
ReplyDeleteThese books sound super cute! I love fairy tale retellings! And I love how he says he'll warn you and then doesn't and apologizes! So cute and funny! I'll have to check these out!
ReplyDelete