In this mischievous and utterly original debut, Hansel and Gretel walk out of their own story and into eight other classic Grimm-inspired tales. As readers follow the siblings through a forest brimming with menacing foes, they learn the true story behind (and beyond) the bread crumbs, edible houses, and outwitted witches.
Fairy tales have never been more irreverent or subversive as Hansel and Gretel learn to take charge of their destinies and become the clever architects of their own happily ever after.
My Review:
Move out of the way Goosebumps and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark! Here’s a new book of carnage! This book is definitely dark. You won’t find sea animals bursting out into song in the middle of a scene. There is no holding back. That being said, this would be an entertaining read aloud. I would certainly use this for story time if the children that attended were older.
The stories were authentic! Naturally, some parts were changed to be appropriate for children, but Gidwitz still kept most of the blood. He also definitely warned the reader before each gross part. Another minor change he made to the originals was intertwining all the stories to follow two protagonists to make the stories a cohesive novel. This allows the reader to sympathize even more with Hansel and Gretel.
Some may find the warnings from the narrator annoying (and I usually do), but it worked well with this story. They were funny and kept the pace of the book moving.
Even though the interjections of the narrator are humorous and at times the stories seen grim, Gidwitz reinforces important, positive themes. The most dominate one is the idea of family. There is an emphasis on the need for proper parenting. Other motifs include: finding yourself, giving forgiveness, and under-standing. It’s great to see these concepts emphasized in middle grade novels!
There is no word out if he’s writing another book (I hope he is), but you can read two more stories on his website. He’s also a “ghost” writer for Pseudonymous Bosch (very cool).
The Bottom Line:
This tween book is wonderful for the adventure seeker in all of us. Filled with action, blood, and humor, any reader will not want to put this book down. 5/5
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