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Summary: A wonderful read for adults too
Review: Okay....I confess I got it for myself! This story is so enchanting!! It's about a tiny mouse with big dreams and incredible courage who accomplishes the immagineable. It's a wonderful lesson in love and compassion. I would recommend it to both kids and adults. I will definitely keep this one in my collection....to remind me that when things seem dark....it is a call to step up and show the world that you're not going to take things sitting down, because the goodness comes from within.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed in Rhode Island
Review: I read this book before it was given the Newbery Award and was surprised when it won. Two things bothered me about the book. One was the "Dear Reader" device;as an adult reader I thought it was condescending. Maybe it won't bother children. The second
thing was the cruelty alluded to by the reviewer from Long Beach CA, the treatment of the girl who was beaten and boxed on the ears till she was deaf. This detracted from a charming story of love and courage and might have a detrimental effect on sensitive readers. I thought it was unnessesary to the plot. I loved the author's first book "Because of Winn-Dixie" but the ending of her second book "Tiger Rising " also disturbed me.
Rating:
Summary: exceeds expectations
Review: I bought this book for my 9 year old daughter last Christmas after she enjoyed reading Because of Winn-Dixie (also by Kate DiCamillo). We have been reading chapters every night and she and her little sister can't wait to hear what happens next. At dinner they start talking about the book. We haven't had this much fun reading aloud since Little House on the Prairie. This book is very well written and the short chapters keep the plot moving at a nice clip. There are new and challenging words (perfidy) for a young reader to look up but they are presented in a fun way. But more than anything the author has created a range of characters that all seem to evoke our empathy. She gives you insight into the motivatiobs behind despicable and incomprehensible acts. But it is still a fairy tale with an engaging underdog mouse hero.
Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: I love this book -- great imagery and great details! A must read for children 9 and up! Children younger than 9 may want to read this book with their parents as there are some chapters that may be upsetting to small children. The only reason I gave it a 4 star instead of 5 star is that the "dear reader" narrative may be slightly overused but otherwise a thorougly enjoyable book!
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Summary: This ones hard to put down ... A real page tuner.
Review: As I started reading this book to my nephew I could see the excitement in his eyes ... but I must say I wasn't to surprised. Anytime you have an old fashioned tale such as this about a mouse, a rat, and a princess. Then take us on an incredible journey; you know you have a winner. We quickly became captivated by the wit, escapades, and delightful characters all the way to satisfying
conclusion. Let me just add one more thing ... If you liked this one as much as I did, then you owe to yourself to read Dragonman: The Adventures Of Luke Starr ... It's a fast paced fantasy for people of all ages. http://www.dragonman.tv
Rating: 
Summary: A warning to parents of younger children
Review: My 6-year-old son and I love the complexity of the plot and the mouse and rat characters. But I want to issue a word of warning to parents of younger children. The abandonment and beating of the 6-year-old girl is brutal, and my son was quite upset by it. I'm not saying we should shield our children from all that is bad in the world, but the descriptions are so vivid, and the girl's world so bleak, that I was stunned as I read it aloud. My son was near tears. He had never known that adults exist who treat children so brutally, and I'm not sure I wanted him to know that at the tender age of 6. I am a writer myself, and I strongly believe in reality in literature, but we will continue reading the book only if he is sure he wants us to. I suggest reading these parts yourself before deciding to read this to your child.
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Summary: a charmer
Review: This book about outcasts is delightfully old fashioned but a heart warmer through and through. The trip into the dungeon is exciting and you will be rooting for the three outcast frinds to find what they are searching for. Also recommended are Camp of the Angel, Gilly Hopkins, the girls by amy goldman koss, and Daring to be Abigail. Also about outcasts and really great.
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Summary: Call me Despereaux
Review: Kate Dicamillo's The Tale of Despereaux is an incredible story about a mouse, a rat, and a princess. Each are trying to make the world right for them because it darkens their lives. So they go on a journey to right it... This is a delightful fiction book that will warm hearts.The Tale of Despereaux is about a mouse, an outlaw to the mouse world because of his horrible deeds, a light loving rat, and a maid who desperately wants to be a princess. Despereaux(the mouse) is taken to the dungeon because he becomes friends with a human princess, making him a danger to the mouse world. But in the dungeon there is home for Despereaux and he finds light even in the black darkness. Roscuro, the rat, sees the light one day and is charmed by it. Later he goes out of the dungeon to investigate but comes back with a broken heart and a scheme of revenge. Miggery Sow leads a life that is full of misery. With clouts that break her ability to hear, she scours pots all day long. But when the princess passes her home, she dreams an impossible dream. But others neglect what she wants and now she will do anything to achieve her dream , even if it means going past the boundaries. I liked this book of adventure and thought it was very inspiring. A mouse that loves a princess, a light charmed rat, a deaf maid and a glowing princess tie this story together. It's easy to read but I recommend it for 3rd grades through 6th grades.
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Summary: A terrific book for kids and adults alike
Review: When I started reading this book to my two sons, I thought, "Oh no, not another mouse book." But I quickly became charmed by the humor, adventure, and characters. Also unusual for a children's book is the fact that there are three distinct storylines that ultimately converge. I also appreciate the fact that Dicamillo resisted the "happily ever after" ending that had been so foreshadowed throughout the book. Not all characters get what they had been wishing for, but they get close enough. In a world of children's books where so much is discussed in terms of black and white, it was refreshing to have this book explain the shades of grey to a child, which is, after all, more representative of life in general. The dialogue of the characters is great fun, making this a terrific book to read out loud. We should only hope that a stage version comes out of this wonderful text. But the theatre would have to serve soup to everyone as they exit!
Rating:
Summary: Stunningly wonderful for all ages...
Review: My twelve-year old daughter and I listened to the unabridged tape on a recent road trip...once it started, we didn't want to turn the car off! It was poetically written, read beautifully and powerfully, and we would recommend it to just about anyone. We just passed it on to "Poppy," knowing he will enjoy this wonderful tale. It was recommended in "Publisher's Weekly," and we've now ordered the other books that were recommended along with it. Enjoy!
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