It's been two weeks since anything weird has happened to the Grace family. But all that changes on the day of the Mallory's fencing tournament. While watching from the bleachers, Jared spies someone going through Mallory's bag. Then Mallory disappears. Can Jared and Simon find her?
This is the first book in the series I didn't recognize from the movie. But I can understand why the writers left it out. In many ways, it feels like a retread of book two with the missing sibling angle. About the only thing that happens to advance the overall story happens in the last few pages.
Now this isn't to say that I didn't enjoy the book. The plot moved forward very quickly. Simon finally got a chance to shine here. The final scene was powerful. In fact, parents may want to preview it so they can talk to their kids about it.
Even if this book isn't as strong as some of the others, it is still a good read that kids and fantasy lovers will enjoy.
'The Ironwood Tree' is the fourth book of 'The Spiderwick Chronicles'. Like the previous books 'The Ironwood Tree' has wonderful illustrations by Tony DiTerlizzi, however unlike the previous books it does not have a strong story to match. This volume finds the Grace kids undertaking adventures in an abandoned quarry after Mallory is kidnapped by Dwarves. The larger story loses a lot of momentum as this book doesn't really serve to advance the plot. In most books a side adventure like this wouldn't matter too much, but with the books being as short as they are this amounts to 20% of the whole story wasted on, frankly a lackluster, digression. Hopefully things will pick up for the last book.
For a couple of weeks, things have been almost normal for the three Grace children (Jared, Simon and Mallory) - there have been no faerie sightings. But that changes quickly at Mallory's fencing competition and soon Jared is in serious trouble and he has a hard time explaining his actions. But there's even more trouble for Jared and Simon when Mallory disappears. Their search for her will take them to places they never imagined and they begin to wonder if they can fight the monsters by themselves.
"The Ironwood Tree" is the wonderful fourth book in the children's fantasy series "The Spiderwick Chronicles". Authors Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black step up both the action and fantasy elements in this, the fourth of five books. They add more fantastical creatures including dwarves and metal dogs as well as some mysterious beings (who was that girl rummaging through Mallory's bag and who was the boy that got Jared in trouble?) All three children are in real danger in this book - danger that will have children eagerly turning the pages to find out what happens next. Mixed in with the fantasy elements is a dose of reality - Jared is still having anger management issues and the thing that gets him in trouble in the book, while not his fault, happens all too often in the real world.
"The Ironwood Tree" is a well-done fantasy book for children of all ages.
In the Ironwood Tree Mallory grace discovers boys and is discovered by some boys she is really not very interested in. You will be introduced to Mulgarath the Troll, a kingdom of dwarves living in a supposedly abandoned mine, and a dire plot to... well, I'll let you find out. Needless to say this installment of the Spiderwick Chronicles is as fun as the others if not quite as original with heavy borrowing from a particular folk tale, but what could have been a flaw only adds to the story. Parents, watch out for the sometimes mean repartee between the Grace kids, but rest assured that this modern day fairy tale is definitely worth reading with your kids.
"spiderwick terrific book"
2008-04-06
- Reviewed By User: A2MTONT0PWEZUF
This is a great book. I just have the last book to read. I can't wait to get the book and read it.
"The Ironwood Tree (The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 4)"
2007-01-16
- Reviewed By User: A1SF7S0DPD87IZ
We love this book. The series is so much fun. I have enjoyed it as much as my seven year old.
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"lost momentum"
"Tremendous Fantasy"