Field Guide (Spiderwick Chronicles Series #1)

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Field Guide (Spiderwick Chronicles Series #1) Pub. Date: 5/1/2003 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers

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The Field Guide (Spiderwick Chronicles Series #1) (Movie Tie-In Edition) Pub. Date: 1/1/2008 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers

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Overview

Go away

close the book

put it down

do not look

When the Grace children go to stay at their Great Aunt Lucinda's worn Victorian house, they discover a field guide to fairies and other creatures and begin to have some unusual experiences.

Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble

The Barnes & Noble Review
Three curious kids discover a world of brownies, fairies, and other fantastic creatures in this ultra-enchanting launch to Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black's Spiderwick Chronicles.

When the three Grace children -- Mallory, Jared, and Simon -- and their mom move into Aunt Lucinda's old house, readers know there's magic afoot. The kids uncover a nest of assembled junk, and on a visit to the secret library via the dumbwaiter, Jared finds a note describing "my secret to all mankind." After a few mysterious pranks that get blamed on Jared, the boy finally digs up the real prize: Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You. Fortunately enough, the kids meet one of the critters listed in the guide -- a brownie named Thimbletack -- who makes it all "real" and helps provide the book's suspenseful conclusion: "'Throw the book away, toss it in a fire. If you do not heed, you will draw their ire.'"

From the book's bewitching cover to the Grace kids' letter to the authors, Book 1: The Field Guide is a fast-paced beginning to an exciting new series. Fans of Harry Potter, Lemony Snicket, or Diana Wynne Jones will be hooked on Spiderwick, and they'll thirst for more. DiTerlizzi and Black have done it right. Matt Warner

Publishers Weekly

This snappy story, the inaugural title in The Spiderwick Chronicles, sets the scene for the next four books planned. The authors introduce the three Grace siblings-13-year-old Mallory and nine-year-old twins Jared and Simon-and their recently divorced mother, who move into their great-aunt's dilapidated Victorian house. The paper-over-board volume opens to a Victorian-style design; a full-page, framed pen-and-ink scene appears opposite each chapter opening (with clever headings such as "In Which There Are Answers, Though Not Necessarily to the Right Questions"). After Jared hears scuttling inside the walls, Mallory pokes a broom through a kitchen wall and discovers a "nest" filled with unusual trinkets-a doll's head, tiny lead soldiers, bits of tattered fabric-plus one of her own fencing medals. Jared encounters more mystery when a dumbwaiter carries him to a doorless upstairs library. Here he spies a yellowing riddle in rhyme (reproduced on a glossy insert), which leads him to the attic and ultimately to Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You-a handbook to the faerie realm. Often in trouble, Jared gets the blame for some odd occurrences (e.g., Mallory awakens to find her hair tied in knots around her headboard, Simon's tadpoles are frozen into ice cubes, etc.). Appealing characters, well-measured suspense and an inviting package will lure readers on to The Seeing Stone (-85937-6), due the same month. Youngsters may well find themselves glancing over their shoulders as they eagerly follow the events. Ages 6-10. (May) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

More Reviews (4) Fewer Reviews

Children's Literature

The Field Guide is Book 1 in a new series of books about twins, Jared and Simon Grace, who along with their sister, Mallory, and their mom move into the rundown Spiderwick Estate of their great-aunt Lucinda after their father leaves them. Upon seeing the shabby old Victorian, Mom says it is just like she remembers it. "Only crappier," adds Mallory. That night, strange things happen which lead Jared, Simon, and Mallory to believe they are being tormented by fairies and brownies. The children find a secret room, an odd book (which turns out to be a field guide to fairies), and eventually a little house brownie named Thimbletack who is about the size of a pencil and talks in rhyme. Readers who like the Unfortunate Events series will probably enjoy this series—"The Spiderwick Chronicles." Detailed illustrations help bring the strange world of Spiderwick alive. Short paragraphs and "cliffhanger" chapters make the book especially unintimidating and intriguing for young readers. 2003, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing,
— Suzanne Lieurance

VOYA

Nine-year-old Jared Grace would have been kicked out of school for breaking that kid's nose, but his family was already moving away. Since their father left them, Jared, his twin brother, Simon, and their thirteen-year-old sister, Mallory, have no choice but to move with their mother to Spiderwick Estate, her elderly Aunt Lucinda's wretchedly decayed mansion. Jared is the one who first discovers the supernatural elements lingering in the old place, but who will believe him after all the trouble he has been causing? Gradually, all three children are pulled into the adventures, which involve boggarts, goblins, griffins, and other assorted mystical beings. Field Guide is the first volume of "The Spiderwick Chronicles". It establishes the family dynamics and introduces the reader to the possibilities of otherworldly beings. It is not necessary to read the first volume before the second, because everything is quickly recapped at the start of the second book. Seeing Stone is less subtle in tone, as the children begin an active battle against goblins, develop an affiliation with a griffin, and outwit a troll. The real magic of this series, however, is in the illustrations. Nearly every second page is embellished with the ink drawings of DiTerlizzi, evoking a delicious classical sense in this modern fantasy. Black, author of Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale (Simon & Schuster, 2002/VOYA October 2002), keeps the dialogue snappy and the children's personalities distinct. The series' intended audience seems to be the Lemony Snicket crowd, a little younger than the general young adult market. Nevertheless, the series will surely develop a devoted following, particularly with avid fantasy readers. Illus.VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P M (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8). 2003, Simon & Schuster, 107p. PLB
— Diane Emge

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6-As this new series begins, Jared, Simon, and Mallory Grace move with their mother into their Great-Aunt Lucinda's old, decaying house, where they discover a secret room. A poetic clue leads Jared to a book that offers detailed information about the different types of magical creatures that live in our world. After the inadvertent destruction of the home and treasures of the boggart who inhabits the room leads to increasingly more malicious tricks, Jared is blamed. With the help of the Field Guide, the boy realizes that the small creature is at fault and is able to pacify him. Thimbletack warns Jared and his siblings that reading the book will only lead to trouble, which is what comes to pass in the second volume, when Simon is kidnapped by goblins, leaving Jared and Mallory to come to his rescue. Details like Thimbletack's tiny house, Jared's use of a dumbwaiter to discover the hidden room, and the fights against the goblins will catch readers' attention. However, the Grace children stand out only for surface characteristics like Simon's many pets and Mallory's passion for fencing. Adult characters remain offstage or exist only to discipline and disbelieve the children. The many text-enhancing black-and-white drawings give the "Spiderwick Chronicles" a look that resembles Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events" (HarperCollins), and the presentation as based on the Grace children's factual story as told to the authors gives it a similar tone, which should add to the books' appeal. While the characters' lack of depth detracts from the quality of these titles, the fast, movielike pace will grab young readers.-Beth L. Meister, Yeshiva of Central Queens, Flushing, NY Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Unexplained things are happening in the eerie Victorian heap that is new home to the Grace family. Rustlings in the decrepit walls lead the three children, to discover and destroy the nest of a Brownie and to locate, in Arthur Spiderwick's secret library, his Field Guide to the Fantastical World, which details the habits of faeries. The infuriated Brownie exacts retribution in hateful ways: knotting Mallory's long hair to her headboard and freezing animal-loving Simon's tadpoles into ice cubes. The children mollify the Brownie by building him another home, but against his warnings that harm will result, keep the Field Guide. Book 2 (The Seeing Stone, 0-689-95937-6) steps up the peril: the unheeded warnings lead to Simon's kidnapping by a roving gang of goblins. His siblings gain The Sight by means of a small stone lens (and efficacious goblin spit rubbed into the eyes) and succeed in rescuing him. Cleverly marketed as too dangerous to read, handsomely designed, and extravagantly illustrated this packs quite a punch. Readers who are too young to read Harry Potter independently will find these have just the right amount of menace laced with appealing humor and are blessed with crisp pacing and, of course, DiTerlizzi's enticingly Gothic illustrations. (Fiction. 7-11) First printing of 50,000; $150,000 ad/promo; film rights to Paramount/Nickelodeon

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780689859366
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date: 5/1/2003
Pages: 128
Sales rank: 70,081
Age range: 6 - 10 Years
Lexile: 600L (what's this?)
Series: Spiderwick Chronicles Series , #1
Product dimensions: 6.76 (w) x 11.04 (h) x 0.60 (d)

Meet the Author

Holly Black is the bestselling author of the Spiderwick series. Her Modern Faerie Tales series is comprised of Tithe, which was an ALA Top Ten Book for Teens and received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly and Kirkus Reviews; Valiant, which was an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, a Locus Magazine Recommended Read, and a recipient of the Andre Norton Award from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America; and Ironside, the sequel to Tithe, was a New York Times bestseller. White Cat, the first book in the Curse Workers trilogy, was a Kirkus Reviews Best Book, and ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults, and received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and BCCB. Red Glove, the second book in the Curse Workers trilogy, received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. The final book in the trilogy, Black Heart, will be available in spring 2012. Holly has also written a collection of short stories, The Poison Eaters and Other Stories. She lives in Amherst, Massachusetts. Visit Holly at blackholly.com.

Tony DiTerlizzi is the author of The Search for WondLa and A Hero for WondLa. He is also the co-creator and illustrator of the bestselling Spiderwick Chronicles and the author and illustrator of Jimmy Zangwow’s Out-of-this-World Moon Pie Adventure as well as the Zena Sutherland Award–winning Ted. His brilliantly cinematic version of Mary Howitt’s classic The Spider and The Fly earned Tony his second Zena Sutherland Award and also received a Caldecott Honor. Tony’s art has also graced the covers of such well-known fantasy writers as Peter S. Beagle, J. R. R. Tolkien, Anne McCaffrey, and Greg Bear. His first chapter book, Kenny & the Dragon, debuted as a New York Times bestseller. He lives with his wife Angela and their daughter in Western Massachusetts and Jupiter, Florida. Visit Tony online at DiTerlizzi.com.

Read an Excerpt

Chapter One: In Which the Grace Children Get Aquainted with Their New Home

If someone had asked Jared Grace what jobs his brother and sister would have when they grew up, he would have had no trouble replying. He would have said that his brother, Simon, would be either a veterinarian or a lion tamer. He would have said that his sister, Mallory, would either be an Olympic fencer or in jail for stabbing someone with a sword. But he couldn't say what job he would grow up to have. Not that anyone asked him. Not that anyone asked his opinion on anything at all.

The new house, for instance. Jared Grace looked up at it and squinted. Maybe it would look better blurry.

"It's a shack," Mallory said, getting out of the station wagon.

It wasn't really, though. It was more like a dozen shacks had been piled on top of one another. There were several chimneys, and the whole thing was topped off by a strip of iron fence sitting on the roof like a particularly garish hat.

"It's not so bad," their mother said, with a smile that looked only slightly forced. "It's Victorian."

Simon, Jared's identical twin, didn't look upset. He was probably thinking of all the animals he could have now. Actually, considering what he'd packed into their tiny bedroom in New York, Jared figured it would take a lot of rabbits and hedgehogs and whatever else was out here to satisfy Simon.

"Come on, Jared," Simon called. Jared realized that they had all crossed to the front steps and he was alone on the lawn, staring at the house.

The doors were a faded gray, worn with age. The only traces of paint were an indeterminate cream, stuck deep in crevices and around the hinges. A rusted ram's-head door knocker hung from a single, heavy nail at its center.

Their mother fit a jagged key into the lock, turned it, and shoved hard with her shoulder. The door opened into a dim hallway. The only window was halfway up the stairs, and its stained glass panes gave the walls an eerie, reddish glow.

"It's just like I remember," she said, smiling.

"Only crappier," said Mallory.

Their mother sighed but didn't otherwise respond.

The hallway led into a dining room. A long table with faded water spots was the only piece of furniture. The plaster ceiling was cracked in places and a chandelier hung from frayed wires.

"Why don't you three start bringing things in from the car?" their mother said.

"Into here?" Jared asked.

"Yes, into here." Their mother put down her suitcase on the table, ignoring the eruption of dust. "If your great-aunt Lucinda hadn't let us stay, I don't know where we would have gone. We should be grateful."

None of them said anything. Try as he might, Jared didn't feel anything close to grateful. Ever since their dad moved out, everything had gone bad. He'd messed up at school, and the fading bruise over his left eye wouldn't let him forget it. But this place — this place was the worst yet.

"Jared," his mother said as he turned to follow Simon out to unload the car.

"What?"

His mother waited until the other two were down the hall before she spoke. "This is a chance to start over...for all of us. Okay?"

Jared nodded grudgingly. He didn't need her to say the rest of it — that the only reason he hadn't gotten kicked out of school was because they were moving anyway. Another reason he was supposed to be grateful. Only he wasn't.

Outside, Mallory had stacked two suitcases on top of a steamer trunk. "I heard she's starving herself to death."

"Aunt Lucinda? She's just old," said Simon. "Old and crazy."

But Mallory shook her head. "I heard Mom on the phone. She was telling Uncle Terrence that Aunt Lucy thinks little men bring her food."

"What do you expect? She's in a nuthouse," Jared said.

Mallory went on like she hadn't heard him. "She told the doctors the food she got was better than anything they'd ever taste."

"You're making that up." Simon crawled into the backseat and opened one of the suitcases.

Mallory shrugged. "If she dies, this place is going to get inherited by someone, and we're going to have to move again."

"Maybe we can go back to the city," Jared said.

"Fat chance," said Simon. He took out a wad of tube socks. "Oh, no! Jeffrey and Lemondrop chewed their way loose!"

"Mom told you not to bring the mice," Mallory said. "She said you could have normal animals now."

"If I let them go, they'd get stuck in a glue trap or something," said Simon, turning a sock inside out, one finger sticking out a hole. "Besides, you brought all your fencing junk!"

"It's not junk," Mallory growled. "And it's not alive."

"Shut up!" Jared took a step toward his sister.

"Just because you've got one black eye doesn't mean I can't give you another one." Mallory flipped her ponytail as she turned toward him. She shoved a heavy suitcase into his hands. "Go ahead and carry that if you're so tough."

Even though Jared knew he might be bigger and stronger than her someday — when she wasn't thirteen and he wasn't nine — it was hard to picture.

Jared managed to lug the suitcase inside the door before he dropped it. He figured he could drag it the rest of the way if he had to and no one would be the wiser. Alone in the hallway of the house, however, Jared no longer remembered how to get to the dining room. Two different hallways split off this one, winding deep into the middle of the house.

"Mom?" Although he'd meant to call out loudly, his voice sounded very soft, even to himself.

No answer. He took a tentative step and then another, until the creak of a board under his feet stopped him.

Just as he paused, something inside the wall rustled. He could hear it scrabbling upward, until the sound disappeared past the ceiling. His heart beat hard against his chest.

It's probably just a squirrel, he told himself. After all, the house looked like it was falling apart. Anything could be living inside; they'd be lucky if there wasn't a bear in the basement and birds in all the heating ducts. That was, if the place even had heat.

"Mom?" he said again, even more faintly.

Then the door behind him opened and Simon came in, carrying mason jars with two bug-eyed gray mice in them. Mallory was right behind him, scowling.

"I heard something," Jared said. "In the wall."

"What?" Simon asked.

"I don't know...." Jared didn't want to admit that for a moment he'd thought it was a ghost. "Probably a squirrel."

Simon looked at the wall with interest. Brocaded gold wallpaper hung limply, peeling and pocking in places. "You think so? In the house? I always wanted a squirrel."

No one seemed to think that something in the walls was anything to worry about, so Jared didn't say anything more about it. But as he carried the suitcase to the dining room, Jared couldn't help thinking about their tiny apartment in New York and their family before the divorce. He wished this was some kind of gimmicky vacation and not real life.

First Chapter

Chapter One: In Which the Grace Children Get Aquainted with Their New Home

The new house, for instance. Jared Grace looked up at it and squinted. Maybe it would look better blurry.

"It's a shack," Mallory said, getting out of the station wagon.

"It's not so bad," their mother said, with a smile that looked only slightly forced. "It's Victorian."

"Come on, Jared," Simon called. Jared realized that they had all crossed to the front steps and he was alone on the lawn, staring at the house.

"It's just like I remember," she said, smiling.

"Only crappier," said Mallory.

Their mother sighed but didn't otherwise respond.

The hallway led into a dining room. A long table with faded water spots was the only piece of furniture. The plaster ceiling was cracked in places and a chandelier hung from frayed wires.

"Why don't you three start bringing things in from the car?" their mother said.

"Into here?" Jared asked.

"Jared," his mother said as he turned to follow Simon out to unload the car.

"What?"

His mother waited until the other two were down the hall before she spoke. "This is a chance to start over...for all of us. Okay?"

Jared nodded grudgingly. He didn't need her to say the rest of it -- that the only reason he hadn't gotten kicked out of school was because they were moving anyway. Another reason he was supposed to be grateful. Only he wasn't.

Outside, Mallory had stacked two suitcases on top of a steamer trunk. "I heard she's starving herself to death."

"Aunt Lucinda? She's just old," said Simon. "Old and crazy."

But Mallory shook her head. "I heard Mom on the phone. She was telling Uncle Terrence that Aunt Lucy thinks little men bring her food."

"What do you expect? She's in a nuthouse," Jared said.

Mallory went on like she hadn't heard him. "She told the doctors the food she got was better than anything they'd ever taste."

"You're making that up." Simon crawled into the backseat and opened one of the suitcases.

Mallory shrugged. "If she dies, this place is going to get inherited by someone, and we're going to have to move again."

"Maybe we can go back to the city," Jared said.

"Fat chance," said Simon. He took out a wad of tube socks. "Oh, no! Jeffrey and Lemondrop chewed their way loose!"

"Mom told you not to bring the mice," Mallory said. "She said you could have normal animals now."

"If I let them go, they'd get stuck in a glue trap or something," said Simon, turning a sock inside out, one finger sticking out a hole. "Besides, you brought all your fencing junk!"

"It's not junk," Mallory growled. "And it's not alive."

"Shut up!" Jared took a step toward his sister.

Even though Jared knew he might be bigger and stronger than her someday -- when she wasn't thirteen and he wasn't nine -- it was hard to picture.

"Mom?" Although he'd meant to call out loudly, his voice sounded very soft, even to himself.

No answer. He took a tentative step and then another, until the creak of a board under his feet stopped him.

Just as he paused, something inside the wall rustled. He could hear it scrabbling upward, until the sound disappeared past the ceiling. His heart beat hard against his chest.

"Mom?" he said again, even more faintly.

Then the door behind him opened and Simon came in, carrying mason jars with two bug-eyed gray mice in them. Mallory was right behind him, scowling.

"I heard something," Jared said. "In the wall."

"What?" Simon asked.

"I don't know...." Jared didn't want to admit that for a moment he'd thought it was a ghost. "Probably a squirrel."

Simon looked at the wall with interest. Brocaded gold wallpaper hung limply, peeling and pocking in places. "You think so? In the house? I always wanted a squirrel."

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Anonymous

Posted February 4, 2007

Enticing

I was challenged by a student to read this story and see who finished first, that is how I came to reading this story. I was pulled into the mystery of the home that the Grace children had moved in to. This first book leaves you wanting to pick up the second book to continue this mystery that lurks within the walls of the their home!! Very fun story and some of the illustations can really make the reader feel like they are a part of the story (ie. notes, letters, etc)

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted December 5, 2005

Fantasy vs. Reality

I was never someone who really enjoyed reading! The only books I really like were children's book. Books that were mandatory to read in school I ready, but not always something I liked or something I would think about reading again. Harry Potter's been out for years now, yet I never had the intention in reading them. It wasn't until July of this year (05) that I finally picked up my sister's Harry Potter books to read. I've finished all 6 in a month. Ever since, I just wanted to read, but it was children's books that I enjoyed. I saw Spiderwick many times, but I never bought them. I guess it was too short! But yesterday, I picked up the boxset and bought it. I was on my way to work, commuting on the train, and started to read book 1. And now it's lunch time, I'am done w/ book 1. It was so interesting! I love it a lot! I'm a day dreamer, so maybe that is the reason I like a lot of children's books b/c its imaginative and creative and it gives you something cute to think about. You'd definitely like to read this book if you like Fantasy stories, but yet sometimes makes you think whether what the author is saying is real. I agree this book is too short, and that they could of combined the 5 books into 1, but it doesn't matter to me now. Whether is 1 book or 5, I'll read them all!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted March 15, 2005

this is a great book

this was a great book and a easy read. I thought it was a great fantasy book for all ages!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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wwillson

Posted January 14, 2012

Enjoyed!

I got the whole set for Christmas! I'm glad I liked them! haha! I think the whole series could have been put into one book, but they were divided into very small books for some reason. But I enjoyed them very much!
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Sensitivemuse

Posted January 4, 2011

more from this reviewer

Great for all ages

This book is a very short but good read. I thought it was amazing how a lot of action is featured in such a small compact book. It's a perfect book for kids as there's plenty of magic, fantasy, and action all in one. There's not much boring dialogue and you don't have to worry about heavy character development. It's basically a book that's just meant to be read and to have fun.

If you are familiar with Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events, this book may be for you. Although they are two very different books, the idea of making this book a "true story" is similar. I liked that little bit and thought it was a fun addition to the book and provides appeal to younger readers.

The illustrations were also nicely done and provides a good visual aid to help picturing the story. As to the characters; they're all fun and once the magical/fantastical elements have been added, it's even better.

This is a great novel for younger readers, but give it a try even if you don't fall into the age category! it's quick and light and shouldn't even take long to read. What's amazing is in those bits of pages is a lot of things happening to keep the reader entertained for a short while. I will be reading the rest of the series for sure.
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Denise-MCReading

Posted April 22, 2010

I Also Recommend:

Spiderwick Chronicles the Field Guide

The "Spiderwick Chronicles the Field Guide" by Tony Diterlizzi and published by Simon and Schuster Books, is a very good book. It really makes you feel like you are standing in a dark hallway with Jarred or fighting monsters with Mallory and Simon. The adventures that the three of them go on are just amazing. It makes you never want to put the book down. Once you have finished the book, you have a strong desire to go out and buy the next book in the series. My favorite part in the book is when Jarred finally gets into the attic. He finds all kinds of interesting stuff; the walls are covered in book shelves and there are pictures all over the place. But the most interesting part was when he found a book that read "A History of Scottish Dwarves, a Compendium of Brownie Visitations from around the World, and an Etomy of Insects and other Flying Creatures". I think that was a very cool part.

I recommend this book to every one who likes adventures, monsters, and other cool creatures. If you don't like this Fantasy/Science Fiction then I feel sorry for you, because you won't read this book.
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stockdale

Posted February 24, 2010

Spider wick chronicles book one

There was three kids they just moved into there aunts house. They found a dumbwaiter. The dumbwaiter went up to a old library.
Jared got into the dumbwaiter and went up to the dark library and in the old library they had old books. Then after they found the old library they found a trunk in the attic that Jared found. He found a old book in the trunk and when he started to read it bad stuff has been happening to the kids. They have been looking for the thing that has been doing that stuff to them.
I liked this book because it is a mystery. My favorite part is where bad stuff has been happening to them.
In conclusion I think this book is an adventure that all the kids will relate to them.
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shutts

Posted February 23, 2010

spider creap

This book is about three kids finding this ferry's. The kids fawned this book its about caching them. Fares ties the sisters hare to a bed post. One of the boys fines a book in a dark dusty room. I like this book because the adventure the kids have. It talks about magic things happen to the kids. If you like magic and dork things this book for you. If you like thrills Spider Wick for you . I thank people mite like this book. (Its sans like a book for kids to read.
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Anonymous

Posted September 25, 2009

I Also Recommend:

this book is one of the best book I have ever read

I have read almost all the books now and recomend it to readers who are interested in fictional books
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Anonymous

Posted June 14, 2009

My son and I LOVE this series!

This is the first set of chapter books that my seven-year-old has really been intrigued with. He is always asking if we can read another chapter.

My son says: It is the best chapter book that I have ever seen! Some parts are scary because it has lots of goblins and trolls but this makes the stories exciting. My favorite part of this book is when Mallory and Jared meet the troll in the swamp. C-R-E-E-P-Y! My favorite character is Hogsqueal! I recommend this book to children aren't afraid of goblins and trolls!!
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Anonymous

Posted October 8, 2008

spider wich cronachles book 1

the best book 1 i have ever read it was awsome an book 2,3 are good to
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Anonymous

Posted August 31, 2008

Nice and simple

This series is imaginative and great for young readers. I wish that the series was just one book though.
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Anonymous

Posted July 16, 2008

I love this book

I think this book is really cool though it is not exactly like the movie. I think its a lot better than the movie. I suggest this book for warriors readers.
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Anonymous

Posted July 2, 2008

great series

I loved this book and I just ordered the rest of the series!
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Anonymous

Posted June 12, 2008

I am a Boggart...

Love the book, I thought it was going to be a little cliche and guess what I was wrong. Love the way the writer keeps you interested throught the whole book ( less then 100 Pages) the flow of thier words were like magic. The rest of the series are first in my next book to read list.
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Anonymous

Posted April 21, 2008

This was one of the first books I read and I loved it!

How would you feel if you had just discovered a whole new world and that world was out to get you? Would you try to avoid it? Well that is exactly what happens to three children named Jared, Mallory, and Simon Grace. In this book Jared finds 'the straangest thing' in the attic. Itall starts when the three children and their mom move into the Spiderwick mansion. The children all hate the house, but their mom was just glad they had a place to live. All three children are more unique than most people. Mallory-- the oldest, is a great fencer. Simon-- the middle child, loves animals and is Jared's twin brother. Jared-- the youngest, always got into fights and got suspended. These three 'ordinary' children's lives are turned upside down when they discover Arthur Spiderwicks Field Guide, which leads them into a whole new world full of imaginary creatures. Through the story these children discover that they must protect the book from creatures that are trying to use it for evil. I enjoyed reading this bookand the rest of the series. I enjoyed this book because I liked all of the mythical creatures and because I enjoy reading adventure novels. I highly recommend this book to people of all ages and to anyone who likes a good adventure. It kept me reading the whole time. When I finished the book I couldn't wait to read the next in the series.
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Anonymous

Posted April 13, 2008

i LOVE this series!!!!

These books arre soooo great! if you like adventuer books then you'll love these books. These books are filled with excitement ,adventure, and fun! I am very picky about books i could never find agood book. It always taes me FOREEVER to find a book but one day i decided to try this book. By the fisrt 3 or 4 pages i loved it. i have resad the whole series . they were great!! Now i am reading beyond the spiderwick chronicals. I just finished reading the first one. i cant wait untill the second one is realesed. they are so addicting.once you pick it up you cant put it down.i never use to like reading untill i read these books . now i love reading and cant wait to read every night.i read 2 books every week sometimes even 3!!!!also, i carry my book called 'Arther Spiderwicks Field Guide to the fantastical world around you' everywhere.
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Anonymous

Posted March 25, 2008

Okay.....

I thought this was an AWESOME book other than the fact that it was WAY too short.
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Anonymous

Posted February 9, 2008

Spiderwick #1

Spiderwick #1 was an awesome book it had losts of action and mystrey. Its was great and i recommened it to anyone who likes to read espically if you like Narnia books Spiderwick Chronicles are sort of like them. Read it you wont regret it!!!!!
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Anonymous

Posted January 15, 2008

The Field Guide, by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black

The Field Guide, by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi, is the first book of the Spiderwick Chronicles series. I rate this book with four stars. I think the book would be better if the author added more details about topics in the book (setting, characters, events, etc.). The book is about three kids, Jared, Simon, and Mallory. They move into an old house that was once owned by their Aunt Lucinda, who was but into an insane asylum. The house seems somewhat creepy at first, and it turns out 'things' live in the house with them. Later, while his siblings are outside, Jared stumbles across a book that details all of the creatures in the house. The children see a picture of a mysterious man, Arthur Spiderwick, in a secret room. This book is fast-paced and adventurous. I think this is a good book to read if you are a fan of fantasy books and mythological creatures. I think it should have more details about the characters, but overall, it is a good book. I enjoyed this book because it is easy to understand. There is nothing confusing about it. I also enjoyed the other books of this series. If you like this book, I would definitely recommend the others.
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