Title: Amulet: Book One: The Stonekeeper
Writer and Artist: Kazu Kibuishi
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| via Amazon |
The Stonekeeper begins with a terrible car accident. Emily's father is killed. Two years later, she, her mother and her younger brother, Navin, move to a creepy house in the country. That very night, Mom is whisked away to a parallel dimension. The kids set off to find her guided only by a mysterious amulet.
This was a book I picked up for our daughter on a Goodreads recommendation intending, I must admit, to read it myself once she was done. Unfortunately, she didn't care for it. I was a bit surprised. It seems right up her alley: a magical adventure with a girl protagonist. But no, not her thing, she says. Oh well.
I, on the other hand, was more impressed. The artwork is excellent. Emily and Navin encounter many strange, excellently rendered creatures in their adventure. The spooky settings are established effectively, too. Most importantly from the perspective of story, I'm eager to know what happens next.
Slight spoiler alert!!!
The kids find Mom but she's not quite out of the woods yet. It's also not entirely clear whom among the various beings they encounter is truly on their side. One wonder if even the amulet that's guiding them truly has their best interests at heart. Many questions are left to be answered in future volumes. So, even if the Purple Penguin doesn't pursue the story any further, I may well do so myself.
(End of slight spoiler)
Please join us and share your own review of your best read from the past month. This month's link list is below. I'll keep it open until the end of the day. I'll post February's tomorrow. Meetings are the last Friday of each month. Next gathering is February 27th.
I love the cover on that one. I may have to give that one a look!
ReplyDeleteThe artwork is excellent.
DeleteIt sounds interesting to me! I too am surprised your girl didn't like it. I wonder if our boy would? The art on the cover is very cool.
ReplyDeleteHe might. Given his interest in Magic, it might suit him better.
DeleteI think I've seen that book at the book fair at my daughter's school. When they have the next one, I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteIf the first book is anything to go on, it's a good series for the Bone crowd.
DeleteI love the cover and I love creepy houses in the country!!
ReplyDeleteIt's worth noting that after reading this, our daughter did say she though it would be cool to live in a haunted house.
DeleteI'll mention this one to my daughter to read to my grandson. He is reading mostly on his own now into chapter books, but he still likes for Mom to read to him.
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth, the Bone books are better if you're looking for recommendations to pass on.
DeleteThis one has a Miyazaki-type feel to it. Going to have to pick it up to read with my little 'uns...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
V:)
It is a bit Miyazaki-esque, all the more reason I was surprised the girl didn't like it.
DeleteMuch better, we would both agree, is the Twin Spica series if you can find it.
Maybe she found it too ambiguous?
ReplyDeleteMaybe. Perhaps best to start with a clear Good v. Evil playing field, then introduce the ambiguities (Vader, Snape, Boo Radley, etc.) later.
DeleteI was thinking Miyazaki, too, with a big splash of Madeleine L'Engle.
ReplyDeleteIt's not as sciencey (not a real word, I know) as L'Engle - maybe a bit like Labyrinth, actually.
DeleteMy granddaughter would love this one.
ReplyDeleteTry Twin Spica on her, too.
DeleteI like the cover. Shame your daughter didn't like it, but I'm glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Me, too. Thanks, Janie!
DeleteI haven't read this book but I am interested.
ReplyDeleteDaughter know book and the artist/writer work. He put together the books "Flight" fabulous.
Has an Art gallery in LA and shows the work of the artist/writers from "Flight"
She use to go to Comic Com in San Diego and had many of the artist sign her book. Their signatures are works of art !
Check the book out. You might be interested. She has up to volume 5.
cheers, parsnip
Flight looks like an exciting project. I'll keep it in mind.
DeleteWhat a coincidence...one of my students was reading this yesterday. He liked it a lot.
ReplyDeleteWhat grade do you teach?
Delete6th grade
DeleteI assume said student has already read the Bone books? If not, they're good. The Twin Spica series I've been reading is fun, too.
DeleteThat looks like a fun book - something I would've loved as a pre-teen.
ReplyDeleteMe, too. Back when I was waist-deep in D&D, it would have been just the thing.
Delete