1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Black, Holly & Tony DiTerlizzi. 2003. The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books. ISBN: 068959368
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Things have gone from bad to worse for nine year old Jared. Dad has left home, mom has moved the family to a dilapidated old shackled house, mysterious happenings are going on, and Jared seems to always get the blame. With his twin brother Simon and his thirteen year old sister Mallory, the three set out to uncover bizarre and inexplicable events. Jared’s curiosity leads him to discover a distant relative, Arthur Spiderwick’s, Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You leather bound book. This big book is full of information about fairies and other creatures. As Jared begins to explore the book Thimbletack, a brownie, warns him, “Throw the book away, toss it in the fire. If you do not heed, you will draw their ire.” The trouble is he did not heed the brownie’s instructions.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi have written a five part fantasy series called The Spiderwick Chronicles that as my daughter stated, “It's a book beyond excellent; one of the best I’ve ever read!” I too was immediately captured by this first book called The Field Guide. The authors start the book off by explaining how a mysterious letter reached their hands at a book signing and from that day on they have been plunged into an invisible world that they never quite believed in, yet have had to work dangerously, fending off angry fairies and goblins to bring these books to their readers. Next, you read a copy of the letter sent to Black and DiTerlizzi from Jared, Simon, and Mallory Grace asking if they would please give the letter to their publishers. It sets the stage of believability as the story ensues. As you read the chronicle you are captured by the lives of the characters. Jared, who is nine years old, is struggling with self worth issues and the divorce of his parents. Simon, his twin brother, has a deep fascination and love for animals. Mallory, their 13 year old sister, is hoping to one day be an Olympic fencer. Each character has qualities that children can associate with and understand. Together the three Grace children face mysterious poetic rhymes and riddles they must solve. One key riddle said, “In a man’s torso you will find, my secret to all mankind.” Jared uncovers the mystery of this riddle and finds the Field Guide that was left behind by their great-great uncle, Arthur Spiderwick. Warned by a creature to throw the book away, the children must decide whether to open it up and uncover an invisible world that is unimaginable to them. As the book ends Mallory utters, “And all these entries…all these things are real? Jared, that’s a lot of real.” Leaving me, the reader, begging for more! In my good fortune they have already written all five books otherwise I don’t believe I could have stood the torture of waiting for more.
The illustrations scattered throughout the book offer glimpses into the world of the Grace children. There are pencil portraits of each child, their mother, creatures, and places in the house. The book also offers a map of the Spiderwick Estate and surrounding areas, a color photocopy of a handwritten note, and pictures of two new characters that will be introduced in book two.
The Spiderwick Chronicles are a must read for anyone who has a love for entering a mystical world full of dangers and mystical creatures that actually might just live in and among us.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
A Children’s Book-Of-The-Month Club Featured Selection
Kirkus Review: Cleverly marketed as too dangerous to read, handsomely designed, and extravagantly illustrated this packs quite a punch.
Publishers Weekly: Appealing characters, well-measured suspense and an inviting package will lure readers on.
School Library Journal: …the fast, movie like pace will grab young readers.
5. CONNECTIONS
*Have students illustrate a fairy creature of their own and then describe the nature, personality, attributes, and mischief of their creature.
*Search the Spiderwick Website for related activities and games such as the Spiderwick Trivia game located at: http://www.spiderwick.com/
*Before reading book two ask the students to predict what will happen to the Grace children as they discover mysteries of the book.
Other books in this series:
Black, Holly & Tony DiTerlizzi. The Seeing Stone. ISBN 0689859376
Black, Holly & Tony DiTerlizzi. Lucinda’s Secret. ISNB 0689859384
Black, Holly & Tony DiTerlizzi. The Ironwood Tree. ISBN 0689859392
Black, Holly & Tony DiTerlizzi. The Wrath of Mulgarath. ISBN 0689859406
Also available in Audio format:
Black, Holly, Tony Diterlizzi, & Mark Hamill. The Spiderwick Chronicles Box Set: Book 1: The Field Guide; book 2: The Seeing Stone; Book 3: Lucinda’s Secret; Book 4: The Ironwood Tree; Book 5: The Wrath of Mulgarath. Unabridged Audio book. Listening Library, New York. ISBN: 0739356151
Black, Holly & Tony DiTerlizzi. 2003. The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books. ISBN: 068959368
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Things have gone from bad to worse for nine year old Jared. Dad has left home, mom has moved the family to a dilapidated old shackled house, mysterious happenings are going on, and Jared seems to always get the blame. With his twin brother Simon and his thirteen year old sister Mallory, the three set out to uncover bizarre and inexplicable events. Jared’s curiosity leads him to discover a distant relative, Arthur Spiderwick’s, Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You leather bound book. This big book is full of information about fairies and other creatures. As Jared begins to explore the book Thimbletack, a brownie, warns him, “Throw the book away, toss it in the fire. If you do not heed, you will draw their ire.” The trouble is he did not heed the brownie’s instructions.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi have written a five part fantasy series called The Spiderwick Chronicles that as my daughter stated, “It's a book beyond excellent; one of the best I’ve ever read!” I too was immediately captured by this first book called The Field Guide. The authors start the book off by explaining how a mysterious letter reached their hands at a book signing and from that day on they have been plunged into an invisible world that they never quite believed in, yet have had to work dangerously, fending off angry fairies and goblins to bring these books to their readers. Next, you read a copy of the letter sent to Black and DiTerlizzi from Jared, Simon, and Mallory Grace asking if they would please give the letter to their publishers. It sets the stage of believability as the story ensues. As you read the chronicle you are captured by the lives of the characters. Jared, who is nine years old, is struggling with self worth issues and the divorce of his parents. Simon, his twin brother, has a deep fascination and love for animals. Mallory, their 13 year old sister, is hoping to one day be an Olympic fencer. Each character has qualities that children can associate with and understand. Together the three Grace children face mysterious poetic rhymes and riddles they must solve. One key riddle said, “In a man’s torso you will find, my secret to all mankind.” Jared uncovers the mystery of this riddle and finds the Field Guide that was left behind by their great-great uncle, Arthur Spiderwick. Warned by a creature to throw the book away, the children must decide whether to open it up and uncover an invisible world that is unimaginable to them. As the book ends Mallory utters, “And all these entries…all these things are real? Jared, that’s a lot of real.” Leaving me, the reader, begging for more! In my good fortune they have already written all five books otherwise I don’t believe I could have stood the torture of waiting for more.
The illustrations scattered throughout the book offer glimpses into the world of the Grace children. There are pencil portraits of each child, their mother, creatures, and places in the house. The book also offers a map of the Spiderwick Estate and surrounding areas, a color photocopy of a handwritten note, and pictures of two new characters that will be introduced in book two.
The Spiderwick Chronicles are a must read for anyone who has a love for entering a mystical world full of dangers and mystical creatures that actually might just live in and among us.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
A Children’s Book-Of-The-Month Club Featured Selection
Kirkus Review: Cleverly marketed as too dangerous to read, handsomely designed, and extravagantly illustrated this packs quite a punch.
Publishers Weekly: Appealing characters, well-measured suspense and an inviting package will lure readers on.
School Library Journal: …the fast, movie like pace will grab young readers.
5. CONNECTIONS
*Have students illustrate a fairy creature of their own and then describe the nature, personality, attributes, and mischief of their creature.
*Search the Spiderwick Website for related activities and games such as the Spiderwick Trivia game located at: http://www.spiderwick.com/
*Before reading book two ask the students to predict what will happen to the Grace children as they discover mysteries of the book.
Other books in this series:
Black, Holly & Tony DiTerlizzi. The Seeing Stone. ISBN 0689859376
Black, Holly & Tony DiTerlizzi. Lucinda’s Secret. ISNB 0689859384
Black, Holly & Tony DiTerlizzi. The Ironwood Tree. ISBN 0689859392
Black, Holly & Tony DiTerlizzi. The Wrath of Mulgarath. ISBN 0689859406
Also available in Audio format:
Black, Holly, Tony Diterlizzi, & Mark Hamill. The Spiderwick Chronicles Box Set: Book 1: The Field Guide; book 2: The Seeing Stone; Book 3: Lucinda’s Secret; Book 4: The Ironwood Tree; Book 5: The Wrath of Mulgarath. Unabridged Audio book. Listening Library, New York. ISBN: 0739356151
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