The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (reading log)

By: Kate DiCamillo

CMSW hardcover 198 pages

Published: 2006

Genre: YA fantasy

 

My 11.26.2007 entry description:

A fancy china rabbit is well loved by Abilene, but he is too selfish to return her affection. He goes overboard, gets fished out, is taken care of by the old fisherman's wife, is tossed into the garbage by her middle-aged daughter, etc.  until of course, he ends up back with Abilene years later.

My 11.26.2007 reaction:

I admit, I cried when he returned to Abilene and he now knew how to love.

Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures

by Kate DiCamillo
Hennepin County Library audiobook, 4 CDs
read by Tara Sands
genre: children's adventure fiction

Although I love DiCamillo, this title just didn't work for me. The reader, Sands, did a fine job with the vocal work. I think it was just too "young" to appeal . . . I try to think of the reader who would love a book. For this one, a smart, imaginative 8-10 year old seems about right.

My reaction as a "reader" was that Flora is an incredible brat. She ignores her mom, is bossy toward her adult neighbor . . . Though her character is developed more fully as the story goes along. This is clearly for younger readers with short chapters and simple sentences (though DiCamillo adds in some challenging vocabulary for those young readers!).

Ah. Her mom is neglectful and unkind; that's why Flora is such a brat toward her.

William Spiver is just plain irritating.

The "Terrible Things Can Happen to You" and the comic books in general were my favorite part.

The Magician's Elephant

by Kate DiCamillo
Scott County Library audiobook 3 CDs
performed by Juliet Stevenson
genre: children's fiction, fantasy

This short little book was another gem from local author DiCamillo! And Stevenson's vocal work was extraordinary! She really brought the many different characters to life. I liked the repeated theme of dreams and their impact on people's lives and thoughts. I really disliked the repetition of the laments shared by the magician "I only intended lilies!" and Madame LaVaughn "But you don't understand!"

Peter Augustus Duchene - 10 years old, with his cap, not wanting to be a soldier. I felt so sad for this little boy!

Adele - his little sister, raised at the Sisters of Perpetual Light

Sister Marie - the door keeper

Tomas, the beggar, and his dog Iddo - I loved these two!

Leo Matienne and his wife - also wonderful

Countess Quintet - money can get you whatever you want . . .

Vilna Lutz - not a bad character, but ugh! A soldier trying to make a young boy into a soldier. Just no!

Bartok Whynn - In audio, I heard his last name as "Nguyen," but was pretty sure he wasn't supposed to be from a non-European heritage . . . quirky fellow.

Hans Ickmann - Madame LaVaughn's servant. I loved his dreams of the little white dog of his childhood

DiCamillo is incredibly gifted. I'm so glad she wrote this lovely story! Peter is an admirable protagonist.

The Tale of Despereaux

by Kate DiCamillo
PRMS paperback 280 pages
genre: children's fantasy

I thought I had read this before, but I was just mixing it up with Edward Tulane. Lovely story of a small mouse with big ears who falls in love with a princess.

A student had donated a book and I was looking forward to collecting more copies for the sixth grade book / movie unit. When I looked at the donated copy, though, I noticed the words "junior novelization." Sure enough, after DiCamillo's book was made into a movie, someone else made a book of the movie . . . and changed the story too much for me. Instead of opening with Despereaux, the novelization opens with The Rat (Roscuro) and a sailor named Pietro. Sigh. This is one GONE book!

The original tale is quaint and sweet. It's a bit on the young side, but that makes sense. Her intended audience was not my middle school kids.

The Tiger Rising

by Kate DiCamillo
PRMS paperback 116 pages
genre: YA coming of age, grief

Rob's mom has died and his grief is compounded by being picked on by the kids at his school. Then he meets Sistine Baily, an angry girl who challenges everyone and everything. Rob's tiger (literal and figurative) play a powerful role in this book. The sixth grade book club will discuss this. Great story!