About the story

Twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace, their older sister Mallory and their mother move into a big old house. While exploring Jared finds a secret room and a poem left behind by their great great uncle Arthur. This poem leads Jared to a well hidden book - Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You - that helps him explain all the strange noises and strange activities in the house.

My opinion

This book has so many twists and turns I'm amazed by everything that happens next. I would tell a friend to read this remarkable story.

Book Title

The Field Guide
The Spiderwick Chronicles

Author

Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi

Illustrator

Tony DiTerlizzi

Publisher

Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Copyright Date

2003

About the story

Jared uses the book that he found and a special stone to help him see the goblins that have kidnapped Simon. While rescuing him Jared and Mallory find interesting new creatures, like sprites, a troll, a griffin and a hob goblin named Hogsqueal.

My opinion

This is another wonderful story that shows the interactions of bothers and sisters getting on each others nerves one minute and helping each other the next. I would tell a friend to read this remarkable story.

Book Title

The Seeing Stone
The Spiderwick Chronicles

Author

Holly Black & Tony DiTerlizzi

Illustrator

Tony DiTerlizzi

Publisher

Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Copyright Date

2003

About the story

Jared, Simon and Mallory meet Arthur's daughter Lucinda who is living in an asylum. She told them about faeries who wanted her father's book, which she didn't have. When the children get back from their visit they realize the Field Guide is missing. But the fairies and the elves hold Jared captive until they get the book. Will Jared be a captive for long? Or will he find a way to escape?

My opinion

More twists and turns and amazing creatures are waiting to be found in the pages of this 3rd book in the series. I would tell a friend to read this remarkable story.

Book Title

Lucinda's Secret
The Spiderwick Chronicles

Author

Holly Black & Tony DiTerlizzi

Illustrator

Tony DiTerlizzi

Publisher

Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Copyright Date

2003

About the story

Jared, Simon and Mallory encounter trouble at Mallory's fencing match. A shape shifter gets jared suspended and Mallory is taken captive by dwarves. The Field Guide is still missing and the siblings witness a terrible battle caused by the ogre Mulgarath.

My opinion

A very unexpected ending. I would tell a friend to read this remarkable story.

Book Title

The Ironwood Tree
The Spiderwick Chronicles

Author

Holly Black & Tony DiTerlizzi

Illustrator

Tony DiTerlizzi

Publisher

Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Copyright Date

2004

About the story

Jared, Simon, and Mallory return home to find the contents of the house destroyed, the griffin chasing the hobgoblin and their mother missing. Will the elves let Jared get answers from Arthur? Will the children be able to trick the goblins? And will they stop Mulgarath from taking over the world? Find the answers to these questions and more in the 5th and final book of The Spiderwick Chronicles.

My opinion

Wow definitely not an ending I was expecting! A great series that I would tell my friends to read.

Book Title

The Wrath of Mulgarath
The Spiderwick Chronicles

Author

Holly Black & Tony DiTerlizzi

Illustrator

Tony DiTerlizzi

Publisher

Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Copyright Date

2004

About the movie

The film adaptation of the 5 book series. The movie follows fairly closely to the story line in the books, however, it seems to have missed book 4.

My opinion

The special effects and creatures are amazing. I liked the movie and I am sure I will show it to my class when it comes out on video.

Movie Title

The Spiderwick Chronicles

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