The Spiderwick Chronicles was a name I heard often in my youth, but I never found the actual book. I picked this book up not too long ago at a charity book sale. I decided it was time to see what all the fuss was about.

I can easily see this book, one that is full of faeries and folklore, to be a great book for young readers and early middle grade readers. There's the perfect mix of fun, mystery, and hijinks that most kids will find relatable. The story is fairly simple - a family moves into an old, creepy house and odd things start happening. The Grace kids, Jared, Simon, and Mallory, soon find a hidden library with Arthur Spiderwick's encyclopedia on oddities - faeries and other folklore. This book is just the introduction to more fantasy to come.

I liked it! It was an easy read and very fun. It felt too much like an introduction at times, but there was conflict, problem solving, and a resolution to make it a full story. If I ever find the second, I'll continue reading out of pure curiousity.

Three out of five stars. ( )

6 copies

These three are short, but they were so woven to be one story, that I'm giving them only one review. They are beyond adorable. I adore them and I want to have them for my kids.

And I love how all the races are done, the words in each of them, and how they connect. And the art! How can I not tell you about the art! Half of the fun of moving on through any of the stories is the art that's everywhere, brightening everything.

I love Mallory, Jared and Simon in their own ways, and I love how completely un-cliche they each are really. I'm looking forward to getting the rest of Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles one day too! ( )

Even if they are marketed as children's books- this series is wildly enjoyable no matter what your age is. If you are worried about it coming off 'too young', you'd be wrong. I wish I had gotten into them when I was younger, but honestly- the magic is still there no matter the age. These books are such quick reads (Each one is under 150 pages) that you can finish the entire series in under a week. No wonder this series is such a timeless classic and a top-pick for fantasy readers. I can certainly see why this is one of the flagship titles in fiction. It feels like one of those goal-post/milestone series that every book lover should reach.
Fast-paced, written with passion, likeable characters you want to see grow and develop with along the way, charming creatures, and amazing art. This series is not short on a great, engaging, original plot either, filled with twists and with an ending to boot! One of the coolest/funniest ways I've seen a villain defeated! So many other titles aspire to be like The Spiderwick Chronicles. It certainly does cast some large shoes to fill.
I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who has trouble reading or getting into reading, or just needs something to quickly read and be satisfied. This short series (both in length and book quantity) is popular for a reason! ( )

*3.5 ( )