Review:
'bristles with originality and cleverness also, though it is cleverness which, overall, is used in the service of humour rather than seriousness ... It is a storyline which could easily fall into whimsy, but Maguire's insight into the child's mind and his ability to convey that insight in dialogue that sparkles with wit ensure that bathos is kept at bay. There is, as he knowingly says at one point, 'rare spiderish emotion, not seen much outside the best of children's books': but there is as well a wise understanding of young inquisitive minds, of gender differences and of that curious process called education.' (Children's Books in Ireland)
About the Author:
Gregory Maguire is the popular author of many books for children, including the Hamlet Chronicles for Clarion, as well as several adult books, including WICKED (HarperCollins), upon which a Broadway musical was based, and its sequel, CONFESSIONS OF AN UGLY STEPSISTER (Regan Books). He lives in Concord, Massachusetts.
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