Author: Karen Foxlee
Publication Information: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers. 2014. 240 pages.
ISBN: 0385753543 / 978-0385753548
ISBN: 0385753543 / 978-0385753548
Book Source: I received this book through a publisher's giveaway free of cost in exchange for an honest review. The book arrived as a paperback advance reader's edition.
Favorite Quote: "Be kind to everyone who you meet along the way, and things will be well. Kindness is far stronger than any cruelty. Always extend your hand in friendship. Be patient. You may feel alone, but there will always be people who will help you along the way. Never, ever give up."
Guest Post - A Ten Year Old's Review:
Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy was a fantastic book. Ophelia has come to a new town where her dad has a new job at a museum. Ophelia finds a hidden room and finds a boy. That boy is the Marvelous Boy, trained by wizards and sent to stop the evil Snow Queen. The boy wants Ophelia to help. Ophelia has to find keys to unlock the door to the room where the Marvelous Boy is trapped. After she does this, they still face a harder challenge to stop the Snow Queen.
I would rate this book five stars, which means I really love this book. I love the author's creativity. For example, the author came up with these creatures that Ophelia meets when she is finding the keys. I also like it because it was a mystery. You don't know who the evil Snow Queen is. You also don't what the Marvelous Boy's real name. You also don't know who the “Other One is.” All these things make this book have a great storyline. I also liked it for the family situations. Some people might relate to things like having problems with siblings and parents having a new job.
These are all reasons I like the book and I recommend that you read it.
My Review as an Adult:
Ophelia is spending a week in a foreign city at a museum with her sister and her father. Her father is the curator of an exhibition on swords of the world that is set to open at the museum in three days. The girls spend their days exploring the museum, and their father spends the time working.
In her explorations, Ophelia comes across a locked room. Peeking in through the keyhole, she meets the Marvelous Boy, a little boy whose name has been taken, who has been looked away for a long time, and who asks for Ophelia's help. He is the keeper of the prophecy from the wizards of long ago that he had to take a special sword to the "Other One" who would then defeat the Snow Queen and save the world.
Thus begins Ophelia's adventure. Ophelia is a girl of science and does not believe in wizards and prophecy. Despite her disbelief and her fears, she decides to help the Marvelous Boy and to hear his story. Along the way, she overcomes ghost girls, snow leopards, and misery birds, to name a few of the obstacles she faces. She also faces Ms. Kaminski, the museum director.
This book is a story within a story. Ophelia is struggling to cope with the death of her mother, the withdrawal of her sister Alice, and her father's inability to help her through the sadness. The Marvelous Boy's story is one of taking on a responsibility that he did not feel capable of, of losing his mother with only a slight hope that he may return, and of being the nameless boy who never grows.
The book is delightful. It has adventure - magical creatures, prophecies, and wizards. It has two little motherless children looking for friendship. It has a positive message. The boy is chosen "because he is so good" and the direction he is given are about kindness, friendship, patience, and perseverance.
A wonderful read geared for ages 8-12.
Guest Post - A Ten Year Old's Review:
Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy was a fantastic book. Ophelia has come to a new town where her dad has a new job at a museum. Ophelia finds a hidden room and finds a boy. That boy is the Marvelous Boy, trained by wizards and sent to stop the evil Snow Queen. The boy wants Ophelia to help. Ophelia has to find keys to unlock the door to the room where the Marvelous Boy is trapped. After she does this, they still face a harder challenge to stop the Snow Queen.
I would rate this book five stars, which means I really love this book. I love the author's creativity. For example, the author came up with these creatures that Ophelia meets when she is finding the keys. I also like it because it was a mystery. You don't know who the evil Snow Queen is. You also don't what the Marvelous Boy's real name. You also don't know who the “Other One is.” All these things make this book have a great storyline. I also liked it for the family situations. Some people might relate to things like having problems with siblings and parents having a new job.
These are all reasons I like the book and I recommend that you read it.
My Review as an Adult:
Ophelia is spending a week in a foreign city at a museum with her sister and her father. Her father is the curator of an exhibition on swords of the world that is set to open at the museum in three days. The girls spend their days exploring the museum, and their father spends the time working.
In her explorations, Ophelia comes across a locked room. Peeking in through the keyhole, she meets the Marvelous Boy, a little boy whose name has been taken, who has been looked away for a long time, and who asks for Ophelia's help. He is the keeper of the prophecy from the wizards of long ago that he had to take a special sword to the "Other One" who would then defeat the Snow Queen and save the world.
Thus begins Ophelia's adventure. Ophelia is a girl of science and does not believe in wizards and prophecy. Despite her disbelief and her fears, she decides to help the Marvelous Boy and to hear his story. Along the way, she overcomes ghost girls, snow leopards, and misery birds, to name a few of the obstacles she faces. She also faces Ms. Kaminski, the museum director.
This book is a story within a story. Ophelia is struggling to cope with the death of her mother, the withdrawal of her sister Alice, and her father's inability to help her through the sadness. The Marvelous Boy's story is one of taking on a responsibility that he did not feel capable of, of losing his mother with only a slight hope that he may return, and of being the nameless boy who never grows.
The book is delightful. It has adventure - magical creatures, prophecies, and wizards. It has two little motherless children looking for friendship. It has a positive message. The boy is chosen "because he is so good" and the direction he is given are about kindness, friendship, patience, and perseverance.
A wonderful read geared for ages 8-12.
Please share your thoughts and leave a comment. I would love to talk to you.
It was very refreshing to read this book's review from the perspective of the 10 yo guest reviewer. It sounds like an interesting mystery with a strong plot. Will definitely want to read it based on the guest reviewer's enthusiastic, candid, and well written recommendation!
ReplyDeleteFrom the guest reviewer:
DeleteThank you for commenting on my review. Let me know if you read the book and like it.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about this book. Your description was clear and concise. I shared it with my nephew (age 10) and he has added it to his reading list.
ReplyDeleteFrom the guest reviewer:
DeleteThank you for commenting on my review. I hope your nephew likes it.
What a wonderful review from your guest! So beautifully written. I will definitely recommend this book to my 8 and 9 year old nephews based on your reviews.
ReplyDeleteFrom the guest reviewer:
DeleteThank you for commenting on my review. I hope your nephews like the book.
I have an 11-year-old daughter, and I will definitely be getting her this book to read, based on your guest reviewer's thoughts. Thank you for this review. Your review really shows what's interesting and exciting about the book. I didn't know about this book before, and now I know it will be a great "next book" for my daughter to read.
ReplyDeleteFrom the guest reviewer:
DeleteThank you for commenting on my review. I'm glad I could help you find a new book for your daughter. I am almost 11 too! Let me know if she reads it.