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Splendors And Glooms (2012)

by Laura Amy Schlitz(Favorite Author)

3.82 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

0763653802 (ISBN13: 9780763653804)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

Candlewick

review 1: Shlitz, L. (2012). Splendors and Glooms. Somerville, Mass.: Candlewick Press. Print.Evaluation: The description of characters, setting, and plot in this book were interesting and unique that kept the reader guessing. On the other hand, there are a lot of very scary images for younger children in this novel. The story had promise, but it did drag on a bit. I did enjoy reading it, but it was very dark. It wouldn't be appropriate for elementary school children, probably middle school and up. Literary Elements:Theme- Poverty v. WealthPlot/Characters- Clara Wintermute lives with her parents in a wealthy section of London. Her greatest wish for her birthday is for the puppet troupe she saw in a park one day to perform for her and her party guests. So the puppet master, Gri... moresini, and his assistants, 14-year-old Lizzie Rose Fawr and 12-year-old Parsefall Hooke, visit the Wintermute home and put on their show. Then, not long after they visit, Clara goes missing. Alleged kidnappers demand ransom from her parents, and Clara's father, Dr. Wintermute, brings the ransom to the appointed place, but the kidnapper never shows up. Meanwhile, an old witch is using her magic to summon Grisini to her estate near Lake Windermere. All of the children's lives soon become entangled with Grisini; the witch, Cassandra; and the Wintermutes.Setting- The novel begins in London in the year 1860. Lizzie Rose and Parsefall live in poverty in an old boardinghouse.Presentation of Information/ Style- DrearyPoint of view- The novel is written in the third person point of view. The narrators are mostly the main characters, Lizzie Rose, Parsefall, and Clara, but the author also shows certain scenes through the minds of Dr. Wintermute, Grisini, and Cassandra to show the reader things that the children could not possibly know but which are important to the developing story.
review 2: Splendors and Glooms is a beautifully written book. It is full of fantasy, adventure, and thrills. This story is about a puppet master Grisini who amazes children with his life-like puppets. But beneath the dazzling performances lies a secret covered in magic and greed. The characters in this story are all looking to fill a hole in their lives whether it is friendship, money, respect, power, or love. The characters are extremely complex and there are a lot of emotions and events that would definitely appeal to older students. I think the theme and mature content would be better for intermediate and middle school students rather than elementary. less

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