The Field Guide (The Spiderwick Chronicles #1)

Black, H., & DiTerlizzi, T. (2003). The field guide. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.  

Summary: When Jared Grace finds himself getting into fits and trouble, his mom decided to move him, his twin brother Simon, and older sister Mallory their great-aunt Lucinda’s old Victorian house. As soon as they get there, they realize the large eerie home has spooky things happening, not to mention, Aunt Lucinda is currently in a mental asylum. Once moved in, the kids start to hear noises that sound like a squirrel in the walls. As Jared investigates and finds a dumbwaiter that takes him to a hidden sealed-in library and locates a poem indicating that the house has special secrets and Jared finds a message that says “beware.” In the coming days, Mallory and Simon both wake up with bruises all over their body and the house in chaos. Immediately, their mom believes the damage has been caused by Jared and the fact that he might be going mad. Jared travels back to the library and locates a book called The Field Guide that describes faeries and creatures that lurk in the house. After studying the book, Jared and his siblings finally come across a creature called a boggart who tells them to beware and that there will be consequences if The Field Guide is not destroyed.

Commentary: In this first book of the Spiderwick Chronicles Series, Jared has found himself in a bit of a predicament. He has gotten in enough trouble in the past for his mother to automatically blame any issues that arise in the house on him. This is conflict between him and his mother continues throughout the entire book. The book is also written in a 3^rd person style so the reader can see what is happening from an onlooker’s viewpoint. They are able to experience the in-depth features of the house and surroundings, which is important to all fantasy stories. The creepy and eerie house sets the mood for the reader before the strange events even start happening. The readers must use their temporary suspension of disbelief to really allow themselves fully to the story. The plot has so many unexpected surprises that make the reader want to jump into the next book.  

Connection: The Search for WondLa Series by Tony DiTerizzi