A Very Grimm Guide (Sisters Grimm Companion)

The Sisters Grimm #8.5

by Michael Buckley, Peter Ferguson (Illustrations)

Explore the world of the Sisters Grimm in this companion guide to the beloved New York Times bestselling fantasy series!

Since its publication, Michael Buckley’s bestselling Sisters Grimm series has delighted fans and fairy-tale lovers of all ages with the adventures of the Grimm family. Now readers can learn even more secrets behind their favorite characters with this companion guide! Featuring character profiles, maps of the town, found objects from life in Ferryport Landing, fairy-tale “facts,” and much more, this artfully designed guide is the perfect gift for Sisters Grimm readers—even fan favorite Puck weighs in with his cheeky alternate take on all things Grimm!

Genres: Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction, Retellings, Young Adult

128 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2011

About the author

New York Times bestselling author Michael Buckley was born in Akron, Ohio. He tried his hand as a stand-up comic and lead singer for a punk rock back before attending Ohio University. After graduating with honors he moved to New York City to be an intern on the Late Show with David Letterman which led to stints developing programming for Discovery Networks, MTV, MTV Animation and Klasky Csupo (producers of Nickelodeon’s Rugrats). Today he lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife, Alison, and their son Finn.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Madeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun companion to the other Sisters Grimm books.

For the most part, the character information isn't anything new, but it serves as a nice refresher of the main happenings in the series. I especially liked the information and writings of the previous members of the Grimm family, like Wilhelm, Spaulding, and Matilda. The facts about fairytale recorders and writers, and the Fearsome Folktales segment were brief, but very interesting.

The humor of the series is still there, whether in the text or in the advertisements for various businesses in the town. Another humorous highlight is Puck's editorial notes in the margins, as well as his introduction and afterword. This book definitely needed an extra dose of Puck.

(By the by, I'm waiting for "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Puck But Were Too Dumbstruck by his Awesome to Ask" to be published. Puck needs an autobiography.)

[Justyn Rampa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came across this book unexpectedly and decided to read it. I was on the fence before as to whether I would pursue it but I'm glad I did.

It serves well to recap the entire series before reading the final installment which was released this month. Puck's voice is present in its most sophomoric form, but he is easily enough avoided. I found the entries about the writer's of fairy tales most insightful as I learned several things that I may incorporate in my novel.

So much life has occurred since reading "Sisters Grimm" that this was a fantastic way to refresh my mind. An enjoyable and fast read!

[Heidi Lil' Chip · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay so I probably read this at the wrong time. I read it last because I didn't want anything spoiled, but I guess it was supposed to be a refresher of the previous 8 books so you're ready for the last one. But I didn't do that so it kinda lost the magic.

the commentary by Puck was just annoying and didn't feel like him. But I did like the little bit of information about the previous Grimms, which is why it's a full star

[Esmeralda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a pretty nice sum up of the entire series. I can't wait for the last book to come out. The enjoyed Puck's voice (he is my favorite character of the whole entire series). I also enjoyed the Grimm side notes. (I still can't believe that in one of the french version of little red riding hood, the wolf managed to trick red into eating her grandmother's fresh and drink her grandmother's blood) (creepy in a cool and kinda gross way!)

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. It could have been so much more had it been released after the final Sisters Grimm novel. At the same time I enjoyed the brief glimpses into the lives of the Grimms who came before. If Michael Buckley ever decides to revisit the Grimms, he could tell stories of the Grimms in the past.

[☆ Driti ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who did not read the other books of this series, this one took a lot of brain power to understand. Yes, it did spoil the plot for me, but there was something so pleasing about this read!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun companion to the Sisters Grimm books.

[Brooke Bitzan]

Once again, I am not the target demographic for this series, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt. However, I do indeed have thoughts.

This is definitely not my favorite companion book to come out of any series that I have read. It is, however, very charming. The actual blurbs about characters I could take or leave (to be fair I'm in my 20s and just binged this series so I didn't really need recaps) but the art and all of the fun little inclusions were great. I love a companion book that has news articles and ticket stubs and menus and, most importantly, notations by a canon character.

It also actually has some fun info about real life authors/compilers of fairy tales

This is a great addition to a library for a child in the intended age range. I definitely recommend it to parents of children who like reading and (more importantly) owning books

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sisters Grimm: A Very Grimm Guide

STOP 🛑

If you haven’t read all nine books, then don’t read this book yet, it will contain spoilers! Otherwise, it’s a great summary of the previous nine books to remind you how great the series was and how much you loved Puck!

[Kayla Hawes · Rating 2 out of 5]

cute. didn’t rlly need the refresher since i read the first 8 books in 4 days tho

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realize it would be this detail. It was okay. I think I would like it better if I read at least the first book so I understood the guide better.

[Kelly Grimes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I personally really enjoyed this book because of the wide range of imagination brought into the content of the story. Growing up I loved listening to fantasy stories read to me by my mom and grandmas. My sisters and I would even play pretend in relation to the fantasy stories we were read. This story opened up my imagination again, by providing a suspenseful plot, imaginary creatures and objects, for example granny Relda’s talking magic mirror. I especially liked this book because by providing these imaginary creatures, I was never bored or just waiting the story to end. This is why I believe children will be very interested in this book as a read aloud in a 3rd grade classroom.

I first think that students will be drawn into this book because the two main characters Sabrina, 12 years old, and Daphne, 7 years old, Grimm being very close in age with themselves. Also, students in the 3rd grade still enjoy imaginative stories in which they allow their minds to run wild. Students will also be engaged into this book because of the relationship the girls make with their grandma Relda. Students will be able to relate to the characters because of the relationships they have with their own grandparents. This is a great read aloud to a 3rd grade classroom especially during a mystery genre unit. Students will learn about the elements key to mystery stories through Sabrina and Daphne’s teamwork of being detectives to find clues to save their grandma who has been taken by the big giant. Students will also learn about key literary elements especially conflict. Through Sabrina and Daphne’s situation of the mysterious disappearance of their parents, going to live with their grandma who they thought was dead, and then having to save their grandma from a giant, allows students to learn about conflict in a imaginative way that appeals to them to want to keep on reading.

One thing that helped me wanting to keep on reading the book, something that will also make students wanting to keep on reading is the pictures scattered throughout the story. There aren’t that many pictures, but there are enough to help paint a visual for students. These pictures help students to visually understand what is going on in the story. By only having a few pictures throughout the story forces students to use their imagination form the beginning to end.

[Kaitlin McDonough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal Response:

The reason why I chose this book was because I heard other students in our class discuss this book and how much they liked it. I figured if they liked it then it was probably something I would enjoy as well. Overall I really enjoyed this book. The part that I enjoyed most was that I was able to use my imagination in ways that I haven’t in a very long time. This is a huge part of why I enjoy fantasy books so much. I love to use my imagination and I think other students will also love this book because of that as well.


Classroom Purpose:
I think this book would be a fantastic book to read aloud to students in 3rd or 4th grade students. I think that these grades and their students will be able to connect to the book very well because the main characters in the book, Daphne and Sabrina, are of very similar ages. I think this book would be a good read aloud because students will be able to use their imagination and picture what is happening in their minds as the teacher is reading. As the teacher is reading out loud to keep the students actively listening you could instruct them to draw what they think is happening in the book as the teacher reads or to take notes of certain parts of the book that they liked. Students will become aware of mystery elements of stories because Daphne and Sabrina must solve the mystery to help save their grandmother. You could also introduce the book to your students by reading a portion of the book out loud and if they find the book interesting that they can read the book themselves as a self read. I think this book is good for students who love to use their imagination. It could even be good for students who don’t have as wild imaginations who would like to work on using their imagination more. This book could also be used in art class because students could draw, paint, or sculpt art that they think would be present in the book in the book or to further their imagination and create what they think the characters or the setting looks like. While doing this students could use specific aspects of characters and settings to create pictures or art that looks like it has jumped out of the book and into real life

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

gud

[Alyssa (The Shady Glade) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Normally I don't really enjoy "guide" type books. And this one wasn't an exception. I love the Sisters Grimm books, but like many other guidebooks, it doesn't really have any information in here that you wouldn't know from reading the books anyway. Plus, there are spoilers included from the first 8 books, so if you haven't read that far yet, you might want to pass on this one. By that point, I just don't see what other info it can offer. I was also disappointed it didn't really have any new illustrations of Ferryport Landing or its inhabitants; just the same cover art and illustrations from the books already. I did like the biographies of some of the fairy tale writers of old though, and the vintage fairy tale illustrations that were on a few pages were interesting. All in all, it's not a bad book, but I just didn't think it was that great. I can see it appealing to very diehbard fans who are anxious to squeeze every last drop from the series, or for fans who've been reading along as the books have been published and would like refresher. It just wasn't that useful to me, as I've read all 8 books so recently. Luckily for me, it was short. :)

[Madison T · Rating 4 out of 5]

The very Grimm guide was a great little book for fans of the sisters Grimm series to learn a bit more about Fairy Port Landing, and the Everafters, I really enjoyed it!

Here is my review of the Sisters Grimm Series:

When I originally started the sisters Grimm series, it was because a friend had recommended them to me.
I thought, ok, so I ordered the first four books from my library, and started to read them.
In book one, it took me quite awhile to get into the book, I just wasn't feeling it at all! My friend had said they were amazing! but, nothing really amazed me at first.
When I got to the middle of the book, something clicked, and I couldn't put the book down! I devoured the rest, and grabbed book two, and devoured that one in less than a day! I was hooked!
I read all nine books collectively in about 7-8 days, I loved them!! I am giving them a four star, because they are awesome! Why not 5 stars? well, there were a few parts that I didn't really like, or think was necessary. I would recommend this book from ages 8+ I am 16 and I know that some parts were a bit young for me, but I really enjoyed them, and I was sad when I finished the last book! :)

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting and concise companion guide to The Sisters Grimm series. The entries are short, with humorous editorial notes by Puck and nicely detailed illustrations by Peter Ferguson, many of which come from the nine book series.

It's a fun fast read and not only helps to keep the characters and dizzying plots straight, but also provides some historical background on the myriad fairy tales and folk tales upon which this epic saga is based.

interesting quote:

"Inspired by the stories they heard during their childhood in Germany, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm began researching, collecting, and transcribing folk tales in the early nineteenth century. Many of these stories were violent, filled with terrifying villains and horrible deaths. Naturally, kids loved them." (p. 43)

[Tirzah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Very Grimm Guide is a great way for readers to get reacquainted with the characters/plot. There are nine books and if you do not read them in a row, one can forget some facts about the characters and storyline…OR if you are having withdrawal symptoms and not quite ready to leave the characters, then the guide is a good thing (the latter being my case!). It appears author Michael Buckley released this between the 8th and 9th book, so that is the best time to read it to avoid spoilers. The tidbits on real authors, such as Washington Irving and the Grimm brothers, was interesting and Puck’s scribbles throughout were – well, disgusting but shamefully funny! :)

[Marlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fun to read and had some fun facts. If reading it after you've already read the whole series, some of the information in it isn't really valid anymore (I think it's meant to be read after the 8th book). However, if you read this before having read the first 8 books in the series, it will give away information that wouldn't be discovered until later books. Pucks writing on each page makes it funny even if you've read all of the books and know all the information provided in it.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has all you want to know about the sisters Grimm. Because Puck inserts his thoughts all through out the book makes it all the more funny. This is a must read for any fans of the sisters Grimm! Take it from me, read this before the 9th book although it doesn't really matter if you read it after.

[Miss Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 - 3 stars

For anyone who has not read the rest of the series it serves as a good introduction, but it is entirely redundant for readers of the series. It offers no new information, no short stories. In short, there is nothing to recommend this book for actual readers of the series which is a shame.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoyed the series, this is a good addition. There's nothing really new in it, but it's a quick read. It has info on characters and also on writers (The Brothers Grimm, L. Frank Baum, etc.) whose characters can be found in the Sisters' Grimm series.

[Rosalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm glad I read this after I finished the series as it does contain spoilers. That being said after you've read the series there isn't a lot of resins to read this. Puck's comments were amusing and the author bios interesting but everything else I already knew from the series. Bit repetitive.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny! Just like Roald Dahl, (the author of BFG) its perfect for kids because its so funny but still in the appropriate range. Still....its extremely funny!
WARNING: This book is very funny and talks about farting. Caution yourself!

[Taleechia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good way to review the series for the next book. Follows up to book #8 (The Inside Story). Puck's side comments were amusing. Kept my attention enough to finish in one setting.

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read only one of the series, which is wildly popular at my school library. It's entertaining, attractively designed and a must read for fans of the series. I can't wait to put it on the shelf.

[Jeanne Grelck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haven't read the series yet, but one of my students recommended it. I picked up this book to see how I liked them. I enjoyed the mixture of humor, fairy tales and even some facts.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute little book! This has opened up a new can of worms for me making me want to read every fairy tale ever written! I also can't wait to read The Sisters Grimm series!

[Mairin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot. Since I had enjoyed the series so much, I really enjoyed getting fun, back, info.

[Flynn Thompson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't really like this book