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A Tale Dark & Grimm #2
In a Glass Grimmly
More Grimm tales await in the harrowing, hilarious companion to a beloved new classic
Take caution ahead--
Oversize plant life, eerie amphibious royalty, and fear-inducing creatures abound.
Lest you enter with dread.
Follow Jack and Jill as they enter startling new landscapes that may (or may not) be scary, bloody, terrifying, and altogether true.
Step lively, dear reader . . .
Happily ever after isn't cutting it anymore.
In this companion novel to Adam Gidwitz's widely acclaimed, award-winning debut, A Tale Dark & Grimm, Jack and Jill explore a new set of tales from the Brothers Grimm and others, including Jack and the Beanstalk and The Frog Prince.
Take caution ahead--
Oversize plant life, eerie amphibious royalty, and fear-inducing creatures abound.
Lest you enter with dread.
Follow Jack and Jill as they enter startling new landscapes that may (or may not) be scary, bloody, terrifying, and altogether true.
Step lively, dear reader . . .
Happily ever after isn't cutting it anymore.
In this companion novel to Adam Gidwitz's widely acclaimed, award-winning debut, A Tale Dark & Grimm, Jack and Jill explore a new set of tales from the Brothers Grimm and others, including Jack and the Beanstalk and The Frog Prince.
314 pages, Hardcover
First published September 27, 2012
445 people are currently reading
6015 people want to read
About the author
Adam Gidwitz
27 books1,204 followersTo read my bio and learn more about me, and find a FAQ, visit:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,002 reviews
January 9, 2015
Once again, Adam Gidwitz has knocked my socks off. I was skeptical to see what he could do with Jack and Jill, but he more than pleasantly surprised me. I will be very honest. There are a couple of parts of this book that are in no way kid friendly. I mean, I admit I probably read stuff like that when I was twelve, but I would caution a parent to be careful with this book. You might want to read it first and then let your child read it. Or read it together. I'd say that any reader under twelve should be under parental supervision, most definitely.
I loved the narration. I strongly recommend getting the audiobook narrated by Johnnie Heller. His narration is perfect and really adds to this book. I challenge you to read this without talking out loud or even shouting or moaning on some parts.
This kids wormed their way into my heart and I felt deeply for them. And also Frog, the Frog. My heart was broken for what happened to these three friends. I cheered for them when they accomplished incredible obstacles. I held my breath when they found themselves in some very tight and scary parts. And I was very happy when things worked out for a happy ending.
Gidwitz is a person who loves folklore and fairy tales, and it's more than evident. He also has a sometimes twisted, but always funny sense of humor. He seems to stay in touch with the child inside himself. And deep down, there is a very important lesson that spoke to me and no doubt will give young readers something to think about, something very prevalent in this day, with bullying at an all time high. That combination makes him an irresistible writer.
This book has just about everything, even a large, fire-breathing salamander named Eddie. If you are curious, you'll just have to read the book. That's no hardship, although I will warn you, don't start eating when you read the part where Jack and Jill enter the Giant's Cave. You will regret it!
A love letter to young and grown up fans of fairytales, "In a Glass Grimmly" is a worthy follow up to the fantastic book A Tale Dark & Grimm, and I danced a jig when I saw my library had finally gotten this audiobook. It was definitely worth waiting for.
I loved the narration. I strongly recommend getting the audiobook narrated by Johnnie Heller. His narration is perfect and really adds to this book. I challenge you to read this without talking out loud or even shouting or moaning on some parts.
This kids wormed their way into my heart and I felt deeply for them. And also Frog, the Frog. My heart was broken for what happened to these three friends. I cheered for them when they accomplished incredible obstacles. I held my breath when they found themselves in some very tight and scary parts. And I was very happy when things worked out for a happy ending.
Gidwitz is a person who loves folklore and fairy tales, and it's more than evident. He also has a sometimes twisted, but always funny sense of humor. He seems to stay in touch with the child inside himself. And deep down, there is a very important lesson that spoke to me and no doubt will give young readers something to think about, something very prevalent in this day, with bullying at an all time high. That combination makes him an irresistible writer.
This book has just about everything, even a large, fire-breathing salamander named Eddie. If you are curious, you'll just have to read the book. That's no hardship, although I will warn you, don't start eating when you read the part where Jack and Jill enter the Giant's Cave. You will regret it!
A love letter to young and grown up fans of fairytales, "In a Glass Grimmly" is a worthy follow up to the fantastic book A Tale Dark & Grimm, and I danced a jig when I saw my library had finally gotten this audiobook. It was definitely worth waiting for.
April 5, 2021
Q:
‘To find what ye seek, look no further.’” (c)
While kids attacking adults with knives over some wretched mermaid's signing is a bit too disconcerting in a kids' fairy tale, some of this stuff is actually fun.
At least the shrinks won't get too bored.
Q:
And every day, the frog wooed her with the most magnificent croaks he could muster. But she never noticed him. Still, he took pleasure in watching her, examining her utterly perfect beauty, and imagining all the happy times they might one day spend together. (c)
Q:
I fear that our poor frog has fallen in love with a pretty little monster. (c)
Q:
The people of the village still shouted at them, and children would see them playing and tease them, even throw stones at them.
But the strangest thing was happening. Jack and Jill began not to care. They would run deeper into the woods, pretending they had been chased by giant, man-eating unicorns, or something equally ridiculous. Later, they would climb trees and leap from their branches. They would run headlong into a swollen, muddy stream and make balls of mud and hurl them at one another, and the frog would scream and they would keel over laughing. And then at night, they would lie under the stars, and the night was not as cold as it had once been, and Jack would think, I had fun today. And Jill would think, I was happy with what I did.
It was a strange sensation. (c)
Q:
There is this weird thing that happens, when you stop worrying so much about what other people think of you. When you are no longer—to use the ravens’ word—con-fused.
At that moment, you suddenly start seeing what you think of you.
For the first time in their short lives, Jack and Jill felt free enough to see what they thought of themselves. And they were shocked to discover something very surprising indeed.
They were shocked to discover that they actually liked themselves.
They were funny and silly and imaginative, and very, very loving.
They’d never realized it before. But actually, they liked themselves quite a lot. (c)
Q:
Overhead, the darkness was still littered with stars. But in the east, there were signs of dawn. (c)
Q:
I’d say that all mirrors are magic, or can be.
They show you yourself, after all.
Really seeing yourself, though—that’s the hard part. (c)
Q:
The three ravens sat in silence for a while, watching Jack and Jill—who were stronger than giants, more beautiful than mermaids, cleverer than goblins, and fast-friends with a giant, fire-breathing salamander. (c)
‘To find what ye seek, look no further.’” (c)
While kids attacking adults with knives over some wretched mermaid's signing is a bit too disconcerting in a kids' fairy tale, some of this stuff is actually fun.
At least the shrinks won't get too bored.
Q:
And every day, the frog wooed her with the most magnificent croaks he could muster. But she never noticed him. Still, he took pleasure in watching her, examining her utterly perfect beauty, and imagining all the happy times they might one day spend together. (c)
Q:
I fear that our poor frog has fallen in love with a pretty little monster. (c)
Q:
The people of the village still shouted at them, and children would see them playing and tease them, even throw stones at them.
But the strangest thing was happening. Jack and Jill began not to care. They would run deeper into the woods, pretending they had been chased by giant, man-eating unicorns, or something equally ridiculous. Later, they would climb trees and leap from their branches. They would run headlong into a swollen, muddy stream and make balls of mud and hurl them at one another, and the frog would scream and they would keel over laughing. And then at night, they would lie under the stars, and the night was not as cold as it had once been, and Jack would think, I had fun today. And Jill would think, I was happy with what I did.
It was a strange sensation. (c)
Q:
There is this weird thing that happens, when you stop worrying so much about what other people think of you. When you are no longer—to use the ravens’ word—con-fused.
At that moment, you suddenly start seeing what you think of you.
For the first time in their short lives, Jack and Jill felt free enough to see what they thought of themselves. And they were shocked to discover something very surprising indeed.
They were shocked to discover that they actually liked themselves.
They were funny and silly and imaginative, and very, very loving.
They’d never realized it before. But actually, they liked themselves quite a lot. (c)
Q:
Overhead, the darkness was still littered with stars. But in the east, there were signs of dawn. (c)
Q:
I’d say that all mirrors are magic, or can be.
They show you yourself, after all.
Really seeing yourself, though—that’s the hard part. (c)
Q:
The three ravens sat in silence for a while, watching Jack and Jill—who were stronger than giants, more beautiful than mermaids, cleverer than goblins, and fast-friends with a giant, fire-breathing salamander. (c)
December 27, 2018
My son and I loved this second Grimmly book from Gidwitz as much as the first one. Highly, highly recommended!!
June 5, 2019
Gidwitz takes old familiar tales, tosses them into a blender, and serves 'em up with a side of frog legs.
November 3, 2016
Before I talk about much I like the book I must say that if you don't like gruesome, scary, at some point (around 10 or younger or sensitive people) the book my get night mere worthy, but if you have no problem with that, then go ahead and read it... all of them because there great.
Also, (I learned this the hard way) don't read the scary parts at night and if you get to a scary part and its 10:00 at night and then please just stop, but if you just can't put the book down, then when your done I recommend getting a book that will get your mind off of it, or get a book thats made for 2nd graders
I loved this book, but I do like the 1st and 3rd book a little better, because the 1st one makes more since in way (not that this does't) and the 3rd has a little more humor in the book. I also think the 1st and second one run a little more smoothly, but this one I think was great in its own way, but i cant say much otherwise i might spoil some things. Another plus is that you don't have to read the books in order (even though I did) nothing connected, so you should be good.
Also, (I learned this the hard way) don't read the scary parts at night and if you get to a scary part and its 10:00 at night and then please just stop, but if you just can't put the book down, then when your done I recommend getting a book that will get your mind off of it, or get a book thats made for 2nd graders
I loved this book, but I do like the 1st and 3rd book a little better, because the 1st one makes more since in way (not that this does't) and the 3rd has a little more humor in the book. I also think the 1st and second one run a little more smoothly, but this one I think was great in its own way, but i cant say much otherwise i might spoil some things. Another plus is that you don't have to read the books in order (even though I did) nothing connected, so you should be good.
January 5, 2024
This is such a charming read. I love the writing style just everything about it. This one is a bit less strong than the first one but I still enjoyed it a lot nonetheless. I read this one and the first one when I was in middle school but I never got around the third one. I'm so very excited to read it I hope it doesn't disappoint.
November 6, 2025
O varianta mai putin placuta abasmelor, in aceasta parte eroii au fost Jack si Jill.
Mi-a placut la nebunie partea cu sirenele, pe cat de frumoase sunt pe atat de malefice sunt.
Mi-a placut la nebunie partea cu sirenele, pe cat de frumoase sunt pe atat de malefice sunt.
March 5, 2019
This was a very entertaining book and my class read this as a read aloud. I'm not a big fan of fiction novels but this book wasn't half bad. It was filled with tales of Jack and Jill exploring new lands such as The giants land, Goblins, Mermaids, and beneath the earth with their new friend (Eddie). Jack and Jill aren't happy with the way that their lives are going, then they encounter a witch. She claims that if they find this special mirror that their greatest wish will be granted. They go on their quest and soon learn what they needed all along was inside them the whole time.
November 10, 2012
I absolutely adore Fairytale re-tellings. Sometimes there is nothing better than curling up and visiting an old, favourite tale with a new spin.
This book was wonderful in so many different ways. Firstly, it was hilarious! The author's little interruptions throughout the story was a perfect touch. I couldn't help but imagine a British story teller living in a cottage, reading these stories and bringing them to life. The authors ability to make these tales come alive in such a unique and edgy way was so charming.
Secondly, the spin on old classics. I am familiar with the grimm versions and the children versions of most fairy tales. There is now a great new category; The Adam Gitwitz version. He took each story and each character and gave them a little umph. He packaged the novel with a beautiful writing style that flowed so perfectly.
I haven't read A Tale Dark and Grimm yet, but it won't be long before I do. I adored the author's presentation and twist on these classic tales.
In A Glass Grimmly is perfect for those nights when all you want to do is curl up and indulge in a book. You will get lost with these mystical creatures and characters. In a Glass Grimmly is definitely a novel you don't want to miss out on!
This book was wonderful in so many different ways. Firstly, it was hilarious! The author's little interruptions throughout the story was a perfect touch. I couldn't help but imagine a British story teller living in a cottage, reading these stories and bringing them to life. The authors ability to make these tales come alive in such a unique and edgy way was so charming.
Secondly, the spin on old classics. I am familiar with the grimm versions and the children versions of most fairy tales. There is now a great new category; The Adam Gitwitz version. He took each story and each character and gave them a little umph. He packaged the novel with a beautiful writing style that flowed so perfectly.
I haven't read A Tale Dark and Grimm yet, but it won't be long before I do. I adored the author's presentation and twist on these classic tales.
In A Glass Grimmly is perfect for those nights when all you want to do is curl up and indulge in a book. You will get lost with these mystical creatures and characters. In a Glass Grimmly is definitely a novel you don't want to miss out on!
September 7, 2024
like the first book, it's dark and very grim, but it also has a whole lot of heart. I liked this one more, probably because I liked Jack and Jill slightly more than Hansel and Gretel. still not confident I know who these books are written for, but I've enjoyed them. 4 stars from me!
March 27, 2015
This is the second in a series of books that takes it's cue from the fact that the "original" versions of fairy tales were in fact pretty dark and bloody. They were cautionary tales meant to warn children away from "risky" or "naughty" behavior. They were meant to encourage hard work and diligence as well as listening to one's elders.
Thus we get match girls dying in the snow, snow queens snatching youngsters away, "Big Bad Wolves" wolfing down girls in red hoods, witches that eat children and so on. These stories gathered or written by Anderson or the Grimms (along with others) were indeed..."cautionary" Thus for more modern children they have been cleaned up...made more palatable.
Adam Gidwitz takes this, builds on it and adds a touch of humor...slightly dark humor...but humor.
***Buy th3e way, yes I like to use 3 dots (...) I think it often expresses more. Just added that in case it bothers you...or in case the English teacher from Up the Down Staircase is reading this.***
Anyway, I liked this book but I liked this one not so much as the first. It's not that there was anything really wrong with it. It just didn't draw me. Maybe the blush was off the rose. It just wasn't new to me any more??? I don't know. Any way not a bad book, even enjoyable. Maybe try it yourself i see a lot of people like all these. Maybe I'll drop back later and pick up others.
Thus we get match girls dying in the snow, snow queens snatching youngsters away, "Big Bad Wolves" wolfing down girls in red hoods, witches that eat children and so on. These stories gathered or written by Anderson or the Grimms (along with others) were indeed..."cautionary" Thus for more modern children they have been cleaned up...made more palatable.
Adam Gidwitz takes this, builds on it and adds a touch of humor...slightly dark humor...but humor.
***Buy th3e way, yes I like to use 3 dots (...) I think it often expresses more. Just added that in case it bothers you...or in case the English teacher from Up the Down Staircase is reading this.***
Anyway, I liked this book but I liked this one not so much as the first. It's not that there was anything really wrong with it. It just didn't draw me. Maybe the blush was off the rose. It just wasn't new to me any more??? I don't know. Any way not a bad book, even enjoyable. Maybe try it yourself i see a lot of people like all these. Maybe I'll drop back later and pick up others.
March 6, 2019
This book was amazing. It is jam-packed with adventure. This story is of a princess and her cousin that go on an adventure filled with goblins, giants, monsters that eat human flesh that live underground, talking frogs and crows, and child eating canniables that make Jack and Jill guess who they are and if the seeing glass they are looking for is really there. This horribly gross book is one that everyone should pick up at one point. It can be read alone and is so fun to read. I recommend this to anyone that loves a book that they can't put down and a person that has a strong stomach. This book was disgustingly awesome.
December 17, 2015
I didn't really like this book as much as A Tale Dark and Grimm. I thought it went fast at some points, slow and descriptive at others. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who doesn't like gross stuff. If it was like a Tale Dark and Grimm I would recommend it, but it wasn't my favorite.
March 6, 2019
This book was very interesting. It is a weird spin off of Jack and the bean stock and a special one at that. It takes turns in ways you would never expect within a book, but it's funny and entertaining.
December 19, 2012
In a Glass Grimmly is the companion to A Tale Dark and Grimm. It just came out this fall, and I loved it just as much. It follows Jack and Jill, two royal cousins, along with a talking three-legged frog, as they travel and experience (you guessed it) ever more bloody things. Adam Gidwitz's sharp humor is again apparent in this second book. The funny thing is, though in both books, he's always warning you about the bloody parts, they're not actually that bloody or disgusting. I'm sure in real life, they would be, but in the novel (at least for me), you just don't feel that disgusted.
In a Glass Grimmly was slightly better, I think, than A Tale Dark and Grimm. There are less witty asides from the narrator of the book, which are perhaps the funniest things to read. There are still plenty of them, though, and the book is structured much the same way, with each new chapter beginning, "once upon a time", but the story itself is better.
My favorite part of the book may just have been when Jill outwits the giants by having an eating contest and pouring the porridge into a blanket. The ruse is discovered, but she has more tricks up her sleeve. I won't give it ac\way, but it was pretty funny. But then Jack gets mad that she saved them from the mess he got them into and falls down and breaks his head. Oops. I probably shouldn't have told you that. But don't worry. He recovers. Overall, this book is less bloody and has more "life lessons", like telling you to love yourself, just the way you are. Whenever they get in trouble, either Jack saves them, or Jill, or the frog, or they all work together to save each other.
In a Glass Grimmly is written in the same vein as A Tale Dark and Grimm, and I would highly recommend it.
wwww.novareviews.blogspot.com
In a Glass Grimmly was slightly better, I think, than A Tale Dark and Grimm. There are less witty asides from the narrator of the book, which are perhaps the funniest things to read. There are still plenty of them, though, and the book is structured much the same way, with each new chapter beginning, "once upon a time", but the story itself is better.
My favorite part of the book may just have been when Jill outwits the giants by having an eating contest and pouring the porridge into a blanket. The ruse is discovered, but she has more tricks up her sleeve. I won't give it ac\way, but it was pretty funny. But then Jack gets mad that she saved them from the mess he got them into and falls down and breaks his head. Oops. I probably shouldn't have told you that. But don't worry. He recovers. Overall, this book is less bloody and has more "life lessons", like telling you to love yourself, just the way you are. Whenever they get in trouble, either Jack saves them, or Jill, or the frog, or they all work together to save each other.
In a Glass Grimmly is written in the same vein as A Tale Dark and Grimm, and I would highly recommend it.
wwww.novareviews.blogspot.com
November 12, 2012
I liked the author's earlier title A Tale Dark & Grimm very much, and I also enjoyed this one although just a tad less. Maybe that was because I recognized the book's message about self-empowerment almost from the opening pages. The reminders to rely on ourselves and to look no further than ourselves for our self-esteem are important ones for anyone, but they simply seemed too obvious to me. As in its companion title, the book is filled with magic, violence, and descriptive passages intended to curl the hair of many readers. I like how the stories of the Frog, Jack, and Jill all come together, and the humor provided by the Frog, who complains and nags during much of their travels. Drawing from the Brothers Grimm, Mother Goose, Hans Christian Andersen, and adding his own stories, the author skillfully navigates the literary landscape of folktales and fairy tales to craft a tale that ends happily ever after. Although some reviewers have complained about the intrusive narrator, I enjoyed the intrusion since it mirrors what good oral storytellers do, providing hints that keep listeners--and in this case, readers--hanging on to their every word and building tension. If the title prompts readers to seek out the original stories on which this one has been built, so much the better.
June 12, 2012
I loved the first book, A Tale Dark and Grim, so, so much. I was at BEA and saw the poster for this companion novel (which I did not know was coming out) and started squealing and jumping and pointing and my sister was pretending NOT to know me.
Later we went back to the Penguin booth to pick up an ARC and I immediately began reading it.
It is funny, it is thought-provoking, it's a story well-told. I love how Gidwitz wraps together so many stories into one cohesive whole. And I loved the talking frog. It was a magical read and I can't wait to make sure all of my friends read him. I definitely recommend picking it up when it comes out in September. And in the meantime, if you haven't read his first book what are you waiting for? Go read it now! :D
Later we went back to the Penguin booth to pick up an ARC and I immediately began reading it.
It is funny, it is thought-provoking, it's a story well-told. I love how Gidwitz wraps together so many stories into one cohesive whole. And I loved the talking frog. It was a magical read and I can't wait to make sure all of my friends read him. I definitely recommend picking it up when it comes out in September. And in the meantime, if you haven't read his first book what are you waiting for? Go read it now! :D
February 16, 2018
This second book in the series works as a standalone, too. Hansel & Gretel's story was finished in book 1, and now we've moved on the the story of cousins Jack & Jill. Tying in versions of the frog prince, the emperor's new clothes, Jack & the beanstalk, and quite a few others, Gidwitz strays from his original focus on the Grimm fairy tales into Hans Christian Andersen, Mother Goose, and various other fairy tales and legends. He takes even more creative liberties (than he did in A Tale Dark & Grimm) in weaving these "awesome" stories into one cohesive storyline.
My 9-year-old loved this whole series, but he has a fondness for scary stories and a high tolerance for gore. (My more sensitive 11-year-old has no interest.) In general this series is suitable for upper elementary or middle school readers.
My 9-year-old loved this whole series, but he has a fondness for scary stories and a high tolerance for gore. (My more sensitive 11-year-old has no interest.) In general this series is suitable for upper elementary or middle school readers.
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December 10, 2025What great, great use of time indeed! Instead of studying As square times Bs plus Cs, wisdom shall prevail!
The Thought Chain of Approximately 30 Minutes (From Chapter 11)
Despite its first book being profoundly more magical, in my sense, I truly love this scene; where Jack is coruegous, yet again, despite everything. But yet, it works. And it did everytime. With wit. Resourcefulness. And what other way can one embody the unicorn ideology of courage more? Courage, mingled with wisdom.
//
This book became a bit dreary in the middle, but from chapter 11 wisdom started to appear again. That cleverness - a twist there and a turn here. Grimm, Grimm fairytales.
//
“Home is where you can be yourself.”
//
I feel like I'm home!!
//
Oh! OH what profound, profound wisdom indeed! OH but what. A. Book! What magic!
... and now...
Great admirations! Better review to come ;)
May all who is reading find their home.
The Thought Chain of Approximately 30 Minutes (From Chapter 11)
Despite its first book being profoundly more magical, in my sense, I truly love this scene; where Jack is coruegous, yet again, despite everything. But yet, it works. And it did everytime. With wit. Resourcefulness. And what other way can one embody the unicorn ideology of courage more? Courage, mingled with wisdom.
//
This book became a bit dreary in the middle, but from chapter 11 wisdom started to appear again. That cleverness - a twist there and a turn here. Grimm, Grimm fairytales.
//
“Home is where you can be yourself.”
//
I feel like I'm home!!
//
Oh! OH what profound, profound wisdom indeed! OH but what. A. Book! What magic!
... and now...
Great admirations! Better review to come ;)
May all who is reading find their home.
December 11, 2012
We read A Tale Dark & Grimm almost two years ago and our oldest still refers to it as one of her favorites. So when we discovered that there was a sequel (or as it's described on the cover, a 'companion' book), we just had to read it.
Instead of reading this book together, our oldest read it first and then I read it. We both read our favorite parts aloud and our youngest was intrigued, but not enough to read it on her own (at least not yet.) It's a quick, entertaining read.
This book has much of the charm of the first. It was a great book, filled with fantastic and action-filled stories that were gruesome, but exciting. I have read some about children's ability to detach the written story from reality and be relatively unaffected by gore (more so than with movies and other visual media.) And I believe it. I think the author's sporadic 'conversation' with the reader helps to break up the drama and adds some levity to the dark tale.
Overall, these are fun books that are far more true to the original fairy tales than are the typical children's book fare. The gore and violence are there, but I love that the author emphasizes the fact that "buried in these rhymes and tales are true stories, of true children, who fought through the darkest of times, and came out the other end -- stronger, braver, and, usually, completely covered in blood."
interesting quotes:
"Perhaps you know that one of the greatest dangers in life is growing up very pretty." (p. 10)
"I'd say that all mirrors are magic, or can be. They show you yourself, after all. Really seeing yourself, though -- that's the hard part." (p. 310)
new words: imprecations, syncopation
Instead of reading this book together, our oldest read it first and then I read it. We both read our favorite parts aloud and our youngest was intrigued, but not enough to read it on her own (at least not yet.) It's a quick, entertaining read.
This book has much of the charm of the first. It was a great book, filled with fantastic and action-filled stories that were gruesome, but exciting. I have read some about children's ability to detach the written story from reality and be relatively unaffected by gore (more so than with movies and other visual media.) And I believe it. I think the author's sporadic 'conversation' with the reader helps to break up the drama and adds some levity to the dark tale.
Overall, these are fun books that are far more true to the original fairy tales than are the typical children's book fare. The gore and violence are there, but I love that the author emphasizes the fact that "buried in these rhymes and tales are true stories, of true children, who fought through the darkest of times, and came out the other end -- stronger, braver, and, usually, completely covered in blood."
interesting quotes:
"Perhaps you know that one of the greatest dangers in life is growing up very pretty." (p. 10)
"I'd say that all mirrors are magic, or can be. They show you yourself, after all. Really seeing yourself, though -- that's the hard part." (p. 310)
new words: imprecations, syncopation
January 16, 2013
Once upon a time, there were two cousins, and well a frog who has three-legs instead of four, because of well an unfortunate accident. You see these two cousins get themselves in a little predicament when they swear on their lives that they can retrieve a glass that has been lost for a very long time. It's a good thing that Frog comes along and they have some help from three ravens, otherwise things would be really grim. Their journey will take them through some famous fairy tales, nursery rhymes with some legends and poems weaved in as well.
I loved the flow of the story with the plot moving along seamlessly. The overall messages weren't preachy but came in the form of words etched onto the Glass and in the three ravens message to Jack and Jill about being "con-fused." Another strength for me was the character development with Frog being one of my favorite. The narrator in the first story was more intrusive with all of his warnings about the gruesome things to come, and in this one was more subtle and well, absentminded at times and way more amusing when he forgot certain things that he wanted to warn about. The result, is a book that for me was remarkable, humorous and a 5/5 book. I also loved the authors notes at the end of the book telling the reader where the different stories came from in the book. Bonus it also introduced me to my new favorite word...the tunnel turned "precipitously." Plus the quote "I'd say that all mirrors are magic, or can be. They show you yourself, after all. Really seeing yourself, though -- that's the hard part." (p. 310)
Just for the record, copy of the book provided by Penguin publishing and won at Charlotteslibrary.blogspot. A big thank you to both
I loved the flow of the story with the plot moving along seamlessly. The overall messages weren't preachy but came in the form of words etched onto the Glass and in the three ravens message to Jack and Jill about being "con-fused." Another strength for me was the character development with Frog being one of my favorite. The narrator in the first story was more intrusive with all of his warnings about the gruesome things to come, and in this one was more subtle and well, absentminded at times and way more amusing when he forgot certain things that he wanted to warn about. The result, is a book that for me was remarkable, humorous and a 5/5 book. I also loved the authors notes at the end of the book telling the reader where the different stories came from in the book. Bonus it also introduced me to my new favorite word...the tunnel turned "precipitously." Plus the quote "I'd say that all mirrors are magic, or can be. They show you yourself, after all. Really seeing yourself, though -- that's the hard part." (p. 310)
Just for the record, copy of the book provided by Penguin publishing and won at Charlotteslibrary.blogspot. A big thank you to both
July 23, 2012
A satisfying follow-up to A Tale Dark & Grimm, which has a dedicated fan club of young boys (and girls, too, but the boys are especially avid) in our town, since one of our middle school teachers read it to all of his classes. ATD&G had a lot of recovering-from-REALLY-horrible-parenting (cutting-off- heads-horrible--remember, these are the GRIMM fairy tales we're talking about). In a Glass... goes on to the next logical issue--when your parents have failed you, how do you go on and find out who you really are? How do your choices bring you closer to whomever you are meant to be? As in ATD&G, Gidwitz weaves probably-(hopefully!) familiar tales together with his own new bits, and helpfully explains the origins of the pieces in an afterword. Some are folktales, some are literary (e.g. Hans Christian Andersen). The mostly-helpful narrator is back, warning of the particularly scary or gross bits, of which there are many; it's usually beforehand, but occasionally after ("Jeez! My bad! Sorry!"). These stories and images get into your head and stay there, in a good way.
Young fans will be ecstatic.
Young fans will be ecstatic.
January 31, 2013
I have to say this book was good but I do not think Adam will ever be able to top A Tale Dark and Grimm.
So we have all heard that boring old nursery rhyme about jack and Jill going up a hill right?
WRONG
Adam tells us what really happened and I bet you've never heard the story with deadly mermaids, stupid giants, a giant salamander, a three legged frog , and the rest of the crazy characters in this story.
While the story may be exciting and a bit gory and gross it is really teaching us a lesson. Think about what you want, you may not really want it maybe you just want to fit in really badly but is that really what you want? Will that really make you happy? Look at the important things in life and what will make you happy not just get you approved or what you THINK will make you happy
Bravo yet again for another great novel!
If you like some cheesy gross or creepy stuff here and there this may be the book for you but don't pick it up thinking its all out blood and gore. You may even want to pick this up if your not into all that stuff maybe your kind of just looking for a funny twisted fairy tale.thats what I was looking for and boy did this book deliver. :)
So we have all heard that boring old nursery rhyme about jack and Jill going up a hill right?
WRONG
Adam tells us what really happened and I bet you've never heard the story with deadly mermaids, stupid giants, a giant salamander, a three legged frog , and the rest of the crazy characters in this story.
While the story may be exciting and a bit gory and gross it is really teaching us a lesson. Think about what you want, you may not really want it maybe you just want to fit in really badly but is that really what you want? Will that really make you happy? Look at the important things in life and what will make you happy not just get you approved or what you THINK will make you happy
Bravo yet again for another great novel!
If you like some cheesy gross or creepy stuff here and there this may be the book for you but don't pick it up thinking its all out blood and gore. You may even want to pick this up if your not into all that stuff maybe your kind of just looking for a funny twisted fairy tale.thats what I was looking for and boy did this book deliver. :)
October 15, 2012
I met Adam Gidwitz. Yes, I'm bragging, yes, he was great. Super cute (which never hurts), very funny, and an engaging speaker who was both entertaining for adults and perfect for kids. I think that Adam Gidwitz must be the perfect mix of grownup and child. I'm not explaining it well, but when you read his books, you know what I mean. His books are wonderful stories about childhood, with enough gore and horror to satisfy even the most bloody-minded of us, and enough truth to make me cry. When he signed my copy of this book after a nice chat about how his first book made me cry, he wrote that he hoped this book made me cry too. He succeeded. I laughed, I cried, I was grossed out, I was nervous, I loved the whole thing. I'm so glad that Adam Gidwitz started writing books.
November 20, 2015
THIS BOOK WAS TERRIBLE! IT WASN'T EVEN SCARY OR FUNNY! TOTALLY NOT WORTH READING EVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!
May 1, 2021
I've read the first book, A Tale Dark and Grimm as a read-aloud to my class several times. I randomly decided it was time to give book 2 a try.
We begin with the story of The Princess and the Frog which features a mean little girl who rips the frog's leg off as she throws him across the room. The poor little frog lopsidedly hops back to his well and there he remains until twenty years later when he decides to take a chance on another little girl, named Jill.
Jill is running away. Trying to please her mother she fell for a disastrous trick involving some silk so gorgeous no one could see it. She stops to pick up her cuzzie, Jack, who is tired of being teased by the other boys. Together with a frog, named Frog, they set off to find a magical glass. If they find it some disturbingly creepy people promise to make all their dreams come true.
As in the first book, Jack and Jill journey through multiple fairy tales, learning lessons along the way. Similarly, the author breaks the fourth wall to warn readers of gory things to come.
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this romp. My favorite part was the giant salamander. It's been several years, but I think I like it even more than the first book. It could be I was in the perfect mood for something simple and easy. I also really liked the ending.
I'll definitely be reading book 3!
We begin with the story of The Princess and the Frog which features a mean little girl who rips the frog's leg off as she throws him across the room. The poor little frog lopsidedly hops back to his well and there he remains until twenty years later when he decides to take a chance on another little girl, named Jill.
Jill is running away. Trying to please her mother she fell for a disastrous trick involving some silk so gorgeous no one could see it. She stops to pick up her cuzzie, Jack, who is tired of being teased by the other boys. Together with a frog, named Frog, they set off to find a magical glass. If they find it some disturbingly creepy people promise to make all their dreams come true.
As in the first book, Jack and Jill journey through multiple fairy tales, learning lessons along the way. Similarly, the author breaks the fourth wall to warn readers of gory things to come.
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this romp. My favorite part was the giant salamander. It's been several years, but I think I like it even more than the first book. It could be I was in the perfect mood for something simple and easy. I also really liked the ending.
I'll definitely be reading book 3!
May 23, 2019
I loved this book to the point where I read it four hours straight, not just because I want to meet my goal, but because it was truly a good book. Throughout this book, there were many places where it uses the original fairytale. But, in this particular series, there is a twist to all of the stories. I really enjoyed the parts in this book where it asked the reader rhetorical questions. Creativity was also a major factor in this book. The original fairytale was presented but with an extremely entertaining twist that will keep you hooked. I enjoyed this book to the point where I gave it a five-star rating. I realize that this book style isn't for everyone. I do however recommend this book to anyone who likes action pack books and cliff-hangers at the end and in the middle of the chapters.
April 2, 2018
Closer to a 3.5! This was good, but not great.
I definitely enjoyed the first part of this series much more, but like his easy storytelling. This one was much darker but also more juvenile, and that disappointed me a bit. There was a poor concept of time and other small details that would’ve made it stronger for me.
I think I would have liked this better in audiobook, so I’ll likely wait until the third one is available to do so!
I definitely enjoyed the first part of this series much more, but like his easy storytelling. This one was much darker but also more juvenile, and that disappointed me a bit. There was a poor concept of time and other small details that would’ve made it stronger for me.
I think I would have liked this better in audiobook, so I’ll likely wait until the third one is available to do so!
June 8, 2019
I find the retellings in this story to be amusing. I like the twisty dark way these stories are told and linked together. They maintain being interesting and dark without going to far and being damaging to a child reading the story. I liked Jack and Jill and how they figured out the moral of this tale. It was cute and fun.
June 6, 2018
I read this book in 1 day because this book was really interesting and i really likes it.
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