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The Chronicles of Kendra Kandlestar #1
Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers
For over a thousand years, the Box of Whispers has guarded the most precious treasure in the Land of Een. But when the Box is suddenly stolen, young Kendra Kandlestar finds herself swept away on a magical adventure where doors speak in riddles, plants spit poisonous venom, and strange creatures lurk in every shadow. With only a handful of enchanted carrot seeds to help her, will Kendra be able to face these dangers and find the fabled chest? There’s only one way to find peer inside The Box of Whispers, and enter a world of magic, monsters and mystery...Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers is a perfect book for lovers of fantasy, aged 8 and up. The book features over 100 black and white illustrations by the author.
225 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2005
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251 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 14, 2014
I read this to my daughter's aged 5 and 7.
For the first few chapters my 7 year old complained:
"It's boring, there are not enough pictures."
Once we got to the part where they actually cross the veil and the action started up then she would beg for one more chapter. By the time we got to the second book, Door to Unger, she was having trouble choosing between listening to the story or playing a board game. It is now more interesting than playing with a tablet.
My five year old oddly enough was the only one patient enough to listen all the way through the beginning descriptions and begs for me to read any time we have 5 minutes of free time. We actually rush to get to piano early so we will have time to read Kendra Kandlestar before they start. If we are standing in line, she asks me to read. Thankfully I have the series on my phone.
This series has really pushed my kids past the boring picture books into real chapter books. I have tried many children's chapter books (Ivy & Bean, Lemony Snicket, Fairy Bell Sisters) but this is the only one that really succeeded in holding their attention. I am so excited to explore this world with them. I cannot recommend this book enough.
For the first few chapters my 7 year old complained:
"It's boring, there are not enough pictures."
Once we got to the part where they actually cross the veil and the action started up then she would beg for one more chapter. By the time we got to the second book, Door to Unger, she was having trouble choosing between listening to the story or playing a board game. It is now more interesting than playing with a tablet.
My five year old oddly enough was the only one patient enough to listen all the way through the beginning descriptions and begs for me to read any time we have 5 minutes of free time. We actually rush to get to piano early so we will have time to read Kendra Kandlestar before they start. If we are standing in line, she asks me to read. Thankfully I have the series on my phone.
This series has really pushed my kids past the boring picture books into real chapter books. I have tried many children's chapter books (Ivy & Bean, Lemony Snicket, Fairy Bell Sisters) but this is the only one that really succeeded in holding their attention. I am so excited to explore this world with them. I cannot recommend this book enough.
November 29, 2023
This book has been on my mind since I learned of it from my 5th grade teacher. The author actually came to our school as well! I’m not exactly sure why, but this book has always been on my mind and has felt of an importance to me. I’ve never been great at finishing books from front to back, but I’ve finally managed to finish this one! I love it so much. It could more so be the nostalgia, but I still find it a very intriguing read, maybe somewhat because I relate to Kendra. Either way I’m excited to read the rest of the series!
September 13, 2017
I absolutely loved this book. It teaches wonderful lessons about honesty, bravery, family, love, secrets, and friendship. The illustrations are charming and add to the magical adventure. It would make a fun read aloud story for families. I'm ordering book #2 immediately.
July 13, 2015
This is the first chapter book that held my kid's attention (5 and 7 year old). They begged me to read it even over playing video games or TV. Prior to this they would sigh and say BORING when I would try to read a book with no pictures.
I loved the book because the language is beautifully descriptive and poetic. It even enhanced my own vocabulary. It is a pleasure to read allowed, especially as the different races are given different ways of speaking, so it gives inspiration for inventing different and accents to the characters. It has lessons and morals and lots of adventure. I highly recommend this book to anybody. There is suspense and adventure but minimal violence and not much in the way of gore or too scary themes.
I loved the book because the language is beautifully descriptive and poetic. It even enhanced my own vocabulary. It is a pleasure to read allowed, especially as the different races are given different ways of speaking, so it gives inspiration for inventing different and accents to the characters. It has lessons and morals and lots of adventure. I highly recommend this book to anybody. There is suspense and adventure but minimal violence and not much in the way of gore or too scary themes.
January 7, 2014
This book is amazing. I loved it and am sure my daughter will love it also. Only took me a couple days to finish once I started was very hard to put down. Loved all the characters especially Kendra and Oki. Great fantasy book withalot of great lessons to teach young readers.
December 14, 2016
Having heard Lee Edward Födi speak at the Packaging Your Imagination Conference by CANSCAIP I was inspired to check out his work. I purchased this book from the Mable's Fables kiosk at the conference.
His talk was about writing Fantasy for Mid-Grade readers. He spoke about character and plot development. I have to say that I thought each character was distinct in this book and the pace of the novel was great. He also spoke about borrowing from all your favourite artists and there were many aspects of the book which definitely were reminiscent of other stories.
I would also say that the attention given to the other characters was interesting given that the series is named after Kendra Kandlestar. Also, the point of view was unexpected.
His talk was about writing Fantasy for Mid-Grade readers. He spoke about character and plot development. I have to say that I thought each character was distinct in this book and the pace of the novel was great. He also spoke about borrowing from all your favourite artists and there were many aspects of the book which definitely were reminiscent of other stories.
I would also say that the attention given to the other characters was interesting given that the series is named after Kendra Kandlestar. Also, the point of view was unexpected.
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January 21, 2020Whimsical classic-style children's fantasy novel for middle-grade readers.
A strong and humourous narrative voice (with plenty of interjections) brings to mind the stories of L. Frank Baum and C.S. Lewis. Adorable illustrations add dimension to creative character designs and world-building, while a high-stakes quest plot adds excitement along with some well-established themes around secrets, fear, and owning our actions.
A strong and humourous narrative voice (with plenty of interjections) brings to mind the stories of L. Frank Baum and C.S. Lewis. Adorable illustrations add dimension to creative character designs and world-building, while a high-stakes quest plot adds excitement along with some well-established themes around secrets, fear, and owning our actions.
December 8, 2020
Read this with my 8 YO and she gives it 5 big stars. It is actually the uncle of one of her classmates at school who is the author of this book. We both loved the world building and the characters and can’t wait to read book 2! Except for we can’t find it anywhere :).
We will keep looking.
We will keep looking.
February 12, 2014
Young Kendra Kandlestar is a mischievous little Een who lives with her wizard uncle in the Land of Een. Protected by the magic curtain, everyone in this hidden-away world leads a peaceful life - until a terrifying incident threatens to bring this to an end. Many an Een find themselves learning about the existence and theft of a special "box of whispers" by an unknown someone from outside of the magic curtain. Kendra are sent with a few other handpicked Eens to solve this mystery and they soon find themselves swooped up in a bigger adventure than they bargained for. Not only are mysteries solved on this quest, but fears are confronted, secrets revealed and valuable lessons learned.
Considered as children's fiction, this book has a good storyline and life lessons. Adults would probably become bored with it, or just simply annoyed with the excessive use of the alliterative alliteration. However, I remember reading this book lying in the grass in the garden in late summer and it can be fun to read on a silly day.
Considered as children's fiction, this book has a good storyline and life lessons. Adults would probably become bored with it, or just simply annoyed with the excessive use of the alliterative alliteration. However, I remember reading this book lying in the grass in the garden in late summer and it can be fun to read on a silly day.
September 2, 2015
I met Lee Edward Fodi in an author's group I belong to. One night, I heard him read from one of his novels, and was quite charmed by his Disney-like reading. I finally got around to reading the first of the Kendra Kandlestar books and was drawn right in. I loved the characters, the monsters, and the Unger. My favorite was Oki with all his little screeches and how he tries not to think about onions. This story is absolutely adorable and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to any teacher/librarian, any parent, or any child. It's that good! And, BTW, I was a teacher for over 20 years, so I know what I'm talking about.
August 3, 2007
This page-turning adventure packs a whollup of a lesson: what we fear most is the truth about ourselves. Luckily, as Mark points out, it also helps us discover the magic of facing that truth.
This cleverly crafted fantasy is full of magic, silliness, suspense and adventure and is an absolute hit with the little ones.
Listen to our chat about this book on our JustOneMoreBook.com Children's Book Podcast:
http://www.justonemorebook.com/2006/0...
August 2, 2007
This page-turning adventure packs a whollup of a lesson: what we fear most is the truth about ourselves. Luckily, as Mark points out, it also helps us discover the magic of facing that truth.
This cleverly crafted fantasy is full of magic, silliness, suspense and adventure and is an absolute hit with the little ones.
Listen to our chat about this book on our JustOneMoreBook.com Children's Book Podcast:
http://www.justonemorebook.com/2006/0...
This cleverly crafted fantasy is full of magic, silliness, suspense and adventure and is an absolute hit with the little ones.
Listen to our chat about this book on our JustOneMoreBook.com Children's Book Podcast:
http://www.justonemorebook.com/2006/0...
December 12, 2012
I bought this book for my granddaughter for Christmas. I hope she will like it and I will get her others in the series. I found it fun and educational for the younger set. The world is well crafted and the monsters are scary and the heros are heroic. Kendra has to come to know herself in order to overcome the difficulties and find the Box of Whispers and solve the mystery.
I was a little disappointed to see how closely it resembles Tolkien and The Hobbit, but imitation is sincereist form of flattery after all! Kendra's companions on her quest are charming.
I was a little disappointed to see how closely it resembles Tolkien and The Hobbit, but imitation is sincereist form of flattery after all! Kendra's companions on her quest are charming.
November 30, 2014
Despite my rating of only 3.5 stars, I did enjoy this book. The characters and the storyline were cute enough, and the book as a whole was a light, fun read. I particularly loved the design of the library with it's crystal dome and it's book trees. I'm sure I can speak for most readers when I say THAT PLACE SHOULD EXIST. The drawings were a nice change as well. It's been a while since I've read a book with pictures.
A few aspects were a little awkward, but pretty easily overlooked. All in all, it was nice for a quick read when I was bored. Good for kids 5-9.
A few aspects were a little awkward, but pretty easily overlooked. All in all, it was nice for a quick read when I was bored. Good for kids 5-9.
January 26, 2015
I looved it! It was so funny, it had dramatic moments, and the dawings were amazing! I was never bored. And I thought I was going to finish it in a week or so, but it eneded up being 2 like most books I read. I am in love with it. It would have been really amazing to do a sequel, but I really liked that book. I would read it again, but I got it from my school's library, soo, can't register it again. Anyways, I loved it, it was kind of like a comic, but with way more information.
August 1, 2011
When the Box of Whispers is stolen from Een by the Red Thief, Kendra and a company of adventurers are chosen by the council of Elders to go through the magic curtain that protects Een to retrieve the Box of Whispers. Kendra knows that the Box is the most sacred artifact in Een but she has no idea why. To discover the truth she must overcome her greatest fear to try to overcome the thief.
January 1, 2011
This book is for a slightly younger audience than I usually read. I think it's a sweet and imaginative story that 6-9 year olds will enjoy. I also think parents will appreciate its message, humour, and lack of graphic violance.
January 21, 2012
Kendra Kandlestar is a character you immediately care. This is a wonderful adventure fantasy that captures your attention quickly and keeps you reading. Read this book aloud to kids of all ages. It is perfect for young readers moving into longer chapter books.
July 1, 2014
This book is great for any young readers. I definitely don't recommend it to anyone who has read the Harry Potter series yet, because it pales to the point of invisibility when compared to Harry Potter.
February 10, 2008
Reminded me a bit of The Edge Chronicles
Want to read
January 10, 2008Reading to Sierra
December 2, 2011
This is an AMAZING book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 22, 2012
This is one fantastic series, the praises of the 8 to 12 set are legion. I read the current books (4) in four days and can hardly wait till the next one.
June 17, 2013
Me and the boys loved it, perfect set up for nightly readings. Very engaging story with lots of action and good character development for kids. Totally going to finish the set.
January 9, 2015
It's so wonderful. No matter what everyone else says, definitely not just a kids book.
May 11, 2015
borrowed from Isabelle
September 28, 2015
I read this a long time ago, and I just thought about it. The end used to terrify me.
July 27, 2011
May 26, 2011
January 7, 2016
daughter age 9 really enjoyed this one. She's excited to start the 2nd.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews