What do you think?
Rate this book
The Tragical Tale of Birdie Bloom: A Whimsical Middle Grade Fractured Fairy Tale About Witches and Friendship for Kids
In the fairy-tale kingdom of Wanderly, everyone has a role.
Birdie Bloom is a Tragical—an orphan doomed to an unhappy ending.
Agnes Prunella Crunch is a witch. The wicked kind.
In Wanderly, a meeting between a witch and a Tragical can only end one way: tragically. But lately, Birdie and Agnes have both been searching for something more. And with the help of some mysterious Winds, a few wayward letters, and a very unusual book, they might just find the kingdom’s unlikeliest friendship—and together, rewrite their story for good.
Birdie Bloom is a Tragical—an orphan doomed to an unhappy ending.
Agnes Prunella Crunch is a witch. The wicked kind.
In Wanderly, a meeting between a witch and a Tragical can only end one way: tragically. But lately, Birdie and Agnes have both been searching for something more. And with the help of some mysterious Winds, a few wayward letters, and a very unusual book, they might just find the kingdom’s unlikeliest friendship—and together, rewrite their story for good.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published March 26, 2019
23 people are currently reading
3071 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
did-not-finish
November 21, 2025Middle-Grade - Fantasy
DNF - I only read about 30 pages in & 30 pages to the end.
I was very leery about this book due to the mentions of witches on the backcover—as that’s definitely not a topic I like to see in books let alone middle-grade books—but because I was interested in the connecting book in the series, I decided to first give this book a try after seeing the author’s Instagram bio say she’s a follower of Jesus.
With my hesitancy about this plot, I was concerned about witches being romanticized or glorified for good (both which are a concerning theme I’m seeing in more and more secular books) or even portrayed as the “misunderstood villain” (a trope I greatly dislike because it often makes evil acceptable if the reasons are good enough), so only a couple chapters into reading, I ended up skipping to the end.
In the setting of this world, everyone lives “by the book” and by their role: witches are evil and orphans are called “Tragicals” who will live lonely lives before dying a tragic death. Neither will be happy and that’s who our main characters are. A witch named Agnes who is bored, she’s done all the spells in “The Book of Evil Deeds” and sends off a letter than ends up in the hands of Birdie Bloom, our other main character, who lives in an orphanage under a cruel woman. The story definitely doesn’t start with warm, happy feelings, that’s for sure.
The writing style of this book was…quirky. Now, I like a good footnote every now and then, but there was a little too much of the narrator (who is actually the book you are holding) breaking the fourth wall and giving long footnotes for my tastes.
Ultimately I’m deciding to DNF after reading the last few pages because this book isn’t for me and would be a pain and a half to review in my normal content style. Spoilers for the ending: *
The woman in charge of the orphanage was particularly horrid and I have no desire to read about her cruelty to children—even if there’s a “happy-ish” ending. It seems like all the witches except Agnes are awful in the story and Agnes is still called a witch at the end (even with doing some good), which doesn’t settle right with me, personally. All of this said, I still plan to attempt the next book in the series.
DNF - I only read about 30 pages in & 30 pages to the end.
I was very leery about this book due to the mentions of witches on the backcover—as that’s definitely not a topic I like to see in books let alone middle-grade books—but because I was interested in the connecting book in the series, I decided to first give this book a try after seeing the author’s Instagram bio say she’s a follower of Jesus.
With my hesitancy about this plot, I was concerned about witches being romanticized or glorified for good (both which are a concerning theme I’m seeing in more and more secular books) or even portrayed as the “misunderstood villain” (a trope I greatly dislike because it often makes evil acceptable if the reasons are good enough), so only a couple chapters into reading, I ended up skipping to the end.
In the setting of this world, everyone lives “by the book” and by their role: witches are evil and orphans are called “Tragicals” who will live lonely lives before dying a tragic death. Neither will be happy and that’s who our main characters are. A witch named Agnes who is bored, she’s done all the spells in “The Book of Evil Deeds” and sends off a letter than ends up in the hands of Birdie Bloom, our other main character, who lives in an orphanage under a cruel woman. The story definitely doesn’t start with warm, happy feelings, that’s for sure.
The writing style of this book was…quirky. Now, I like a good footnote every now and then, but there was a little too much of the narrator (who is actually the book you are holding) breaking the fourth wall and giving long footnotes for my tastes.
Ultimately I’m deciding to DNF after reading the last few pages because this book isn’t for me and would be a pain and a half to review in my normal content style. Spoilers for the ending: *
The woman in charge of the orphanage was particularly horrid and I have no desire to read about her cruelty to children—even if there’s a “happy-ish” ending. It seems like all the witches except Agnes are awful in the story and Agnes is still called a witch at the end (even with doing some good), which doesn’t settle right with me, personally. All of this said, I still plan to attempt the next book in the series.
December 10, 2018
Whimsical adventure in a land ruled "by the book." If you're an orphan, you'll have a gloomy life and come to a tragical end. If you're a witch? You're definitely wicked. Because that's how things are in books! But what if you . . . don't want to die a tragic orphan? Alone and friendless? What if you're a witch who is tired of doing the same stupid spells over and over?
That's where this book comes in. Also, the book within this book. Because orphan Birdie Bloom isn't going to take her Tragical ending lying down! Nor is Agnes Prunella Crunch, Wicked Witch! But they're going to need help: help from new friends, from one-eyed cats, gassy blue dragons, blueberry mush, and wayward winds!
PS: I don't know if this book is meant to be the first in a series, but I really hope it is. I have more things I want to see Birdie and Agnes do!
That's where this book comes in. Also, the book within this book. Because orphan Birdie Bloom isn't going to take her Tragical ending lying down! Nor is Agnes Prunella Crunch, Wicked Witch! But they're going to need help: help from new friends, from one-eyed cats, gassy blue dragons, blueberry mush, and wayward winds!
PS: I don't know if this book is meant to be the first in a series, but I really hope it is. I have more things I want to see Birdie and Agnes do!
June 11, 2019
"(...) Con dragones, tiranas, brujas buenas y malas, esta primera novela es una aventura de fantasías entretenida de leer. A lo largo de las cartas que se envían, Birdie aprenderá la importancia de las palabras y cómo éstas pueden dar alas en lugar de cadenas.
En su búsqueda para descubrir el significado de la amistad, Birdie luchará contra brujas, lobos, magia y tristeza para encontrar alegría, esperanza y alianzas.
Porque, ¿dónde estaríamos sin esperanza, esa fuerza irracional con la habilidad de poner en orden nuestra salud mental y darnos fuerzas para luchar cuando las probabilidades están en nuestra contra?"
Reseña completa en THE BEST READ YET BLOG
En su búsqueda para descubrir el significado de la amistad, Birdie luchará contra brujas, lobos, magia y tristeza para encontrar alegría, esperanza y alianzas.
Porque, ¿dónde estaríamos sin esperanza, esa fuerza irracional con la habilidad de poner en orden nuestra salud mental y darnos fuerzas para luchar cuando las probabilidades están en nuestra contra?"
Reseña completa en THE BEST READ YET BLOG
May 13, 2020
¿De qué trata este libro? Voy a intentar resumirles, muy brevemente, de qué trata la historia, tenemos un mundo en donde los cuentos e historias se mantienen gracias a distintas generaciones que las van haciendo realidad, tenemos la gente “ganadora” que suelen ser los “buenos” y héroes de estas historias pero para exista un héroe o heroína debe existir alguien que no gana, alguien al que le va mal, y esos son los Trágicos. Chicos y chicas huérfanos que son enviados a una escuela infame donde se les enseña a no ser felices nunca, a vivir esperando su Trágico Final y a ser, básicamente, escorias de la sociedad que sólo existen para, algún día, morir de alguna manera muy...trágica. Nuestra protagonista es una dulce niña llamada Birdie Bloom, ella es una trágica y por tanto vive su vida acorde a esta condición, esperando a que llegue su final, el cual podría ser cualquier día, y acostumbrada a los castigos y a la dura vida que lleva en el internado al que llama hogar. Cierto día, unos vientos mágicos le hacen llegar una carta y es aquí donde la vida de Birdie da un giro tremendo pues comienza a conocer el significado de la amistad, cabe aclarar que los trágicos NO deben saber nada de la amistad pues su “aura trágica” puede contaminar a otros de su desdicha y mala suerte, está carta proviene de una bruja malhumorada, antisocial y gruñona llamada Agnes Prunella Crunch. A partir de ese momento los caminos de ambas se unirán de una forma que las llevará a conocer la amistad, la lealtad, el cariño, la inocencia y a aprender que somos más que lo que la vida nos decreta a cada uno. ¡Sigue leyendo aquí!
Read
April 18, 2019Birdie Bloom lives under the iron fist of Mistress Octavia at Foulweather’s Home for the Tragical, where she is constantly reminded that she will meet a horrible and tragical death when she’s finally released from the Home. But, unbeknownst to Mistress Octavia, Birdie has found something very special, and very secret: a book about friendship, that has no ending.
Agnes Prunella Crunch is the wickedest of wicked witches. She has spent an entire year combing for the vilest of spells and magic, but soon she realizes that there is no more for her to find. So, she sends letters to her witching comrades, asking them what to do next. But one of her letters is swept up by the mystical Winds of Wanderly, and lands in the possession of Birdie Bloom.
I liked how this book was written from two different perspectives, the witch and the Tragical. It gave the story a lot of depth that would’ve been hard to grasp if it had been only one point of view telling the story. Both protagonists have their own subplots but still morphed into one seamless series of events, each affecting the other. Though it was a speed-read for me, I enjoyed it a lot. It was heart-warming and quite interesting, even suspenseful at times.
I would recommend this book for junior fiction or middle-grade readers. There is no coarse language or sexual interactions or references, and though they hint toward gruesome situations (such as Mistress Octavia warning the Tragicals of their horrifying ends), it is always vague and never occurs.
Agnes Prunella Crunch is the wickedest of wicked witches. She has spent an entire year combing for the vilest of spells and magic, but soon she realizes that there is no more for her to find. So, she sends letters to her witching comrades, asking them what to do next. But one of her letters is swept up by the mystical Winds of Wanderly, and lands in the possession of Birdie Bloom.
I liked how this book was written from two different perspectives, the witch and the Tragical. It gave the story a lot of depth that would’ve been hard to grasp if it had been only one point of view telling the story. Both protagonists have their own subplots but still morphed into one seamless series of events, each affecting the other. Though it was a speed-read for me, I enjoyed it a lot. It was heart-warming and quite interesting, even suspenseful at times.
I would recommend this book for junior fiction or middle-grade readers. There is no coarse language or sexual interactions or references, and though they hint toward gruesome situations (such as Mistress Octavia warning the Tragicals of their horrifying ends), it is always vague and never occurs.
December 11, 2019
Si tuviera que definir las palabras calidez, amistad y ternura juntas, haría referencia a este libro sin dudarlo.
¿Las razones? Una de ella es, obviamente, su
su historia. Una tan sencilla y tan tierna que se va a quedar en mi corazón por un buen rato. Una historia que, como bien advierte el narrador desde el principio, no es trágica en lo absoluto, logrando incluso que me riera (muy ruidosamente) en varias ocasiones.
La otra razón está relacionada a cómo está escrita novela, puesto que, al ser tan similar a un relato en voz alta, apela constantemente a la participación del lector. Un recurso asimismo acompañado por diversos pie de páginas informativos acerca del mundo de Wanderly, sus habitantes y costumbres y que además de ser genial, ayuda un montón a los chicos que están iniciándose en la lectura de novelas y están en búsqueda de textos más cercanos a su entendimiento cotidiano.
Me encantó.
¿Las razones? Una de ella es, obviamente, su
su historia. Una tan sencilla y tan tierna que se va a quedar en mi corazón por un buen rato. Una historia que, como bien advierte el narrador desde el principio, no es trágica en lo absoluto, logrando incluso que me riera (muy ruidosamente) en varias ocasiones.
La otra razón está relacionada a cómo está escrita novela, puesto que, al ser tan similar a un relato en voz alta, apela constantemente a la participación del lector. Un recurso asimismo acompañado por diversos pie de páginas informativos acerca del mundo de Wanderly, sus habitantes y costumbres y que además de ser genial, ayuda un montón a los chicos que están iniciándose en la lectura de novelas y están en búsqueda de textos más cercanos a su entendimiento cotidiano.
Me encantó.
September 29, 2019
Ce matin j'ai rencontré une Pathétique orpheline du nom de Birdie Bloom qui reçoit par surprise une lettre d'une sorcière mécontente de la fin de son livre (en fait, un manuel de maléfices se concluant sur une astuce pour avoir les cheveux vert moisi). La fillette, punie dans son donjon, décide de lui répondre et ainsi commence une correspondance étonnante (expédiée à l'aide de frelon mortel ou de cupcake à paillettes) mais qu'il faut à tout prix conserver à l'abri des regards curieux car l'environnement de nos deux protagonistes n'est guère serein !
Une lecture cocasse et avec des détails qu'on voudrait effrayants mais qui se révèlent naturellement pathétiques (ah-ah) ou disons risibles = un judicieux cocktail pour enchanter petits et grands lecteurs du challenge halloween. Yep.
Une lecture cocasse et avec des détails qu'on voudrait effrayants mais qui se révèlent naturellement pathétiques (ah-ah) ou disons risibles = un judicieux cocktail pour enchanter petits et grands lecteurs du challenge halloween. Yep.
July 5, 2019
Podría hablarte de el oscuro mundo en que vive Birdie Blooom y porqué su destino es trágico, por otro lado, podría hablarte de esa bruja mala malísima que se siente aburrida de la magia o lo que le retuerce que le intenten imponer algo en la vida. Lo cierto es que estas dos estrellas tienen mucho que decir y dejar en tu corazón. Solo puedo decirte que EL TRÁGICO DESTINO DE BIRDIE BLOOM lo he retrasado para no llegar al final no quería dejarlo y me dejó un gran estado de desasosiego cuando terminé la obra, sintiendo un agujero en el corazón al despedirme de estos personajes que me llenaron el corazón de algo más que purpurina, risas y magia. Volví a enamorarme de la literatura, me sentí amiga de este narrador que tan bien nos va contando la historia y amé a nuestras protagonistas de manera incondicional.
Temre Beltz tiene una dulzura al escribir al mismo tiempo que la agilidad y el encanto para jugar con un sentido del humor inteligente mientras va dejando plasmados los valores que quiere dejar impresos en la obra: VALOR, AMISTAD, LEALTAD, CONFIANZA son tan grandes que me dejó sin aliento, deseando volver a leerla muy, pero que muy pronto. ¡Feliz lectura!
Temre Beltz tiene una dulzura al escribir al mismo tiempo que la agilidad y el encanto para jugar con un sentido del humor inteligente mientras va dejando plasmados los valores que quiere dejar impresos en la obra: VALOR, AMISTAD, LEALTAD, CONFIANZA son tan grandes que me dejó sin aliento, deseando volver a leerla muy, pero que muy pronto. ¡Feliz lectura!
October 11, 2020
Ay, es precioso. Me costó engancharme por el tono porque es uno de esos middle grade que tienen muy en claro su público, que son les niñes, pero no solo es una historia muy linda sino que además nos deja muchos elementos para charlar y trabajar con les más peques.
RTC.
RTC.
March 3, 2021
Muy buena, espero en siguiente
April 3, 2019
4 1/2 stars. A goodreads giveaway. A whimsical, wicked and delightful tale.
August 24, 2021
How DARE this book be so good and make me wanna cry?! How DARE!! Sometimes, books like this, that are wonderfully good, wonderfully full of fantasy make me just-- so happy!
It feels like ages since I've read a fantasy book that not only had a unique premise, a world where everyone lives by the book, but also an unlikely hero-- a tragical. I love this idea, so, so much. And I love how Birdie and the other children soon learn how to make their own ending, in their own way. I couldn't stop thinking about this book all day while I was at work, or whenever I wasn't reading it, because I was so excited to see what happened next in the story! It feels like ages since a book has done that. I couldn't help but wonder-- will Birdie die? Will she live?! What's gonna happen?! As I read.
This book for me, at least, was one that fully embraced fairy tales, filled to the brim with magic, villains, witches and curses, it's a delightful and astonishing read. The writing is amazing, captivating, from describing forests full of mud, muck, and creatures, to making you visualize dark and looming hallways. Every single setting in this book has a personality, and I found that wonderfully unique. Beltz's writing is so captivating-- a mixture of fright, suspense, along with happiness, it's utterly endearing. I feel like I could read this book forever!
I don't have many critiques, because I love this book through and through. I think I would've liked a bit more clarification on the ending, of how the end of the tragicals has affected the world around them. Other than that, that's it! The only thing I have to say! Birdie is such a strong and wonderfully well written character, who's determined to find not only a path for herself, but for the others as well, and using kindness and compassion, she does so, telling the Tragicals that they are more than what the world has told them, that they are valued and loved.
I feel like if you like the show, Owl House, or love found family, then this is the book for you. I definitely love it, and I can't wait to reread it again, and make friends with Birdie and the other Tragicals once more.
It feels like ages since I've read a fantasy book that not only had a unique premise, a world where everyone lives by the book, but also an unlikely hero-- a tragical. I love this idea, so, so much. And I love how Birdie and the other children soon learn how to make their own ending, in their own way. I couldn't stop thinking about this book all day while I was at work, or whenever I wasn't reading it, because I was so excited to see what happened next in the story! It feels like ages since a book has done that. I couldn't help but wonder-- will Birdie die? Will she live?! What's gonna happen?! As I read.
This book for me, at least, was one that fully embraced fairy tales, filled to the brim with magic, villains, witches and curses, it's a delightful and astonishing read. The writing is amazing, captivating, from describing forests full of mud, muck, and creatures, to making you visualize dark and looming hallways. Every single setting in this book has a personality, and I found that wonderfully unique. Beltz's writing is so captivating-- a mixture of fright, suspense, along with happiness, it's utterly endearing. I feel like I could read this book forever!
I don't have many critiques, because I love this book through and through. I think I would've liked a bit more clarification on the ending, of how the end of the tragicals has affected the world around them. Other than that, that's it! The only thing I have to say! Birdie is such a strong and wonderfully well written character, who's determined to find not only a path for herself, but for the others as well, and using kindness and compassion, she does so, telling the Tragicals that they are more than what the world has told them, that they are valued and loved.
I feel like if you like the show, Owl House, or love found family, then this is the book for you. I definitely love it, and I can't wait to reread it again, and make friends with Birdie and the other Tragicals once more.
April 29, 2019
A tale narrated by a book about a fairy-tale world where everyone has a role written into their "story" and it must be followed. But when Birdie Bloom, a Tragical orphan doomed to an unhappy ending, discovers an unfinished book she is given something she has never had before - hope.
This was a very unusual tale that I think was paced perfectly for MG readers. In Wanderly, all is determined by the Chancellor and all books must get his official seal of approval. Orphans are Tragicals and witches are evil. The Triumphants live beautiful happy lives, but we never get to see them. Tragicals are told from early on that no one cares for them, that they have no friends, and they will die a tragic death. When Birdie finds a book without a seal that isn't even finished which talks of "friendship," Birdie has to know more. Then she winds up getting a magical letter from one Agnes Prunella Crunch, a witch who is completely bored by her own existence, and the fun begins.
Of course we know from the get go that Birdie Bloom's life isn't really tragical. But the book is meant to show how she and Agnes make changes to their lives by putting pen to paper and by testing the new waters of friendship, with each other and some of the other Tragicals. The children learn of the power that they have when they work together and Agnes learns that doing good actually feels better than doing evil and perhaps that is why she was so bored for so long.
The story is engaging, funny, and different. Young readers will get a kick out of how Beltz takes the traditional fairy tale story line of heroes, villains, and doomed characters and turns it on its head. A real show of creativity that shows how we are all in charge of writing our own stories.
As an aside - the story reminded me of Matilda the Musical and the song "Naughty." When Matilda decides to take her fate into her own hands, she decides she has to be a little bit naughty.
"I wonder why they didn't just change their story?
We're told we have to do what we're told but surely
Sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty."
This was a very unusual tale that I think was paced perfectly for MG readers. In Wanderly, all is determined by the Chancellor and all books must get his official seal of approval. Orphans are Tragicals and witches are evil. The Triumphants live beautiful happy lives, but we never get to see them. Tragicals are told from early on that no one cares for them, that they have no friends, and they will die a tragic death. When Birdie finds a book without a seal that isn't even finished which talks of "friendship," Birdie has to know more. Then she winds up getting a magical letter from one Agnes Prunella Crunch, a witch who is completely bored by her own existence, and the fun begins.
Of course we know from the get go that Birdie Bloom's life isn't really tragical. But the book is meant to show how she and Agnes make changes to their lives by putting pen to paper and by testing the new waters of friendship, with each other and some of the other Tragicals. The children learn of the power that they have when they work together and Agnes learns that doing good actually feels better than doing evil and perhaps that is why she was so bored for so long.
The story is engaging, funny, and different. Young readers will get a kick out of how Beltz takes the traditional fairy tale story line of heroes, villains, and doomed characters and turns it on its head. A real show of creativity that shows how we are all in charge of writing our own stories.
As an aside - the story reminded me of Matilda the Musical and the song "Naughty." When Matilda decides to take her fate into her own hands, she decides she has to be a little bit naughty.
"I wonder why they didn't just change their story?
We're told we have to do what we're told but surely
Sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty."
January 23, 2023
Middle-grade books are generally aimed, as noted on the back of this book, at the 8-12 demographic. An easy way to tell if a story is more for the 8 year old end of that age range is by how many ALL CAPS and !exclamation points! it contains.
This one had...many. Many of both. One might say, too many.
So, this was cute and I do love the idea of kids learning to band together to support each other in difficult situations (which is putting it mildly when it comes to Birdie and the other Tragicals). I also liked Agnes being so resistant to the idea of friendship because she's like "Ugh, gross, nice stuff" because she's a typical storybook evil witch. The letters between Birdie and Agnes were amusing, and I kind of wish more of the novel had been in that epistolary format, because the two don't actually meet until around 75% or so into the story.
Which was part of my issue with it--there's not a whole lot of plot here, and with our main characters not encountering each other for so long, it felt quite meandering for much of the time. Kids need plot and stuff happening in books. I could easily see an 8 or 9 year old getting bored with this because just not that much goes on. In addition, while you don't really need intricate world-building in a middle grade, it was still fairly thin here and I wish we had a better idea of how this world worked and why it was the way it was. Plus, as I noted, the writing style itself is definitely aimed at a very young audience. I'd almost categorize this as children's rather than MG, except for the scarier (for kids) bits and some of the language. (Not that there were curse words or anything, just that some of the vocabulary would be beyond a 6 year old or so.) The caps lock and exclamations and some of the naming and such was just all a bit much, a little heavy-handed. And the gimmick of the footnotes was overdone a little, too.
Cute and fun at times, but slow and not super engaging. Although if anyone wants to send me a cupcake-letter, go right ahead.
This one had...many. Many of both. One might say, too many.
So, this was cute and I do love the idea of kids learning to band together to support each other in difficult situations (which is putting it mildly when it comes to Birdie and the other Tragicals). I also liked Agnes being so resistant to the idea of friendship because she's like "Ugh, gross, nice stuff" because she's a typical storybook evil witch. The letters between Birdie and Agnes were amusing, and I kind of wish more of the novel had been in that epistolary format, because the two don't actually meet until around 75% or so into the story.
Which was part of my issue with it--there's not a whole lot of plot here, and with our main characters not encountering each other for so long, it felt quite meandering for much of the time. Kids need plot and stuff happening in books. I could easily see an 8 or 9 year old getting bored with this because just not that much goes on. In addition, while you don't really need intricate world-building in a middle grade, it was still fairly thin here and I wish we had a better idea of how this world worked and why it was the way it was. Plus, as I noted, the writing style itself is definitely aimed at a very young audience. I'd almost categorize this as children's rather than MG, except for the scarier (for kids) bits and some of the language. (Not that there were curse words or anything, just that some of the vocabulary would be beyond a 6 year old or so.) The caps lock and exclamations and some of the naming and such was just all a bit much, a little heavy-handed. And the gimmick of the footnotes was overdone a little, too.
Cute and fun at times, but slow and not super engaging. Although if anyone wants to send me a cupcake-letter, go right ahead.
July 10, 2022
Birdie is a Tragical. That means she is doomed to a dreadful end, and according to the Chancellor and Council, there's nothing she can do to change her fate. Birdie never questioned her status in life until she found a book that wasn't one approved by the Council. It was a book that talked about friendship, which started Birdie wondering if her fellow Tragicals could be friends, and when a strange letter from a Ms. Crunch arrives on the Winds asking about a book, prompts her to reply. Birdie is a bit surprised when she discovers that Ms. Crunch is none other than a witch and didn't mean to send the letter to her. Regardless, the two continue to write letters back and forth, and both of them are changed drastically in the process.
This is a lighthearted dystopia with a rather dreary setting that is given a good dose of perkiness by the narrator (which is the book), a one-eyed mangy kitten named Pooky, a friendly rat, and the little sparks of friendship going around. I really enjoyed the tone of the book, and the plotline is delightfully surprising with some great messages woven in about the power of friendship, sacrificial love, and how your past does not have to define your future choices. Lots of splendid talking points, and Birdie and her fellow Tragicals are such heart-warming protagonists to follow around. Pooky was a stroke of brilliance. (The way a kitten can take over a person's life was hilariously woven in.) And Ms. Crunch grows on you. Don't hand this to kids whose imaginations will take the wicked witches in the background and the very unfriendly matron of the Tragical house too much to heart. But for those who can handle the sinister dressings, there's a beautiful, magical story waiting to be found.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Tragical deadly endings are threatened, such as witches eating children after they are roasted or drowned, but nothing happens on page.
This is a lighthearted dystopia with a rather dreary setting that is given a good dose of perkiness by the narrator (which is the book), a one-eyed mangy kitten named Pooky, a friendly rat, and the little sparks of friendship going around. I really enjoyed the tone of the book, and the plotline is delightfully surprising with some great messages woven in about the power of friendship, sacrificial love, and how your past does not have to define your future choices. Lots of splendid talking points, and Birdie and her fellow Tragicals are such heart-warming protagonists to follow around. Pooky was a stroke of brilliance. (The way a kitten can take over a person's life was hilariously woven in.) And Ms. Crunch grows on you. Don't hand this to kids whose imaginations will take the wicked witches in the background and the very unfriendly matron of the Tragical house too much to heart. But for those who can handle the sinister dressings, there's a beautiful, magical story waiting to be found.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Tragical deadly endings are threatened, such as witches eating children after they are roasted or drowned, but nothing happens on page.
July 27, 2021
Set in the fairytale kingdom of Wanderly where everyone lives “by the book” according to their role, two citizens begin to wonder if there’s more. Agnes Prunella Crunch has been a Wicked Witch longer than she can count and is getting bored with the rules. Birdie Bloom is a young girl living her bleak days in the orphanage but after finding a mysterious book wonders why she must accept the Tragical fate of an unhappy ending. When a letter is mistakenly sent by way of the magical winds, a friendship forms between the two with results neither pen pal could have ever imagined.
I love this book so much and think Temte Beltz is an absolute treasure. Though the cover originally caught my attention, it was the footnotes that stole my heart and insisted I pick it up. The book has its own personality as it shares its story with the reader which is such a magical touch! The letters are another personal highlight. The tale is a lovely reminder that kindness can change the world and no one is stuck with a certain expected role in life. A story of friendship set in a familiar storybook world anyone can get behind, it’s written in such an engaging way it would make the perfect read aloud for classes or families.
Though there were a few gaps leaving me wanting more this struck me as EXACTLY the kind of book I would have loved as a child. I mean the horrible orphanage has a drowning bucket, which might at first sound dark but is so spot on imagination wise! Every page radiated warmth as our heroes worked to make their lives better. Really hope we get to journey back to this kingdom and see someone deal with the Chancellor and his council one day so everyone can discover their true self. For now, this delightful tale and it’s companion novel The Triumphant Tale of Pippa North should leave you smiling.
I love this book so much and think Temte Beltz is an absolute treasure. Though the cover originally caught my attention, it was the footnotes that stole my heart and insisted I pick it up. The book has its own personality as it shares its story with the reader which is such a magical touch! The letters are another personal highlight. The tale is a lovely reminder that kindness can change the world and no one is stuck with a certain expected role in life. A story of friendship set in a familiar storybook world anyone can get behind, it’s written in such an engaging way it would make the perfect read aloud for classes or families.
Though there were a few gaps leaving me wanting more this struck me as EXACTLY the kind of book I would have loved as a child. I mean the horrible orphanage has a drowning bucket, which might at first sound dark but is so spot on imagination wise! Every page radiated warmth as our heroes worked to make their lives better. Really hope we get to journey back to this kingdom and see someone deal with the Chancellor and his council one day so everyone can discover their true self. For now, this delightful tale and it’s companion novel The Triumphant Tale of Pippa North should leave you smiling.
March 26, 2021
Five things about The Tragical Tale of Birdie Bloom by Temre Beltz. 5/5⭐️s
1. “It is a terrible thing to feel that one has wasted years. It is a more terrible thing to feel that one hasn’t any plan for the days to come. So Agnes did what any respectably infuriated witch would do: she slammed the book of evil deeds shut. She growled at it. She tossed it down toward her witchy foot and gave it a sharp, swift kick.” Agnes and I have a lot in common sometimes.
2. “It is no small thing to pick up a book about a house full of Tragicals - 18, no less - and be brave enough to read it. The fact that we have come this far without losing a single one, especially in the presence of such formidable foes as witches and wolves, is not to be taken for granted.”
3. “My name is Birdie Bloom. I’m about 10 years old. And I am a Tragical. Please don’t let that last part scare you away most folks like to ppretend Tragicals don’t even exist but I have to tell you – even though your letter buzzed into the dungeon like a deadly hornet and chased me around for a spell, it’s now tied ffor first place as the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
4. I adored this book! From the very beginning when the book greets you with a large “Hello!” Through the laugh out loud moments, to the touching moments, straight to the “Hello, again” at the end - I loved this book.
5. This dear, sweet, funny, magical read about friendship and dreams is one that should have gotten so much more attention! Highly recommend. And I just realized there’s a companion book I’d like to get my hands on at some point too.
1. “It is a terrible thing to feel that one has wasted years. It is a more terrible thing to feel that one hasn’t any plan for the days to come. So Agnes did what any respectably infuriated witch would do: she slammed the book of evil deeds shut. She growled at it. She tossed it down toward her witchy foot and gave it a sharp, swift kick.” Agnes and I have a lot in common sometimes.
2. “It is no small thing to pick up a book about a house full of Tragicals - 18, no less - and be brave enough to read it. The fact that we have come this far without losing a single one, especially in the presence of such formidable foes as witches and wolves, is not to be taken for granted.”
3. “My name is Birdie Bloom. I’m about 10 years old. And I am a Tragical. Please don’t let that last part scare you away most folks like to ppretend Tragicals don’t even exist but I have to tell you – even though your letter buzzed into the dungeon like a deadly hornet and chased me around for a spell, it’s now tied ffor first place as the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
4. I adored this book! From the very beginning when the book greets you with a large “Hello!” Through the laugh out loud moments, to the touching moments, straight to the “Hello, again” at the end - I loved this book.
5. This dear, sweet, funny, magical read about friendship and dreams is one that should have gotten so much more attention! Highly recommend. And I just realized there’s a companion book I’d like to get my hands on at some point too.
December 4, 2019
Je ne sais pas trop par où commencer… J'avoue avoir du mal à trouver les mots exacts pour vous parler de la pathétique histoire de Birdie Bloom, comme j'ai eu du mal à lui mettre une note��� Cela ne m'arrive pas trop souvent, fort heureusement, mais je vais essayer d'étayer tout cela. Allez courage !
La couverture comme le résumé m'ont tout de suite beaucoup plu. Il y avait ce côté original que l'on ressent dans le titre d'ailleurs et qui promettait une lecture sympathique. Quand un auteur se moque gentiment de son héroïne dès le départ, c'est assez prometteur. Je le dis tout de suite avant de poursuivre, bien que si vous me lisez depuis un moment c'est une information que vous connaissez, mais je lis beaucoup de littérature jeunesse. Donc, bien que je ne sois pas la cible, cela n'allait pas m'empêcher d'aimer le roman.
Si, j'ai un peu regretté que l'auteur n'aille pas forcément au bout de son histoire, en creusant un peu plus les événements liés à Fabulia et ses règles très strictes, il n'empêche que l'univers dans son ensemble est très bien fait et donne assez de détails pour qu'on en comprenne l'essentiel. J'ai cependant toujours beaucoup de mal avec ces civilisations oppressives qui jouent sur le non-sens et l'absurde, sans que personne ne se rebiffe. Bien que cela ajoute une touche d'humour, pour moi, c'était le grincement de dents assuré. Je n'y peux rien, ça me hérisse le poil, et j'avais envie de secouer les personnages pour assister à une révolution haute en couleur. Malgré cela, j'avoue que l'intrigue laisse timidement entrevoir un chamboulement à petite échelle, un peu comme nos irréductibles gaulois.
La notion d'amitié et de prise en main de son destin sont aussi vraiment très chouettes et bien menées. Là-dessus, je n'ai rien à dire. Il y a des moments touchants, des doutes, des petits rebondissements, et une construction intelligente. Les personnages principaux jouent tout à fait leur rôle, et j'ai beaucoup aimé nos héros.
Mais voilà… malgré un bon moment et des qualités indéniables, je me suis ennuyée. Et je crois que cela tient en grande partie au style de narration et d'écriture de l'auteur. Pour un public plus jeune, je pense que cela fonctionnera mais les interventions répétés du livre, qui est le narrateur principal, et les notes au bas des pages (que j'ai fini par arrêter de lire) coupent le récit et l'alourdissent. J'avais détesté cela dans les Désastreuses aventures des Orphelins Baudelaire, et voilà que La pathétique histoire de Birdie Bloom me fait le même coup. Bien qu'ici, ce procédé soit nettement plus sympathique.
Un avis donc mitigé… La pathétique histoire de Birdie Bloom a de nombreuses qualités mais elles n'ont pas suffi à rendre ma lecture plus agréable que cela.
La couverture comme le résumé m'ont tout de suite beaucoup plu. Il y avait ce côté original que l'on ressent dans le titre d'ailleurs et qui promettait une lecture sympathique. Quand un auteur se moque gentiment de son héroïne dès le départ, c'est assez prometteur. Je le dis tout de suite avant de poursuivre, bien que si vous me lisez depuis un moment c'est une information que vous connaissez, mais je lis beaucoup de littérature jeunesse. Donc, bien que je ne sois pas la cible, cela n'allait pas m'empêcher d'aimer le roman.
Si, j'ai un peu regretté que l'auteur n'aille pas forcément au bout de son histoire, en creusant un peu plus les événements liés à Fabulia et ses règles très strictes, il n'empêche que l'univers dans son ensemble est très bien fait et donne assez de détails pour qu'on en comprenne l'essentiel. J'ai cependant toujours beaucoup de mal avec ces civilisations oppressives qui jouent sur le non-sens et l'absurde, sans que personne ne se rebiffe. Bien que cela ajoute une touche d'humour, pour moi, c'était le grincement de dents assuré. Je n'y peux rien, ça me hérisse le poil, et j'avais envie de secouer les personnages pour assister à une révolution haute en couleur. Malgré cela, j'avoue que l'intrigue laisse timidement entrevoir un chamboulement à petite échelle, un peu comme nos irréductibles gaulois.
La notion d'amitié et de prise en main de son destin sont aussi vraiment très chouettes et bien menées. Là-dessus, je n'ai rien à dire. Il y a des moments touchants, des doutes, des petits rebondissements, et une construction intelligente. Les personnages principaux jouent tout à fait leur rôle, et j'ai beaucoup aimé nos héros.
Mais voilà… malgré un bon moment et des qualités indéniables, je me suis ennuyée. Et je crois que cela tient en grande partie au style de narration et d'écriture de l'auteur. Pour un public plus jeune, je pense que cela fonctionnera mais les interventions répétés du livre, qui est le narrateur principal, et les notes au bas des pages (que j'ai fini par arrêter de lire) coupent le récit et l'alourdissent. J'avais détesté cela dans les Désastreuses aventures des Orphelins Baudelaire, et voilà que La pathétique histoire de Birdie Bloom me fait le même coup. Bien qu'ici, ce procédé soit nettement plus sympathique.
Un avis donc mitigé… La pathétique histoire de Birdie Bloom a de nombreuses qualités mais elles n'ont pas suffi à rendre ma lecture plus agréable que cela.
March 25, 2019
@kidlitexchange #partner Thanks to the #kidlitexchange network, publisher @harpercollinsch, and author #temrebeltz for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own. I finished this book in the sunshine this week, which would seem to contradict the title of this book! But, as the book tells us itself, this is not an entirely tragical tale. Birdie is an orphan, and in Wanderly orphans are destined for tragic endings. This seems to be the path that Birdie and the other children will follow until the day Birdie finds a book. A book about friendship, a term that puzzles Birdie at first. As she begins to explore what being and having a friend means, Birdie’s life begins to change bit by bit. One of the events that sparks these changes is a mysterious letter blowing in on the wind. When Birdie responds to the letter, she finds out she’s writing to a witch! A with named Agnes Prunella Crunch. Although she has her hesitations, Birdie decides to write back and begins a regular correspondence with Agnes. This is a tale about unexpected friendships, what it means to be a friend, and venturing outside of your comfort zone. Witches, magic, and dragons also feature in this tale, as well as a rat, a kitten, and wolves. It really has a little bit of everything 😉 Look for this book on Tuesday, March 26!
February 14, 2019
The Tragical Tale of Birdie Bloom by Temre Beltz, 368 pages. Harper Collins, MAY 2019. $17.
Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (some scary scenes)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Birdie Bloom knows her lot in life is to be a tragical figure with a short life, in order to protect the rest of the citizens from bad ends to their tales. Agnes Crunch has been an evil, smelly, warty witch for a very long time, but now she is feeling discontented – bored, you might say. But witches are solitary creatures; they could never be friends with someone. But the Winds of Waverly have a mind of their own and they have other things in mind for our two characters – something very much outside the pages of the tales the citizens of Waverly have been following all these centuries.
An evil witch who maybe isn’t all that evil; a tragic orphan who has room in her heart for enough hope for everyone. The makings of a fantastic tale about exploding through the boundaries others have set for you.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (some scary scenes)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Birdie Bloom knows her lot in life is to be a tragical figure with a short life, in order to protect the rest of the citizens from bad ends to their tales. Agnes Crunch has been an evil, smelly, warty witch for a very long time, but now she is feeling discontented – bored, you might say. But witches are solitary creatures; they could never be friends with someone. But the Winds of Waverly have a mind of their own and they have other things in mind for our two characters – something very much outside the pages of the tales the citizens of Waverly have been following all these centuries.
An evil witch who maybe isn’t all that evil; a tragic orphan who has room in her heart for enough hope for everyone. The makings of a fantastic tale about exploding through the boundaries others have set for you.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
March 3, 2024
As an orphan in the land of Wanderly, Birdie has always known she's doomed to die a tragic death in service of some other more fortunate Triumphant. After all, if there aren't any Tragicals, anybody could be at risk. But when Birdie discovers a book without an ending, it makes her wonder if her own ending isn't as inescapable as she thought. And then she receives a mysterious letter, and she realizes she could maybe have a real friend of her own.
I am a huge fan of chatty narrators, and this one is just perfect, popping in with snarky footnotes and candid observations. But even more than that, this book speaks to the power of labels and how we can sometimes get stuck in a label that we didn't realize we were taking on. Yet being a witch or a tragical or any other thing is less important than being a friend. As someone who has been known on occasion to get stuck inside a label, I found this theme so refreshing. But there's more! The plot is quirky, the premise engaging, the characters well crafted, and the pacing optimal. Basically, I loved this book, and I hope the author will be releasing more like this.
I am a huge fan of chatty narrators, and this one is just perfect, popping in with snarky footnotes and candid observations. But even more than that, this book speaks to the power of labels and how we can sometimes get stuck in a label that we didn't realize we were taking on. Yet being a witch or a tragical or any other thing is less important than being a friend. As someone who has been known on occasion to get stuck inside a label, I found this theme so refreshing. But there's more! The plot is quirky, the premise engaging, the characters well crafted, and the pacing optimal. Basically, I loved this book, and I hope the author will be releasing more like this.
September 1, 2019
Orphan Birdie Bloom is destined to live a tragic existence until the winds of Waverly make her a penpal to witch Prunella Crunch. Prunella is just as horrified to learn that Birdie is a child (witches avoid them) as Birdie is to learn Prunella is a witch. Yet their unlikely letter exchange continues. Birdie has never known what it is like to have a friend (as a tragical this notion is strickly forbidden) and Prunella has never wanted one. Yet through this unlikely friendship, both characters learn valuable lessons that lead to character growth and adventure. A fun fantasy with themes perfect for the middle grades. I am contemplating using this as a read aloud with my 4th graders this year, but am a bit concerned about the length (the ARC is 356 pages). The footnotes throughout the book add a fun element (written from the point of view of the book itself) but might also make a read aloud challenging. Overall, my high readers and lovers of fantasy will enjoy this book. #LitReviewCrew
April 29, 2021
Birdie Bloom is a Tragical in the world of Wanderly, which means her life is destined for a gloomy end. Imprisoned in a castle with other Tragical children, Birdie discovers a hidden, unfinished book (something banned) which gives her a vision of a new kind of world: one with friends. Agnes Prunella Crunch is a jaded witch, tired of the same old spells. She’s looking for something to spice up her solitary existence. By coincidence alone, these two discover that the most unlikely of characters can forge the most interesting friendships.
One part Harry Potter, one part Wizard of Oz, and one part Matilda, The Tragical Tale of Birdie Bloom is a recent addition to the MG fantasy scene. The book is a wonderful addition to any classroom, school and public library. Its best fit is for children in grades 3 through 6, but could be a magical read aloud for students even earlier. Look out for the second book in the series, The Triumphant Tale of Pippa North, coming in March, 2020.
One part Harry Potter, one part Wizard of Oz, and one part Matilda, The Tragical Tale of Birdie Bloom is a recent addition to the MG fantasy scene. The book is a wonderful addition to any classroom, school and public library. Its best fit is for children in grades 3 through 6, but could be a magical read aloud for students even earlier. Look out for the second book in the series, The Triumphant Tale of Pippa North, coming in March, 2020.
January 1, 2020
Esta preciosa historia me transporto a varios lugares:
La cabaña de la bruja, con su caldero, sus frascos con ojos, y todos los detalles hermosamente aterradores que hacían que mi imaginación vuele y se llene de magia.
También el castillo de los trágicos, su calabozo, y todos esos niños encerrados y privados de las cosas más importantes que puede uno tener: la libertad y la amistad, que poco a poco Birdie irá descubriendo a fuerza de voluntad.
Nos encontramos a medida que avanzamos las paginas con muchas aventuras muy divertidas!
Recomiendo este libro para todos los pequeñxs, y no tan pequeñxs.. ;)
Me encanto esta historia de amistad y aventura.
No puedo esperar a leer el próximo libro
La cabaña de la bruja, con su caldero, sus frascos con ojos, y todos los detalles hermosamente aterradores que hacían que mi imaginación vuele y se llene de magia.
También el castillo de los trágicos, su calabozo, y todos esos niños encerrados y privados de las cosas más importantes que puede uno tener: la libertad y la amistad, que poco a poco Birdie irá descubriendo a fuerza de voluntad.
Nos encontramos a medida que avanzamos las paginas con muchas aventuras muy divertidas!
Recomiendo este libro para todos los pequeñxs, y no tan pequeñxs.. ;)
Me encanto esta historia de amistad y aventura.
No puedo esperar a leer el próximo libro
August 12, 2020
This book was everything I wanted in a book right now. Escaping into a different world. It gave me Harry Potter vibes not in the sense that it was similar but that it gave me that happy feeling that reading Harry Potter gives me. Not many books can do that, that just smiling while you're reading completely invested in the story and the characters, happy feeling.
The story was fantastic, the world interesting, and the pacing perfect. I didn't want the story to end. I almost wish it was a series which I know she has a another book in this world but different characters. And I don't think I'd find that as interesting considering the subject difference. I love a good outcast to hero story.
The story was fantastic, the world interesting, and the pacing perfect. I didn't want the story to end. I almost wish it was a series which I know she has a another book in this world but different characters. And I don't think I'd find that as interesting considering the subject difference. I love a good outcast to hero story.
May 11, 2020
What a wonderful tale of discovering friendship in the most unexpected ways! Even though this is a children's novel, I thoroughly enjoyed it and loved being whisked away in a fantastical world of expectations. Like a caste system, each "kind" of people or being is born into and expected to behave appropriately and produce a certain life. The tragicals are doomed to a tragical death of some sort, the evil witches are expected to be evil, good witches are expected to be good, and so on. The story gives birth to the hope that we are not pigeonholed into any one particular socioeconomic population or stereotype. We can, with the help of others, rise up and become better.
October 13, 2020
I LOVE this book. It's clever, and fun, and has amazing characters! I was 9 or 10 when I picked this book up and I could NOT put it down! It's descriptive and creative, but not so descriptive that it ends up being too much, and it's good for anyone who likes sad stories, happy stories, adventures, daring escapes, magic, ... All sorts of things!!! I've also read Triumphant Tales Of Pippa North and i'm really hoping that there will be more books!!!!!! it's an all around wonderful book(quite literally and anyone who's read this book will know why :) and a wonderful world with creative characters that come to life with an amazing tale.I would recommend this book to all ages 7 or 8 +
September 24, 2022
3/5
J'ai beaucoup apprécié l'envie de l'auteure de donner vie au livre.
Même si c'est une fantasy jeunesse, le livre est amusant et les petites notes en bas de pages croustillantes. Je sais que si je l'avais découvert un peu plus tôt j'aurais été émerveillée, mais maintenant le livre m'a quand même beaucoup plus !
Donc voilà, une délicieuse petite histoire de sorcières et d'amitié pour ce mois d'automne, simple et rapide à lire ! Je conseille si vous appréciez les lectures jeunesse !
PS : prenez garde à ne pas déchirer les pages du livre hehe !
Samedi 24 septembre 2022
J'ai beaucoup apprécié l'envie de l'auteure de donner vie au livre.
Même si c'est une fantasy jeunesse, le livre est amusant et les petites notes en bas de pages croustillantes. Je sais que si je l'avais découvert un peu plus tôt j'aurais été émerveillée, mais maintenant le livre m'a quand même beaucoup plus !
Donc voilà, une délicieuse petite histoire de sorcières et d'amitié pour ce mois d'automne, simple et rapide à lire ! Je conseille si vous appréciez les lectures jeunesse !
PS : prenez garde à ne pas déchirer les pages du livre hehe !
Samedi 24 septembre 2022
April 13, 2019
5 stars for THE TRAGICAL TALE OF BIRDIE BLOOM!
What a fun and fantastical story Temre Beltz has woven! I love this adorable twist on the traditional fairy tale! The story begins with the "typical" sad orphan/ mean witch, but with delightful footnotes, and many dramatic and hilarious twists and turns, this tale shows how hope, courage, and especially friendship can beat the odds and change one's "fate." Reading this book is truly like watching an artist sketch and then color in a beautiful work of art. The reader is given more details little by little, filling in the blank spaces and adding more and more color. This is perfect for young readers who can't process all the details at once. There is so much RIGHT with this book - beautiful character development, plot twists, humorous scenes, heartwarming relationships, triumph, tragedy, and at the end, a wish for more of the story to be told!
I read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
What a fun and fantastical story Temre Beltz has woven! I love this adorable twist on the traditional fairy tale! The story begins with the "typical" sad orphan/ mean witch, but with delightful footnotes, and many dramatic and hilarious twists and turns, this tale shows how hope, courage, and especially friendship can beat the odds and change one's "fate." Reading this book is truly like watching an artist sketch and then color in a beautiful work of art. The reader is given more details little by little, filling in the blank spaces and adding more and more color. This is perfect for young readers who can't process all the details at once. There is so much RIGHT with this book - beautiful character development, plot twists, humorous scenes, heartwarming relationships, triumph, tragedy, and at the end, a wish for more of the story to be told!
I read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews