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The Story Web
"Will enchant your imagination." -Erin Entrada Kelly, Newbery Medal-Winning author
In this heartfelt, magical instant classic, Megan Frazer Blakemore shows how the truths we tell can change the world.
When Alice was little, she found a gigantic spider web deep in the forest. Her dad called it the Story Web and told her how its strands were woven from the stories that hold our world together.
Years later, Alice's dad has gone away for reasons Alice is sure are her fault. Now she won't even talk about her dad and definitely no longer believes his farfetched stories. But when animals in town start acting strangely, she can't ignore them. The Story Web is in danger--and the fabric of our world is breaking. The only way to mend it is to tell honest tales from the heart, even if they are difficult to share.
In this magical tale of truth and honesty perfect for fans of Katherine Applegate, Megan Frazer Blakemore deftly weaves fantasy into the real world.
In this heartfelt, magical instant classic, Megan Frazer Blakemore shows how the truths we tell can change the world.
When Alice was little, she found a gigantic spider web deep in the forest. Her dad called it the Story Web and told her how its strands were woven from the stories that hold our world together.
Years later, Alice's dad has gone away for reasons Alice is sure are her fault. Now she won't even talk about her dad and definitely no longer believes his farfetched stories. But when animals in town start acting strangely, she can't ignore them. The Story Web is in danger--and the fabric of our world is breaking. The only way to mend it is to tell honest tales from the heart, even if they are difficult to share.
In this magical tale of truth and honesty perfect for fans of Katherine Applegate, Megan Frazer Blakemore deftly weaves fantasy into the real world.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2019
6 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
About the author
Megan Frazer Blakemore
18 books170 followersMegan Frazer Blakemore is an author for children and young adults. She lives with her husband and children in Maine. She has worked in both school and public libraries, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in library science at Simmons SLIS.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 27, 2019
I started reading The Story Web on 5/25/2019 and finished it on 5/27/2019 at 12:40AM. This book is definitely a fantastic read! I love the 3 main characters as well as the views of the animals. Lewis’ clubhouse is cool and I like that he uses it for peace and quiet from his 4 sisters. I love the father-daughter relationship between Alice and her dad. I love Alice’s dad’s story weaving skills. I like the mystery of Melanie’s aunt. I like Melanie and how she doesn’t worry about what others think of her and her aunt. Hockey in this small town is a breath of fresh air instead of football in so many other books I have read.
This book is told in the third person point of view following Alice. When she was five, she found a big spider web in the woods, which her dad called it a Story Web and that each strand was a tale. Alice, 10 was close with her dad until he went away and she goes through life being invisible and doesn’t believe any of the stories her dad told were true. The second view is Lewis, 11. He’s a hockey player and miss his friendship with Alice. Alice and her dad play hockey as well but Alice has since quit hockey and quit being his friend during her invisibility days. The third view is Melanie. She lives with her aunt and likes to go up in the attic to think her big thoughts. As the rain subsided, she noticed all animals come out and head in the same direction. There are different views from different animals throughout the story.
The Story Web is very well written. I didn’t realized until past 50% of the book that I have chosen the best book to read for Memorial weekend because Alice’s dad served in Afghanistan. There’s a mystery to him “went away” but he’s not dead. A book about stories is interesting. I can’t compare if this book is any similar to Charlotte’s Web because I haven’t read it yet but the cover reminds me a bit of it. I love the ending and didn’t expect to cry but I did. Many supporting characters are well liked and my favorite is Donny because he brings humor into the story. Definitely a heartfelt read and I highly recommend everyone to read this book!
Pro: fast paced, page turner, story telling, father-daughter relationship, friendship, animals, humor
Con: none
I rate it 5 stars!
***Disclaimer: Many thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
This book is told in the third person point of view following Alice. When she was five, she found a big spider web in the woods, which her dad called it a Story Web and that each strand was a tale. Alice, 10 was close with her dad until he went away and she goes through life being invisible and doesn’t believe any of the stories her dad told were true. The second view is Lewis, 11. He’s a hockey player and miss his friendship with Alice. Alice and her dad play hockey as well but Alice has since quit hockey and quit being his friend during her invisibility days. The third view is Melanie. She lives with her aunt and likes to go up in the attic to think her big thoughts. As the rain subsided, she noticed all animals come out and head in the same direction. There are different views from different animals throughout the story.
The Story Web is very well written. I didn’t realized until past 50% of the book that I have chosen the best book to read for Memorial weekend because Alice’s dad served in Afghanistan. There’s a mystery to him “went away” but he’s not dead. A book about stories is interesting. I can’t compare if this book is any similar to Charlotte’s Web because I haven’t read it yet but the cover reminds me a bit of it. I love the ending and didn’t expect to cry but I did. Many supporting characters are well liked and my favorite is Donny because he brings humor into the story. Definitely a heartfelt read and I highly recommend everyone to read this book!
Pro: fast paced, page turner, story telling, father-daughter relationship, friendship, animals, humor
Con: none
I rate it 5 stars!
***Disclaimer: Many thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
May 5, 2019
Interest Level: 3-6
Do you believe that stories are magic? Do you think that stories can save the world? Alice used to believe in the power of stories until her dad had to go away because of something she did and now she doesn't believe in them anymore. Alice used to be the star goalie on her hometown's hockey team - but not anymore. Alice used to have best friends - but not anymore. Alice used to love stories - but not anymore. When Alice was very young her dad found her in front of The Story Web. He said that she was very special to be able to see the web. He used to read to her from the book The Story Web. The book has so many wonderful stories, but it is the preface that tells the true story. A magical spider (who actually used to be a human) weaves a web that stretches all across the world. As stories are told, the spiders weave the web and all is well with the world. But as stories are left untold, told falsely, and hurtful stories are told, the web begins to disintegrate. When the web is completely gone the world will freeze and be gone. The wild animals in the woods, the protectors of the web, begin coming into town because they know that Alice is the key to saving the web, but she can't do it alone - it will take a team. She needs her best friend, Lewis, and a new girl in town, Melanie, to help her. Can Alice save the web and herself by telling her story of how she made her dad go away? Will Alice work with Lewis and Melanie to save the web and the world? Will Alice's dad ever be able to come back to her and her mom? Read this amazing story to find out all of these answers!
Being a lover of stories myself, a book about stories is a dream come true! This book has so many positive messages but my favorite message is how we need to be careful about what we say about people. We do not need to weave untrue tales about people we don't know, people we don't understand, and people that are different than us. Being a librarian, my favorite quote in the book is, "I like to think of the stories as real, living things. When I read a story it flutters out, and each kid - each of you - takes the story and carries it with you." Do not miss this story of brave Alice who, in her story she wasn't a giant, but became larger than life by standing up in front of a town mob and defended those who couldn't defend themselves!!
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Do you believe that stories are magic? Do you think that stories can save the world? Alice used to believe in the power of stories until her dad had to go away because of something she did and now she doesn't believe in them anymore. Alice used to be the star goalie on her hometown's hockey team - but not anymore. Alice used to have best friends - but not anymore. Alice used to love stories - but not anymore. When Alice was very young her dad found her in front of The Story Web. He said that she was very special to be able to see the web. He used to read to her from the book The Story Web. The book has so many wonderful stories, but it is the preface that tells the true story. A magical spider (who actually used to be a human) weaves a web that stretches all across the world. As stories are told, the spiders weave the web and all is well with the world. But as stories are left untold, told falsely, and hurtful stories are told, the web begins to disintegrate. When the web is completely gone the world will freeze and be gone. The wild animals in the woods, the protectors of the web, begin coming into town because they know that Alice is the key to saving the web, but she can't do it alone - it will take a team. She needs her best friend, Lewis, and a new girl in town, Melanie, to help her. Can Alice save the web and herself by telling her story of how she made her dad go away? Will Alice work with Lewis and Melanie to save the web and the world? Will Alice's dad ever be able to come back to her and her mom? Read this amazing story to find out all of these answers!
Being a lover of stories myself, a book about stories is a dream come true! This book has so many positive messages but my favorite message is how we need to be careful about what we say about people. We do not need to weave untrue tales about people we don't know, people we don't understand, and people that are different than us. Being a librarian, my favorite quote in the book is, "I like to think of the stories as real, living things. When I read a story it flutters out, and each kid - each of you - takes the story and carries it with you." Do not miss this story of brave Alice who, in her story she wasn't a giant, but became larger than life by standing up in front of a town mob and defended those who couldn't defend themselves!!
Follow me:
Blog - Blazer Tales - https://blazertales.com/
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June 25, 2019
This is a wonderful middle grade novel that I really enjoyed as an adult. Alice has magical powers she is unaware of, she can see the story web. The story is that a magical spider, who was human at one time, adds a strand to the Story Web when a story is told truthfully. If a story is untold, told in a hurtful way or for a hurtful reason, or told falsely, the web will begin to disintegrate. When the web totally disintegrates, the world will freeze. The wild animals in the woods/forest are the protectors of the web. Alice is the key to saving the web, so the animals come to town looking for her. She needs help to save the web, help in the form of Lewis and Melanie. Alice has to tell her story, the story of how and why her father went away. Will this group of kids be able to save the web? Will Alice's father return to his family?
The story is told from three POVs. Alice, Lewis and Melanie. When Alice was five, she found a huge spider web in the woods, which her dad called a Story Web. He explained that each strand was a tale. When Alice's father leaves when she is 10, she no longer believes his stories and she goes through life being invisible. Lewis is a hockey player who used to be friends with Alice. Alice used to be the star goalie on her hometown hockey team, but she quit playing hockey and was no longer friends with Lewis. Melanie is the new kid in town and lives with her aunt. She likes to go up in the attic to think her big thoughts. She notices all animals come out of the woods and head in the same direction and wants to find out why. There are actually more POVs, as there are several from various animals throughout the story. This is a story about magic, stories, friendship, love, mental illness, PTSD and gossip. There are several wonderful messages in this book; working together, standing up for what is right, communication and listening to others and most important the impact of telling hurtful stories and untruths. Overall this is a wonderful story told in an enchanting way. With books and stories, hockey and friends all playing a big part, this is a book that has something for everyone. I definitely recommend this one to all public and school libraries. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
The story is told from three POVs. Alice, Lewis and Melanie. When Alice was five, she found a huge spider web in the woods, which her dad called a Story Web. He explained that each strand was a tale. When Alice's father leaves when she is 10, she no longer believes his stories and she goes through life being invisible. Lewis is a hockey player who used to be friends with Alice. Alice used to be the star goalie on her hometown hockey team, but she quit playing hockey and was no longer friends with Lewis. Melanie is the new kid in town and lives with her aunt. She likes to go up in the attic to think her big thoughts. She notices all animals come out of the woods and head in the same direction and wants to find out why. There are actually more POVs, as there are several from various animals throughout the story. This is a story about magic, stories, friendship, love, mental illness, PTSD and gossip. There are several wonderful messages in this book; working together, standing up for what is right, communication and listening to others and most important the impact of telling hurtful stories and untruths. Overall this is a wonderful story told in an enchanting way. With books and stories, hockey and friends all playing a big part, this is a book that has something for everyone. I definitely recommend this one to all public and school libraries. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
November 14, 2019
Ok, i wasn't expecting that tbh. And yet it was beautiful.
June 11, 2019
This is a wonderful book, and as Goodreads says, truly would live comfortably next to the works of Katherine Applegate--one of my favorite middle-grade authors. It has that same melancholy truth of childhood pain with a brilliant, uplifting ending.
The Story Web is told in alternating viewpoints between Alice, Lewis, Melanie, and the animals. The multiple POVs allow entry into the story for a variety of children--athletes and bookworms, popular kids and misfits, boys and girls. The alternating chapter headers clearly delineate when the story is told from a human perspective or from the eyes of the forest animals.
It's a story of friendship, love, mental illness, PTSD and gossip, but told in an enchanting way. With a strong message of lifting each other up and listening to everyone's voice, this is a story with a deep message as well as being a highly entertaining read. It's richly woven with the complications of adult life that seep into childhood--conversations about mega-marts and industry, about the environment and the emotional health of the town, about mental illness and PTSD, and what makes a hero. It dissects the hero's journey while being a hero's journey--an irony I appreciated. It fosters a love of animals, of teamwork, and of story. (Also, hockey. My son will love the hockey bits as much as the animals.)
I am including this book in a donation to replace books lost in the recent Ohio tornados.
Thank you Net Galley, for a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Story Web is told in alternating viewpoints between Alice, Lewis, Melanie, and the animals. The multiple POVs allow entry into the story for a variety of children--athletes and bookworms, popular kids and misfits, boys and girls. The alternating chapter headers clearly delineate when the story is told from a human perspective or from the eyes of the forest animals.
It's a story of friendship, love, mental illness, PTSD and gossip, but told in an enchanting way. With a strong message of lifting each other up and listening to everyone's voice, this is a story with a deep message as well as being a highly entertaining read. It's richly woven with the complications of adult life that seep into childhood--conversations about mega-marts and industry, about the environment and the emotional health of the town, about mental illness and PTSD, and what makes a hero. It dissects the hero's journey while being a hero's journey--an irony I appreciated. It fosters a love of animals, of teamwork, and of story. (Also, hockey. My son will love the hockey bits as much as the animals.)
I am including this book in a donation to replace books lost in the recent Ohio tornados.
Thank you Net Galley, for a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 15, 2019
This usually isn't the type of book I read and I honestly just picked it up because it sounded somewhat interesting and I needed something to read until another book came out a few days later. When I started to read it, I thought I might have to rush through it in order for it to be done by the time I got the other book. How wrong I was!
This book tells an ordinary story but in a fantastical way. It's a story about stories, the many ways stories are told, and about the impact of truth. It has heart and honestly made me tear up in a few places.
I normally read middle-grade fantasy, sci-fi, and historical fiction, but I found myself enjoying this book as well! Definitely would recommend!
This book tells an ordinary story but in a fantastical way. It's a story about stories, the many ways stories are told, and about the impact of truth. It has heart and honestly made me tear up in a few places.
I normally read middle-grade fantasy, sci-fi, and historical fiction, but I found myself enjoying this book as well! Definitely would recommend!
June 26, 2019
The importance of story, and of the kinds of stories we tell. The danger of a single story. The importance of teamwork. Father with PTSD, first children's book (I've read) with a lock down drill in it.
May 24, 2019
All the love for this very special middle grade novel about the importance of telling stories that build people up instead of breaking them down. .
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Thanks to @bloomsburypublishing for sharing this ARC with @kidlitexchange; this book is our June 4 and belongs in every elementary and middle school library.
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“You can tell a lot about a person by the stories they tell. ...are they full of wonder? Are they hopeful?”
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Alice, Melanie and Lewis discover the importance of lifting up stories in this lovely book that is a perfect readalike to Wishtree by @kaaauthor .
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My heart ached throughout the book for Alice who believes she is the reason her veteran father had to leave their home. She’s so upset that she will barely talk to anyone, won’t play ice hockey anymore and feels lost. But then the wild animals surrounding her small town start making contact and Alice must pay attention. She, Melanie and Lewis are the only ones who can save the fabled Story Web from breaking completely and unleashing a world wide freeze. She must tell the truth and share it with others if she is to save the Story Web, which holds together the fabric of our world.
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Perfect for grades 3+, this novel felt like an instant classic and nearly brought me to tears. Highly recommended.
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#librariansofinstagram #mglit #ilovemg #bookstagram #mgbooks #thestoryweb #meganfrazerblakemore #bookreview
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Thanks to @bloomsburypublishing for sharing this ARC with @kidlitexchange; this book is our June 4 and belongs in every elementary and middle school library.
.
〰️
〰️
“You can tell a lot about a person by the stories they tell. ...are they full of wonder? Are they hopeful?”
.
〰️
〰️
Alice, Melanie and Lewis discover the importance of lifting up stories in this lovely book that is a perfect readalike to Wishtree by @kaaauthor .
〰️
〰️
My heart ached throughout the book for Alice who believes she is the reason her veteran father had to leave their home. She’s so upset that she will barely talk to anyone, won’t play ice hockey anymore and feels lost. But then the wild animals surrounding her small town start making contact and Alice must pay attention. She, Melanie and Lewis are the only ones who can save the fabled Story Web from breaking completely and unleashing a world wide freeze. She must tell the truth and share it with others if she is to save the Story Web, which holds together the fabric of our world.
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Perfect for grades 3+, this novel felt like an instant classic and nearly brought me to tears. Highly recommended.
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#librariansofinstagram #mglit #ilovemg #bookstagram #mgbooks #thestoryweb #meganfrazerblakemore #bookreview
March 14, 2019
The Story Web is a magical web deep within the forest that connects our world together. When a story, an honest and truthful story is told, spiders come to string this web together. In the story, the web is breaking. If that happens, our world will freeze and shatter.
The story centers on Alice, whose father has gone away to a hospital after coming home from war. Her father was a “story-teller” and protector of the web. Alice loves her father and the stories he would tell. She misses him a lot and finds that his story about The Story Web is actually true. She also has the ability to see the magic that the web shows, whereas most people cannot. Through the story, you meet Alice’s best friend Lewis, who LOVES hockey and hopes to play in the Olympics and Melanie, another who knows about The Story Web, can hear the thoughts of animals, and is known as the witch’s daughter. Alice, Lewis, and Melanie must work together to stop “the freezing” and repair the web.
The book is about truth and honesty, and how they can be different. Also, that if you’re going to tell a story, let it be truthful; not a rumor or lie that can hurt others. I would recommend this book to anyone. The Story Web is a great fairy-tale with Greek references and lessons about honesty.
The story centers on Alice, whose father has gone away to a hospital after coming home from war. Her father was a “story-teller” and protector of the web. Alice loves her father and the stories he would tell. She misses him a lot and finds that his story about The Story Web is actually true. She also has the ability to see the magic that the web shows, whereas most people cannot. Through the story, you meet Alice’s best friend Lewis, who LOVES hockey and hopes to play in the Olympics and Melanie, another who knows about The Story Web, can hear the thoughts of animals, and is known as the witch’s daughter. Alice, Lewis, and Melanie must work together to stop “the freezing” and repair the web.
The book is about truth and honesty, and how they can be different. Also, that if you’re going to tell a story, let it be truthful; not a rumor or lie that can hurt others. I would recommend this book to anyone. The Story Web is a great fairy-tale with Greek references and lessons about honesty.
April 20, 2020
In the story, The Story Web, written by Megan Frazer Blakemore, a young girl is set on a mission to rescue her dad, and save a town from magical mayhem. When Alice walks into a forest and notices a giant spider web, her father tells her that it is full of stories that hold this town together. Alice never believed her father's elaborate fairytale stories, until he goes missing and the town begins to act weird. This novel is great for 3rd and 4th graders because the story is magical, exciting, and it takes them to a new world. I could categorize this story as Fantasy because of the elaboration and magical stories within the novel.
One specific idea I would incorporate in my future classroom would be to do a creative writing activity where the students would create their own story web and creatively write their own fantasy story to fit into their web. The students can use any topic they want and get really become interested in how their story web all connects with each other. Another classroom activity I would be interested in doing in my future classroom would be to do a different kind of activity and the students write a sequel to this story. I think it would be really cool if the students teamed up in groups and each groups wrote a different part of the sequels and as a class they all create the sequel together.
This was a WOW book for me because of the details the author uses to describe all of the magic that happens in the story. I felt myself leaving reality and escaping to Alice's world, and I just lost track of time reading this book! I loved using my imagination to create these fairytales that Alice's dad describes, and I know my future students will use their imaginations as well!
One specific idea I would incorporate in my future classroom would be to do a creative writing activity where the students would create their own story web and creatively write their own fantasy story to fit into their web. The students can use any topic they want and get really become interested in how their story web all connects with each other. Another classroom activity I would be interested in doing in my future classroom would be to do a different kind of activity and the students write a sequel to this story. I think it would be really cool if the students teamed up in groups and each groups wrote a different part of the sequels and as a class they all create the sequel together.
This was a WOW book for me because of the details the author uses to describe all of the magic that happens in the story. I felt myself leaving reality and escaping to Alice's world, and I just lost track of time reading this book! I loved using my imagination to create these fairytales that Alice's dad describes, and I know my future students will use their imaginations as well!
November 29, 2019
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
THE STORY WEB
By Megan Frazer Blakemore
A contemporary story with touches of magic, THE STORY WEB largely follows the story of a young girl, Alice, who struggles to cope when her father goes away for treatment of depression/PTSD. His departure coincides with strange activities in the local community—forest animals come to town and an ice storm begins with no end in sight. It is said, these events are due to the break down of the story-web; a web woven by spiders from the telling of truthful tales. A web so crucial that without it, society will break down and the world will freeze.
This story is told from multiple points of view including the likable Alice, her two friends, and various forest animals. The action rises slowly and is charged with emotional intensity. It includes themes of family, friendship, the importance of truth/honesty, mental illness, and the impact of rumors/gossip/fear-mongering.
A great read for a quiet weekend or to fuel a deep classroom or family discussion.
@kidlitexchange #partner #bookstagram #kidlitexchange #kidlit @bloomsburypublishing @megbmore
THE STORY WEB
By Megan Frazer Blakemore
A contemporary story with touches of magic, THE STORY WEB largely follows the story of a young girl, Alice, who struggles to cope when her father goes away for treatment of depression/PTSD. His departure coincides with strange activities in the local community—forest animals come to town and an ice storm begins with no end in sight. It is said, these events are due to the break down of the story-web; a web woven by spiders from the telling of truthful tales. A web so crucial that without it, society will break down and the world will freeze.
This story is told from multiple points of view including the likable Alice, her two friends, and various forest animals. The action rises slowly and is charged with emotional intensity. It includes themes of family, friendship, the importance of truth/honesty, mental illness, and the impact of rumors/gossip/fear-mongering.
A great read for a quiet weekend or to fuel a deep classroom or family discussion.
@kidlitexchange #partner #bookstagram #kidlitexchange #kidlit @bloomsburypublishing @megbmore
April 19, 2019
Like Megan Frazer Blakemore's The Firefly Code books, I was hooked on this one from the beginning. Alice's father has gone away and she believes it's her fault. She doesn't talk about him much, but she remembers his tales about the story web. When animals in the woods of her town start acting strangely, Alice realizes the story web is more than a tale. This is a magical book about how stories connect us and the importance of honoring the truth. It's also the story of a girl who knows the power of being brave, bold, and fierce.
October 16, 2019
This book was one I read for a future program in the Kid's Department. The premise of a story web and how we sometimes forget to tell stories of our past and present is a timely one. The writing was really good and the characters not only likable but relatable. I also appreciated the themes addressed in the story: self-deprecation, guilt, and the freedom that comes from letting those things go. Forgiveness and healing were also huge and something that all of us can glean from. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and think kids will benefit from having read it.
May 28, 2025
Alice and her best friend, Lewis, have a problem. Alice feels invisible, is very unhappy and those around her don't know what the problem is. The Story Web holds the world together but is unraveling. How does Alice repair what has been damaged - in her life and that of others? Rumors, secrets, untold stories, and misunderstood medical issues make this a great read for anyone who has gone through or is going through what Alice is. How do the woods animals band together to help Alice and the town? that is the important fantasy part.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2020
This is more of a 2.5 star review. The Story Web was very disjointed and odd to begin with, but started to make more sense as the characters developed. Around the middle of the book, I felt like there was potential for greatness in the plot...but it had kinda fallen short by the end. My kids felt the same - “it was okay, but not as good as other books we’ve read”.
May 13, 2019
What a beautifully written book! This may Win awards & deserves too. What an amazing book about the gift of telling stories! This book reminded me of Charlottes web! Loved this book! One of the best books I’ve ever read! This book is a classic ! It will win awards! Highly recommended!
September 25, 2019
Didn't love this novel. I felt like there was too much storyline with people and animals soulfully gazing into each others' eyes and attempting to communicate without language. While I liked the dad-daughter relationship, it missed the mark for me.
May 15, 2019
Here's a link to my full review https://imtanner.blogspot.com/2019/05...
July 9, 2019
Great fantasy genre example and very touching for students with parents who have mental health issues, specifically those with PTSD. Just had a hard time getting through the book.
August 8, 2019
A wonderful middle grade book about how our stories bind us together!
January 14, 2020
Cute story
June 19, 2020
Fast-paced friendship driven novel with appealing main characters. A solid read.
Thank you to Netgalley for the free arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley for the free arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 26, 2021
It’s cute.
September 5, 2022
Strands of Stories
A true connection with humanity and nature weaved into a spider web helping bring us together as one.
A true connection with humanity and nature weaved into a spider web helping bring us together as one.
December 1, 2022
4.5 stars
June 21, 2019
Stories connect us to each other and our world. Megan Frazer Blakemore transports the reader to a small town in Maine where stories are the thread of life. A web holding all the stories of the world is hidden deep in the forest. Now, strange things are happening in the town and it is up to Alice, Lewis and Melanie to figure out what is going on if they are to save the web of stories and the world. Frazer Blakemore beautifully captures small town New England, unlikely friendships, love of family and most importantly what it means to be a part of something bigger than yourself in this magical tale. A must read for middle grade.
October 22, 2019
@kidlitexchange #partner Thanks to the #kidlitexchange network, publisher @bloomsburypublishing, and author @megbmore for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own! As a child, Alice stumbles upon a giant spiderweb in the forest by her home. Her father told her this was the Story Web, woven from the stories that hold the world together. Alice’s father has always told fantastical tales, though, and now that he’s gone, Alice doesn’t want to talk about him or his stories. Alice knows the real reason her father had to leave, but she’s not going to admit that. However, when the animals in town begin to act strangely, and the weather also starts behaving oddly, Alice knows she has to do something to save the Story Web. This is a book all about honesty, truths, and bravery. It’s also about friendship and family. Alice struggles with all of these topics and has to figure out how to tell her own story, and honor her father’s stories as well. We also get the perspective of Lewis, Alice’s teammate and old friend, and Melanie, the odd girl at school who also knows about the Story Web. It’s a perfect book to inspire the imaginations of and honesty in kids ages 8-12
January 20, 2020
Everyone has a story. In The Story Web, by Megan Frazer Blakemore, Alice's father has left but we don't know where he's gone or why.. Now Alice is questioning everything he ever told her. When Alice found an enormous web in the woods as a child, her Dad told her it was woven with everyone's stories and kept the world together. This now seems ridiculous...until animals start coming to Alice from the woods, and the strange girl from school tells her that unless Alice fixes the story web the world will end.
I loved how everyone's story took time to spin and reveal their truths and connections to other people's stories. I feel the author did a good job fleshing out Alice, Lewis, and Melanie's characters. I also liked the essential role animals played in the book. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review. #NetGalley #TheStoryWeb
I loved how everyone's story took time to spin and reveal their truths and connections to other people's stories. I feel the author did a good job fleshing out Alice, Lewis, and Melanie's characters. I also liked the essential role animals played in the book. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review. #NetGalley #TheStoryWeb
April 2, 2019
Oh, this book. Where to begin?
Admittedly, the odds were rather stacked against it. I tend to steer away from books where animals, sports, and school are major themes (nothing personal, I just like my fiction to veer towards stranger things). Yet THE STORY WEB hooked my attention from the first page and carried it all the way through. I devoured this book.
The three protagonists, Alice, Lewis, and Melanie, felt like real fifth graders. They were distinct, with their own complications and layers, and I enjoyed reading all of their chapters. The supporting cast of adults was equally well fleshed-out; Donny and Buzz and Henrietta and everyone, with all their various quirks and complexities. Though the setting was overall quite generic, there were also pockets of wonder, my favourite being the Museum (such a special place!)
The plot sounds simple: Alice and her friends must repair the unravelling Story Web before the world splinters into an event called the Freezing. It contains strong themes about truth, rumour, and the power of words, which I expected to come across as rather preachy. But despite the message, the novel never steps into a lesson on morality, instead exploring the in-between spaces of truth and lies. The threads of story are woven in beautifully, and I loved all the classical allusions! The subplot of Alice's father is especially poignant, giving a heartbreaking glimpse into the devastation of PTSD. But even there, Blakemore infuses hope into the situation, with her refrain of BE BRAVE, BE BOLD, BE FIERCE, often in unexpected ways.
So overall, yes, it's a total recommend from me. THE STORY WEB reads like a classic, and it's got all the makings of one: a girl who plays hockey, a man who tells stories, a boy with big dreams, and a strange family with kind hearts. 5/5
Admittedly, the odds were rather stacked against it. I tend to steer away from books where animals, sports, and school are major themes (nothing personal, I just like my fiction to veer towards stranger things). Yet THE STORY WEB hooked my attention from the first page and carried it all the way through. I devoured this book.
The three protagonists, Alice, Lewis, and Melanie, felt like real fifth graders. They were distinct, with their own complications and layers, and I enjoyed reading all of their chapters. The supporting cast of adults was equally well fleshed-out; Donny and Buzz and Henrietta and everyone, with all their various quirks and complexities. Though the setting was overall quite generic, there were also pockets of wonder, my favourite being the Museum (such a special place!)
The plot sounds simple: Alice and her friends must repair the unravelling Story Web before the world splinters into an event called the Freezing. It contains strong themes about truth, rumour, and the power of words, which I expected to come across as rather preachy. But despite the message, the novel never steps into a lesson on morality, instead exploring the in-between spaces of truth and lies. The threads of story are woven in beautifully, and I loved all the classical allusions! The subplot of Alice's father is especially poignant, giving a heartbreaking glimpse into the devastation of PTSD. But even there, Blakemore infuses hope into the situation, with her refrain of BE BRAVE, BE BOLD, BE FIERCE, often in unexpected ways.
So overall, yes, it's a total recommend from me. THE STORY WEB reads like a classic, and it's got all the makings of one: a girl who plays hockey, a man who tells stories, a boy with big dreams, and a strange family with kind hearts. 5/5
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April 3, 2019So, so lovely.
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