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The One Great Gnome
Welcome to the hidden magical--and mysterious--world of gnomes, elves, and trolls.
Eleven-year-old Sarah moves with her family from New York City to rural Hadley, Connecticut. She's eager to explore her new home and meet new friends, but she never expected to befriend an old garden gnome. Readers join Sarah as she is drawn into a secret world under our feet. Sarah uses her instincts to calm old rivalries and help the underworld elves, gnomes, and more join her in the upperworld.
Eleven-year-old Sarah moves with her family from New York City to rural Hadley, Connecticut. She's eager to explore her new home and meet new friends, but she never expected to befriend an old garden gnome. Readers join Sarah as she is drawn into a secret world under our feet. Sarah uses her instincts to calm old rivalries and help the underworld elves, gnomes, and more join her in the upperworld.
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First published September 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
April 20, 2021
When 11-year-old Sarah woke up in her family's new house in rural Connecticut, she had no idea she was about to follow a gnome into a magical world of gnomes, trolls, and an evil elf. Had she imagined just a normal day in the country, she would have been very wrong.
While exploring in the potting shed, she found a garden gnome and accidentally brought him back to life. Sarah, being the kind and gentle, but very brave girl she was, followed the gnome to his world to help save his people from the trolls.
Sarah's kindness and bravery are just what the gnomes need to save their way of life. This is such a sweet book with a good and strong heroine. I recommend this to any younger middle-grade reader.
While exploring in the potting shed, she found a garden gnome and accidentally brought him back to life. Sarah, being the kind and gentle, but very brave girl she was, followed the gnome to his world to help save his people from the trolls.
Sarah's kindness and bravery are just what the gnomes need to save their way of life. This is such a sweet book with a good and strong heroine. I recommend this to any younger middle-grade reader.
April 2, 2021
I received an advance reader copy of this book to listen to in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
**** AUDIO BOOK VERSION ****
The One Great Gnome is a beautiful and adventurous book for children full of magic, adventure and discovery.
Sarah moves away from the hustle and bustle of New York City to a quiet, rural town called Hadley. Sarah soon discovers a new friend but not your typical one of course because he's a garden gnome! Sarah discovers a new world just below the one we live in and joins her new friend Vasper and decides to help fix things in this newly discovered magical world.
I loved the range of magical beings in this book. We meet Sprites, Gnomes, Trolls and Elves.
This book will draw children in and give them a fun filled magical adventure with lessons to be learned as well.
This book will definitely appeal to loves of fantasy and magic as well as Labyrinth, Alice in wonderland and Narnia.
**** AUDIO BOOK VERSION ****
The One Great Gnome is a beautiful and adventurous book for children full of magic, adventure and discovery.
Sarah moves away from the hustle and bustle of New York City to a quiet, rural town called Hadley. Sarah soon discovers a new friend but not your typical one of course because he's a garden gnome! Sarah discovers a new world just below the one we live in and joins her new friend Vasper and decides to help fix things in this newly discovered magical world.
I loved the range of magical beings in this book. We meet Sprites, Gnomes, Trolls and Elves.
This book will draw children in and give them a fun filled magical adventure with lessons to be learned as well.
This book will definitely appeal to loves of fantasy and magic as well as Labyrinth, Alice in wonderland and Narnia.
April 29, 2021
I categorize the books as children's, coming of age, and YA according to their context, but not according to the suitable audience. This one goes into the children's section for sure. It was adventurous and funny, but missed the personal growth and enlightening parts I look for in this type of books. It's a light version of fantasy books you read in childhood. Overall, not bad to be considered a fairy tale.
The narrator was good, I liked the speed, didn't have to adjust it, as I always do. There were even background sounds, as if I was listening to BBC's Radio Theater.
The narrator was good, I liked the speed, didn't have to adjust it, as I always do. There were even background sounds, as if I was listening to BBC's Radio Theater.
March 23, 2021
Sarah is a bit unhappy when her parents move her from New York City to Hadley, CT. She misses her friends, the city...just her old life in general. Her father wants to fix up their new house, but he isn't exactly the perfect handyman. Things just seem a bit gloomy. But, then Sarah meets an unexpected friend....an old gnome. Vesper. Suddenly she is off on an adventure in a land filled with gnomes, elves, trolls and sprites!
This is a great adventure story for young elementary school age children. Sarah is a great main character. She learns a few things from her new friends, but also helps teach them some important lessons as well. Just a perfect innocent childhood adventure story -- I loved it! I often turn to children's books to have pure enjoyment of a story and to read something less heavy than adult fiction. I listened to this story as I worked outside getting my garden plots ready for planting soon, so it was perfect!
I loved this sort of story when I was a child. I always wished my closet was a doorway to Narnia or that I could fly with Peter Pan. This story has that same innocent magic! An adventure just for a child who needs something to liven up their world...just a bit.
I will definitely be reading more by Jeff Dinardo!
I listened to the audiobook version of this story. Narrated by Simone Stevens, the audio is just short of three hours long. Easy listening length! Stevens does a great job of narration. This story was a fun, entertaining listen as I worked outside in my yard.
**I voluntarily listened to a review copy of this audiobook from One Elm Books. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
This is a great adventure story for young elementary school age children. Sarah is a great main character. She learns a few things from her new friends, but also helps teach them some important lessons as well. Just a perfect innocent childhood adventure story -- I loved it! I often turn to children's books to have pure enjoyment of a story and to read something less heavy than adult fiction. I listened to this story as I worked outside getting my garden plots ready for planting soon, so it was perfect!
I loved this sort of story when I was a child. I always wished my closet was a doorway to Narnia or that I could fly with Peter Pan. This story has that same innocent magic! An adventure just for a child who needs something to liven up their world...just a bit.
I will definitely be reading more by Jeff Dinardo!
I listened to the audiobook version of this story. Narrated by Simone Stevens, the audio is just short of three hours long. Easy listening length! Stevens does a great job of narration. This story was a fun, entertaining listen as I worked outside in my yard.
**I voluntarily listened to a review copy of this audiobook from One Elm Books. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
April 17, 2021
Sarah has recently moved to a small neighborhood in the countryside after her mother accepted a new job opportunity. As the new girl in a small community, she hasn't made any friends. And her shyness doesn't help at all.
One day while helping her father in the garden, she stumbles across a garden gnome and is fascinated by that item. What she didn't expect though, was for the gnome to come to life.
After the initial shock, the gnome, whose name is Vesper, tells her about his people, his life in the world of the gnomes and how he ended up to her world. He is upset when he realises that his family won't know whether he is dead or alive and decides that he should return immediately. And surprise surprise, Sarah ends up falling to his world after running after him.
Sarah looses Vesper but unlike what happens in her reality, it doesn't take long for her to meet new friends who are determined to help her.
One of the first creatures she meets down there, is a female gnome called Maisie. Maisie lives alone and is the only gnome who hasn't been captured by the trolls who have captured pretty much every other gnome in the land. She tells Sarah where she can find Vesper and gives her tips on how to stay safe from the trolls.
After finding Vesper again, she tells him about the fate that has most likely befallen his parents and they decide to embark on a mission to find them. Vesper also tells her more about the trolls and how they are gnomes' mortal enemies. He also speaks about the OGG, also known as the One Great Gnome, who is pretty much their saviour, since he taught the gnomes how to cook, how to haunt, how to build stuff etc etc.
After Vesper falls asleep, Sarah can't help but do some more exploring of this new world she has fallen into. She meets a little sprite whom she names Frida and immediately becomes friends with. But a little after that, she hears a sound coming from the woods, the sound of someone being in great pain.
She is surprised to see that what she heard was the voice of a troll that had been caught in one of the gnomes' traps. They are both scared of each other at first but Sarah can't leave without helping. She helps the troll out of the trap and to her surprise, finds out not only that they can talk, but that they are also capable of emotions and deathly afraid of gnomes whom they have been terrorised by. Before parting ways, Sarah gives her new friend a name, and she calls him Ralph.
In the morning, she lets Vesper know about her night adventures but their peace is disturbed when they spot Maisie being captured by the trolls.
They decide to follow them and to their surprise, they are led to an old castle inside a mountain. After exploring a little, they find a big cellar with hundreds of gnomes who have been turned to stone. But before turning them back to their original forms, they are caught red-handed by an evil elf.
The evil elf is after the gold he believes the gnomes possess (however they don't have any of that) and has recruited the trolls to help him, taking advantage of the rivalry between the two species. Vesper barely escapes being turned to stone, after the elf finds out that he is a great cook, so he is sent to the kitchen. Sarah on the other hand, is thrown in the prison.
There, she meets an elderly man who looks like a gnome but is way taller than them. And to her surprise, that 'gnome' hasn't been turned into stone after having his sword taken by the elf. (note: the gnomes in this story are turned to stone only when they lose their swords)
The man admits that he is actually a human, and it doesn't take long for Sarah to put two and two together and realise that this is the famous OGG (whom the gnomes idolise despite knowing that he is human).
Together, they come up with a plan to save the gnomes that have been turned into stone and fortunately for them, Vesper also comes up with the idea to put sleeping powder in the elf's soup. The elf falls asleep and the three heroes are taken where the other gnomes are by Ralph, who is also present in the castle and tricks the other trolls into letting the three characters into moving freely in the castle.
Little by little, they match the swords to their original owners and the gnomes come back to life, along with Vesper's parents who are thankful to Sarah for her help. Their joy is short-lived though because the elf wakes up and finds out what has been going on while he was asleep.
The elf orders his army of trolls to launch an attack towards the gnomes and they, being more scared of the elf than of the gnomes, do as his says.
For a time, the fight is even and there is no clear winner. To Sarah's surprise however, Frida, the little sprite from before, comes to the battle, bringing along millions of other little sprites. Their light and the sound of their wings are enough to drive the trolls back to their caves.
The gnomes seem to have win the fight but only minutes after rejoicing in their victory, Sarah is captured by the elf. He threatens to tease her to death with his electric sceptre if the gnomes don't give him their gold but Sarah, having had enough of him, throws him over her shoulder. He is then thrown into one of the portals that lead to human world, somewhere in the bottom of an ocean, thus solidifying their victory.
After that, a big feast takes place. But once the celebration is over, Sarah decides that it is time to return to her world. Before leaving, she proposes a peace treaty between the gnomes and the trolls and beseech Vesper to look after Ralph, which he promises to do.
What the gnomes don't see coming at all, is that the OGG also wishes to return to the human world, even for a little bit. They are obviously sad about it and stress over the fact that they won't have someone they can turn to when they need help. The OGG however replies that they won't be left alone, because Vesper will take care of them, hence becoming the second OGG.
After a long and emotional farewell, Sarah and the OGG return to the human world, where she happily finds out that in her world, she has been missing for only a couple of minutes. She introduces the OGG (who has a real human name but I cannot remember for the life of me) to her father and asks if he can stag for them. Her father replies that he indeed needs some help fixing the house they have moved into, along with its garden and he welcomes the new guest.
Here's some of my thoughts regarding this book.
I think the best way to describe this story, is to see it as what the movie Labyrinth would be like if the dwarves from The Lord of The Rings were the main characters. Oh, and if that crossover happened in a children's book.
It took me a while to warm up to this story because I wasn't sure about where the plot was gonna go, but it was a nice surprise.
I liked that the author actually put some thought into creating a fantasy story, a world and the basis for a magical system, along with creating an interesting story for kids.
The characters were likeable, the dialogue was cute, I liked the messages about friendship and team work that were spread throughout the story, along with the message of what negative prejudice can do. Also, the voices the narrator used for every character were funny and pretty distinct from each other, which I also appreciated (the voice she used for the elf was, hands down, the funnier.)
I think this was an interesting, cute and humorous story that kids who enjoy fantasy will like (and not only kids of course.) The audiobook was nice but any other form will do. Plus, I am sure the illustrations are very pretty.
P.S. The fact that Sarah could overpower the elf this whole time after she was captured and threatened with electrocution, but she just didn't, and only did it when she saw that the gnomes couldn't find another way to help her, was very funny to me. Although I think it was unintentional.
If you made it this far, congratulations!
'Til next time, take care :) :) :)
I received a free audiobook by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
One day while helping her father in the garden, she stumbles across a garden gnome and is fascinated by that item. What she didn't expect though, was for the gnome to come to life.
After the initial shock, the gnome, whose name is Vesper, tells her about his people, his life in the world of the gnomes and how he ended up to her world. He is upset when he realises that his family won't know whether he is dead or alive and decides that he should return immediately. And surprise surprise, Sarah ends up falling to his world after running after him.
Sarah looses Vesper but unlike what happens in her reality, it doesn't take long for her to meet new friends who are determined to help her.
One of the first creatures she meets down there, is a female gnome called Maisie. Maisie lives alone and is the only gnome who hasn't been captured by the trolls who have captured pretty much every other gnome in the land. She tells Sarah where she can find Vesper and gives her tips on how to stay safe from the trolls.
After finding Vesper again, she tells him about the fate that has most likely befallen his parents and they decide to embark on a mission to find them. Vesper also tells her more about the trolls and how they are gnomes' mortal enemies. He also speaks about the OGG, also known as the One Great Gnome, who is pretty much their saviour, since he taught the gnomes how to cook, how to haunt, how to build stuff etc etc.
After Vesper falls asleep, Sarah can't help but do some more exploring of this new world she has fallen into. She meets a little sprite whom she names Frida and immediately becomes friends with. But a little after that, she hears a sound coming from the woods, the sound of someone being in great pain.
She is surprised to see that what she heard was the voice of a troll that had been caught in one of the gnomes' traps. They are both scared of each other at first but Sarah can't leave without helping. She helps the troll out of the trap and to her surprise, finds out not only that they can talk, but that they are also capable of emotions and deathly afraid of gnomes whom they have been terrorised by. Before parting ways, Sarah gives her new friend a name, and she calls him Ralph.
In the morning, she lets Vesper know about her night adventures but their peace is disturbed when they spot Maisie being captured by the trolls.
They decide to follow them and to their surprise, they are led to an old castle inside a mountain. After exploring a little, they find a big cellar with hundreds of gnomes who have been turned to stone. But before turning them back to their original forms, they are caught red-handed by an evil elf.
The evil elf is after the gold he believes the gnomes possess (however they don't have any of that) and has recruited the trolls to help him, taking advantage of the rivalry between the two species. Vesper barely escapes being turned to stone, after the elf finds out that he is a great cook, so he is sent to the kitchen. Sarah on the other hand, is thrown in the prison.
There, she meets an elderly man who looks like a gnome but is way taller than them. And to her surprise, that 'gnome' hasn't been turned into stone after having his sword taken by the elf. (note: the gnomes in this story are turned to stone only when they lose their swords)
The man admits that he is actually a human, and it doesn't take long for Sarah to put two and two together and realise that this is the famous OGG (whom the gnomes idolise despite knowing that he is human).
Together, they come up with a plan to save the gnomes that have been turned into stone and fortunately for them, Vesper also comes up with the idea to put sleeping powder in the elf's soup. The elf falls asleep and the three heroes are taken where the other gnomes are by Ralph, who is also present in the castle and tricks the other trolls into letting the three characters into moving freely in the castle.
Little by little, they match the swords to their original owners and the gnomes come back to life, along with Vesper's parents who are thankful to Sarah for her help. Their joy is short-lived though because the elf wakes up and finds out what has been going on while he was asleep.
The elf orders his army of trolls to launch an attack towards the gnomes and they, being more scared of the elf than of the gnomes, do as his says.
For a time, the fight is even and there is no clear winner. To Sarah's surprise however, Frida, the little sprite from before, comes to the battle, bringing along millions of other little sprites. Their light and the sound of their wings are enough to drive the trolls back to their caves.
The gnomes seem to have win the fight but only minutes after rejoicing in their victory, Sarah is captured by the elf. He threatens to tease her to death with his electric sceptre if the gnomes don't give him their gold but Sarah, having had enough of him, throws him over her shoulder. He is then thrown into one of the portals that lead to human world, somewhere in the bottom of an ocean, thus solidifying their victory.
After that, a big feast takes place. But once the celebration is over, Sarah decides that it is time to return to her world. Before leaving, she proposes a peace treaty between the gnomes and the trolls and beseech Vesper to look after Ralph, which he promises to do.
What the gnomes don't see coming at all, is that the OGG also wishes to return to the human world, even for a little bit. They are obviously sad about it and stress over the fact that they won't have someone they can turn to when they need help. The OGG however replies that they won't be left alone, because Vesper will take care of them, hence becoming the second OGG.
After a long and emotional farewell, Sarah and the OGG return to the human world, where she happily finds out that in her world, she has been missing for only a couple of minutes. She introduces the OGG (who has a real human name but I cannot remember for the life of me) to her father and asks if he can stag for them. Her father replies that he indeed needs some help fixing the house they have moved into, along with its garden and he welcomes the new guest.
Here's some of my thoughts regarding this book.
I think the best way to describe this story, is to see it as what the movie Labyrinth would be like if the dwarves from The Lord of The Rings were the main characters. Oh, and if that crossover happened in a children's book.
It took me a while to warm up to this story because I wasn't sure about where the plot was gonna go, but it was a nice surprise.
I liked that the author actually put some thought into creating a fantasy story, a world and the basis for a magical system, along with creating an interesting story for kids.
The characters were likeable, the dialogue was cute, I liked the messages about friendship and team work that were spread throughout the story, along with the message of what negative prejudice can do. Also, the voices the narrator used for every character were funny and pretty distinct from each other, which I also appreciated (the voice she used for the elf was, hands down, the funnier.)
I think this was an interesting, cute and humorous story that kids who enjoy fantasy will like (and not only kids of course.) The audiobook was nice but any other form will do. Plus, I am sure the illustrations are very pretty.
P.S. The fact that Sarah could overpower the elf this whole time after she was captured and threatened with electrocution, but she just didn't, and only did it when she saw that the gnomes couldn't find another way to help her, was very funny to me. Although I think it was unintentional.
If you made it this far, congratulations!
'Til next time, take care :) :) :)
I received a free audiobook by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 20, 2021
This is a Fantasy Middle Grade, and I listen to the audiobook. I really enjoyed this book. I have already order a copy of this book for my daughter. I love the messages in this story, and the story is to cute and fun to read/listen to. This story is told by Sarah a 11 year old girl who is pulled into a secret world Gnome world. I loved the Gnome world. I loved all the characters in this book. I was kindly provided an e-audiobook of this book by the publisher or author (Jeff Dinardo) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
March 24, 2021
4 stars!
It was a cute, fun read! The audiobook narration took the story to the next level.
The One Great Gnome follows the adventures of Sarah and a garden gnome in a land filled with other gnomes, trolls, elves and secret passages.
It had all the elements of children's fantasy novel. Friendship with a mythical creature, traveling to a magical land, a thrilling adventure and saving the day at the end!
The story was wonderfully written and well crafted. It definitely stands out in the already existing pool of childhood fairytales.
Thoughts on audiobook: 5 stars!
I had a great time listening to it and it was a wonderful experience. Different sounds like that of a door closing, clinking of a sword, etc were added for extra effects. The narration was immersive.
I'd definitely recommend trying out the audiobook version!
I'd like to thank One ELM Books and Netgally for providing me a copy of the book.
It was a cute, fun read! The audiobook narration took the story to the next level.
The One Great Gnome follows the adventures of Sarah and a garden gnome in a land filled with other gnomes, trolls, elves and secret passages.
It had all the elements of children's fantasy novel. Friendship with a mythical creature, traveling to a magical land, a thrilling adventure and saving the day at the end!
The story was wonderfully written and well crafted. It definitely stands out in the already existing pool of childhood fairytales.
Thoughts on audiobook: 5 stars!
I had a great time listening to it and it was a wonderful experience. Different sounds like that of a door closing, clinking of a sword, etc were added for extra effects. The narration was immersive.
I'd definitely recommend trying out the audiobook version!
I'd like to thank One ELM Books and Netgally for providing me a copy of the book.
September 9, 2021
Think about your favourite childhood fantasy books. What did they have? Adventure, danger, fun, thrills? Gnomes, trolls, sprites, elves? Secret passageways and hidden treasures? Rivalries and friendships? And most importantly, a happy ending? Do you want a single book that contains each and every item mentioned here? Here’s the book you are looking for.
The One Great Gnome is a middle-grade fantasy featuring an eleven year old Sarah who finds herself struggling to settle in rural Connecticut after a life in NYC. While exploring her new house and its surroundings, she discovers a statue of an old garden gnome. Imagine her surprise when somehow, the garden gnome comes to life. Her, and our, adventures begin thereon.
I loved the story. It has nothing exceptional and yet it is exceptional. It has everything a great children's story needs: fabulous writing, interesting characters, quick pacing, loads of fun adventures and plenty of moral lessons. I felt as if I were talking a nostalgic amble through my childhood storybooks, especially through The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland.
There is a secret clue hidden within the book title too which I can't reveal as it is a minor spoiler. But I just want to say to the author: I loved that secret, especially because I couldn't figure it out till the end and felt quite foolish for taking so long to realise who/what it stood for.
I was fortunate enough to receive the audio ARC of this book from NetGalley. And man! How that enhanced my experience! Simone Stevens, take a bow! You are one heck of a narrator! This wasn't just a narration, it was an outstanding acting performance. So many distinct voices for each character, such feelings inserted in every sentence, such fabulous enacting of sounds such as laughter... I've rarely enjoyed an audiobook as much as I did this one. To add to the experience, I loved the producer's decision of adding sound effects wherever practically possible. To hear the door creaking, the footsteps stomping, the cat mewing, ... Wow! I'm sure children will enjoy all these sounds as they listen to the story.
Recommended to every child and every adult who forgot to grow up.
Thank you, NetGalley and One Elm Books, for the Advanced Audio Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews
The One Great Gnome is a middle-grade fantasy featuring an eleven year old Sarah who finds herself struggling to settle in rural Connecticut after a life in NYC. While exploring her new house and its surroundings, she discovers a statue of an old garden gnome. Imagine her surprise when somehow, the garden gnome comes to life. Her, and our, adventures begin thereon.
I loved the story. It has nothing exceptional and yet it is exceptional. It has everything a great children's story needs: fabulous writing, interesting characters, quick pacing, loads of fun adventures and plenty of moral lessons. I felt as if I were talking a nostalgic amble through my childhood storybooks, especially through The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland.
There is a secret clue hidden within the book title too which I can't reveal as it is a minor spoiler. But I just want to say to the author: I loved that secret, especially because I couldn't figure it out till the end and felt quite foolish for taking so long to realise who/what it stood for.
I was fortunate enough to receive the audio ARC of this book from NetGalley. And man! How that enhanced my experience! Simone Stevens, take a bow! You are one heck of a narrator! This wasn't just a narration, it was an outstanding acting performance. So many distinct voices for each character, such feelings inserted in every sentence, such fabulous enacting of sounds such as laughter... I've rarely enjoyed an audiobook as much as I did this one. To add to the experience, I loved the producer's decision of adding sound effects wherever practically possible. To hear the door creaking, the footsteps stomping, the cat mewing, ... Wow! I'm sure children will enjoy all these sounds as they listen to the story.
Recommended to every child and every adult who forgot to grow up.
Thank you, NetGalley and One Elm Books, for the Advanced Audio Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews
March 11, 2021
A fun and cute middle-grade fantasy
The Great Gnome is a middle-grade fantasy by Jeff Dinardo which centres around the eleven-year-old Sarah. When Sarah moves from New York City to rural Hadley, she is excited to explore her new home. As she explores her new home, she is transferred into a secret world, full of elves, gnomes and adventure.
Reading this middle-grade fantasy reminded me of books such as Alice In The Wonderland and Peter Pan. The story is fast-paced and filled with magic and adventure. The protagonist, Sarah, is a memorable character and a great role-model. Sarah loves adventure and demonstrates the importance of being nonjudgemental and tolerant.
Although I am not the targetted audience for this book, I would recommend this short story to anyone in Middle-grade. It is a fun and fast-paced fantasy, filled with adventure, a memorable protagonist and exciting creatures.
4 / 5 stars
My thoughts on the Audiobook: The narration is excellent, and the audiobook includes sound effects. Reading this book through audio was a terrific experience.
Thanks to Red Chair Press and NetGalley for the audio-arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Great Gnome is a middle-grade fantasy by Jeff Dinardo which centres around the eleven-year-old Sarah. When Sarah moves from New York City to rural Hadley, she is excited to explore her new home. As she explores her new home, she is transferred into a secret world, full of elves, gnomes and adventure.
Reading this middle-grade fantasy reminded me of books such as Alice In The Wonderland and Peter Pan. The story is fast-paced and filled with magic and adventure. The protagonist, Sarah, is a memorable character and a great role-model. Sarah loves adventure and demonstrates the importance of being nonjudgemental and tolerant.
Although I am not the targetted audience for this book, I would recommend this short story to anyone in Middle-grade. It is a fun and fast-paced fantasy, filled with adventure, a memorable protagonist and exciting creatures.
4 / 5 stars
My thoughts on the Audiobook: The narration is excellent, and the audiobook includes sound effects. Reading this book through audio was a terrific experience.
Thanks to Red Chair Press and NetGalley for the audio-arc in exchange for an honest review.
April 26, 2021
Thank You Netgalley for this book in exchange for my honest review. I finished this really adorable book in a day. This is about Sarah, a 11 year old girl who moves to a new city with her parents and is unhappy because of the move. I loved following Sarah on her little adventure.
I liked the narration and it's a perfect children's book.
I liked the narration and it's a perfect children's book.
May 2, 2021
This is an arc I received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review is honest and spoiler-free.
I loved it. I enjoyed it a lot. It was short, it was fun and the narrator did a pretty good job. I hear it has illustrations too but I haven’t seen them because I had the audiobook arc for this. The plot was very short and refreshing and very easy to catch up with. It was like not much thought was given to a very thoughtful story, in a good way though. I mean, I appreciate all authors work and it was just so simple to understand which made it more enjoyable. It wasn’t complicated at all which justifies its middle grade category a lot.
I loved the characters and the way the narrator gave them a different personality with different voices was so very good. It made it a lot easier to understand and very much fun to listen to. I loved the fact how small music was included at some place to give like a door opening noise, bag packing voice, the effect of shock and the most interesting ones were the noises of the swords.
I definitely recommend this work of art. It’s amazing! It deserves a full 5.
I loved it. I enjoyed it a lot. It was short, it was fun and the narrator did a pretty good job. I hear it has illustrations too but I haven’t seen them because I had the audiobook arc for this. The plot was very short and refreshing and very easy to catch up with. It was like not much thought was given to a very thoughtful story, in a good way though. I mean, I appreciate all authors work and it was just so simple to understand which made it more enjoyable. It wasn’t complicated at all which justifies its middle grade category a lot.
I loved the characters and the way the narrator gave them a different personality with different voices was so very good. It made it a lot easier to understand and very much fun to listen to. I loved the fact how small music was included at some place to give like a door opening noise, bag packing voice, the effect of shock and the most interesting ones were the noises of the swords.
I definitely recommend this work of art. It’s amazing! It deserves a full 5.
May 5, 2021
Thank you Netgalley for the audio copy. Sarah and her family have moved to a new house. When out exploring the potting shed she finds a gnome. He comes to life and Sarah follows him on a adventure filled with gnomes, trolls and sprites. Absolutely delightful story.
May 4, 2021
I didn't enjoy the book as much as I'd hoped. The narration was too sugary and very slow. There were some great characters but overall it was not really for me.
May 12, 2021
Review to come
April 16, 2021
The One Great Gnome by Jeff Dinardo, Narrated by Simone Stevens, is a children's novel. Eleven-year-old Sarah moves with her family from New York City to rural Hadley, Connecticut. She's eager to explore her new home and meet new friends, but she never expected to befriend an old garden gnome. Join Sarah as she is drawn into a secret world beneath our feet. Sarah uses her instincts to calm old rivalries and help the underworld elves, gnomes, and more live in peace.
The One Great Gnome is a fun and entertaining adventure. It is fairly mild on the level of danger, and pretty high on the message of giving those that a different a chance. I thought that Sarah was a fairly well rounded character, if a little too trusting for me. She is sweet and thoughtful with a tiny dash of street smarts. He discovery on gnomes, their secrets, and the magical world so close to our own was nice. Some of the characters really captured my imagination, but others felt a little flat for me. Occasionally descriptions about size or something practical just felt off for me, it just did not feel like how a twelve year old might describe it, but that is simply my opinion. I did think that the reader did a good job with inflections, tone, and individual voices. The inclusion of sound effects was a nice touch- although I will admit they startled me once or twice since I was listening in the car and found myself wondering if my car or another car in traffic was making a sound. As a whole, I did enjoy the story and thought it was a fun tale. However, I just did not find myself excited by it or overly impressed. It was good, but not one that I need to add to my collection.
The One Great Gnome is a sweet bit of adventure with a nice lesson about looking past differences to forge friendship.
The One Great Gnome is a fun and entertaining adventure. It is fairly mild on the level of danger, and pretty high on the message of giving those that a different a chance. I thought that Sarah was a fairly well rounded character, if a little too trusting for me. She is sweet and thoughtful with a tiny dash of street smarts. He discovery on gnomes, their secrets, and the magical world so close to our own was nice. Some of the characters really captured my imagination, but others felt a little flat for me. Occasionally descriptions about size or something practical just felt off for me, it just did not feel like how a twelve year old might describe it, but that is simply my opinion. I did think that the reader did a good job with inflections, tone, and individual voices. The inclusion of sound effects was a nice touch- although I will admit they startled me once or twice since I was listening in the car and found myself wondering if my car or another car in traffic was making a sound. As a whole, I did enjoy the story and thought it was a fun tale. However, I just did not find myself excited by it or overly impressed. It was good, but not one that I need to add to my collection.
The One Great Gnome is a sweet bit of adventure with a nice lesson about looking past differences to forge friendship.
March 18, 2021
This is an adorable children’s book. This story follow Sarah as she helps the gnomes save their home. She meets many different fantasy creatures including gnomes, sprites, and ogres. I enjoyed listening to the narrator, and enjoyed the added sound effects.
Thank you Netgalley for letting me listen to this audiobook in exchange for my review.
Thank you Netgalley for letting me listen to this audiobook in exchange for my review.
March 20, 2021
A wonderfully enjoyable book for all ages.
It brings the wonder of growing up back again and maked me wistfully remember my own blessed childhood.
A worthwhile feel good read .
It brings the wonder of growing up back again and maked me wistfully remember my own blessed childhood.
A worthwhile feel good read .
April 20, 2021
Audiobook ARC Review: Received for free via NetGalley for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
CW/TW: mention of swords, ableist slur*
1. I love the sound affects! Adult audiobooks need to do this too because it makes it more exciting.
2. This was quick and easy and I really liked it. You don't get boggled down with drama, and I think it's enough for the age group the book is intended for.
*The people that use it get called out for using it though
CW/TW: mention of swords, ableist slur*
1. I love the sound affects! Adult audiobooks need to do this too because it makes it more exciting.
2. This was quick and easy and I really liked it. You don't get boggled down with drama, and I think it's enough for the age group the book is intended for.
*The people that use it get called out for using it though
February 10, 2022
The One Great Gnome follows eleven-year-old Sarah who has recently moved from the busy city of Manhattan, 100 miles away in a contrastingly calm, mundane rural Hadley, Connecticut. Sarah lives with her parents and her cat Smokey. She is a bookworm that loves escaping into the world of her books. Her dream is to work in a book store and read all the books she could get her hands on, understandably so, as her mother works in the library. This gives Sarah a beautifully open mind and vivid imagination.
Author Jeff Dinardo starts the story as Sarah’s family has just moved to their new home in the country. This gives Sarah a chance to explore things she could not when living in the city. Every little detail is explored from the perspective of an eleven-year-old, which makes the book interesting for children. It is during one of these adventures that Sarah comes across the garden gnome, Vesper of Oglinoth. Vesper introduces Sarah to a world she never knew existed outside of her books. She joins Vesper on his quest to save all the gnomes.
Very similar to the magical world of Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz, in Sarah’s world, nothing is impossible. Sarah is friendly, curious, and empathetic. Sarah is creative and uses that imagination to help out her new friend, and provides a fresh and broad perspective on various issues.
Scattered throughout this imaginative novel are black and white drawings illustrated by Jhon Ortiz. He has given readers a striking visual of some of the characters and the creatures that come alive in this creative book. They really give readers an idea of the creatures Sarah meets and their personalities.
Dinardo has created an engaging and relatable character in Sarah. Her curious personality will appeal to readers that are getting started with chapter books but are not quite ready for books like Harry Potter or the Percy Jackson & the Olympians.
The One Great Gnome is a captivating children’s fantasy adventure book that is filled with action. This is a fantastic beginning chapter book that will inspire the imagination of older elementary kids.
Author Jeff Dinardo starts the story as Sarah’s family has just moved to their new home in the country. This gives Sarah a chance to explore things she could not when living in the city. Every little detail is explored from the perspective of an eleven-year-old, which makes the book interesting for children. It is during one of these adventures that Sarah comes across the garden gnome, Vesper of Oglinoth. Vesper introduces Sarah to a world she never knew existed outside of her books. She joins Vesper on his quest to save all the gnomes.
Very similar to the magical world of Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz, in Sarah’s world, nothing is impossible. Sarah is friendly, curious, and empathetic. Sarah is creative and uses that imagination to help out her new friend, and provides a fresh and broad perspective on various issues.
Scattered throughout this imaginative novel are black and white drawings illustrated by Jhon Ortiz. He has given readers a striking visual of some of the characters and the creatures that come alive in this creative book. They really give readers an idea of the creatures Sarah meets and their personalities.
Dinardo has created an engaging and relatable character in Sarah. Her curious personality will appeal to readers that are getting started with chapter books but are not quite ready for books like Harry Potter or the Percy Jackson & the Olympians.
The One Great Gnome is a captivating children’s fantasy adventure book that is filled with action. This is a fantastic beginning chapter book that will inspire the imagination of older elementary kids.
April 28, 2021
Sarah wakes up in her new house in the Connecticut countryside. It’s all new around her.
Coming from New York City, this house looks like another world. She doesn’t know she will soon travel to another world. For real.
She goes out and explores the large garden behind the house. Inside a shed, she finds a garden gnome and decides to take him in her room.
‘It looks like you’re missing your sword,’ Sarah tells him. She runs down the shed, takes the sword and gives it back to the gnome.
That’s when the gnome comes to life and the adventure begins.
Review
The One Great Gnome is a beautiful children story. Entertaining and heart-warming.
Sarah undertakes a journey that reminds of Alice in Wonderland. She decides to open a door, falls into a void and finds herself surrounded by fantastic creatures. Some are kind, some are evil, some are mad.
With her good heart, Sarah defeats prejudices and mends conflicts. With the help of her fellow gnome and a few friends she makes on the way, she will risk her own life to save all gnomes and restore peace.
The audiobook
The recording is particularly good. Simone Stevens makes an excellent job at making characters come to life. Each gnome, each troll, each person has his or her own tone of voice. The narrator is lively and never monotonous.
Initially, I found odd the choice of introducing ambient sound here and there. A door that closed, a stick that breaks...
It was as if the audiobook was trying to be a radio drama without really committing to be one.
Yet, once you get over it, the sounds become part of the narrative. I still think the audiobook would have been just as good without them, but I see how a child might hang on them.
Sounds can multiply one’s imagination.
And The One Great Gnome does a very good job at igniting everyone’s imagination.
Coming from New York City, this house looks like another world. She doesn’t know she will soon travel to another world. For real.
She goes out and explores the large garden behind the house. Inside a shed, she finds a garden gnome and decides to take him in her room.
‘It looks like you’re missing your sword,’ Sarah tells him. She runs down the shed, takes the sword and gives it back to the gnome.
That’s when the gnome comes to life and the adventure begins.
Review
The One Great Gnome is a beautiful children story. Entertaining and heart-warming.
Sarah undertakes a journey that reminds of Alice in Wonderland. She decides to open a door, falls into a void and finds herself surrounded by fantastic creatures. Some are kind, some are evil, some are mad.
With her good heart, Sarah defeats prejudices and mends conflicts. With the help of her fellow gnome and a few friends she makes on the way, she will risk her own life to save all gnomes and restore peace.
The audiobook
The recording is particularly good. Simone Stevens makes an excellent job at making characters come to life. Each gnome, each troll, each person has his or her own tone of voice. The narrator is lively and never monotonous.
Initially, I found odd the choice of introducing ambient sound here and there. A door that closed, a stick that breaks...
It was as if the audiobook was trying to be a radio drama without really committing to be one.
Yet, once you get over it, the sounds become part of the narrative. I still think the audiobook would have been just as good without them, but I see how a child might hang on them.
Sounds can multiply one’s imagination.
And The One Great Gnome does a very good job at igniting everyone’s imagination.
August 17, 2021
When eleven-year-old Sarah is transplanted from New York City to rural Connecticut, she has no idea how she will survive. Never could she have imagined that a garden gnome come to life would lead her to an underground adventure to save the entire gnome race.
I listened to the audiobook version of this story and absolutely loved the addition of sound effects to enhance the story. Looking at the printed version, I saw the addition of illustrations with the text as well. I thought these nice additions.
However, while my seven-year-old daughter found this story enjoyable, I had a difficult time getting into the story. Although it is geared toward a younger audience, I was frustrated by the overuse of dialogue tags and, at least in the second half of the story, the near absent use of pronouns, leading to names being repeated many times in a short period. An example of this can be seen in the kindle sample:
"Sarah was just turning to leave when something caught her eye. It looked like a little gray shoe that was sticking out from under an overturned planter. Sarah carefully lifted the planter and laid it aside. The shoe was part of a statue. It looked like a little elf, or gnome, made out of stone. He was about three feet tall and dressed in a suit, and on his head was a pointed hat. Sarah had seen these in her mother's books."
There were also some places throughout the book where it felt like too much background information was being given. I wasn't always sure how it was relevant to the story and was slightly distracting.
Overall, however, I did think this an enjoyable story to read with my younger children. The audiobook was well narrated and my children within the target audience seemed to enjoy it.
I listened to the audiobook version of this story and absolutely loved the addition of sound effects to enhance the story. Looking at the printed version, I saw the addition of illustrations with the text as well. I thought these nice additions.
However, while my seven-year-old daughter found this story enjoyable, I had a difficult time getting into the story. Although it is geared toward a younger audience, I was frustrated by the overuse of dialogue tags and, at least in the second half of the story, the near absent use of pronouns, leading to names being repeated many times in a short period. An example of this can be seen in the kindle sample:
"Sarah was just turning to leave when something caught her eye. It looked like a little gray shoe that was sticking out from under an overturned planter. Sarah carefully lifted the planter and laid it aside. The shoe was part of a statue. It looked like a little elf, or gnome, made out of stone. He was about three feet tall and dressed in a suit, and on his head was a pointed hat. Sarah had seen these in her mother's books."
There were also some places throughout the book where it felt like too much background information was being given. I wasn't always sure how it was relevant to the story and was slightly distracting.
Overall, however, I did think this an enjoyable story to read with my younger children. The audiobook was well narrated and my children within the target audience seemed to enjoy it.
March 31, 2021
I have always been a big reader especially when I was a child, trips to the library filled me with delight and my Mum with dread, as she usually had to drag me out kicking and screaming. Thinking back to that time, the books I loved the most involved unlikely friendships, mythical creatures in magical lands and of course a happy ending. This book covers all those things and the narrator is delightful, it really brought the story to life.
We meet eleven year old Sarah who is very sad as she has recently moved from her old home in NYC, has left her friends behind and has to adjust to rural life in Connecticut. Settling is a struggle for her until exploring her new surroundings she ends up in a secret world, surrounded by gnomes and elves and the adventure begins.
This book is beautifully written and I would recommended to it to all children and even my adult friends who still believe in magic.
Thank you to Netgalley and One ELM Books for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
My rating scale
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Absolutely loved it! Gave me a warm fuzzy feeling or made me cry. And took me on an emotional rollercoaster.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Really liked it. Will read more by the author and other books in the series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - It was just okay, didn’t move me, but don’t feel like I wasted me time reading it either.
⭐️⭐️ - Didn’t like this book and probably won’t read other in the series.
⭐️ - I did not care for this book at all and feel like I wasted my time reading it
We meet eleven year old Sarah who is very sad as she has recently moved from her old home in NYC, has left her friends behind and has to adjust to rural life in Connecticut. Settling is a struggle for her until exploring her new surroundings she ends up in a secret world, surrounded by gnomes and elves and the adventure begins.
This book is beautifully written and I would recommended to it to all children and even my adult friends who still believe in magic.
Thank you to Netgalley and One ELM Books for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
My rating scale
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Absolutely loved it! Gave me a warm fuzzy feeling or made me cry. And took me on an emotional rollercoaster.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Really liked it. Will read more by the author and other books in the series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - It was just okay, didn’t move me, but don’t feel like I wasted me time reading it either.
⭐️⭐️ - Didn’t like this book and probably won’t read other in the series.
⭐️ - I did not care for this book at all and feel like I wasted my time reading it
March 31, 2021
I have always been a big reader especially when I was a child, trips to the library filled me with delight and my Mum with dread, as she usually had to drag me out kicking and screaming. Thinking back to that time, the books I loved the most involved unlikely friendships, mythical creatures in magical lands and of course a happy ending. This book covers all those things and the narrator is delightful, it really brought the story to life.
We meet eleven year old Sarah who is very sad as she has recently moved from her old home in NYC, has left her friends behind and has to adjust to rural life in Connecticut. Settling is a struggle for her until exploring her new surroundings she ends up in a secret world, surrounded by gnomes and elves and the adventure begins.
This book is beautifully written and I would recommended to it to all children and even my adult friends who still believe in magic.
Thank you to Netgalley and One ELM Books for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
My rating scale
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Absolutely loved it! Gave me a warm fuzzy feeling or made me cry. And took me on an emotional rollercoaster.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Really liked it. Will read more by the author and other books in the series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - It was just okay, didn’t move me, but don’t feel like I wasted me time reading it either.
⭐️⭐️ - Didn’t like this book and probably won’t read other in the series.
⭐️ - I did not care for this book at all and feel like I wasted my time reading it
We meet eleven year old Sarah who is very sad as she has recently moved from her old home in NYC, has left her friends behind and has to adjust to rural life in Connecticut. Settling is a struggle for her until exploring her new surroundings she ends up in a secret world, surrounded by gnomes and elves and the adventure begins.
This book is beautifully written and I would recommended to it to all children and even my adult friends who still believe in magic.
Thank you to Netgalley and One ELM Books for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
My rating scale
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Absolutely loved it! Gave me a warm fuzzy feeling or made me cry. And took me on an emotional rollercoaster.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Really liked it. Will read more by the author and other books in the series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - It was just okay, didn’t move me, but don’t feel like I wasted me time reading it either.
⭐️⭐️ - Didn’t like this book and probably won’t read other in the series.
⭐️ - I did not care for this book at all and feel like I wasted my time reading it
April 14, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in an audiobook version in exchange for an honest review.
The One Great Gnome is a fast paced and amusing adventure/fantasy book aimed at middle graders. It has gnomes, trolls (misunderstood!) and one dastardly elf, and I highly recommend it for kids 8 – 11.
Eleven year old Sarah has moved to rural Connecticut from New York City with her family, and is trying to make the best of it. Exploring the yard of her new home on the first day, she finds a stone statue of a gnome in the garden shed, along with what appears to be a small sword. She takes it into the house with her and discovers that the sword fits into the statue’s scabbard - and immediately it begins to transform into a real gnome, Vesper, who had come to the upper world to get help … he doesn’t know how long ago. Vesper shows Sarah where the door is to the tunnel to the underworld, and next thing she knows she’s tumbled down to Vesper’s world, and together they’re off on an adventure to save the gnomes.
The gnomes are headed up by The OGG, or the One Great Gnome, who was the one who taught the gnomes things like speech, building, etc., and Sarah is curious, and would love to meet this mysterious gnome – especially when the “Statue of Liberty” in the underworld has a face that matches the woman in the picture she picked up in her own garden shed. Sarah also worries about getting home – how long has she been gone in the upper world? Are her parents frantic? Will she ever find her way back? Have a listen to this gem of an audiobook, complete with sound effects, to find out!
The One Great Gnome is a fast paced and amusing adventure/fantasy book aimed at middle graders. It has gnomes, trolls (misunderstood!) and one dastardly elf, and I highly recommend it for kids 8 – 11.
Eleven year old Sarah has moved to rural Connecticut from New York City with her family, and is trying to make the best of it. Exploring the yard of her new home on the first day, she finds a stone statue of a gnome in the garden shed, along with what appears to be a small sword. She takes it into the house with her and discovers that the sword fits into the statue’s scabbard - and immediately it begins to transform into a real gnome, Vesper, who had come to the upper world to get help … he doesn’t know how long ago. Vesper shows Sarah where the door is to the tunnel to the underworld, and next thing she knows she’s tumbled down to Vesper’s world, and together they’re off on an adventure to save the gnomes.
The gnomes are headed up by The OGG, or the One Great Gnome, who was the one who taught the gnomes things like speech, building, etc., and Sarah is curious, and would love to meet this mysterious gnome – especially when the “Statue of Liberty” in the underworld has a face that matches the woman in the picture she picked up in her own garden shed. Sarah also worries about getting home – how long has she been gone in the upper world? Are her parents frantic? Will she ever find her way back? Have a listen to this gem of an audiobook, complete with sound effects, to find out!
April 24, 2021
Once in a while, I enjoy reading about the hidden and magical worlds that allow me to get away from the unbearable reality. The one great Gnome is one such book. Sarah moves from New York City to rural Hadley, Connecticut. She’s not so happy with her new home because she misses her old friends and surroundings. But she's eager to find new friends as well. On the same day, she finds a statue that turns into a living gnome once she puts his sword in his hands. This surprises Sarah. The Gnome she meets is Vesper. Vesper tells her the story of his world and Sarah decides to join him for the adventure. From that moment onward, we join Sarah in a magical Gnome world. Sarah uses her intelligence and fearlessness to solve the battles between the world of gnomes, elves, and trolls.
I listened to the audiobook on Netgalley. The first and foremost thing I would like to admire is the striking descriptions of events. Everything is so superbly narrated that I could visualise everything. The voices of the characters, the pacing, and the tone - so so amazing. Even the detailed voices like the closing of the door, cooking, running, panting and every minor detail. Even kids would be able to imagine everything with such a cool narration.
This book vividly reminded me of the movie Smurfs. Not saying this is a copy or something, but it reminded me because of the characters. So, the storyline wasn't entirely unique but I thoroughly enjoyed this fun book.
I would recommend this book to kids and teens. Good escape for adults as well.
March 18, 2021
This is a sweet book and a nice story to listen to.
I don't know why, I was expecting a story catered to an older age group, so the simplicity of it was a bit of a shock, but it still was a nice story and a good use of my time.
It just annoyed me sometimes all the "Sarah said" or "the Ogg said", "he said", "she said" in the middle of the dialogs. I know that, when reading, it makes sense to add those sentences for context, but the narration was so immersive and the narrator did such a great job with each character that when those sentences were read it brought me back from the story.
I didn't give it 4 stars because, seen as the book is made for small children, there are some things that I don't agree with, such as
This audiobook was provided by NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
I don't know why, I was expecting a story catered to an older age group, so the simplicity of it was a bit of a shock, but it still was a nice story and a good use of my time.
It just annoyed me sometimes all the "Sarah said" or "the Ogg said", "he said", "she said" in the middle of the dialogs. I know that, when reading, it makes sense to add those sentences for context, but the narration was so immersive and the narrator did such a great job with each character that when those sentences were read it brought me back from the story.
I didn't give it 4 stars because, seen as the book is made for small children, there are some things that I don't agree with, such as
This audiobook was provided by NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
April 5, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in an audiobook version in exchange for an honest review.
That was such an enchanting story to listen to and how much I enjoyed the narrating by Simone Stevens which was quite good.
A beautiful and magical adventure that we all dreamt about as kids or we still wish to open a door and then finding ourselves in another fantastic world where we can meet wonderful creatures such as gnomes or elves and becoming their friend or even their hero.
Moving from your old home in NYC to a new one in the rural Hadley, Connecticut leaving behind your best friend can not be an easy experience for the eleven years old Sarah. She found it so difficult to adjust in such new surroundings but everything changed after a chance meeting with a gnome named Vesper whom she will follow to his enchanted world where she will meet the One Great Gnome and live some captivating adventures.
An amazing middle grade book that you can not not like and find so much pleasure while reading. It is beautifully written with cute characters and a strong little heroine. It's about family, friendship, finding your courage and lessons to learn as it must be expected in such books.
That was such an enchanting story to listen to and how much I enjoyed the narrating by Simone Stevens which was quite good.
A beautiful and magical adventure that we all dreamt about as kids or we still wish to open a door and then finding ourselves in another fantastic world where we can meet wonderful creatures such as gnomes or elves and becoming their friend or even their hero.
Moving from your old home in NYC to a new one in the rural Hadley, Connecticut leaving behind your best friend can not be an easy experience for the eleven years old Sarah. She found it so difficult to adjust in such new surroundings but everything changed after a chance meeting with a gnome named Vesper whom she will follow to his enchanted world where she will meet the One Great Gnome and live some captivating adventures.
An amazing middle grade book that you can not not like and find so much pleasure while reading. It is beautifully written with cute characters and a strong little heroine. It's about family, friendship, finding your courage and lessons to learn as it must be expected in such books.
April 27, 2021
I'd like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced listener copy of the book. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.
I don't know who is living the best life in this story - Sarah, a bookworm who disappears into a fantastical world of gnomes, elves, and trolls, or her parents. (One of my dreams is to be a writer or a librarian and have my own cozy library. Also, how lucky is Sarah to have a writer dad and a librarian mom? Anyway, I digress. That isn't the point of the story at all.)
The audiobook version of this middle grade novel is a delight to listen to. The narrator performs a wide range of voices, and there are sound-effects used throughout that add to the listening experience.
The story itself was charming, and the theme of "don't judge a book by it's cover" was used pretty heavily throughout. I think it'd be good for younger readers who would find her adventures exciting.
It just feels like it is missing some sort of magical spark where it doesn't resonate with me as much as other books in this genre and age level. I have read other middle grade books with magic and fantasy woven throughout, and there's something about them that just sticks to your ribs and warms your soul. This is lacking that feeling for me.
I don't know who is living the best life in this story - Sarah, a bookworm who disappears into a fantastical world of gnomes, elves, and trolls, or her parents. (One of my dreams is to be a writer or a librarian and have my own cozy library. Also, how lucky is Sarah to have a writer dad and a librarian mom? Anyway, I digress. That isn't the point of the story at all.)
The audiobook version of this middle grade novel is a delight to listen to. The narrator performs a wide range of voices, and there are sound-effects used throughout that add to the listening experience.
The story itself was charming, and the theme of "don't judge a book by it's cover" was used pretty heavily throughout. I think it'd be good for younger readers who would find her adventures exciting.
It just feels like it is missing some sort of magical spark where it doesn't resonate with me as much as other books in this genre and age level. I have read other middle grade books with magic and fantasy woven throughout, and there's something about them that just sticks to your ribs and warms your soul. This is lacking that feeling for me.
March 16, 2021
"Eleven-year-old Sarah moves with her family from New York City to rural Hadley, Connecticut. She's eager to explore her new home and meet new friends, but she never expected to befriend an old garden gnome. Join Sarah as she is drawn into a secret world beneath our feet. Sarah uses her instincts to calm old rivalries and help the underworld elves, gnomes, and more live in peace."
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I absolutely adored this book! I teach upper elementary, so I know some students would be a bit too old for this, but they would absolutely still enjoy it, even just as a fun or easy read. There were many places where I could have stopped reading and then had my students turn and talk about various scenes, figures of speech that were used, lessons the characters learned, and so much more. The narrator was phenomenal and coupled with the added sound effects, the book really came to life.
Thank you NetGalley, One Elm Books, and the author Jeff Dinardo for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.
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I absolutely adored this book! I teach upper elementary, so I know some students would be a bit too old for this, but they would absolutely still enjoy it, even just as a fun or easy read. There were many places where I could have stopped reading and then had my students turn and talk about various scenes, figures of speech that were used, lessons the characters learned, and so much more. The narrator was phenomenal and coupled with the added sound effects, the book really came to life.
Thank you NetGalley, One Elm Books, and the author Jeff Dinardo for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.
March 23, 2021
Like many kids who were forced to move to a new home, Sarah can't help but feel lonely and lost as she explores her new farmhouse and garden far from her familiar apartment in Manhattan. When she happens upon a gnome and a portal in the back of the potting shed, Sarah finds herself with more company than she had bargained for. In a world fraught with gnomes, sprites, elves and trolls, Sarah must find a way to save everyone from a menacing evil and find her way home.
As far as portal fantasy stories go, this one doesn't really stand out to me. I know a few third-graders who would really love it, but it was a bit too simplified for my tastes. It was an enjoyable break from the obnoxiously mature fantasies I've been swamped with lately, but I didn't really connect with the characters, and the world building did not inspire my imagination. Still, if you're a young person looking for a short, happy story about secret portals, magical worlds, unexpected creatures and courage in the face of long-lived prejudice, this is a great way to spend an afternoon.
As far as portal fantasy stories go, this one doesn't really stand out to me. I know a few third-graders who would really love it, but it was a bit too simplified for my tastes. It was an enjoyable break from the obnoxiously mature fantasies I've been swamped with lately, but I didn't really connect with the characters, and the world building did not inspire my imagination. Still, if you're a young person looking for a short, happy story about secret portals, magical worlds, unexpected creatures and courage in the face of long-lived prejudice, this is a great way to spend an afternoon.
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