Painted Devil

by Michael Bedard

When Alice accepts a job helping to stage a Punch-and-Judy show at the library, all she wants is a break from the tensions at home. But mysterious, frightening events take place as the show draws nearer. Only Alice's aunt Emily suspects that the truth lies buried in the past. Will she and Alice be able to discover the dreadful secret of the puppet show in time to save themselves? In this chilling novel, Michael Bedard explores the nature of evil - and of hope.

Genres: Young Adult

32 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 1995

About the author

Michael Bedard was born and raised in Toronto. His novels include Stained Glass, A Darker Magic, Painted Devil, and Redwork, which received the Governor General’s Literary Award and the Canadian Library Association’s Book of the Year Award for Children. He has also written several acclaimed picture books, including The Clay Ladies, which received the Toronto IODE Book Award. His biography, William Blake: The Gates of Paradise and his picture book Emily attest to his interest in poets and poetry.

Reviews

[Hanaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Considering I read this book when I was 8...I thought it was quite frightening, and I loved it. I was going through that phase in which I loved reading about the Devil, or books that had some sort of allusion to the Devil. I went back to my Elementary School a couple of months ago, to my suprise I found it on the shelf - STILL! I picked it up and sat down at a table, sure I looked out of place, but I finished it quickly. It's not as frightening as it once was, but it's still funny. I now realise that the plot is weak and it's not exactly a book I would buy right now... Other than that, I would recommend this book to kids who are in the grades 4-9.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good, but the ending was weird.

[Catharine Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drinking game: take a drink every time this book uses the words quiet, silent, or some other permutation of silent quietude. Despite that, I loved this book. The opening paragraph was some of the best writing I have ever seen in print. This was a very enjoyable read, and it made the top ten on our bookshelf: I have read it a couple of times, and my son has read it more than once also. The narrative drags in places, giving historical detail where none is really needed, describing the scenery when the characters should be moving forward, but other than that it's a great read and I think people should for sure pick it up!

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just so so. The writing was a little slow at times for kids, or even for an adult like me, and the ending was predictable. Not terrible, but not great.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved this book when I was a kid... makes me wonder where my copy is now...