What do you think?
Rate this book
The Wikkeling
In the enormous city of the Addition, all children are SAFE, SECURE, and SUPERVISED, and are watched by cameras even while they sleep. Henrietta is unlikable at her competitive school until she meets Gary and Rose. They all share something in headaches with an unknown cause. Then, late one night, Henrietta makes a startling discovery when she finds a wounded cat in the attic above her bedroom. Soon after, a series of strange occurrences follow, including the appearance of a threatening creature with long, waxy fingers, who calls itself the Wikkeling. With the help of an ancient Bestiary, will Henrietta and her friends solve these mysteries before the Wikkeling finally catches them? Middle Reader 8-12
224 pages, Hardcover
First published May 3, 2011
7 people are currently reading
359 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
March 6, 2019
Recently, I've been in the mood to read a lot of middle grade books for some reason. When life gets stressful, I know I can always count on a great middle grade novel to pull me in, and make life feel magical again. A few days ago, I decided to pick up The Wikkeling because it had been on my TBR for a long time. I regret not reading it sooner. I loved the book.
I have to admit, the reason why I put off reading The Wikkeling for so long wasn't the story line, but the actual book itself. It was very odd shaped, almost like a coffee table book, and extremely heavy. It made the book very hard to hold, and awkward to read from. If it wasn't for having to put it down every couple chapters because of this, I probably would have read it in one night. Instead, it took me about four or five days to read.
Even though the format of the physical book was incredibly awkward, I did love the story line. I thought it had the perfect amount of suspense and creepiness. Even as an adult, I found it to be spooky at times. I also loved the futuristic world. The reader only got bits and pieces of it, but I found the concept to be fascinating. At first, I wasn't sure how I felt about Henrietta, the main character. However, by the end of the book, I loved her, and the rest of the characters. I found myself cheering them on, hoping they would overcome The Wikkeling, and everything else they were going through. I wish that more of the wild housecat had been featured in the book. I really enjoyed it.
Although I didn't enjoy the format of The Wikkeling, I loved the story line itself. The plot was great, and had an exceptional cast of characters. I noticed that the author hasn't published a recent book in a couple years. I hope that he continues to write. I would love to read more books by him, especially more middle grade books. Even though this book ended in a way that wraps everything up neatly, I want more of this world.
I have to admit, the reason why I put off reading The Wikkeling for so long wasn't the story line, but the actual book itself. It was very odd shaped, almost like a coffee table book, and extremely heavy. It made the book very hard to hold, and awkward to read from. If it wasn't for having to put it down every couple chapters because of this, I probably would have read it in one night. Instead, it took me about four or five days to read.
Even though the format of the physical book was incredibly awkward, I did love the story line. I thought it had the perfect amount of suspense and creepiness. Even as an adult, I found it to be spooky at times. I also loved the futuristic world. The reader only got bits and pieces of it, but I found the concept to be fascinating. At first, I wasn't sure how I felt about Henrietta, the main character. However, by the end of the book, I loved her, and the rest of the characters. I found myself cheering them on, hoping they would overcome The Wikkeling, and everything else they were going through. I wish that more of the wild housecat had been featured in the book. I really enjoyed it.
Although I didn't enjoy the format of The Wikkeling, I loved the story line itself. The plot was great, and had an exceptional cast of characters. I noticed that the author hasn't published a recent book in a couple years. I hope that he continues to write. I would love to read more books by him, especially more middle grade books. Even though this book ended in a way that wraps everything up neatly, I want more of this world.
July 11, 2011
"Henrietta is the main character of this story. The whole book will be about her- and it's worth mentioning at the outset a few things that aren't going to happen to her. She will not become beautiful when someone gives her a new hairstyle. She will not find a miracle cure for her pimples when an angel sees she's a good girl inside. She will not find out that she's actually a princess, and she won't become happy forever when a prince marries her. Those books are out there, and your school librarian can help you find one. This isn't it." - The Wikkeling
All I can say is, thank you, Mr. Arntson.
All I can say is, thank you, Mr. Arntson.
June 16, 2011
I wasn't sure what I would think of this book when I accepted it for review. But it being labeled a dystopian got my attention and I couldn't turn it down. I'm very glad I didn't because this was a fun and unique read. It also had a bit of a quirky tone to it that really made it even better!
This is set in our world in the future and everything is computerized and books are actually considered dangerous (mold can grow on them *gasp*). I got the giggles at times when reading because in school they have to type things like "Why swimming is dangerous", "Why running is dangerous", etc. Everything is way over the top about being safe. Now that's not the focus of the story at all, but we get to see it a bit when Henrietta goes to school.
This book definitely has a middle grade tone to it but even as an adult I found myself being okay with that and still enjoying it. The characters aren't real in depth (it IS middle grade) but we get to know them pretty well and their personalities are all interesting and unique. And they each grow quite a lot.
I think my favorite things about this book are how it shows us what we could become in the future if we become completely computerized. Books would become obsolete. And even when cities take over everything then there is no more wildlife at all. Just the world itself was very interesting. I also liked that this book was a touch fantasy. Not high fantasy at all, but just a touch and it was perfect! The book also has amazing illustrations scattered through it and has some entries, handwritten, from a Bestiary book that Henrietta gets from her grandfather. These journal like entries are about creatures and has illustrations included which I found to be very cool!
Overall this was really a great read and I recommend to anyone who enjoys dystopia, loves cats, enjoys a touch of fantasy and loves to read middle grade books.
This is set in our world in the future and everything is computerized and books are actually considered dangerous (mold can grow on them *gasp*). I got the giggles at times when reading because in school they have to type things like "Why swimming is dangerous", "Why running is dangerous", etc. Everything is way over the top about being safe. Now that's not the focus of the story at all, but we get to see it a bit when Henrietta goes to school.
This book definitely has a middle grade tone to it but even as an adult I found myself being okay with that and still enjoying it. The characters aren't real in depth (it IS middle grade) but we get to know them pretty well and their personalities are all interesting and unique. And they each grow quite a lot.
I think my favorite things about this book are how it shows us what we could become in the future if we become completely computerized. Books would become obsolete. And even when cities take over everything then there is no more wildlife at all. Just the world itself was very interesting. I also liked that this book was a touch fantasy. Not high fantasy at all, but just a touch and it was perfect! The book also has amazing illustrations scattered through it and has some entries, handwritten, from a Bestiary book that Henrietta gets from her grandfather. These journal like entries are about creatures and has illustrations included which I found to be very cool!
Overall this was really a great read and I recommend to anyone who enjoys dystopia, loves cats, enjoys a touch of fantasy and loves to read middle grade books.
April 13, 2020
I picked this up because the cover is creepy as hell. I don't think I'd say this book is for children, but it was a great read. I felt there was a lot of subtext throughout about how much influence there is on our lives from technology.
September 15, 2011
Should not have finished this in the middle of the night. Creeeeeeeeepy.
I loved this book, because it is a rare type for kids' fiction. Very creepy, the Wikkeling moves in flashes - straight our of J-horror movies. But the tongue-in-cheek dystopia where everything is super-safe and wired is just great. It's a little sad too, because the clean, safe, super-connected world they live in is too safe, too clean, and too connected. It made me long for things that I still have, like grass, and books, and sidewalks. I read many reviews of this book that said it left a lot of questions unanswered, and I almost didn't read it because of that. I'm glad I did, because yes, there are lots of questions in your head when you finish, but the questions that need to be answered in order to make this a good book are answered. Just be ready to spend a half hour after you put it down to wade through your own questions. That being said, I hope he doesn't do any sequels for this, I think answering some of those questions would ruin the experience.
There is nothing in this book to be inappropriate for kids, no swearing, or extreme violence, but as a grown woman, I was a little spooked. I would only suggest this for older grade school kids and up. The author does the horror aspect right but keeping things vague and ominous. Don't forget to check out the 'Bestiary' in the middle, beautiful artwork and hilarious descriptions of the creatures within.
I can't wait to see what else Steve Arnston brings us!
I loved this book, because it is a rare type for kids' fiction. Very creepy, the Wikkeling moves in flashes - straight our of J-horror movies. But the tongue-in-cheek dystopia where everything is super-safe and wired is just great. It's a little sad too, because the clean, safe, super-connected world they live in is too safe, too clean, and too connected. It made me long for things that I still have, like grass, and books, and sidewalks. I read many reviews of this book that said it left a lot of questions unanswered, and I almost didn't read it because of that. I'm glad I did, because yes, there are lots of questions in your head when you finish, but the questions that need to be answered in order to make this a good book are answered. Just be ready to spend a half hour after you put it down to wade through your own questions. That being said, I hope he doesn't do any sequels for this, I think answering some of those questions would ruin the experience.
There is nothing in this book to be inappropriate for kids, no swearing, or extreme violence, but as a grown woman, I was a little spooked. I would only suggest this for older grade school kids and up. The author does the horror aspect right but keeping things vague and ominous. Don't forget to check out the 'Bestiary' in the middle, beautiful artwork and hilarious descriptions of the creatures within.
I can't wait to see what else Steve Arnston brings us!
September 25, 2011
an intriguing book. Henrietta lives in a world which seems not so far in the future, where everything is electronic and children don't get to act on their natural curiosity because of all the possible DANGERS involved. Advertisements fill the air so there is little hope of silence, and sidewalks, trees, and grass have given way to roads.
But Henrietta's not your typical child; she meets two other friends who are different, and they discover an attic in her house where relics such as books and candles are kept. Each day, Henrietta visits the attic and looks out the window to a view on the past. One of the book helps them to figure out who the strange creature known as the Wikkeling is, and why only certain people can see him, and what he wants from them. The silhouette illustrations are kind of macabre, but I liked them. The added full-color bestiary didn't really seem necessary, but all in all, this was something refreshingly different to read.
But Henrietta's not your typical child; she meets two other friends who are different, and they discover an attic in her house where relics such as books and candles are kept. Each day, Henrietta visits the attic and looks out the window to a view on the past. One of the book helps them to figure out who the strange creature known as the Wikkeling is, and why only certain people can see him, and what he wants from them. The silhouette illustrations are kind of macabre, but I liked them. The added full-color bestiary didn't really seem necessary, but all in all, this was something refreshingly different to read.
September 9, 2016
4.5 stars!
Oh my goodness! I just randomly grabbed this book off the shelf at the library. I had NO idea what a treat I was in for.
The cover looks so old school, which I thought maybe would make readers skip over it, but after reading it- I couldn't imagine a better cover!
I couldn't describe this book any better than how James Dashner did:
"A truly original piece of work. Swinging from funny to creepy to intriguing, it kept me enthralled throughout."
Seriously though! This book had me laughing out loud one minute and then shivering in fear the next. It also had a wonderful middle section of beautifully illustrated creatures. It was so original. It truly fascinated me!
If you like Dr Who or Neil Gaiman (specifically Coraline) you need to read this!
Oh my goodness! I just randomly grabbed this book off the shelf at the library. I had NO idea what a treat I was in for.
The cover looks so old school, which I thought maybe would make readers skip over it, but after reading it- I couldn't imagine a better cover!
I couldn't describe this book any better than how James Dashner did:
"A truly original piece of work. Swinging from funny to creepy to intriguing, it kept me enthralled throughout."
Seriously though! This book had me laughing out loud one minute and then shivering in fear the next. It also had a wonderful middle section of beautifully illustrated creatures. It was so original. It truly fascinated me!
If you like Dr Who or Neil Gaiman (specifically Coraline) you need to read this!
January 2, 2020
I was really sad that I missed the signing for this, as I really wanted to bring Lilly too, as she and are in the middle of this, and I think it would have been a bit of a thrill to meet the real, live author and of course see the toy boats!
We are really enjoying the book very much, and it is gripping very well developed characters an enjoyably vivid (if creepy) description on this other worldly place, we love it.
And Lilly is 12 and I am over 30 lets say, so that just goes to show what a good age range it the Wikkeling has hold over!
We are really enjoying the book very much, and it is gripping very well developed characters an enjoyably vivid (if creepy) description on this other worldly place, we love it.
And Lilly is 12 and I am over 30 lets say, so that just goes to show what a good age range it the Wikkeling has hold over!
June 20, 2011
'The Wikkeling' captures beautiful and terrible possibilities with the voice of a smart little girl and a not-unimaginable future. Henrietta, her friends and the world they live in are hyper-analyzed to the point of suffocation, so how could a wild animal be bleeding in the attic? Smart, funny and thought-provoking, with gorgeous illustrations, this mystery unfurls like a plant breaking through concrete: delicate, inevitable, and awesome it its smallness.
June 24, 2011
I picked this one up because the book design was fabulous. However, there are far too many moving parts in this story for j fiction...even tho there are some really cool bits. As a whole, the book fails, in spite of moments of coolness.
June 19, 2011
i'm excited and freaked out about this book and the potential it has to give me nightmares about creepers with really long fingers. BECAUSE HAVING REALLY LONG FINGERS IS CREEPY.
April 20, 2020
The Wikkeling by Steven Arntson is a very peculiar book indeed. The book is a mystery that is placed in a dystopian setting with an engaging plot that borders on fantasy at times. The book follows Henrietta and her companions Gary and Rose as they try to unravel the mystery of the titular Wikkeling creature of the title. The book is broken up into two parts and has several ‘shadow portraits’ throughout depicting events that are taking place in the world. The very first thing you will be met with when opening the book is a poem that deserves to be reread once you have finished the book. About a quarter of the way into the book the reader is given access to a ‘book within the book’ As the characters are given a book titled Supplement to the Seventh Edition of the Bestiary the reader also is given a chance to read it and try to discern information that is relevant to the mystery at hand. The book would be great in a fifth-grade classroom.
One way this book could be used is as a read-aloud to engage students in reading. It is a book the demands you to keep reading and I believe that it would be an excellent gateway to foster student engagement with literature. Another way that I would use this book in my classroom would be to have students complete creative writing passages. What would they do if they were in this world? What is a creature that should be included in the Supplement to the Seventh Edition of the Bestiary? A number of prompts could be given.
For me this was a WOW book as soon as I opened it, the characters and setting were so engaging and the mystery kept me hooked as I tried to keep up. The premise of a society in which books have been deemed too dangerous caught my attention right away and from there on I couldn’t put it down. This was definitely one that I read in one sitting.
One way this book could be used is as a read-aloud to engage students in reading. It is a book the demands you to keep reading and I believe that it would be an excellent gateway to foster student engagement with literature. Another way that I would use this book in my classroom would be to have students complete creative writing passages. What would they do if they were in this world? What is a creature that should be included in the Supplement to the Seventh Edition of the Bestiary? A number of prompts could be given.
For me this was a WOW book as soon as I opened it, the characters and setting were so engaging and the mystery kept me hooked as I tried to keep up. The premise of a society in which books have been deemed too dangerous caught my attention right away and from there on I couldn’t put it down. This was definitely one that I read in one sitting.
December 17, 2023
"The Wikkeling" by Steven Arntson immerses readers in the peculiar world of the Addition, a city where children are constantly monitored. The story revolves around Henrietta, initially portrayed as unlikable in her competitive school. However, her life takes a mysterious turn when she befriends Gary and Rose, sharing a common experience of unexplained headaches.
Arntson weaves a tale of intrigue when Henrietta discovers a wounded cat in her attic, triggering a chain of peculiar events. The emergence of the enigmatic Wikkeling, a threatening creature with waxy fingers, adds an element of suspense. The narrative is laced with an eerie atmosphere, creating anticipation as the characters navigate the mysteries surrounding them.
The author introduces an engaging dynamic with the inclusion of an ancient Bestiary (full color pages included!), offering a unique blend of fantasy and mystery. As Henrietta and her friends strive to unravel the secrets of their headaches and the Wikkeling's presence, readers are taken on a journey filled with unexpected twists.
The strength of "The Wikkeling" lies in Arntson's ability to blend elements of the fantastical with the ordinary. The city's surveillance and the mysterious occurrences create a sense of unease, making the story both captivating and thought-provoking. The characters, particularly Henrietta, undergo meaningful development, evolving from initial unlikability to becoming relatable protagonists.
Arntson weaves a tale of intrigue when Henrietta discovers a wounded cat in her attic, triggering a chain of peculiar events. The emergence of the enigmatic Wikkeling, a threatening creature with waxy fingers, adds an element of suspense. The narrative is laced with an eerie atmosphere, creating anticipation as the characters navigate the mysteries surrounding them.
The author introduces an engaging dynamic with the inclusion of an ancient Bestiary (full color pages included!), offering a unique blend of fantasy and mystery. As Henrietta and her friends strive to unravel the secrets of their headaches and the Wikkeling's presence, readers are taken on a journey filled with unexpected twists.
The strength of "The Wikkeling" lies in Arntson's ability to blend elements of the fantastical with the ordinary. The city's surveillance and the mysterious occurrences create a sense of unease, making the story both captivating and thought-provoking. The characters, particularly Henrietta, undergo meaningful development, evolving from initial unlikability to becoming relatable protagonists.
June 1, 2019
This was an excellent book! It had a lot of build up like it might continue into a series (or at least a second book) but as far as I can tell another one never came out. To be honest, the reveal was a bit of a let down because it wasn't as much of a reveal as it could've been. We have a lot of mysteries never solved- who were the two scientists who created the Wikkeling? What was that monster is was supposed to destroy and did it destroy it? What was that creature doing? Why is everything so regulated? What was up with the windows? It's one thing to make your readers stretch for some things and analyze them after, but this just sets up a ton of stuff that never plays out and I wish it had and I would read any sequel that came out exploring this world. (I'd really like to see them questioning their dystopian world more!)
I feel this book is good about making people analyze the real world to consider what we are taught is "correct" and why. The children learn things that aren't approved by society but which help them survive their strange circumstances. Who decides what's "approved learning material" in their world (and ours?) and why? It was a fascinating read and I enjoyed it but I have to agree with other reviewers that as it stands now, the ending falls flat.
I feel this book is good about making people analyze the real world to consider what we are taught is "correct" and why. The children learn things that aren't approved by society but which help them survive their strange circumstances. Who decides what's "approved learning material" in their world (and ours?) and why? It was a fascinating read and I enjoyed it but I have to agree with other reviewers that as it stands now, the ending falls flat.
August 17, 2012
Every house on Henrietta's street is identical: each one newly made of vinyl and glue with flat roofs sitting behind plastic lawns in their own soundproof and airtight cocoon. Every house, except Henrietta's. Henrietta's house is made of wood, with a sloping roof and an old-fashioned attic. Henrietta's mother thinks that it must be some contaminant in their old house that is causing Henrietta's blinding headaches. But Henrietta knows it isn't the house at all. It's the Wikkeling. Most people can't see the Wikkeling and Henrietta knows if she tries to explain it she'll only sound crazy. Luckily she's found some allies, but will the neighbor boy, a kindergartener, and a Wild Housecat be enough to defeat the mysterious creature or will they all end up Finished?
I read this book at the end of long day when I was in a terrible mood, but from the very start Arntson made me forget all my troubles and took me away to a frightening and thought-provoking dystopia that nevertheless left me feeling far better than when I picked up the novel. First off it started with a poem about a cat which instantly wins it points in my book. Secondly it established the atmosphere and setting with wonderfully creative details like exhaust that is made to smell like lilacs to make the constant traffic jam more bearable and honk ads to take advantage of it. Thirdly it introduces us to the main character Henrietta who is described as looking like a brick, "And yet Henrietta was not a stupid, confused, petulant block. Or at least, she didn't feel like one. Inside, she was just herself--a person to whom she'd scarcely yet been introduced." The narrator then goes on to warn the reader: "She will not become beautiful when someone gives her a new hairstyle. She will not find a miracle cure for her pimples when an angel sees she's a good girl inside. She will not find out that she's actually a princess, and she won't become happy forever when a prince marries her. Those books are out there, and your school librarian can help you find one. This isn't it." I know not everyone likes that kind of fourth wall destruction but when I read that passage I was completely sold.
A lot of time is spent on describing the school and as someone who works in an elementary school I found the descriptions eerily prescient and appreciated their warning about where we may end up if we are not careful--and isn't that what the best dystopian novels do? I am lucky because I work in a really creative and wonderful independent school but I've had enough discussions with colleagues at more typical schools to feel a chill down my spine when I read about how the classes were more or less constantly preparing for the next standardized test with instant updates sent to parents on their student's progress via their cell phones. Students who score poorly are marked as 'at risk' so that their score will not bring down the class average and if that happens twice they are 'finished.' At lunch students sit in individual carrels and watch videos on history, the only non-graded period because history "wasn't related to anything" (I knew that would make my history grad student sister cringe) This period provided the delightfully dystopian quote "We must be courageous enough to look forward without fear, and sensible enough to fear looking backward!" When travelling to and from school students wear four seat belts on the bus: one lap, two shoulder, and a one across the head. Even when they are sleeping a BedCam sends their image directly to the parents' bedroom for monitoring.
The novel is at times a dystopian commentary on society, at times a horror novel, at times a bildungsroman, and there's also plenty of humor infused throughout. My personal favorite was the crosswalk where Henrietta "pushed the button and waited for the picture of the dead pedestrian to turn into the picture of the scared pedestrian." I appreciated the logic of Henrietta when she's convincing a friend to do something dangerous: "We'll be careful...This kind of thing is the reason people invented carefulness in the first place." Well said! While we're on the subject of Henrietta's friends I love Rose and Gary. I loved that in a society where kids who are Finished end up as garbagemen like that's the worst fate possible Gary actually is fascinated by garbage. I was all ready to be disappointed in the novel for disparaging the profession but I should have had more faith in Arntson. Rose is a wonderfully precocious kindergartener who lives in a secret library so of course I love her. I'd be remiss to end this review without mentioning Terrazzini's wonderful illustrations throughout, especially in the excerpt from the Bestiary which contains delightfully creative creatures that I'd love to learn more about (hint hint, wink wink, nudge nudge Arntson!) The whole book is beautifully designed in fact from the binding to the layout to the endpapers. It's definitely one you'll want a physical copy of to decorate your shelf once you're done with it. You can go ahead and judge this book by its cover all you want!
The novel is partly a horror story and while it's wonderfully creepy it's not actually that violent or gory. I can definitely see some children getting nightmares from the Wikkeling (myself at a young age included but even Darby O'Gill ant the Little People gave me nightmares, so that's not saying much.) Overall I'd say this novel is perfect to give to children who like horror stories to creep them out without being too violent. It would be a good choice for kids who enjoyed Coraline or The Graveyard Book as it's no scarier than either of those and of a similar tone. Fans of the Lemony Snicket series will also enjoy this novel and appreciate Arntson's dark humor. The dystopian setting gives older students and even adults plenty to ponder as well and it has a recommendation from James Dashner on the back which should be enough to sell it to my middle school students as half of them are obsessed with Maze Runner.
Read more of my reviews at http://auldschoollibrarian.blogspot.com/
I read this book at the end of long day when I was in a terrible mood, but from the very start Arntson made me forget all my troubles and took me away to a frightening and thought-provoking dystopia that nevertheless left me feeling far better than when I picked up the novel. First off it started with a poem about a cat which instantly wins it points in my book. Secondly it established the atmosphere and setting with wonderfully creative details like exhaust that is made to smell like lilacs to make the constant traffic jam more bearable and honk ads to take advantage of it. Thirdly it introduces us to the main character Henrietta who is described as looking like a brick, "And yet Henrietta was not a stupid, confused, petulant block. Or at least, she didn't feel like one. Inside, she was just herself--a person to whom she'd scarcely yet been introduced." The narrator then goes on to warn the reader: "She will not become beautiful when someone gives her a new hairstyle. She will not find a miracle cure for her pimples when an angel sees she's a good girl inside. She will not find out that she's actually a princess, and she won't become happy forever when a prince marries her. Those books are out there, and your school librarian can help you find one. This isn't it." I know not everyone likes that kind of fourth wall destruction but when I read that passage I was completely sold.
A lot of time is spent on describing the school and as someone who works in an elementary school I found the descriptions eerily prescient and appreciated their warning about where we may end up if we are not careful--and isn't that what the best dystopian novels do? I am lucky because I work in a really creative and wonderful independent school but I've had enough discussions with colleagues at more typical schools to feel a chill down my spine when I read about how the classes were more or less constantly preparing for the next standardized test with instant updates sent to parents on their student's progress via their cell phones. Students who score poorly are marked as 'at risk' so that their score will not bring down the class average and if that happens twice they are 'finished.' At lunch students sit in individual carrels and watch videos on history, the only non-graded period because history "wasn't related to anything" (I knew that would make my history grad student sister cringe) This period provided the delightfully dystopian quote "We must be courageous enough to look forward without fear, and sensible enough to fear looking backward!" When travelling to and from school students wear four seat belts on the bus: one lap, two shoulder, and a one across the head. Even when they are sleeping a BedCam sends their image directly to the parents' bedroom for monitoring.
The novel is at times a dystopian commentary on society, at times a horror novel, at times a bildungsroman, and there's also plenty of humor infused throughout. My personal favorite was the crosswalk where Henrietta "pushed the button and waited for the picture of the dead pedestrian to turn into the picture of the scared pedestrian." I appreciated the logic of Henrietta when she's convincing a friend to do something dangerous: "We'll be careful...This kind of thing is the reason people invented carefulness in the first place." Well said! While we're on the subject of Henrietta's friends I love Rose and Gary. I loved that in a society where kids who are Finished end up as garbagemen like that's the worst fate possible Gary actually is fascinated by garbage. I was all ready to be disappointed in the novel for disparaging the profession but I should have had more faith in Arntson. Rose is a wonderfully precocious kindergartener who lives in a secret library so of course I love her. I'd be remiss to end this review without mentioning Terrazzini's wonderful illustrations throughout, especially in the excerpt from the Bestiary which contains delightfully creative creatures that I'd love to learn more about (hint hint, wink wink, nudge nudge Arntson!) The whole book is beautifully designed in fact from the binding to the layout to the endpapers. It's definitely one you'll want a physical copy of to decorate your shelf once you're done with it. You can go ahead and judge this book by its cover all you want!
The novel is partly a horror story and while it's wonderfully creepy it's not actually that violent or gory. I can definitely see some children getting nightmares from the Wikkeling (myself at a young age included but even Darby O'Gill ant the Little People gave me nightmares, so that's not saying much.) Overall I'd say this novel is perfect to give to children who like horror stories to creep them out without being too violent. It would be a good choice for kids who enjoyed Coraline or The Graveyard Book as it's no scarier than either of those and of a similar tone. Fans of the Lemony Snicket series will also enjoy this novel and appreciate Arntson's dark humor. The dystopian setting gives older students and even adults plenty to ponder as well and it has a recommendation from James Dashner on the back which should be enough to sell it to my middle school students as half of them are obsessed with Maze Runner.
Read more of my reviews at http://auldschoollibrarian.blogspot.com/
April 1, 2018
The cover of the book caught my eye and the unique story grabbed my attention. It is set in a future where everything is done with computers and things like books, swimming, and running could be considered dangerous. The Wikkeling follows three friends as they struggle to solve the mystery behind a harmful and frightening creature. The characters aren’t super developed - but it is a children’s book. I really enjoyed this story and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a bit of sci-fi and mystery.
January 8, 2024
This is quite a strange book but also one that will grab you and keep you reading. It is part horror, sci-fi, a bit disturbing and magical all at the same time which of course keeps you reading it.
August 26, 2019
More people should read this book. It is enjoyable, kind of creepy, and the fictional town of Addition is creative! There is also some good art that I like.
November 21, 2019
A sweet if not harrowing utopian/dystopian middle grade novel. The idea of a future such as this is frightening but plausible, which is what makes it so good.
January 26, 2020
An endearingly odd little tale.
February 7, 2014
Maybe I should just start reviewing things right after I read them ... because the whole "postponing reviews for later" thing isn't really working out for me. I don't even want to look at my "to-review" shelf but I'm pretty sure it's like almost 30 books at this point. Yikes.
Anyway, I guess I'll review this now. *Ah hem*
I purchased The Wikkeling at a used book store for like $3 a while ago. It immediately stood out to me on the bookshelf because it's a bit more square-shaped than most books. Upon taking it down from the shelf, I saw it had this intriguing cover with these weird shadowy people on it and I was like, "Whoaaa this looks badass." I opened it up to find that it also had some pretty awesome illustrations. I glanced over the plot description, and even though I wasn't completely sold on the concept of it, I decided to go for it anyway.
Well ... it kind of let me down. It's not a bad book, and I think it had a lot of intriguing things going for it. But I didn't find it very original or memorable, either.
The world didn't feel fully fleshed out to me. Pretty much the only central aspect of this futuristic society is that almost everything revolves around commercialism. I thought this felt realistic in a sense, and it was funny sometimes. But it felt kind of old after a while, especially since it was only one of a few things about the world that the author described. The only other world-building aspect that felt prominent to me was how rigid the education system was. But other than that, I had a lot of trouble picturing this world that the characters existed in.
The characters themselves didn't feel very developed, either. The protagonist, Henrietta, didn't have much of a personality and I couldn't really connect with her. Her friends, Gary and Rose, are also lacking in strong characteristics. Rose especially felt like kind of a useless character ... She barely even said anything throughout the whole book.
I think part of the problem was the style, particularly with the dialogue. One of the reasons why the characters fell flat was because the way they spoke didn't feel realistic. It seemed like the author was going for a "simplistic" style maybe, but it came off as being completely devoid of emotion. Everything the characters said felt forced, in my opinion.
On top of that, the plot was pretty repetitive. I got a bit tired of reading about Henrietta going to school every day, doing poorly on tests, talking to Gary and/or Rose, checking on her secret cat in her secret attic, etc. There were some variations of course, but for the most part I felt like it was the same events and conversations happening over and over. The story picked up a little more towards the end, but then it felt pretty rushed and ended quite abruptly. And over all, even though the book wasn't that long, it seemed to drag a lot and it took me kind of a long time to get through the whole thing.
I did like the idea of the Wikkeling––this creepy faceless being, how he kind of flickers from place to place rather than walking, how his mouth doesn't move when he talks ... That's pretty damn creepy. But I felt like the "whimsical" tone of the book tended to cancel out the creepiness factor. I wanted it to be a bit scarier and not as ... "quirky," I guess.
The illustrations––which were what intrigued me in the first place––were pretty cool, though. I did really like the Bestiary in the middle of the book. The illustrations were really charming and creative, and I liked the little descriptions that went along with them. ... The only problem was that it barely contributed anything to the plot at all. But hey, at least it was nice to look at.
Over all, there were some cool ideas in this book and some things that could have been really intriguing and frightening. I just wish the world and characters had been developed more, and that the plot had been more complex and exciting.
Anyway, I guess I'll review this now. *Ah hem*
I purchased The Wikkeling at a used book store for like $3 a while ago. It immediately stood out to me on the bookshelf because it's a bit more square-shaped than most books. Upon taking it down from the shelf, I saw it had this intriguing cover with these weird shadowy people on it and I was like, "Whoaaa this looks badass." I opened it up to find that it also had some pretty awesome illustrations. I glanced over the plot description, and even though I wasn't completely sold on the concept of it, I decided to go for it anyway.
Well ... it kind of let me down. It's not a bad book, and I think it had a lot of intriguing things going for it. But I didn't find it very original or memorable, either.
The world didn't feel fully fleshed out to me. Pretty much the only central aspect of this futuristic society is that almost everything revolves around commercialism. I thought this felt realistic in a sense, and it was funny sometimes. But it felt kind of old after a while, especially since it was only one of a few things about the world that the author described. The only other world-building aspect that felt prominent to me was how rigid the education system was. But other than that, I had a lot of trouble picturing this world that the characters existed in.
The characters themselves didn't feel very developed, either. The protagonist, Henrietta, didn't have much of a personality and I couldn't really connect with her. Her friends, Gary and Rose, are also lacking in strong characteristics. Rose especially felt like kind of a useless character ... She barely even said anything throughout the whole book.
I think part of the problem was the style, particularly with the dialogue. One of the reasons why the characters fell flat was because the way they spoke didn't feel realistic. It seemed like the author was going for a "simplistic" style maybe, but it came off as being completely devoid of emotion. Everything the characters said felt forced, in my opinion.
On top of that, the plot was pretty repetitive. I got a bit tired of reading about Henrietta going to school every day, doing poorly on tests, talking to Gary and/or Rose, checking on her secret cat in her secret attic, etc. There were some variations of course, but for the most part I felt like it was the same events and conversations happening over and over. The story picked up a little more towards the end, but then it felt pretty rushed and ended quite abruptly. And over all, even though the book wasn't that long, it seemed to drag a lot and it took me kind of a long time to get through the whole thing.
I did like the idea of the Wikkeling––this creepy faceless being, how he kind of flickers from place to place rather than walking, how his mouth doesn't move when he talks ... That's pretty damn creepy. But I felt like the "whimsical" tone of the book tended to cancel out the creepiness factor. I wanted it to be a bit scarier and not as ... "quirky," I guess.
The illustrations––which were what intrigued me in the first place––were pretty cool, though. I did really like the Bestiary in the middle of the book. The illustrations were really charming and creative, and I liked the little descriptions that went along with them. ... The only problem was that it barely contributed anything to the plot at all. But hey, at least it was nice to look at.
Over all, there were some cool ideas in this book and some things that could have been really intriguing and frightening. I just wish the world and characters had been developed more, and that the plot had been more complex and exciting.
May 25, 2011
The Short of It:
The world that Arnston creates is both scary and magical but most of all…fun.
The Rest of It:
Many of you following me on Facebook or Twitter have probably heard me say (more than once) that The Wikkeling was “strange.” When I first started to read it, I could not shake the creep factor. The cover is freaky and the book itself is not a traditional size. It’s wider, includes lots of handwrtitten script and has creepy illustrations of people without faces. BUT, once I got past the slightly, unsettling feel of the book itself, I found myself liking the story quite a bit.
The story is set in the future. Henrietta lives in a world where every move is tracked. She sleeps in a room with a BedCam and her mother is able to find her via the GPS locator on her phone. When taking a test in school, the results are immediately tabulated and sent straight to her parents for review. Even her bus ride home is monitored. Her world is a world of gadgets, yet she lives in an “old” house. Her house is one of the few old houses left. Nearly every other one is pre-fab and made of plastic. This old house gives her “house sickness” which causes tremendous headaches. The headaches she has in common with two new friends, Gary and Rose. They too, suffer or have suffered with house sickness so they quickly form a bond.
However, when Henrietta discovers that her attic is a secret passageway into the past and is home to a giant house cat by the name of Mister Lady, she and her friends begin to explore the past by visiting it regularly. With the help of a Bestiary (a compendium of beasts), they discover the true nature of their headaches and set out to find the truth.
The Wikkeling is marketed as a children’s book but adult readers who enjoy magical worlds and creatures will also enjoy this book. The secrecy surrounding the attic is fun and the fascination and preservation of real books held my attention. As ads are screamed at them at every opportunity, their escape to the attic is comforting. It’s warm and inviting and full of books.
My copy of The Wikkeling includes entries for these magical creatures and they are written in script on gray colored pages. The book I received was an ARC, so perhaps the issue was addressed with the final copy, but I had a hard time reading that script on such a dark, gray background. The fact that I wanted to, is a testament to how much I enjoyed this aspect of the book. Including it made me feel as if I were flipping through my very own Bestiary, which I’m sure was the point.
What fascinates me about this book is that the technology discussed within it, is technology that we are currently using today. GPS trackers and cell phones are everywhere and although advertisements are not streamed to us via our automobiles, I’m sure it’s just around the corner. As we become more high tech, we lose something in the process and that’s really what this book is about.
I think older kids, 10-12 will enjoy this book, but anyone younger might not be able to get over the creep factor of those faceless drawings and long-fingered creatures. Overall, a fun read!
Visit my blog: Book Chatter
The world that Arnston creates is both scary and magical but most of all…fun.
The Rest of It:
Many of you following me on Facebook or Twitter have probably heard me say (more than once) that The Wikkeling was “strange.” When I first started to read it, I could not shake the creep factor. The cover is freaky and the book itself is not a traditional size. It’s wider, includes lots of handwrtitten script and has creepy illustrations of people without faces. BUT, once I got past the slightly, unsettling feel of the book itself, I found myself liking the story quite a bit.
The story is set in the future. Henrietta lives in a world where every move is tracked. She sleeps in a room with a BedCam and her mother is able to find her via the GPS locator on her phone. When taking a test in school, the results are immediately tabulated and sent straight to her parents for review. Even her bus ride home is monitored. Her world is a world of gadgets, yet she lives in an “old” house. Her house is one of the few old houses left. Nearly every other one is pre-fab and made of plastic. This old house gives her “house sickness” which causes tremendous headaches. The headaches she has in common with two new friends, Gary and Rose. They too, suffer or have suffered with house sickness so they quickly form a bond.
However, when Henrietta discovers that her attic is a secret passageway into the past and is home to a giant house cat by the name of Mister Lady, she and her friends begin to explore the past by visiting it regularly. With the help of a Bestiary (a compendium of beasts), they discover the true nature of their headaches and set out to find the truth.
The Wikkeling is marketed as a children’s book but adult readers who enjoy magical worlds and creatures will also enjoy this book. The secrecy surrounding the attic is fun and the fascination and preservation of real books held my attention. As ads are screamed at them at every opportunity, their escape to the attic is comforting. It’s warm and inviting and full of books.
My copy of The Wikkeling includes entries for these magical creatures and they are written in script on gray colored pages. The book I received was an ARC, so perhaps the issue was addressed with the final copy, but I had a hard time reading that script on such a dark, gray background. The fact that I wanted to, is a testament to how much I enjoyed this aspect of the book. Including it made me feel as if I were flipping through my very own Bestiary, which I’m sure was the point.
What fascinates me about this book is that the technology discussed within it, is technology that we are currently using today. GPS trackers and cell phones are everywhere and although advertisements are not streamed to us via our automobiles, I’m sure it’s just around the corner. As we become more high tech, we lose something in the process and that’s really what this book is about.
I think older kids, 10-12 will enjoy this book, but anyone younger might not be able to get over the creep factor of those faceless drawings and long-fingered creatures. Overall, a fun read!
Visit my blog: Book Chatter
July 28, 2018
Take the almost satirical look at British school life of early J. K. Rowling and Roald Dahl a la Boy: Tales of Childhood, then add a little Brave New World and garnish with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. That's The Wikkeling, a fun mixed-genre book with beautiful illustrations that don't add a lot to the plot but add to the world-building. Seriously, there's two books here, and they meld pretty well, but in some places it's jarring to go from deconstructing a pristine, sterile dystopia to wondering about the people who wrote a bestiary of imaginary animals that are apparently not imaginary and what that has to do with the dystopia. The main character was someone I genuinely cared about and was rooting for, and that made the weaker aspects of the book much more tolerable. The ending was one of the weakest parts, but only because there were so many big topics to tie up in a short time, and the characters were so fun and the writing so engaging that I didn't care.
July 7, 2011
Dystopian visions fill Juvenile shelves these days, and my favorite, so far, is The Wikkeling.
With a view of the not-so-distant future (in which there is a computer on every school desk generating instant scores, indicating instant loss of funding/jobs if the scores don't measure up; constant gridlock on the highways; books as curiosities; hyper-vigilant parents, and gps devices as standard equipment in vehicles)and the author's tongue firmly in cheek, we are introduced to Henrietta Gad-Fly, a student with intelligence and potential who is not applying herself, so is a threat to the overall standing of her classroom. Henrietta, "...will not become beautiful when someone gives her a new hairstyle. ...will not find a miracle cure for her pimples when an angel sees she's a good girl inside...will not find out that she's actually a princess, and she won't become happy forever when a prince marries her." But Henrietta, who suffers from migrain-like headaches heralded by the sensation that someone is standing near-by, does find good friends (also headache sufferers), helps a creature in need (and gets help in return), forges a bond with her step-grandfather, and discovers an interesting remedy for what ails her and her friends, Gary and Rose.
The title character is a creature dressed in yellow that resembles a human and has alarmingly long sticky fingers which, when pressed to the foreheads of susceptible people, creates blinding headaches (aha!). The Wikkeling lurks at the edges of the story as a vague sort of menace until it becomes a full-fledged menace requiring a solution. It is invisible to most, but not (to their horror) Rose, Henrietta, and Gary.
Dystopian it may be (who wants to live in a plastic house or have a cell phone embedded in your skull?)but it has a sweetness, a sense of hope (we can be saved if we connect with each other), and a set of characters that I'd like to get to know better! The end suggests more to come--I hope!
Some details I love: cars have Honk Ads--each car blares out an advertisement when the driver hits the horn; Henrietta discovers another world in the attic of her house--she's allowed to visit it because the camera that watches her sleep doesn't work for a while; The fully illustrated supplement to The Bestiary of Aristotle Alcott (a book owned by Henrietta's step-grandpa, Al) is included. (The Tree Goat and the Mesmer Vole are my favorites....);
With a view of the not-so-distant future (in which there is a computer on every school desk generating instant scores, indicating instant loss of funding/jobs if the scores don't measure up; constant gridlock on the highways; books as curiosities; hyper-vigilant parents, and gps devices as standard equipment in vehicles)and the author's tongue firmly in cheek, we are introduced to Henrietta Gad-Fly, a student with intelligence and potential who is not applying herself, so is a threat to the overall standing of her classroom. Henrietta, "...will not become beautiful when someone gives her a new hairstyle. ...will not find a miracle cure for her pimples when an angel sees she's a good girl inside...will not find out that she's actually a princess, and she won't become happy forever when a prince marries her." But Henrietta, who suffers from migrain-like headaches heralded by the sensation that someone is standing near-by, does find good friends (also headache sufferers), helps a creature in need (and gets help in return), forges a bond with her step-grandfather, and discovers an interesting remedy for what ails her and her friends, Gary and Rose.
The title character is a creature dressed in yellow that resembles a human and has alarmingly long sticky fingers which, when pressed to the foreheads of susceptible people, creates blinding headaches (aha!). The Wikkeling lurks at the edges of the story as a vague sort of menace until it becomes a full-fledged menace requiring a solution. It is invisible to most, but not (to their horror) Rose, Henrietta, and Gary.
Dystopian it may be (who wants to live in a plastic house or have a cell phone embedded in your skull?)but it has a sweetness, a sense of hope (we can be saved if we connect with each other), and a set of characters that I'd like to get to know better! The end suggests more to come--I hope!
Some details I love: cars have Honk Ads--each car blares out an advertisement when the driver hits the horn; Henrietta discovers another world in the attic of her house--she's allowed to visit it because the camera that watches her sleep doesn't work for a while; The fully illustrated supplement to The Bestiary of Aristotle Alcott (a book owned by Henrietta's step-grandpa, Al) is included. (The Tree Goat and the Mesmer Vole are my favorites....);
October 13, 2012
This is not a story where the girl become beautiful or the boy gets the girl. Henrietta gets House Sick, terrible headaches because she lives in an old house, not like the nice plastic ones that have taken over the neighborhood. Things begin to change as Henrietta finally makes a friend at school and then the camera in her bedroom stops working and she finds a trapdoor to an attic where there is a wounded Wild House Cat. What does the cat's presence mean? How is the mysterious Wikkeling creature connected to the headaches that her and her friends suffer from?
This is not the final cover, this is as usual the cover I have - in this case the ARC. I can't decide which I like more, this one gives you a better idea of the ending, but the final one is not as creepy. There are inserts from the Bestiary, which is full of surreal creatures, that exist in this world, but that is coupled with the almost terrifying sense of progress created by schools with "District-Approved Vocabulary" lists, bedroom cams so your parents can keep an eye on you and horns that honk advertisements. This could be called science fiction, it could be called fantasy, but I will settle for calling it spectacular speculative fiction that defies traditional genre borders. There is no reason we should be able to put fiction into neat little boxes! Boxes are for reality, this is not reality. I am smitten with this book, and this isn't any girly "it made my heart pitter-patter so I'll forgive it being silly". This is sheer awe at pure creativity. This is a serious world that has been outlined here. It is not part of a series, I know some thought it would be because there are loose ends, but to me these "loose ends" were no such thing. They were the signs that this is a full world. We can't have both, we can either have well-developed worlds or we can have everything tied neatly with a pretty bow. I would much prefer this: a book with fantastic development and details that keep you thinking about how it all worked, how that world came to be.... and this is a book for young people! We need more such imaginative and thoughtful fiction for all ages. Oh and before I cut off my gushing: the illustrations are fantastic. Terrazzini had the perfect mix of skills for this project. The contrast of the silhouette and the sketch, that is the embodiment of this book. As I have already told two people: go, now, read it!
Source: ARC from ALA 2011
This is not the final cover, this is as usual the cover I have - in this case the ARC. I can't decide which I like more, this one gives you a better idea of the ending, but the final one is not as creepy. There are inserts from the Bestiary, which is full of surreal creatures, that exist in this world, but that is coupled with the almost terrifying sense of progress created by schools with "District-Approved Vocabulary" lists, bedroom cams so your parents can keep an eye on you and horns that honk advertisements. This could be called science fiction, it could be called fantasy, but I will settle for calling it spectacular speculative fiction that defies traditional genre borders. There is no reason we should be able to put fiction into neat little boxes! Boxes are for reality, this is not reality. I am smitten with this book, and this isn't any girly "it made my heart pitter-patter so I'll forgive it being silly". This is sheer awe at pure creativity. This is a serious world that has been outlined here. It is not part of a series, I know some thought it would be because there are loose ends, but to me these "loose ends" were no such thing. They were the signs that this is a full world. We can't have both, we can either have well-developed worlds or we can have everything tied neatly with a pretty bow. I would much prefer this: a book with fantastic development and details that keep you thinking about how it all worked, how that world came to be.... and this is a book for young people! We need more such imaginative and thoughtful fiction for all ages. Oh and before I cut off my gushing: the illustrations are fantastic. Terrazzini had the perfect mix of skills for this project. The contrast of the silhouette and the sketch, that is the embodiment of this book. As I have already told two people: go, now, read it!
Source: ARC from ALA 2011
June 14, 2012
This book caught my attention the first time I saw it on the shelf, because its appearance, size, shape, art, and graphic design made it stand out. Appealingly so. That impression continued as I cracked it open, examined the interior artwork and design, and began to read. I was very happy with the beginning, intrigued by the somewhat mysterious story, engaged by the vaguely strange tone, and amused by the clever social commentary.
However, the further I read, the less impressed I became. The more I discovered, the less nuanced and complex the book seemed, the less insightful its point and allusions. The characters showed growth and experienced discovery, so I guess ultimately my disappointment was with the world-building and themes. And because it started on such a high point and had big expectations to live up to.
So it’s an interesting story, just not as much so as I’d hoped. And, really, it’s worth reading for its obvious critique of education in the first few pages alone.
And for things like this:
Henrietta walked to the bus stop. . . . When she reached the crosswalk, she pushed the button and waited for the picture of the dead pedestrian to turn into the picture of the scared pedestrian.
-----
“Do you know it?”
“No,” said Henrietta.
“Say ‘not yet,’ when someone asks you that,” said Al.
-----
“Your grandmother is eighty today,” said Al. “You might not be able to imagine how old that is, but I’ll tell you—it’s the blink of an eye. That’s as old as anyone ever gets.”
-----
Henrietta is the main character of this story. This whole book will be about her—and it’s worth mentioning at the outset a few things that aren’t going to happen to her.
She will not become beautiful when someone gives her a new hairstyle.
She will not find a miracle cure for her pimples when an angel sees she’s a good girl inside.
She will not find out that she’s actually a princess, and she won’t become happy forever when a prince marries her.
Those books are out there, and your school librarian can help you find one. This isn’t it.
However, the further I read, the less impressed I became. The more I discovered, the less nuanced and complex the book seemed, the less insightful its point and allusions. The characters showed growth and experienced discovery, so I guess ultimately my disappointment was with the world-building and themes. And because it started on such a high point and had big expectations to live up to.
So it’s an interesting story, just not as much so as I’d hoped. And, really, it’s worth reading for its obvious critique of education in the first few pages alone.
And for things like this:
Henrietta walked to the bus stop. . . . When she reached the crosswalk, she pushed the button and waited for the picture of the dead pedestrian to turn into the picture of the scared pedestrian.
-----
“Do you know it?”
“No,” said Henrietta.
“Say ‘not yet,’ when someone asks you that,” said Al.
-----
“Your grandmother is eighty today,” said Al. “You might not be able to imagine how old that is, but I’ll tell you—it’s the blink of an eye. That’s as old as anyone ever gets.”
-----
Henrietta is the main character of this story. This whole book will be about her—and it’s worth mentioning at the outset a few things that aren’t going to happen to her.
She will not become beautiful when someone gives her a new hairstyle.
She will not find a miracle cure for her pimples when an angel sees she’s a good girl inside.
She will not find out that she’s actually a princess, and she won’t become happy forever when a prince marries her.
Those books are out there, and your school librarian can help you find one. This isn’t it.
January 2, 2012
Henrietta Gad-Fly lives in a world where safety is the number one concern. Her school bus has not only seat belts, but head straps. Her clothes have yellow visibility stripes. Her parents can monitor her 24 hours a day via mobile phone and Bed Cam. That is, until Henrietta's Bed Cam mysteriously breaks, and her adventures into the past begin. Can she and her friends figure out why they get terrible headaches? Or what is going on with the wild house cat in Henrietta's attic? Most importantly, can they discover the secret of the creepy flickering monster known as the Wikkeling?
With excellent illustrations and a cool dystopian premise, this book has a lot of shelf appeal. I was very into it until about 60% of the way through when I started to feel confused by everything going on. I think first-time children's author Arntson didn't quite build a world with consistent internal logic. There's the 1984-ish setting, and then there's the magic-ish attic and the monster-ish Wikkeling. It somehow didn't mesh well for me. I was never sure what was going on with the view from the attic or why the kids could see the Wikkeling.
So, it left me a little befuddled, but I really liked a lot of the details: the honk ads, the perfumed pollution, the supremacy of the Competency Exam, the underground Subscribers, the Bestiary. I ended up buying a copy because I got impatient for my library hold to be fulfilled, and it really is a beautiful book to have on your shelf. I also saw Steven Arntson speak to a group of kids at our Mock Newbery and he was great.
With excellent illustrations and a cool dystopian premise, this book has a lot of shelf appeal. I was very into it until about 60% of the way through when I started to feel confused by everything going on. I think first-time children's author Arntson didn't quite build a world with consistent internal logic. There's the 1984-ish setting, and then there's the magic-ish attic and the monster-ish Wikkeling. It somehow didn't mesh well for me. I was never sure what was going on with the view from the attic or why the kids could see the Wikkeling.
So, it left me a little befuddled, but I really liked a lot of the details: the honk ads, the perfumed pollution, the supremacy of the Competency Exam, the underground Subscribers, the Bestiary. I ended up buying a copy because I got impatient for my library hold to be fulfilled, and it really is a beautiful book to have on your shelf. I also saw Steven Arntson speak to a group of kids at our Mock Newbery and he was great.
July 19, 2011
I picked up this Advance Reader Copy at ALA a few weeks ago and wasn't really sure what to expect, but I'm a sucker for images and illustrations (and free things) so I grabbed it up. And I'm glad I did.
Henrietta is a young girl in the near future, where cell phones tell parents when their children get detention, car horns emit advertisements, and health class is about how everything can (and will) kill you. But when technology in Henrietta's house (the oldest house still standing for miles around) starts acting strangely and Henrietta herself finds a door to the long forgotten attic, her understanding of the world is turned on its head.
Delightfully adventurous and unexpectedly creepy, this book is beautifully executed, and I can barely believe its the author's first children's book. The children are a classic band of misfits and outsiders, but their story has nothing to do with the mundane issues if bullies or puppy love. Instead they deal with old books, mysterious windows, creatures supposed to be extinct, and the most mysterious thing of all - The Wikkeling. Reminding me (somehow) simultaneously of Kurt Vonnegut (in the tamest way possible, of course) and Lemony Snicket, the book was surprising and wonderful. Despite a bit of vague plotting toward the end, I finished the whole thing feeling like I'd revisited a loved childhood book. Definitely a find I'll hold onto.
Henrietta is a young girl in the near future, where cell phones tell parents when their children get detention, car horns emit advertisements, and health class is about how everything can (and will) kill you. But when technology in Henrietta's house (the oldest house still standing for miles around) starts acting strangely and Henrietta herself finds a door to the long forgotten attic, her understanding of the world is turned on its head.
Delightfully adventurous and unexpectedly creepy, this book is beautifully executed, and I can barely believe its the author's first children's book. The children are a classic band of misfits and outsiders, but their story has nothing to do with the mundane issues if bullies or puppy love. Instead they deal with old books, mysterious windows, creatures supposed to be extinct, and the most mysterious thing of all - The Wikkeling. Reminding me (somehow) simultaneously of Kurt Vonnegut (in the tamest way possible, of course) and Lemony Snicket, the book was surprising and wonderful. Despite a bit of vague plotting toward the end, I finished the whole thing feeling like I'd revisited a loved childhood book. Definitely a find I'll hold onto.
July 20, 2012
I actually picked this book up for my 15 year old during a library trip. he was not interested. weeks later i found it in a pile behind his bed. realizing it was already overdue i figured somebody should at least read it. So i did. it was very intriguing, at first. It takes place in a time in the not too future where everyone is plugged in all the time, kids watched by computers or their cells in order to be kept safe, ongoing traffic jams everywhere, all houses and cars pre fabricated and the same. there are no more books or libraries either and the entire school year is spent preparing for the next test which grades not only the students, but the teacher, the city and the state. Life is DULL with capital letters...enter a Wild House Cat from the imagined (no longer seen) past that comes from the "Old City" and creeps into the attic of Henrietta's left over relic of a house. The cat's presence coincides with the crippling headaches Henrietta gets right after she senses someone beside her. they call it 'homesickness' but they never happen in her house...
i'd love to give the Wikkeling a 4 but the last 1/3 of the book read like the author wanted to hurry and finish it. it didn't live up to the build up of the first 2/3rds and the climax and resolution was dissatisfying. Not bad for Arntson's first children book...
i'd love to give the Wikkeling a 4 but the last 1/3 of the book read like the author wanted to hurry and finish it. it didn't live up to the build up of the first 2/3rds and the climax and resolution was dissatisfying. Not bad for Arntson's first children book...
October 10, 2011
The story was different than the typical dystopic story and enjoyable - a world in which all the dangers for children have been taken away: everything is made from safe plastic, children are strapped into the school bus with 5 belts including one across the head and children are constantly watched via cameras, even in their bedroom. Parents are able to receive instant updates on their children's exams via their phone and if their child can't pass his/her tests they become a garbage man. I had to laugh at several points because I could see where our society could easily go that far.
However I had a hard time understanding the "scary" Wikkeling and how he really fit into the story. I think I must have missed something. If I understand correctly the Wikkeling started out as a computer program to protect society or was it just the children? He then seemed to slowly take everything over and couldn't understand where the 3 main characters were when they were out of contact. The Wikkeling really seemed more sad than scary to me. I felt like the story could have been much better without the Wikkeling at all. Despite this confusion I did enjoy the story and the art work and imagination in the Beastery was fabulous.
However I had a hard time understanding the "scary" Wikkeling and how he really fit into the story. I think I must have missed something. If I understand correctly the Wikkeling started out as a computer program to protect society or was it just the children? He then seemed to slowly take everything over and couldn't understand where the 3 main characters were when they were out of contact. The Wikkeling really seemed more sad than scary to me. I felt like the story could have been much better without the Wikkeling at all. Despite this confusion I did enjoy the story and the art work and imagination in the Beastery was fabulous.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews