The Field Guide (2003)

As a start to a beginner's fantasy series, it does what it should do, hook the reader. There was only a hint of the magic that was to come here. Mostly, this book provided the background necessary to take this adventure wherever it was going to go. I find Jared, Simon, and Mallory fairly likable. Mallory definitely exhibits that in-charge older sister persona that a lot of children with a bossy older siblings will understand, but she is also tolerable and willing to take chances. The fencing is a bit strange, but maybe that's just my experience in schools.

I've never seen a school fencing team in anywhere except in movies about fancy boarding schools and English preparatory schools. In my world, fencing is one of those sports that's reserved for Olympic events that get no television coverage and the boring pastimes of the pointless, remaining royal families of the world.

For the first time in a long time, the mother here is at least present and semi-vigilant. Many times, the first thing a children's fantasy author does is try to find a way to get the parents completely out of the picture, making them non-factors in their children's lives through general negligence or some cruel twist of fate. The mother in this story is present throughout, even a bit of an obstacle for the children when they are involved in their more dangerous endeavors. I appreciate that. Even if she's not winning any mom of the year honors any time soon, at least she is mixed up in their lives.

The one thing that I find odd is that there are only five books in the original series. This book seemed to hint at a much longer series than five books. The field guide was supposed to be "a big book, an absolutely huge book, too large to even comprehend." To only get a five book series from a work of that magnitude seems a little bit underwhelming. I'd expect a dozen books at the very least to come from a book that large. I wonder if that's what they were thinking when they finished the first book. This kind of left it open-ended for them. Kind of like saying to themselves, "Make as many of these books as you see fit." But they only made five, and the Beyond Spiderwick Trilogy. Interesting. There must be something more to this puzzle that I'm not understanding. ( )

This was fun. Kind of not necessary if you've seen the movie as not much was changed. In fact, I'd say the movie does a better job of moving along the action as not a lot happens in this first installment of the story. I did have this as an audio book, and Mark Hamill (yes, that Mark Hamill) does a great job with it. Passed the time nicely driving through Tennessee. ( )

An auspicious beginning to the series, this very sweet little book has terrific illustrations and conveys a surprising amount of information about characters' behaviors, skills, hopes and fears, and relationships with few words and little fanfare. Although it is intended for younger children, it will hold older readers' attention as well. While children may move on to the Harry Potter books, adults may want to pair it with The Stolen Child for their own reading pleasure as they contemplate the the potential effects of domestic supernatural creatures on their own families. ( )

I've been reading a lot of fiction geared toward younger readers, claiming it's for my job. This series reminds me more of Lemony Snicket than Harry Potter. A very quick read. Good for kids who enjoyed the Series of Unfortunate Events books and younger Harry Potter readers. ( )

I devoured these books when I was younger. They might as well have been fused to my body because they were not just something I read, they were the only things I read. Every elementary school project was somehow made to reference these books. I even made my own field guide once (wish I REALLY wish I still had). I was glad to find, that upon reading the first book again, almost ten years later, I was just as wonderstruck as with the first read.

What is amazing about this book - and the series as a whole- is that the authors don't talk down to the reader. I recently discovered that my parents thought I was slow when in elementary school, which is comical when compared to my current stature. But the reason they thought this is because I was so damn stubborn that I would not do any work if I felt condescended or did not see the point. Which basically amounted to me coasting until middle school, which is when I decided I would start working, and brought back straight A's all three years. The point to that little anecdote is that these books provided me with that place to feel mature. To feel powerful and how an escape to be considered intelligent. The fantastical world is consuming. At one point I remember hiding the books in my closet at night because I was afraid the bad monsters would get me for reading them. The world the authors create is suspenseful, intriguing, and incredibly scary. They don't shy away from scaring young children, and that is a huge part of why I respected and loved (and still do) these books so much.

This first installment takes place when the Grace family moves into the home previously occupied by their great Aunt Lucinda. Lucinda is currently residing in a mental hospital, after claiming the existence of numerous magical creatures. After a series of strange occurrences, one of the Grace twins finds a field guide by Arthur Spiderwick, chronicling all he knows about the magical world around him. This book sets off a series of misfortunes and life-threatening events. Owning the book puts them in great danger, but now that they have it, there is no safe way to get rid of it.

Apart from the lovely writing style, this book is adorned with beautiful gothic style drawings. Some are full color, others are black and white, but all of them are equally gorgous. Each is taken from a specific line in the chapter, and they really add to the story experience.

If you didn't read this book as a child, you definitely should pick it up. It took me only about an hour to read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. ( )