A Tale Dark and Grimm, by Adam Gidwitz
13 Oct 2011
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![Adam Gidwitz weaves several Grimm fairy tales together to tell the true story of Hansel and Gretel—and a deeply affecting allegory for growing up and learning that adults, while older, aren't necessarily wiser. [Image shows a silhouetted boy and girl walking down a starlit path into a forest] Some might be turned off by the author's very present, fourth-wall breaking voice (I found it charming).](/assets/img/taledarkandgrimm.png)
Spooky elements: This book is very gory, just like the fairy tales it's based on. The author inserts little warnings whenever anything gory or scary is about to happen, so there aren't any jump-out-of-your-seat scares, but the book is frightening and unsettling in the highly effective, primeval way of fairy tales.
Good for: This book is ostensibly written for the middle school crowd, but I thought it was excellent on a number of more advanced levels.
Read my review of In a Glass Grimmly
Comments
Alicia said:On Oct 13, 11 at 9:16pm
Wow, a YA book that I read before you! I am enjoying the return to the origins of how fairy tales used to be (darker and more violent instead of Disney sweet) and this book is a great example of that. I also enjoyed the author's voice and felt it reminded me a bit of Lemony Snicket (who himself is a good example of darker books for kids).
Audrey said:On Oct 14, 11 at 1:03am
How could you read this book and not tell me about it, Alicia? HOW COULD YOU?!
Jeremy Beck said:On Oct 13, 11 at 10:10pm
Sounds intriguing...it's going on my list.
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