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Splendors and Glooms - Laura Amy Schlitz
Splendors and Glooms
by: (author)
WINNER OF A 2013 NEWBERY HONOR!Newbery Medalist Laura Amy Schlitz brings her sorcery to a Victorian gothic thriller — an enthralling, darkly comic tale that would do Dickens proud.The master puppeteer, Gaspare Grisini, is so expert at manipulating his stringed puppets that they appear alive.... show more
WINNER OF A 2013 NEWBERY HONOR!Newbery Medalist Laura Amy Schlitz brings her sorcery to a Victorian gothic thriller — an enthralling, darkly comic tale that would do Dickens proud.The master puppeteer, Gaspare Grisini, is so expert at manipulating his stringed puppets that they appear alive. Clara Wintermute, the only child of a wealthy doctor, is spellbound by Grisini’s act and invites him to entertain at her birthday party. Seeing his chance to make a fortune, Grisini accepts and makes a splendidly gaudy entrance with caravan, puppets, and his two orphaned assistants. Lizzie Rose and Parsefall are dazzled by the Wintermute home. Clara seems to have everything they lack — adoring parents, warmth, and plenty to eat. In fact, Clara’s life is shadowed by grief, guilt, and secrets. When Clara vanishes that night, suspicion of kidnapping falls upon the puppeteer and, by association, Lizzie Rose and Parsefall. As they seek to puzzle out Clara’s whereabouts, Lizzie and Parse uncover Grisini’s criminal past and wake up to his evil intentions. Fleeing London, they find themselves caught in a trap set by Grisini’s ancient rival, a witch with a deadly inheritance to shed before it’s too late. Newbery Medal winner Laura Amy Schlitz’s Victorian gothic is a rich banquet of dark comedy, scorching magic, and the brilliant and bewitching storytelling that is her trademark.
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Format: paperback
ISBN: 9780763669263 (0763669261)
ASIN: 763669261
Publisher: Candlewick
Pages no: 400
Edition language: English
Bookstores:
Community Reviews
Kathryn Reads KidLit
Kathryn Reads KidLit rated it
3.0 Splendors and Glooms
It seemed to me the ending dragged on after the story lines had basically been resolved and the additional scene didn't seem to add anything to the depth of the story. I liked the story, but don't think it will stay with me - I feel like I should have been more invested in the main characters than I...
Ispydork reads
Ispydork reads rated it
5.0 My review of Splendors and Glooms
Book Title: Splendors and Glooms Author: Laura Amy Schlitz Book details: 384 pages Published August 28th 2012 by Candlewick My review: This is a fantastic children's book with very dark subject matter that make reading it as an adult all the more amazing. Clara Wintermute the daughter of a wealt...
the reader of books
the reader of books rated it
3.0 Splendors and Glooms
I am wavering between three and four stars. The premise is right up my alley: plucky and clever children encounter intrigue, mystery, and magic in Victorian London. I liked almost all the characters (particularly the children Lizzie Rose, Clara, and Persefall). And the book is full of wonderful desc...
Bashara Likes Books
Bashara Likes Books rated it
4.5 Splendors and Glooms
It is officially official – I will read anything that Ms. Schlitz puts out from here to eternity. Her batting average with me is 3.5 for 4 and that’s pretty impressive. I believe Drowned Maiden’s Hair was her debut. It is a book that I still think about. It really surprised me with its fully rea...
leaning on the side of wonder
leaning on the side of wonder rated it
5.0
I think this might be the first book I've read that I'd put on the same level with JKR's writing in the Potter books. The detail. The way the story is spun. The writing. It's full of detail & imagery but not too much. But it's enough to make you see and feel and smell the settings. I'd almost ventur...
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