The Tale of Despereaux

    Kate DiCamillo engages readers with an enchanting tale of a unique and courageous little mouse, The Tale of Despereaux. Yes, his ears may be too big for his body and he may enjoy chanting with humans, but these less desirable traits do not prevent him from carrying out his quest.
      DiCamillo launches readers into the tale of the miniature mouse quite abruptly, in fact within only a few pages Despereaux is on trial before the Mouse Council because he has committed an unspeakable act in the world of mice, he has spoken to a human.  His over-sized ears led him to follow the sweet tune of the King singing to his daughter Princess Pea.  As he sits mesmerized by the gorgeous music, Despereaux's brother spies on him and leaks the discovery to his father and the mouse council.  Talking to humans is punishable in only one fashion, a sentence to life in the rat-infested dungeon below the castle.  With red ribbon tied around his head Despereaux is led into the depths of the dungeon to fend for his life amongst the lurking rats.  When he has accepted the fact that he might soon die he is greeted by an old fellow, the jailer of the dungeon.     
    As the tale continues to unfold Despereaux crosses paths with a rat by the name of Roscuro and a servant girl with cauliflower shaped ears named Miggery Sow.  DiCamillo cleverly introduces the characters by beginning a new section, or book, in the tale and retracing their past lives.  In fact, after Roscuro encountered Roscuro in the dungeon DiCamillo quickly began a "book" about his life, before the mouse and rat crossed paths.  This approach provides readers with the back story of each character to help them better understand the events of the story.  In addition to flashbacks to the past, DiCamillo uses a clever literary device in which she narrates the story while also speaking to the reader directly.  Throughout the tale she interjects the story to ask the reader a question or provide the reader with helpful information to further his or her understanding of the intricate characters and twisting plot.  When Mig, the servant, dreams of becoming a princess, DiCamillo makes readers ponder whether her dreams are even worthwhile and challenges them to question the character's motives.  She writes, "Reader do you think it is a terrible thing to hope when there is really no reason to hope at all? Or is it (as the soldier said about happiness) something that you might just as well do, since, in the end, it really makes no difference to anyone but you?". 
     You may not think it possible, but DiCamillo cleverly uses the story of a small mouse to approach seemingly humanized themes of forgiveness, love, courage, and good vs. evil.  DiCamillo's marvelous writing style and ability to truly capture her readers' attention won her the well-deserved Newbery Medal. 
      Curious as to why Mig has cauliflower ears or perhaps you are wondering the fate of poor Despereaux?  Then go to your local library and check out The Tale of Despereaux.  You won't be disappointed!
Have you already read the book?  Then motion picture version of the Tale of Despereaux, but only do this if you have read the book first.
       If you like this tale you may even want to try other books by DiCamillo, such as Because of Winn-Dixie, Mercy Watson to the Rescue, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and The Tiger Rising.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

          Lois Lowry opens the story, Number the Stars, as three girls sprinting along the street of downtown Copenhagen, Denmark, when suddenly they hear the booming voice of a German voice, "Halte".  Quickly readers will discover that the tale is set in Denmark during WWII.  German soldiers lurk around every corner, their powerful presence looming over the town like a menacing black cloud.  At first the soldiers merely stand on corners, but eventually empty storefronts with the glaring swastika symbol line the streets of Copenhagen.  The powerful presence of the Nazis have enveloped Copenhagen like a thick black cloud and the three young children running will soon realize that their worlds will forever change.
           Annmarie and Kirsti are sisters who live in the same apartment complex as their friend Ellen Rosen.  The three girls are very similar and spend much of their time together, but there is something that will either bring the three girls together or break their bonds of friendship, and that is religion.  Ellen is of the Jewish faith and the target of the menacing Nazis regime.  To protect Ellen and her family, Annmarie and Kirsti's family take Ellen in as if she were there daughter, while Mr. and Mrs. Rosen disappear from Copenhagen.  Continuing her efforts to keep the Rosen family safe, Annmarie's mother even takes Ellen and her daughters to her brother's home by the sea.
          The story continues to unfold, as does the character of Annmarie.  Though only ten years old she is very curious about the happenings in Copenhagen, wondering where the Rosens disappeared to, why the Jews are under such an attack, and whether or not Ellen will be found by the German soldiers.  The unanswered questions fester in her mind as she gradually sees small windows into the resistance movements taking place beneath her very eyes.  Throughout the story I found myself becoming very connected to Annmarie, taking on many of her curiosities and worries as my own.  The attachment to Annmarie truly made me feel as though I was right along side her, taking in her experiences breath by breath.
          As a child and young adult I was always fascinated by the Holocaust and read many novels, however I never picked this one up and am very happy to have done so.  My fascination with the time period may seem strange to others, but it is rooted in the fact that I have a very hard time wrapping my mind around the horrid acts of the Nazis.  Therefore, I find it interesting to read stories from the time period, both fiction and non fiction accounts, to further delve into the reasoning behind the awful persecutions and imprisonments.
         Unfortunately I had not experienced many tales about the resistance movement that arose in response to the Nazi control.  Therefore, I especially liked Lowry's exploration of the lives of those who sacrificed a great deal to keep their Jewish friends out of harms way.  The novel would be a superb way of showing upper elementary students the resistance efforts of the Holocaust.  Due to the violent nature of many books that focus on the concentration camps they are not appropriate for children to read.  However, Number the Stars provides students with a glimpse of the treatment of the Jews with a larger focus on the resistance efforts, making the tale appropriate for upper elementary school students.
          Though the book caters to a younger crowd, I believe adults would also enjoy reading this tale.  In fact, adults would likely point out hidden metaphors and meanings that children easily fly past when reading.  For instance, PJ Rooks found a connection to another familiar text within the book.  He writes "Number the Stars cleaves the fascinating from the frightening and spins a charming retelling of Little Red Riding Hood in which lupine Nazis huff and puff but are out-witted and out-run time and again".  
           I know you must be dying to know if the Rosens will ever reunite with their daughter.  Or perhaps you are curious about the significance of the necklace on the front page.  Per chance you are itching to find out how the Little Red Riding Hood is related to the tale.  Then you'll just have to read the book to find out more!