Book Review: The Palace of Laughter: The Wednesday Tales #1
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What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that if your kids are already afraid of
clowns, this book isn't going to help. There is a very creepy
circus, complete with odd clowns. Other scary situations
include kidnapping, hypnotism, and addiction to a mysterious
substance. Parents will love the story's emphasis on
friendship, loyalty, and family, but there are also plenty of
mischievous adults whose actions put children in danger.
Families can talk friendship and family. How did Miles show
Little he was a true friend? How did he win Silverpoint's
loyalty? What makes a family?
Jon Berkeley's THE PALACE OF LAUGHTER is a wonderful fantasy adventure. The story motors along at a pretty good pace and throws in enough fright and wild situations to keep even the most reluctant reader interested.
Clocking in at almost 500 pages this novel's a long one for middle graders, but Miles Wednesday's adventures are so out there that readers will quickly forget about the length and settle in for a good ride. A weird circus, creepy clowns, and a Palace of Laughter everyone is afraid to visit would be enough for most fantasies. Berkeley goes one step further and adds in a couple of lost angels and a yeti. Chock full of nuttiness and a hilarious ending, kids seeking to movie on beyond Harry Potter have found a good candidate in this series.
Jon Berkeley's THE PALACE OF LAUGHTER is a wonderful fantasy adventure. The story motors along at a pretty good pace and throws in enough fright and wild situations to keep even the most reluctant reader interested.
Clocking in at almost 500 pages this novel's a long one for middle graders, but Miles Wednesday's adventures are so out there that readers will quickly forget about the length and settle in for a good ride. A weird circus, creepy clowns, and a Palace of Laughter everyone is afraid to visit would be enough for most fantasies. Berkeley goes one step further and adds in a couple of lost angels and a yeti. Chock full of nuttiness and a hilarious ending, kids seeking to movie on beyond Harry Potter have found a good candidate in this series.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
