The Field Guide

by Tony DiTerlizzi, Holly Black, Tony DiTerlizzi Holly Black

Book Overview

The Grace children discover the faerie world is closer than you think in this repackage of the first book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Spiderwick Chronicles.

After finding a mysterious, handmade field guide in the attic of the ramshackle old mansion they've just moved into, Jared; his twin brother, Simon; and their older sister, Mallory, discover that there's a magical and maybe dangerous world existing parallel to our own--the...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689859368
• ISBN13: 9780689859366
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.6" x 7.1"
• Age Range: 8 to 11 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 6

Customer Reviews

The edges of the book have ink all over them.

Ok I know I did pay like $5 for this but the book certainly did not come in perfect condition. The edges of the pages are covered in black ink and the cover is different from the on displayed on the listing.

Fairies galore

This is a great start to a fun series. Kids will love to read this book and the others. They are only 100 pages each, with a picture on every other page, to it is great for a first chapter book. They are also wonderful to read aloud to kids. I read them as an adult and loved the entire series.

Fantastic series...

I am a 37 year old mother and love anything with wonderful imagination and here, the Spiderwick Chronicles, are all fantastic. I have read each of them and actually I am kind of sorry the book will be done after the next book. I could read more and more if possible. Holly Black and Tony Diterlizzi are so creative. I do not think that these books are just for children. I recommend the series to all ages. It is fast reading but really exciting. I am sure many of you will enjoy them. My little girl who is six, loves the series too. Definetly pick these books up the next time you are shopping at a bookstore or if you are online looking for a new book to read.

The Field Guide (The Spiderwick Chronicles)

My five year old listened to this entire book in one sitting and was totally enthralled! He couldn't wait to begin Book Two and now that we have completed it he has convinced us to re-read The Field Guide to him. (All in less than six hours!) He loves the mystery and the very realistic personalities of the children. This is a fantastic find for him as he is counting down the days to the release of the next Harry Potter book. The Field Guide has wonderful imagery and like Harry Potter, a sense of innocent fantasy that young children love. Unlike the Harry Potter books, these are small enough for a "quick" read. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to Tony Diterlizzi and Holly Black for these superb stories!!!

Fascinating read & challenging riddles.

The Field Guide, in my mind, is superior in the realm of children's lit. Even in the present-day "Renaissance of Children's Literature" it is not often that one stumbles across a book with some many postive characteristics.For one, I do not understand the hullabaloo surrounding the similarity in packaging to the Lemony Snicket books. This book was not dark or full of satire like the Series of Unfortunate Events books. Truly, the packaging of these series is where the similarities begin and end.These series is probably more appropriate for a younger audience as well, except for one expletive ("crap") that adults may find objectionable.The family dynamics are believeable. The sibliings love each other and help each other out, but that doesn't stop rivalry or redicule.The story begins as the family moves into a new house, sans the father. After some exploring with the dumbwaiter, the children find mystifying secrets. The author's secrets are tough to figure out, but is good for mind-stretching purposes.I would especially recommend this book for children who may be too young for Harry Potter.

Put this on the top of your reading list

All the things a kid could ever want in a book--Faeries, Goblins, secret rooms, and a quick read to boot. I frequent the library, but felt these books were so fantastic I had to buy copies of my own. The illustrations by Tony DiTerlizzi are wonderful, and I found myself eager to turn each page to see the next picture, as well as to read what would happen in the story. The style of the books are eerily similar to that of Lemony Snicket-- there are three siblings who find themselves in some sort of trouble or danger in each book, a letter from the author, and a snippet on the back of each book with reasons why you shouldn't read the story. Still, the events in the books were very original and kept me entertained. I can't wait for the rest of the series to be released (there are five books total). A must read!!