Horns & Wrinkles -- Joseph Helgerson

It's SO CUTE!  Adorable, even.  I don't mean cute and adorable in a precious way, because the book has bite.  The illustrations are beautiful and funny and shadowy and spooky and the story itself is so well-told and I loved the characters.  It's one that I'll re-read again and again.

I just loved it:

My cousin Duke's trouble on the river started the day he dangled me off the wagon wheel bridge.  It's an old stone bridge, abandoned now, except for bullies and the occasional river troll in need of a hideout.

Horns & Wrinkles is a must-read.  In fact, I think I must read it again and write a more detailed review.  (Oh, sometimes I crack myself up.  But, really.  It's a must read.)

Comments

[MotherReader]

What age is it for? Amazon lists the reading level as 4-8, but with 368 pages, I find that I bit hard to believe. Are they just slapping random reading levels on their books now or just trying to discourage a whole new generation of readers. "I don't know, Bobby, we thought a big five year old like you would be able to read it. You must just be stupid." Kidding.

[Leila]

Maybe they're thinking for read-alouds? I'd definitely peg it higher for independent reading -- 8-12, maybe.

[c.c.]

Don't those numbers usually refer to grade level, not years?
I had always assumed that the suggested reading level was totally random anyway.

[Leila]

Oh, that would make so much more sense.

[MotherReader]

I checked and it's ages all right. Spin the wheel and pick an age range.

[Little Willow]

Sounds very cute.

[nicole]

i liked the book but some of the parts could be confusing. i think the reading level should be bettween 10-12 year olds

[nina]

what do you mean by cute and adorable?