Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: March 1, 2010
Format: Hardback, 288 pages
Genre: Middle Grades fiction, Children's book
Other Books in the Series:
The Hidden Gallery, book 2
The Unseen Guest, book 3 (TBR February 21, 2012)
The Unseen Guest, book 3 (TBR February 21, 2012)
How I Got It: the library
Goodreads Summary:
Found running wild in the forest of Ashton Place, the Incorrigibles are no ordinary children: Alexander, age ten or thereabouts, keeps his siblings in line with gentle nips; Cassiopeia, perhaps four or five, has a bark that is (usually) worse than her bite; and Beowulf, age somewhere-in-the-middle, is alarmingly adept at chasing squirrels.
Luckily, Miss Penelope Lumley is no ordinary governess. Only fifteen years old and a recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, Penelope embraces the challenge of her new position. Though she is eager to instruct the children in Latin verbs and the proper use of globes, first she must help them overcome their canine tendencies.
But mysteries abound at Ashton Place: Who are these three wild creatures, and how did they come to live in the vast forests of the estate? Why does Old Timothy, the coachman, lurk around every corner? Will Penelope be able to teach the Incorrigibles table manners and socially useful phrases in time for Lady Constance's holiday ball? And what on earth is a schottische?
Found running wild in the forest of Ashton Place, the Incorrigibles are no ordinary children: Alexander, age ten or thereabouts, keeps his siblings in line with gentle nips; Cassiopeia, perhaps four or five, has a bark that is (usually) worse than her bite; and Beowulf, age somewhere-in-the-middle, is alarmingly adept at chasing squirrels.
Luckily, Miss Penelope Lumley is no ordinary governess. Only fifteen years old and a recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, Penelope embraces the challenge of her new position. Though she is eager to instruct the children in Latin verbs and the proper use of globes, first she must help them overcome their canine tendencies.
But mysteries abound at Ashton Place: Who are these three wild creatures, and how did they come to live in the vast forests of the estate? Why does Old Timothy, the coachman, lurk around every corner? Will Penelope be able to teach the Incorrigibles table manners and socially useful phrases in time for Lady Constance's holiday ball? And what on earth is a schottische?
The Mysterious Howling reminded me a great deal of the Series of Unfortunate Events. For example the narrator would speak directly to the reader and would explain words in a very descriptive and humorous manner. However, The Mysterious Howling is not nearly as dark as the Lemony Snicket books.
Miss Penelope Lumley is a recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females. She reminds me quite a bit of Mary Poppins (minus the magic) mixed with Anne Shirley and displays some burgeoning Nancy Drew tendencies. She has received an excellent education that has prepared her to be an equally excellent governess - at the age of fifteen. She's very straight laced but her true age occasionally peaks out in her fears, earnestness, and imagination. She wants desperately to do a good job, for her charges to love her, and to find her own place in the world. (Her love for the Silky the Pony books was a funny touch that popped up throughout the book.)
Most of the book is taken up with Penelope finding her feet and teaching Alexander, Beowulf, and Cassiopeia how to act like proper children. Lord Ashton found them running wild on his property and he decided to keep them. His new wife was not pleased and the fact that they acted like wolves didn't help at all. Everyone had ridiculous expectations for the children's improvement and that added quite a bit of humor to the story. I enjoyed that Penelope was fretting over when she could start teaching them Latin and she hadn't even gotten them so stop howling yet. Of course the children improve by leaps and bounds in some areas, but the continue with some of their "wild" behavior like adding wolf howls to their words (and Beowulf drools when he gets excited). There are little mysterious events that run throughout the book, and there is the big mystery of where the children came from. This is never really focused on until the end of the book when events cause Penelope to believe that there is someone who seems to know more about the children and wants them to remain wild.
Wood's writing makes The Mysterious Howling accessible to a variety of age levels. While it might be more of a light and fluffy read for adults, I think older readers in general will be amused. This is a great middle grades read and I even recommend it to parents and teachers as a read aloud. One mother started reading it to her 8 year old son and her 4 year old daughter before bed. She said that not only did her kids enjoy it but her husband started joining them for story time. Klassen's retro black and white illustrations capture the mood of the scene perfectly and are a nice addition to the story.
Miss Penelope Lumley is a recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females. She reminds me quite a bit of Mary Poppins (minus the magic) mixed with Anne Shirley and displays some burgeoning Nancy Drew tendencies. She has received an excellent education that has prepared her to be an equally excellent governess - at the age of fifteen. She's very straight laced but her true age occasionally peaks out in her fears, earnestness, and imagination. She wants desperately to do a good job, for her charges to love her, and to find her own place in the world. (Her love for the Silky the Pony books was a funny touch that popped up throughout the book.)
Most of the book is taken up with Penelope finding her feet and teaching Alexander, Beowulf, and Cassiopeia how to act like proper children. Lord Ashton found them running wild on his property and he decided to keep them. His new wife was not pleased and the fact that they acted like wolves didn't help at all. Everyone had ridiculous expectations for the children's improvement and that added quite a bit of humor to the story. I enjoyed that Penelope was fretting over when she could start teaching them Latin and she hadn't even gotten them so stop howling yet. Of course the children improve by leaps and bounds in some areas, but the continue with some of their "wild" behavior like adding wolf howls to their words (and Beowulf drools when he gets excited). There are little mysterious events that run throughout the book, and there is the big mystery of where the children came from. This is never really focused on until the end of the book when events cause Penelope to believe that there is someone who seems to know more about the children and wants them to remain wild.
Parts I liked:
"If all goes well, I will live here at Ashton Place, a strict but kind-hearted governess with three clever pupils who both fear and adore me."
Penelope had read several novels about such governesses in preparations for her interview and found them chock-full of useful information, although she had no intention of developing romantic feelings for the charming, penniless tutor at a neighboring estate. Or -heaven forbid!- for the darkly handsome, brooding and extravagantly wealthy master of her own household. Lord Fredrick Ashton was newly married in any case, and she had no inkling what his complexion might be.
…………………….
"Ah, you are concerned about my wife's feelings, is that it? Now, Miss -Lumley, is it?- I realize that Constance is rather high-strung about all this, but I assure you, as soon as they can say "please" and "thank you" and perform some simple tricks, her maternal nature will blossom like a rose."
…………………….
If you have ever opened a can of worms, boxed yourself into a corner, ended up in hot water, or found yourself in a pretty pickle, you already know that life is rarely (if ever) just a bowl of cherries. It is far more likely to be a bowl of problems, worries, and difficulties. This is normal and should not be seen as cause for alarm.
…………………….
"Now, I am well aware that being raised by wolves can be considered an undesirable start in life," she began. "But truly, which of us do not have obstacles to overcome? Whining -or howling or what you please- is not the solution to any of life's problems. I realize that there have been challenges. I assure you there will be more."
…………………….
Lady Constance swept into the room as giddy and foolish as ever' to look at her, you would think nothing unpleasant had ever happened in the whole history of England.
Verdict:
The Mysterious Howling is a delightful book full of humor, situations, and characters that kids will enjoy. Younger readers will enjoy the the wild children while older readers will appreciate the absurdity of the adult's expectations. This would also be a wonderful read aloud for younger children. Pick it up at the store or library, this is one your family will enjoy.
Related Reviews:
Mundie Kids review
The Little Bookworm review
Middle Grade Mafioso review
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5 comments:
I've had my eye on this book for quite some time, but I didn't know much about it. Thank you so much for your review, Jennifer. I had a feeling that it was close to Lemony Snicket but I'm kinda glad that it isn't too dark. I'll definitely check this one out. I love the book titles and covers. :)
November 15, 2011 11:12 AMYay for her husband joining in to listen to the stories! That's a very good sign that this is a book worth reading. Fantastic review Jennifer!
November 15, 2011 11:31 AM@ Rummanah Aasi - I have a lot of parents and teachers who complain about how "dark" the Snicket books get, but the kids seem to enjoy them. THE MYSTERIOUS HOWLING takes the elements that they enjoy and present them in a way that a lot of adults are more comfortable with.
November 15, 2011 12:43 PM@ Jenny - And the kids love that their dad is there. The mom said it was the kids laughing and her howling the dialogue that drew him in. :)
I don't read many MG books, but I remember when my little cousins read this one, and they loved it! They gushed about it for days, and now knowing that Penelope is a Mary Poppins/Anne Shirley mix, I can see why! :)
November 15, 2011 3:31 PM@ Missie - If they haven't read it yet, book 2 THE HIDDEN GALLERY might make a nice surprise.
November 16, 2011 1:34 PMPost a Comment