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The Tale of DespereauxKate DiCamillo
The Tale of Despereaux
by Kate DiCamillo
A mouse born with his eyes open falls in love with a princess and with reading, and is sent down to the dungeon for both.
A story about animals and children, epic and gentle in tone. We would put it with children of 8–11, and at a reading age of about 9 for reading alone.
Worth knowing before you buy
- Mild peril
- Cruel adults
None of this makes it a bad book — often the opposite. It is here so you can decide whether it is right for your child now or in a year or two.
Our take on this book
Despereaux is a tiny mouse with enormous ears who commits the unforgivable sin of loving a human princess and reading books instead of nibbling them — and his story braids together with those of a vengeful rat and a simple serving girl into a fairy tale about darkness, forgiveness and the power of a brave heart. Kate DiCamillo won the Newbery Medal for this, and it is a jewel: told by a warm, direct narrator who speaks straight to the reader, it is funny and sad and beautiful, with real shadows — the dungeon, the rat's cruelty, genuine peril — balanced by light, courage and mercy. It suits a reader of nine to twelve who can handle a story with proper darkness in it, rewarded by a luminous ending. For the right child it is a special, memorable book — lyrical, brave and unusual — and a wonderful introduction to one of the finest writers working for young readers.
If they like this, try these
Chosen by matching age, reading age, tone and subject — not by what is selling.
Because of Winn-DixieKate DiCamillo
Charlotte's WebE. B. White
The IckabogJ. K. Rowling
The Miraculous Journey of Edward TulaneKate DiCamillo
Asha and the Spirit BirdJasbinder Bilan
Farm BoyMichael Morpurgo
Or let them write their own.
Nothing gets a child reading like a story they invented themselves. Your child plans the characters and the plot, and we write, illustrate and print it as a real book with their name on the cover as the author.
Find another book
Tell us the age, the reading age and what they like, and we will suggest a handful.