Author: Kate Dicamillo
Candlewick; Fifth Printing Edition 2003
Hardcover, 272 Page Chapter Book Grades 2 -5
A story of unlikely heroes whose destinies entwine. A diminutive mouse, a peasant girl, a princess, and an evil rat.
In this book the author skillfully weaves four unlikely characters into an intricate story of love, banishment, evil and hope. Depereaux, a small mouse born different from all the other mice, is sadly declared a “disappointment” at birth by his mother. The book pits an evil rat against an unlikely mouse, who falls in love with a human princess. Princess Pea appreciates him despite her father’s dislike of rodents, and this eventually leads him to a cruel fate when his own father banishes him to the rat-filled dungeon of the castle. The twists and turns of the plot are surprising and Despereaux uses his uniqueness to overcome obstacles and influence the lives of others. Although this book is a fantasy with castles, kings, rats, peasants and talking mice, the plight of the different little mouse, who was not expected to succeed, is still highly relatable to children.
The book is written in a narrative style that begins with “Dear Reader.” Although it has an impressive page count, the text is large, and the chapters are relatively short.
Despereaux is sophisticated in both plot and vocabulary. Like any fairy tale, this book has its dark moments, but this reviewer has no complaints to that end. Most fairy tales are filled with evil, death, abuse, and wickedness. Despereaux, however, has a redeeming message and is written with such skill that I was instantly thrilled and couldn’t wait for the next chapter. The illustrations are delightful and have a magic all their own. Any child who loves a great story and imaginative adventure will love this book and its three sequels. It’s no wonder Despereaux is a two-time Newbery Medal Winner.
Buy Here: Despereaux by Kate Dicammillo gets 5 stars from this reviewer.