Schlitz,
Laura Amy. 2012. SPLENDORS AND GLOOMS. New York: Candlewick Press. ISBN
9780763653804 [Suggested Grade Levels 5-8]
REVIEW
“People
can’t change into puppets,” argued Lizzie Rose.
“Grisini
can change’em.”
For
some a puppet show is a fun and enjoyable event, with funny characters and
intriguing stories. For others a puppet show provides feelings of terror behind
the eyes of the wooden marionettes. In Gaspare Grisini’s puppet shows the
audience experiences both.
When
Clara, a wealthy but sad girl, becomes mesmerized by the puppet show put on by
Grisini she does not realize her life is about to drastically change. After
Clara’s disappearance two young orphans, Lizzie Rose and Parsefall, Grisini’s
assistants, find themselves trapped in a haunting adventure filled with crime,
kidnappings, and even witchcraft.
Set in
Victorian London the book paints a dark and beautiful picture in the reader’s
mind of the splendors and glooms of the time period. By taking the reader on a
journey into this time period, one encounters magic and wonder alongside the
seedy underbelly that has become well known of that part of history. From
Grisini’s unsavory lifestyle to Clara’s sheltered home life the reader is
introduced to every faction of London living and through this a masterpiece of
literature springs to life before your very eyes…much like Grisini’s puppets…
CONNECTIONS
Marionettes
are a special type of puppet. Research different types of puppets.
Create
your own puppet and put on a puppet show.
Practice
moving as if you are a marionette, have your friends take turns being the
puppeteer and the puppet.
RELATED BOOKS
Other chapter
books containing puppetry :Bone, Ian. THE PUPPET’S EYE. ISBN 9781434207937
Grant, Vicki. THE PUPPET WRANGLER. ISBN 9780329612788
Paterson, Katherine. THE MASTER PUPPETEER. ISBN 9781424208418
By Jane
Jergensen
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