Once Upon a Marigold - Jean Ferris
Delightfully offbeat fairytale full of surprises.
(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
- Author:Jean Ferris
- # of pages: 272
- Publisher:Harcourt
- Original Publication Date: 06/01/2004
- Genre: Fiction - Fairy Tale
- Hardcover: $17.00
- Paperback: $5.95
- Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 9-12
- Read Aloud: 9-12
- Read Alone: 9-12
- Awards:ALA Notable Children's Book, ALA Best Book for Young Adults, Texas Lone Star Reading List, Smithsonian Magazine Notable Book for Children
Parents need to know
Families can talk about what it means to be a family. Do you need to be related to be a family? In what ways does Edric act like a parent toward Christian? Do you know someone that has a non-traditional family?
Message
Social Behavior:
The hero, Christian, throws the occasional tantrum when he is young and there is some fighting, however the majority of characters display positive behavior. The evil queen lives up to her name, but all negative actions receive the proper punishment.
Consumerism:
Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:
Adults are shown drinking wine, typical for the time in which the story took place.
Violence
Innocent people are dragged off to the dungeons. People are frequently banished from the kingdom. A man is punched by a giant. A woman plots to kill two people either through an accident or poison. There is mention of hunting animals for food.
Sex
Typical fairytale romance with several weddings.
Language
Common Sense says
What's the story?
Reviewed by Terreece Clarke
Is it any good?
Ferris' plot may be more tangled than the tooth fairy's maps (which is why she's always lost), but it all comes together wonderfully in the end. And while part of it is predictable -- it's a fairytale after all -- the details of the conclusion are anything but. Kids and parents will love the modern twists and delight in the details Ferris uses to richly embroider this tale.
Other choices
Other Titles by This Author:
Love Among the Walnuts
All That Glitters
Much Ado About Grubstake
The Author's Web site:
JeanFerris.Com
Parents and kids say



