Parents' Guide to

Breadcrumbs

By Sally Engelfried, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Brilliant tale of girl's enchanted-woods search for friend.

Book Anne Ursu Fantasy 2011
Breadcrumbs Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 10+

Based on 4 parent reviews

Eliaturcios
Eliaturcios Adult
September 25, 2014
age 9+

This title has:

Educational value
Kirian
Kirian Parent of 11-year-old
June 25, 2014
age 10+

A depressing adventure

This book is about a girl and boy who are drifting apart as they get older. Consumed with depression over his mother's mental illness, the boy is taken by the Snow Queen. The girl goes after him, has some frightening adventures, and ultimately rescues him. Sort of. At the end of the book nothing has changed. The boy's mother is still suffering and unable to be an effective parent, and the pair's friendship is as good as over. The main character's loyalty to her friend is admirable, but I would not give this book to any child that wants happy endings.
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Hazel’s teacher thinks she has an overactive imagination, and the other kids at school think she is just plain weird. Except Jack. Since they were 6, he's been Hazel’s best friend. But when a shard of enchanted mirror flies into Jack’s eye, Jack starts hanging out with the boys instead of Hazel. Then, suddenly, Jack's gone. When one of the boys tells Hazel he saw Jack ride into the woods on a wolf-drawn sled with a silver woman made of snow, Hazel realizes only she can rescue Jack. But although she’s read countless fairy tales and fantasies, none of them has prepared her for walking through a genuine enchanted woods. As one of its inhabitants tells her, "It’s not the wolves you have to worry about."

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4):
Kids say (14):

Hazel's a sensitive and imaginative girl, and readers will relate to and root for her even when she is filled with doubt about her own self-worth. Ursu delicately weaves classic fairy tale themes into Hazel’s very real world and addresses dark subjects such as depression and isolation without trivializing them in the fantasy setting. The tale is fraught with metaphor that doesn’t have to be understood by children who simply want an exciting adventure story, but it will add an extra dimension for those who want to dig deeper.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Hazel doesn’t feel she belongs at school. Why does she feel this way? Is there anyone at your school who is an outcast? Have you ever tried to change the situation for that person?

  • Although Jack’s heart is enchanted so he can no longer feel, his situation could be a metaphor for what it feels like when friendships change. If this happened to you, would you try to "rescue" your friend, as Hazel did?

  • The boy in the woods tells Hazel, "Sometimes it seems like it might be easier to give yourself to the ice." What do you think he means by this?

  • Hazel thinks of herself as fundamentally different from her classmates -- do you think she is? Are there ways she is similar to them that she doesn’t see?

Book Details

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