The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread, by Kate DiCamillo was the winner of the 2004 Newbery Award. It has been made into a movie that will be released on December 19, 2008.
So, Despereaux is a mouse. A very small mouse with large ears, who lives in a castle in a kingdom where soup and rats are outlawed. And he doesn’t like to do mouse things. He’d rather read fairy tales in the castle’s library than scout for crumbs. One day, he is entranced by music and finds himself in the presence of the king and Princess Pea. This one meeting sets in motion events that lead to a death sentence, encounters with rats, and the kidnapping of the princess.
I liked this book a lot. It’s short and conversational, with the narrator frequently addressing the Reader. There are adventures and morals and good examples. It’s a classic good vs. evil tale. (I’ll let you guess which wins.) And, for a kind of fairy tale, the characters are fairly well-rounded. The princess isn’t all good, and the rats aren’t all bad. The writing is simple, as is the plot. I would recommend this as a read-a-loud book for children or a quick read for adults. This is a great little book.
I read this book for the Lit Flicks Challenge, the Book Awards II Challenge, and the Newbery Project.
The Tale of Despereaux, by Kate DiCamillo 
Other Reviews:
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I love Newberry Medal winners and that one looks fabulous!
I really enjoyed reading this a few years ago when it first won, but I hardly remember it. I may have to revisit it!
My 9-year-old loves this book. It’s his new favorite – he’s read it twice in the last six weeks. He would be glad to know you liked it too, and he’s been telling me that I really should read it myself.
I enjoyed it a lot too!
I’ve seen this book at stores and the library and have been curious about it for some time. Thanks for the review. I’ll add it to my TBR list since it sounds like a fun one.
I wouldn’t have picked this one up if I hadn’t seen a trailer for the movie, but I was surprised at how good it was!
Oh this is too cute to be missed. A bibliopilic mouse in a castle! I think I’ll be reading it!
I’m really excited for this movie to come out! My mother-in-law and I will be going together!
Hi, Jessica. I came to visit for Weekly Geeks #26. This sounds like a great book – I was curious about it (what with the movie coming out and all) and now it appears I’ll have to go get a copy. Nice review! :)
oh this sounds really Cute.. who can resist this one? :)
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