Despereaux

=//The Tale of Desperaux// by Kate DiCamillo =

Summary
This book is about a princess, a bowl of soup, a mouse, and a drum. A mouse named Desperaux has a big heart but a tiny body which helps him through his endless adventures.

Ms. Thoennes says...
This story reads like an extended fairy tale. It is a wonderful exploration of light versus dark, unlikely heroes, and tragic villains. A movie adaptation is coming out in December 2008.

Characters

 * Desperaux: a courageous but different mouse who gets into a deep mess after talking to a human.
 * Roscuro: a rude rat
 * Princess Pea
 * Mouse Council
 * Miggery Sow,a poor young girl who's dad traded her for a red tablecloth, a chicken, and a handful of cigarettes.
 * Jailor: a prisoner who remains in the dungeon until his rope is broken.
 * The King

Settings

 * Castle
 * Dungeon

Events

 * A mouse talks to a human and ends up in alot of trouble!
 * The princess gets trapped in the dungeon
 * The library
 * Princess Pea's bedroom

Student Reviews

 * Corrina: //The Tale of Despereaux// (des-per-o) is about a young mouse with humongous ears and curiosity about love. Despereaux is different from all the other mice. He is not interested in eating and scavenging. He would much rather be listening to sweet music or reading a book of brave knights and of dreams of being a knight for his love, the Princess Pea, a human... Talking to humans is forbidden, and when Despereaux breaks the rules he is sent to the dungeon, where he meets Miggery Sow, who has a simple but impossible dream, Roscuro, an evil rat who is desperate for light, and Gregory, a person who sold his daughter for a cigarette pack, a blanket, and a chicken. This book is divided into sections where each character tells their story. Each story is made interesting by the author. She shows all of the characters' thoughts, emotions, and actions clearly. The book gives each character a certain quality and she really shows the emotion and thought in her illustrations. I recommend this book to everyone who looks for adventure, knights, and forgiveness.