[CVV]≫ Read Gratis The Skull of Truth A Magic Shop Book Bruce Coville Gary A Lippincott 9780152060848 Books

The Skull of Truth A Magic Shop Book Bruce Coville Gary A Lippincott 9780152060848 Books

Download As PDF : The Skull of Truth A Magic Shop Book Bruce Coville Gary A Lippincott 9780152060848 Books

The Skull of Truth A Magic Shop Book Bruce Coville Gary A Lippincott 9780152060848 Books

I've been slowly making my way through a long list of books recommended to me by a librarian friend of mine. One of them was a favorite from her childhood, "Jeremy Thatcher; Dragon Hatcher." While I DID enjoy the book, I couldn't help but find more than a few glaring plot holes with it, and thought it was just okay. But knowing that this was part of a series that featured a mysterious magic shop in each book, I was intrigued just enough to want to keep going and see if more of this "fantasy meets reality" world would be explored or explained. And I'm glad I did, because this story is far and away a better book, with a tighter plot, more likeable characters, and a stronger message.

Young Charlie is a liar. He wasn't always that way, but ever since a school yard incident that made him lose a friend and be blamed for something he didn't do, he doesn't see much point in telling the truth anymore if no one will believe him, no matter whether he's truthful or not. But his life is turned upside down when, while on the run from a gang of bullies, he stumbles into a mysterious magic shop. There, he finds the Skull of Truth, which is exactly what the name implies---anyone near to and/or in possession of the skull is compelled to tell the absolute truth, no matter what. Now unable to tell any lies, Charlie's painfully truthful words seem to do more harm than good. And with the future of his favorite swamp, as well as his friendships on the line, Charlie must now choose his words carefully, as the nature of truth itself is more powerful than he could've ever imagined.

This book is actually part of a series, in which all the books revolve around the mysterious magic shop in some way. But each book can stand well enough on its own that you don't have to have read the others. (As attested by the fact that I've been reading these out of order and didn't even realize it.) And while "Jeremy Thatcher" left me wondering if more of the history of the magic shop and it's curators would be explored, this book gave me some of the answers I was hoping for....kind of. While most of the shop's curiosities and its owner are still left a mystery, there's a few hints dropped here and there---mainly the notion that the shop appears wherever its needed the most, and any person who finds themselves there are there for a reason.

Case in point, Charlie, who's practically a compulsive liar, is in need of a harsh lesson of how powerful the truth can really be. But he remains a likeable main character, and it's understandable why he tells tall tales all the time once the "frog incident" is explained. The Skull of Truth itself, named Yorick, is hilarious, with his running commentary that no one else can hear except Charlie. But mixed in with some wacky hijinks, the plot also takes a bit of a darker turn I was surprised to find in a series mostly aimed at young kids, from Yorick explaining how he died (with some great Shakespeare references), to Charlie having to patch things up with his best friend who's battling cancer (after the skull compels him to say something truly awful to his friend). (And the way he makes it up to him is really touching.) And during a memorable family dinner (with the skull forcing everyone to speak their true thoughts), Charlie's uncle is revealed to be homosexual---a rare instance of a gay character in a kid's book (written back in the 90s no less!). Thankfully, his coming out is treated with respect.

From the above, it's easy to tell that this story takes on a much more serious tone than the other "magic shop" book, with timely lessons in the importance of telling the truth, and that sometimes, the truth CAN be harmful, and that there ARE times where it's better to lie. The key is knowing when it's a good time to fib or not. Suffice it to say, this story was a vast improvement from my first outing in this series, and I can't wait to read the rest.


Tags : The Skull of Truth: A Magic Shop Book [Bruce Coville, Gary A. Lippincott] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <div>Mr. Elives’s magic shop is back, and this time it is on the other side of Tucker’s Swamp. And Tucker’s Swamp is where Charlie Eggleston heads to escape a beating-for lying. Charlie can’t seem to keep from lying,Bruce Coville, Gary A. Lippincott,The Skull of Truth: A Magic Shop Book,HMH Books for Young Readers,0152060847,Fantasy & Magic,Social Themes - Values & Virtues,Family,Family life,Family life;Fiction.,Friendship,Honesty,Honesty;Fiction.,Schools,Schools;Fiction.,CHILDREN'S FICTION FANTASY,COVILLE, BRUCE,Children's BooksAges 9-12 Fiction,Children: Grades 4-6,Fiction,Fiction-Fantasy,JUVENILE,JUVENILE FICTION Fantasy & Magic,JUVENILE FICTION Humorous Stories,JUVENILE FICTION Social Themes Values & Virtues,Juvenile Fiction,Juvenile Grades 4-6 Ages 9-11,Monograph Series, any,Science fiction (Children's Teenage),United States

The Skull of Truth A Magic Shop Book Bruce Coville Gary A Lippincott 9780152060848 Books Reviews

http//readfantasybooks.wordpress.com

Skull of Truth is definitely one of my favorites in this series right next to Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher. It really wan't what I expected when reading one of Coville's Magic Shop Books, but I loved it nonetheless. It was just a lot more series than all the other ones, and there were tons of "messages" all of which were more obvious than in the other books. Just because the book is more serious I would recommend it to older children or having a parent read the story first. There are discussion about a boy having cancer and loosing his hair, as well as the main character's uncle being homosexual. There was also a flashback in which a boy's head was dunked into a boiling cauldron; he was alright, but it turned his hair white. While I was reading this part I thought it was a bit dark, especially because I thought he was going to die, as this was a flashback to someone's death. It was also a little strange for a children's book to mention that someone's grandmother was a stripper! I am not sure what Coville was thinking when he wrote this. I have no problems with any of this, but parents may not be ready to discuss these issues with their children, so I didn't want anyone to be surprised by the unusual content in the book.

I adored the characters, especially the skull, whose name we find out to be Yorick. He is so annoying that he is funny, but at first some might think he was pretty scary. Who wouldn't be scared of finding a human skull and having to carry it around only to find out that it can talk too! I loved how we really get to know him, especially after he tells the story of how he died. Made the story feel much more personal. Charlie is the main character who changes a lot as the story progresses. His character felt really personal as well because we learn a lot about him and his family, as well as reading about how he handles his friends illness and his uncle's homosexuality. Also, the rats, Jerrome and Roxanne, were awesome! I love them! You don't get to know too much about them in this book, but they are pretty interesting characters in Juliet Dove, Queen of Love.

I thought the story itself was terrific. It really teaches children about lying and telling the truth and how sometimes it may hurt to tell the truth, but that it is the better thing to do. There are many other lessons that children learn while they are reading this book, and I think that is the biggest reason why I love these Magic Shop Books.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book in the series, but it is really different from the rest of them so far; I haven't read them all yet. I strongly encourage you to read this book before giving it to your child to make sure you are comfortable with it. I would suggest that it may be more appropriate for older readers. However, I still loved the book and can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series.
I purchased this as an Accelerated Reader book for my 8-year-old; we both found it delightful. Yorick was a perfect image for his imagination and the fantastic quality of the story kept him constantly involved; I found the book both entertaining and thought-provoking. The truths that the skull forces people to tell gave us the opportunity for a number of real-life discussions. Coville is a terrific writer for all ages -- unlike many writers of "youth" books, he goes beyond the obvious yucky stuff that interests 8-year-old boys and brings so much more to life (even to a discussion of Shakespeare and the Tragedy of Hamlet!)
This book is a tiny slow getting started, but once the reader is indulging thoroughly, there's no getting away. A great read for elementary-aged readers who are curiously considering adventures away from the parents. A totally safe way they can get that without the process of physically being in danger.

Terrific for a parent to share with the child at bedtime. No gore or anything remotely gross, other than a skull.
My son and I love Bruce Coville. The Skull of Truth is no exception.
I loved reading this book in the series. It has a special parable told near the end that sums up how to live your life so that it seems like you're in heaven. Adults and children live it. My grandson is 9 and is very much hooked in the Magic Shop series. The best one is Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher.
I've been slowly making my way through a long list of books recommended to me by a librarian friend of mine. One of them was a favorite from her childhood, "Jeremy Thatcher; Dragon Hatcher." While I DID enjoy the book, I couldn't help but find more than a few glaring plot holes with it, and thought it was just okay. But knowing that this was part of a series that featured a mysterious magic shop in each book, I was intrigued just enough to want to keep going and see if more of this "fantasy meets reality" world would be explored or explained. And I'm glad I did, because this story is far and away a better book, with a tighter plot, more likeable characters, and a stronger message.

Young Charlie is a liar. He wasn't always that way, but ever since a school yard incident that made him lose a friend and be blamed for something he didn't do, he doesn't see much point in telling the truth anymore if no one will believe him, no matter whether he's truthful or not. But his life is turned upside down when, while on the run from a gang of bullies, he stumbles into a mysterious magic shop. There, he finds the Skull of Truth, which is exactly what the name implies---anyone near to and/or in possession of the skull is compelled to tell the absolute truth, no matter what. Now unable to tell any lies, Charlie's painfully truthful words seem to do more harm than good. And with the future of his favorite swamp, as well as his friendships on the line, Charlie must now choose his words carefully, as the nature of truth itself is more powerful than he could've ever imagined.

This book is actually part of a series, in which all the books revolve around the mysterious magic shop in some way. But each book can stand well enough on its own that you don't have to have read the others. (As attested by the fact that I've been reading these out of order and didn't even realize it.) And while "Jeremy Thatcher" left me wondering if more of the history of the magic shop and it's curators would be explored, this book gave me some of the answers I was hoping for....kind of. While most of the shop's curiosities and its owner are still left a mystery, there's a few hints dropped here and there---mainly the notion that the shop appears wherever its needed the most, and any person who finds themselves there are there for a reason.

Case in point, Charlie, who's practically a compulsive liar, is in need of a harsh lesson of how powerful the truth can really be. But he remains a likeable main character, and it's understandable why he tells tall tales all the time once the "frog incident" is explained. The Skull of Truth itself, named Yorick, is hilarious, with his running commentary that no one else can hear except Charlie. But mixed in with some wacky hijinks, the plot also takes a bit of a darker turn I was surprised to find in a series mostly aimed at young kids, from Yorick explaining how he died (with some great Shakespeare references), to Charlie having to patch things up with his best friend who's battling cancer (after the skull compels him to say something truly awful to his friend). (And the way he makes it up to him is really touching.) And during a memorable family dinner (with the skull forcing everyone to speak their true thoughts), Charlie's uncle is revealed to be homosexual---a rare instance of a gay character in a kid's book (written back in the 90s no less!). Thankfully, his coming out is treated with respect.

From the above, it's easy to tell that this story takes on a much more serious tone than the other "magic shop" book, with timely lessons in the importance of telling the truth, and that sometimes, the truth CAN be harmful, and that there ARE times where it's better to lie. The key is knowing when it's a good time to fib or not. Suffice it to say, this story was a vast improvement from my first outing in this series, and I can't wait to read the rest.