Saturday, April 3, 2010

The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood


Book One in The INCORRIGIBLE CHILDREN OF ASHTON PLACE series.

"It was not Miss Penelope Lumley's first journey on a train, but it was the first one she had taken alone."

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Summary: Fifteen-year-old Penelope Lumley, a recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, is hired as governess to three young children who have been raised by wolves and must teach them to behave in a civilized manner quickly, in preparation for a Christmas ball.

Publisher: HarperCollins; 267 pages

4 comments:

Mary W said...

This book was rather different, but I did like it. I listened to this one, so my opinion might be slightly altered because the narrator did such a good job! Three children raised by wolves are found and are nurtured by a very young governess. She is such a strong person and has a lot of patience and kindness with the children. I found the book rather funny and children that like things a little off beat will enjoy this book. It wouldn't be your typical Newbery though.

Anonymous said...

This book didn't do it for me. I had a hard time finishing it, and when I did finished I was left wondering why I had read it in the first place...a disappointment for me.

Rachael said...

I'm quite undecided about this book, I didn't love it (there were some instances where I had to force myself to continue) and I didn't hate it (there were some great moments). I think my greatest challenge was the author's writing style and I question whether a child would read it, it definitely seems it would appeal more towards 5th and 6th graders.
Another issue just seems to be that the book can't stand alone, it seems specifically designed to start a series. The mysterious howling isn't truly alluded to until the last chapter.

shelf-employed said...

I liked it!
Consistently written in a style that evokes the sensibilities of England in the 1850s, Wood's writing is amusing as well and contains frequent helpful "asides" from the narrator. It’s difficult not to admire Miss Lumley; and her young wolfish charges, Alexander, Beowulf, and Cassiopeia, adore her.

http://shelf-employed.blogspot.com/2010/03/incorrigible-children-of-ashton-place.html