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The Spiderwick Chronicles #3-4
Lucinda's Secret and The Ironwood Tree
Book 3--Lucinda's SecretThings at the Spiderwick estate are getting completely out of hand. If being attacked by a band of marauding goblins and almost eaten by a bridge troll wasn't enough, how Jared is being harassed by Thimbletack, the house boggart, and Simon has a very hungry griffin recuperating in the carriage house. Mallory is convinced that the only way to stop the madness is to chuck the Guide. But that's not an option. With all kinds of creatures after them, the Guide is the only protection the Grace kids have. If they could just figure out why all of Faerie wants the Guide. Only one person can help solve this mystery--their crazy old Aunt Lucinda.Book 4--the Ironwood TreeThe Grace kids, Jared, Simon, and Mallory, are at it again. Be sure to listen in to see what happens!
Audio Cassette
First published January 1, 2004
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391 people want to read
About the author
Tony DiTerlizzi
85 books2,228 followers#1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator, Tony DiTerlizzi, has been creating children’s books for twenty years. From fanciful picture books like The Broken Ornament and The Spider & The Fly (a Caldecott Honor book), to chapter books like Kenny and The Dragon and The Search for WondLa, DiTerlizzi imbues his stories with rich imagination. With Holly Black, he created the middle-grade series, The Spiderwick Chronicles, which has sold over 20 million copies, been adapted into a feature film, and translated in over thirty countries. He teamed up with Lucasfilm to retell the original Star Wars trilogy as a picture book and his collaboration with celebrated author Mo Willems created the bestseller The Story of Diva & Flea. The Norman Rockwell museum’s retrospective, “Never Abandon Imagination”, featured artwork from the beginning of DiTerlizzi’s career as a contributing artist for Dungeons & Dragons and broke attendance records. He has been featured in Time magazine, USA Today, CNN, PBS, NPR the BBC and The Today Show.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
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August 17, 2021Do it. Reread/re-listen the Spiderwick Chronicles. Fruit flies have invaded my trash can and I have to move apartments next week. Adult problems call for middle grade fiction.
August 27, 2022
LOVE.
That's it. That's the review.
That's it. That's the review.
May 13, 2022
I can’t wait to read the last one! I sympathize with Jared. I love that there are fairy problems and real childhood problems too, it’s nice for kids to be able to connect to a family situation like that.
February 27, 2016
This is one of the most interesting series I read as a child. It also sits very high up on my list of books I’d hoped to see as films only to be disappointed (as so often seems to be the case).
It’s such an interesting story and you really do need to sit it out until the very end to find out how things play out. Each book contains its own story whilst adding to the continuous story throughout.
As a whole, one of my favourite childhood reads.
It’s such an interesting story and you really do need to sit it out until the very end to find out how things play out. Each book contains its own story whilst adding to the continuous story throughout.
As a whole, one of my favourite childhood reads.
July 16, 2020
4 stars
These were both great additions to the series. I like that in Lucinda's secret we got to learn what the story was with the children's Aunt whose house they were living in. In the Ironwood Tree I really liked that how it progress the over arching plot of the series and the decision that the children ended on. My biggest complaint is that they are too short. I feel like these books have such an intriguing premise that i wish the books were longer and explored things in more depth.
These were both great additions to the series. I like that in Lucinda's secret we got to learn what the story was with the children's Aunt whose house they were living in. In the Ironwood Tree I really liked that how it progress the over arching plot of the series and the decision that the children ended on. My biggest complaint is that they are too short. I feel like these books have such an intriguing premise that i wish the books were longer and explored things in more depth.
December 9, 2019
Lucinda's Secret - 3/5
Simon, Jared and Mallory pay a visit to their aunt Lucinda after learning that she might not be so crazy even though she’s been locked away in an asylum for quite some time. It turns out that she had troubles with mischievous fairies just like the Grace kids and she offer them some guidance on how to confront the problem.
There were some interesting tidbits revealed about Arthur(the author of The Guide) and his history with the fairy world and we got to meet some royal denizens of the realm. It’s the first time hearing the name Mulgarath who might become the main villain at a later point. And as always, the art is fantastic.
Again, my biggest complaint about the book is that it’s way too short and feels choppy because of it. Certain details and plot points don’t have enough time to stick their landing. It wasn't as intense or dark as book 2.
***
The Ironwood Tree - 3/5
Mallory gets kidnapped by mischievous dwarves and gets turned into a parody of Sleeping Beauty. Simon and Jared scheme up a clever plan to get their sister back by offering them a fake copy of Arthur's Guide. During the operation however, the Grace kids finally come face-to-face with Morgarath for the first time and he's a scary and ruthless ogre. Most of the story felt like filler but in such a short book that didn't bother me too much. I'm looking forward to seeing Morgarath in action in the final book.
Simon, Jared and Mallory pay a visit to their aunt Lucinda after learning that she might not be so crazy even though she’s been locked away in an asylum for quite some time. It turns out that she had troubles with mischievous fairies just like the Grace kids and she offer them some guidance on how to confront the problem.
There were some interesting tidbits revealed about Arthur(the author of The Guide) and his history with the fairy world and we got to meet some royal denizens of the realm. It’s the first time hearing the name Mulgarath who might become the main villain at a later point. And as always, the art is fantastic.
Again, my biggest complaint about the book is that it’s way too short and feels choppy because of it. Certain details and plot points don’t have enough time to stick their landing. It wasn't as intense or dark as book 2.
***
The Ironwood Tree - 3/5
Mallory gets kidnapped by mischievous dwarves and gets turned into a parody of Sleeping Beauty. Simon and Jared scheme up a clever plan to get their sister back by offering them a fake copy of Arthur's Guide. During the operation however, the Grace kids finally come face-to-face with Morgarath for the first time and he's a scary and ruthless ogre. Most of the story felt like filler but in such a short book that didn't bother me too much. I'm looking forward to seeing Morgarath in action in the final book.
January 5, 2023
I must admit I am addicted to these books, read three of them in 2 days and will more than likely reread the whole series again and again. Some books are like a bottle of Gatorade that you just chug back, some like a nice cup of tea that you sip, and some like a fine wine that you savour slowly. Right now I am drinking these books back because I need to know what happens next. But I know I will go back and drink them in slowly like a big mug of Irish Breakfast tea on my second reading. Black and DiTerlizzi have written a wonderful series that I can highly recommend. Their books are very enjoyable, and much like the Narnia books by C.S. Lewis, will be enjoyed by both the young and young at heart!
In this book the Grace children, Malory, and the twins Jared and Simon, visit their Great Aunt Lucinda and discover that even though she is committed she is not really crazy. In this book we also meet more creatures from the other world, and find out that many different beings want Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide, and they all seem malevolent to some extent. We also discover that something lost for more than 70 years might really be close at hand. And Thimbletack does not appear, but signs of his mischief abound. In this book we meet a unicorn, fairies, and elves. It is another wonderful book in an awesome series.
In this book the Grace children, Malory, and the twins Jared and Simon, visit their Great Aunt Lucinda and discover that even though she is committed she is not really crazy. In this book we also meet more creatures from the other world, and find out that many different beings want Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide, and they all seem malevolent to some extent. We also discover that something lost for more than 70 years might really be close at hand. And Thimbletack does not appear, but signs of his mischief abound. In this book we meet a unicorn, fairies, and elves. It is another wonderful book in an awesome series.
April 24, 2020
This is the meat of the series, the secrets of the book are revealed, and a deeper look into the Fairy World, and who lives there- goblin, bogart, pooka, elves, dwarves and more-, is what awaits the reader. I enjoyed this one greatly from the authors' beautiful settings, and playing along the tropes of fairy, such as bargaining- and its importance. The slight suspence is enough to lack menace, or create fear while feeling urgent. The intrigues also enough to compel the story without feeling overdone.
Mark Hamill shines even more brightly as the masterful voice actor that he is. He flexes, folds, bends, and stretches to create a spectacular vision of these beings as different, yet slightly familiar.
Mark Hamill shines even more brightly as the masterful voice actor that he is. He flexes, folds, bends, and stretches to create a spectacular vision of these beings as different, yet slightly familiar.
February 1, 2023
Scratch the part about this being for kids. This is a great story, no matter the age! You could take the story and have it all be in one book, and it would be a nice short story for teens or adults.
Yes, it's geared toward children, but it's the writing that shows it's about kids/for kids. Which I think is awesome and the sign of a good author(s). But the story itself is descriptive quality and enjoyable!
Yes, it's geared toward children, but it's the writing that shows it's about kids/for kids. Which I think is awesome and the sign of a good author(s). But the story itself is descriptive quality and enjoyable!
October 18, 2017
3.5 stars
April 25, 2019
Secrets are revealed
August 28, 2019
Fun quick read, great for developing young readers.
December 24, 2019
It was ok.... Staying to get boring.... Ice only got one more left, so I'll read it and finish the series...
March 4, 2020
This was fun, and short, and I mean, again mark Hamill reads it to me. I'm okay with that haha. Can't wait to see how it ends!
March 8, 2020
So fun can't wait for book five to see how it concludes.
April 23, 2021
This was good, Though I love the movie. However it seems like book 4 wasn't in the movie unlike the other books were.
May 31, 2021
Hasta ahora es mi favorito, pero quién sabe, aún me falta leer el último.
December 22, 2024
4 stars ⭐️
Short, fun and scary!
Short, fun and scary!
April 11, 2025
My boys really like these, but it's not one of those series like Captain Underpants or Spy School that has things for adults, as well.
June 1, 2025
Doug’s review: good story, kept me on the edge of my seat many times. If you’re a fan of fairies, definitely recommend
June 3, 2025
This series is pretty cute!
March 13, 2020
The combination of book 3, Lucinda's Secret and the book 4 The Ironwood Tree were about 204 pages. The adventures continue and are just as fun as book 1 and book 2.
January 11, 2017
The narrator for the introduction and letters is . . . flat. Thankfully that was not the main narrator. The writing was fair at best, probably poor although I tend to be fond of writing that uses esoteric vocabulary and odd sentence structures. I found the story cute, but lacking anything to make it stand out from plenty of other series, such as FableHaven, it felt lacking and merely 'okay'. I noticed an odd thing with time in this series - what feels like a few hours turns out to be an entire night (this occurs twice, possibly three times); a welcome change from the common issue of 10-24 hours worth of stuff managing to be in just 2-4 hours, but it still feels off.
December 12, 2007
Story is getting a little dicier. The goblins and trolls, bogarts and dwarfs are not playing nice anymore. They will do what it takes to force the Grace children to give up the Spiderwick Guide. Jared gets in big trouble with his mother and school but has not told them the truth about what is going on. The Grace children need some adult help, but who will believe them? Story ends on a cliffhanger that will leave readers eager get into the next in the series.
July 22, 2008
Part 3 and 4 can easily keep up with the previous two books. Actually you can read all 5 parts in one rush and see it as one book, it works.
The elves in part 3 were interesting and the Knocker the kids meet in the cave of the dwarves in part 4 was very, very scary (the audiobook is really worth checking out, I'm not sure the Knocker would have been as scary if it hadn't been for the voice).
The elves in part 3 were interesting and the Knocker the kids meet in the cave of the dwarves in part 4 was very, very scary (the audiobook is really worth checking out, I'm not sure the Knocker would have been as scary if it hadn't been for the voice).
November 26, 2008
This is the third book in the Spiderwick Chronacles, a fantasy series about three children and their fight against the malicious goblins, orgres, and faries who really do live and are out to get them because of the book their ancestor left reavealing that they are real creatures.
September 17, 2008
I LOVE ALL OF THEZ BOOKS!! they are great and very xiting!
September 20, 2008
really liked this book as well as the ones before
March 16, 2009
This was a lot of fun. Lots more detail than the movie, which I loved. My kids and I would drive the "long way" home from school so we could listen longer. Can't wait to finish.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews