The Book Insider
  • Blog
  • Review Index
  • Review Policy
  • About

Gregory and the Grimbockle, by: Melanie Schubert (Review Copy)

11/11/2017

2 Comments

 
Picture
       Ten-year-old Gregory is about to find out that the enormous mole stuck straight beneath his nose is not just a mole, but is actually a humpy crumpy portal of skin that hides a creature called the Grimbockle.
       What’s more? The Grimbockle is just one of the many strange little creatures called Bockles tending to the mysterious threads that connect all humans from one to the other. It is a very important job and one that has long been carried out with incredible secrecy...
       ...that is, before tonight.
Click Here to Read More
Picture

My Rating: 89%

       As someone who hasn’t read a middle-grade book in a while, I must say, I’m so glad that I got the chance to pick this one up. I am so excited to be posting my first review of a book sent to me by a publisher (Thank you, New Wrinkle!), and I had so much fun reading it (Which is good. Because if it wasn’t, think how awkward this would be...). This is a great book if you are looking for something to interest a young boy between the ages of eight and twelve.
       When I started reading this book, it immediately reminded me of Roald Dahl’s The BFG, except in my mind it would be a little more appealing to boys over girls. It has the everyday kid, living a less than desirable life when a mysterious being comes haphazardly into said kid’s life. The boy gets whisked away for a little while to help the Grimbockle with his life’s work. The concept isn’t super original, but the author is able to take the idea and make it her own.
       I absolutely love Grimbockle and the relationship he makes with Gregory. He is such a cute character, and the way Melanie Schubert incorporates lots of dialect and mannerisms within the Bockle characters really stood out to me. Although there isn't very much world building due to the fact that this story is geared towards a younger audience, I am happy to say that every ounce of it is done efficiently and effectively. Every part of the Bockle “land” and its peoples’ ways are written spectacularly.
       I also have to mention how wonderful all the illustrations are. After strictly reading young adult for so long, I find I have more of an appreciation for a few drawings sprinkled throughout a story. Middle-grade books are special in that regard. Nothing makes a book better than pictures; am I right? (Side note: I would also like to petition to require all books to have small illustrations along with their chapter headings. Does that make anyone’s else’s reading experience so much better? Because it sure does mine.)
       This book was also published with a book soundtrack, which was composed by Jared Kraft! It is an awesome addition to the story that would be great to play in the background of a read aloud or to be used in a book report. New Wrinkle does this with all of their books, and to my knowledge, the only publishing company who does this. If you know of any other publishers that do something like this, please let me know in the comments.

       ​I think this book would make a fabulous Christmas gift for a little boy (or girl) in your life. It might end up being one for a boy in mine...

As she gets back to books for her age,
Ashton

Disclaimer: New Wrinkle Publishing sent me an ebook copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
Click Here to Buy Gregory
Click Here to Visit New Wrinkle
Picture
Hoo-mans is also in different shapes and sizes, is they not? But they is all still one and the same. All hoo-mans is hoo-mans just as all Bockles is Bockles.

- Melanie Schubert, Gregory and the Grimbockle

2 Comments
Adrian link
4/17/2019 03:56:03 pm

Love the book suggestions!

Reply
Ashton @ The Book Insider link
4/18/2019 10:04:14 am

Thank you, Adrian!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Subscribe to My Email List
    Picture

    Author

    Ashton is a high school girl with a passion for books. She also participates in other activities such as sports and musical groups.

    Follow

    RSS Feed

    Shop the Book Depository

    2019 Reading Challenge

    2019 Reading Challenge
    Ashton has read 1 book toward her goal of 50 books.
    hide
    1 of 50 (2%)
    view books

    Categories

    All
    Adult Reviews
    Book Lists
    Bookstagram & Blogging
    Life
    MIddle Grade Reviews
    Netgalley Reviews
    Precommendations
    Writing
    Young Adult Reviews

    Archives

    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016

Copyright © 2018 The Book Insider
​Read. Record. Repeat.
  • Blog
  • Review Index
  • Review Policy
  • About