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jgintrovertedreader's review
3.0
Elliot somehow finds himself appointed King of the Brownies (not the kind you eat--the kind that likes to clean your house as you sleep. I'd be happy with either of them in my house). He first came to the Brownies' attention after he saved one of them from some evil Goblins on Halloween night. That night, Elliot also started a war between the Brownies and the Goblins, so I guess it's only fair that he has to lead the Brownies. The problem is that the Brownies have no concept of how war should work. They just go about their business as usual, expecting to be eaten or scared to death by a Goblin at any minute. Well, Elliot might be young, but he knows that something has to change.
This was cute. It really was. My biggest problem was the frequent breaks for "Now, Reader, if you don't like to read about people being scared to death, you might want to stop reading right here. For serious. You've been warned. The last person who continued reading was eaten by a platypus." (Paraphrased) It was kind of funny the first time or two, but it seemed like there was one of these in every chapter. Kids might like it, but I thought it got tedious.
Other than that, it was a fun little story. Elliott and the Brownies (sounds like a pop group from the '50's) got themselves into some tight spots, but it was amusing to see how the Goblins mostly managed to defeat themselves. I have to own up to a very juvenile sense of humor when it comes to smelly feet jokes and the like, so I actually thought it was pretty funny in parts.
I really liked that hidden inside this fun little story was a message about bullies and finding the strength to stand up for yourself. That doesn't mean fighting, but it does mean drawing the line. There's even a bit about forgiveness and second chances.
Recommended for the 9-12 year olds who can appreciate the humor.
This was cute. It really was. My biggest problem was the frequent breaks for "Now, Reader, if you don't like to read about people being scared to death, you might want to stop reading right here. For serious. You've been warned. The last person who continued reading was eaten by a platypus." (Paraphrased) It was kind of funny the first time or two, but it seemed like there was one of these in every chapter. Kids might like it, but I thought it got tedious.
Other than that, it was a fun little story. Elliott and the Brownies (sounds like a pop group from the '50's) got themselves into some tight spots, but it was amusing to see how the Goblins mostly managed to defeat themselves. I have to own up to a very juvenile sense of humor when it comes to smelly feet jokes and the like, so I actually thought it was pretty funny in parts.
I really liked that hidden inside this fun little story was a message about bullies and finding the strength to stand up for yourself. That doesn't mean fighting, but it does mean drawing the line. There's even a bit about forgiveness and second chances.
Recommended for the 9-12 year olds who can appreciate the humor.
jennymock's review against another edition
3.0
I want to give this book 3.5 stars. At points I wondered if my sense of humor was broken. I put it down for a few weeks and enjoyed the last part far more than I did the first part. The humor is very tongue-in-cheek and I can definitely see some elementary kids liking it. It's a fun concept - young boy turned Brownie king helping to stop the Goblin War that he inadvertently helped to start. Elliot is a character that kids will be able to relate to and like.
villianess's review against another edition
2.0
Elliot is an average boy that gets chosen to be the Brownie King when the Queen dies and doesn't name a successor. Mr Willimaker who is with the Queen when she dies remembers his daughter talking about a nice human boy that saved her from the Goblins on Halloween. Thinking that the Brownies will never let a human be King, he presents the name and no one except Fudd is opposed. Elliot’s troubles only begin when he finds out that he is now King. The Goblins are at war with the Brownies and Fudd is helping them since he wants to be King of the Brownies.
This is a great book for young readers that want a quick story. It has humor, adventure and courage.
This is a great book for young readers that want a quick story. It has humor, adventure and courage.
sqeeker's review against another edition
3.0
- The story was humorous and fun from the get go.
- The Illustrations were great! I loved how they appeared before the part of the story that was illustrated.
- I like the passages where the author speaks directly to the reader. It adds back story, explanation, and it made me laugh.
- I want chocolate cake now, with a big glass of milk!
- This book was pretty cute, and I think a lot young readers would enjoy it, especially boys.
- Since I finished the book, I'm a little disappointed that I don't speak flibberish, but I'm glad I have all my limbs ;)
- The Illustrations were great! I loved how they appeared before the part of the story that was illustrated.
- I like the passages where the author speaks directly to the reader. It adds back story, explanation, and it made me laugh.
- I want chocolate cake now, with a big glass of milk!
- This book was pretty cute, and I think a lot young readers would enjoy it, especially boys.
- Since I finished the book, I'm a little disappointed that I don't speak flibberish, but I'm glad I have all my limbs ;)
jennchandler's review against another edition
3.0
Good. Worth reading. Definitely a children's book, but still good.
alissabar's review against another edition
4.0
I read this aloud to all my third grade classes. They absolutely loved it! I had forgotten how funny it is. It's even funnier when you watch a bunch of 8 and 9-year-olds laughing out loud at different parts of the book. Quite a few of them will be picking up the sequels. Thanks, Ms. Nielsen, for hooking a bunch of kids to reading.
Original review:
This was a delightful children's story that was fun to read out loud to my 6 year old. He couldn't wait to read more and would beg for another chapter no matter how long we had read.
Original review:
This was a delightful children's story that was fun to read out loud to my 6 year old. He couldn't wait to read more and would beg for another chapter no matter how long we had read.
melissasbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Full of humor and fun, I loved reading this book with my son! It's great to find a book that is fun and genuinely geared to the age group it's intended for. There are some great morals in the story in how to stand up to bullies and be more confident in yourself. Can't wait to read the next book in the series!
buuboobaby's review against another edition
4.0
Very fun and silly book about a boy who starts, and ends, an interspecies war. Great MG read with lots of boy appeal.
tami_provencher's review against another edition
5.0
Elliott and the Goblin War is the delightful, fantasy-filled tale of eleven-year-old Elliot Penster and how he becomes the King of the Brownies (Underworld inhabitants smaller than elves). At age eight, although Elliott is frequently bullied by Tubs Lawless, a boy who is two years older than him and lives just up the road, Elliott comes to the defense of a little girl on Halloween night being chased and having her treat sack stolen by three bigger children dressed as Goblins.
Elliott discovers, however, that the victim is not a human girl, but a Brownie named Patches Willimaker who was being chased by three very real Goblins. Then Goblins do not take kindly to being bested by a human boy. As a result, their leader, Grissel, declares war on the Brownies (who Goblins love to eat). The War continues over the next three years. Patches Willimaker never forgets Elliott’s kindness and keeps watch over him–occasionally helping him out of some of his Tubs Lawless predicaments.
When the Queen of the Brownies is killed (she is scared to death by Grissel the Goblin) she bids her friend, Mr. Willimaker (Patches’ father), to name the next King of the Brownies, for she is unable to do so before she dies. Mr. Willimaker, having of course heard his daughter speak of Elliot tells the Brownies that Elliot Penster, the human boy, is to be the new King of the Brownies.
One Brownie in particular–Fudd Fartwick, former advisor to the Queen–is enraged. HE wanted to be the next King, and was sure he would be upon the death of the Queen. We soon learn that Fudd has made a dangerous and evil alliance with Grissel the Goblin. Together they are determined to destroy Elliot and put Fudd upon the Brownie throne.
The plot itself is exciting and full of magical twists and turns in the land of the Underworld. What moves this story to an even higher level is the humor that is interlaced throughout. Patches is clever and kind, although she can be tempted by carrots. Goblins and Brownies can think of no worse punishment (other than death) than being forced to eat chocolate cake. There is slapstick humor and humor of the absurd and the author often pops in to add her own two cents to events.
Elliott’s human family is just as wonderful as the magical creatures in the book. They willingly take in a Has-Been Hag (although they think she is just a poor, homeless woman) when Elliott brings her home. They traipse off to sleep in the local jail when the Goblins blow up their house (although they do not know this has been the true cause of their house’s destruction). Elliott’s kleptomaniacal Uncle Rufus, his twin younger brothers who like to flood things and his older sister who consistently burns whatever she cooks are marvelous secondary characters in what is a very tightly plotted tale.
A WORD OF WARNING: I feel honor-bound to pass along to you that the author includes a Warning at the beginning of her book: “As of today, there are only seven children who have ever read this book and lived to tell about it.” The warning is much more detailed in the actual book. I leave that to you. As a Grown-Up, I don’t think you can take for granted that the Warning is not serious–it doesn’t say anything about it being dangerous for Grown-Ups to read the book. So don’t assume that because I survived reading this book that you will…
Elliott and the Goblin War is an extremely fun read–if you are brave enough to try it!
Elliott discovers, however, that the victim is not a human girl, but a Brownie named Patches Willimaker who was being chased by three very real Goblins. Then Goblins do not take kindly to being bested by a human boy. As a result, their leader, Grissel, declares war on the Brownies (who Goblins love to eat). The War continues over the next three years. Patches Willimaker never forgets Elliott’s kindness and keeps watch over him–occasionally helping him out of some of his Tubs Lawless predicaments.
When the Queen of the Brownies is killed (she is scared to death by Grissel the Goblin) she bids her friend, Mr. Willimaker (Patches’ father), to name the next King of the Brownies, for she is unable to do so before she dies. Mr. Willimaker, having of course heard his daughter speak of Elliot tells the Brownies that Elliot Penster, the human boy, is to be the new King of the Brownies.
One Brownie in particular–Fudd Fartwick, former advisor to the Queen–is enraged. HE wanted to be the next King, and was sure he would be upon the death of the Queen. We soon learn that Fudd has made a dangerous and evil alliance with Grissel the Goblin. Together they are determined to destroy Elliot and put Fudd upon the Brownie throne.
The plot itself is exciting and full of magical twists and turns in the land of the Underworld. What moves this story to an even higher level is the humor that is interlaced throughout. Patches is clever and kind, although she can be tempted by carrots. Goblins and Brownies can think of no worse punishment (other than death) than being forced to eat chocolate cake. There is slapstick humor and humor of the absurd and the author often pops in to add her own two cents to events.
Elliott’s human family is just as wonderful as the magical creatures in the book. They willingly take in a Has-Been Hag (although they think she is just a poor, homeless woman) when Elliott brings her home. They traipse off to sleep in the local jail when the Goblins blow up their house (although they do not know this has been the true cause of their house’s destruction). Elliott’s kleptomaniacal Uncle Rufus, his twin younger brothers who like to flood things and his older sister who consistently burns whatever she cooks are marvelous secondary characters in what is a very tightly plotted tale.
A WORD OF WARNING: I feel honor-bound to pass along to you that the author includes a Warning at the beginning of her book: “As of today, there are only seven children who have ever read this book and lived to tell about it.” The warning is much more detailed in the actual book. I leave that to you. As a Grown-Up, I don’t think you can take for granted that the Warning is not serious–it doesn’t say anything about it being dangerous for Grown-Ups to read the book. So don’t assume that because I survived reading this book that you will…
Elliott and the Goblin War is an extremely fun read–if you are brave enough to try it!
librarykristin's review against another edition
3.0
meh....for fans of Dan Greenburg and bodily-function-joke fantasy