Elliot and the Goblin War (Underworld Chronicles) [Hardcover]

Jennifer Nielsen (Author), Gideon Kendall (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: October 1, 2010 | Age Range: 8 and up | Series: Underworld Chronicles (Book 1) | Lexile Measure: 740L (What's this?)

WARNING!

As of today, there are only 7 CHILDREN who have ever read this book and lived to tell about it. 95 CHILDREN successfully read the first chapter, but upon beginning chapter 2, they started BLABBERING in some language known only as "flibberish." 38 CHILDREN made it halfway through this wretched book before they began SUCKING THEIR THUMBS THROUGH THEIR NOSES.

If you're VERY BRAVE, perhaps you are willing to TAKE YOUR CHANCES. Be sure that you have told your family who gets your favorite toys if you DO NOT SURVIVE this book. Read it now, IF YOU DARE. But don't say you haven't been warned, for this is the story that unfolds the MYSTERIES OF THE UNDERWORLD.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 3-6–This lighthearted fantasy approaches the world of goblins, brownies, and demons with tongue planted firmly in cheek. On Halloween night, eight-year-old Elliot Penster saved a little girl from having her candy stolen by two bullies. Unbeknownst to our hero, she was a magical creature known as a brownie, and the bullies were beastly goblins. With his simple act, Elliot set off a war between these two factions in their Underworld home. Fast forward three years and the brownies are losing badly. When their queen passes away, Elliot, remembered for his former bravery, is chosen king. The first order of business? End the war with the goblins, and keep himself (and his family) alive. While Elliot succeeds in bringing peace, the “Book 1” on the cover ensures that the story will continue. The pacing is brisk, with short chapters to hold readers' interest. Main characters are well developed. The narrator has a gleefully odd (and occasionally sarcastic) sense of humor, opening the book with a warning to readers and sprinkling cheeky asides throughout the story. Themes of growing up and coming into one's own add depth. Occasional full-page illustrations in black and white are sometimes creepy and sometimes grotesque in a funny sort of way, adding to the story's tone. While the book doesn't stand out in a crowded fantasy landscape, it will likely please young fans of the genre looking for something with a lighter mood.–Travis Jonker, Dorr Elementary School, MI. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

This opens with a warning: only seven children who have read this book lived to tell about it. In truth, this is more silly than scary, though kids might like that, too. Elliot is out trick-or-treating one Halloween night when he runs into a girl in an elf costume being chased by goblins. As it turns out, she really is an elf—well, actually a brownie—and the goblins are after her. For reasons that involve the delicious taste of brownies, the encounter leads to a war launched by the goblins against the brownies, into which the human Elliot finds himself dragged. In fact, he becomes king of the brownies and thus responsible for their welfare. Oh dear. Funny names (Fudd Fartwick, Tubs Lawless) and unexpected events (almost being scared to death) tumble through the pages, and Nielsen writes about them with tongue in cheek. Elliot and the goblin on the cover should draw ’em in. Grades 3-5. --Ilene Cooper

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (October 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402240198
• ISBN-13: 978-1402240195
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #449,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jennifer lives at the base of a very tall mountain in Northern Utah with her husband, three children, and a perpetually muddy dog. She loves the smell of rainy days, hot chocolate, and old books, preferably all at once. At one time or another she has been a high school debate coach, theater director, daycare worker, and worked at an assembly of odd jobs so insignificant they didn't even deserve job titles.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars READ THIS BEFORE YOU GIVE IT TO YOUR KIDS! October 3, 2010

A Kid's Review

Format:Hardcover

I saw this book on the table on a quiet weekend morning. The artwork caught my attention. The first chapter captivated me. This may be a children's book, but the comedic commentary left me laughing out loud. Even though I am an attorney, it was most delightful to escape into the world of Brownies and Goblins. Recommended for readers of all ages! No parent can read this to a child without interrupting the story with your own laughter. You will want to share this with all of your children and their friends - and your own. A delightful creation!!!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Coffeechug Book Review - www.coffeeforthebrain.blogspot.com January 9, 2011

By A. Maurer

Format:Hardcover

I breezed through this novel. A good goblin story. One that provides some good humor and enough action to hold the interest of ages 9-12. The illustrations are fantastic and this book provided just the right mix of many facets to keep me reading. There were times when the writing/narrator would stop and talk directly to the reader which some people find annoying. I think it was used properly for this story to help keep the story moving and adding some funny moments.

Elliot makes a great hero. He is just a typical boy who happens to find himself involved in a world of goblins and Brownies(nice creatures). There are several other creatures like the hag who are just so ugly you have to laugh when she talks about how beautiful she is.

I think this could be a series that many students get involved with. I know the sequel is coming in May. I wish this author much success as I think she has the skill to write a good story. I will be interested in seeing what else she comes up with next.

If you like a light hearted monster story with a bit of action and humor, then this book is right up your alley. At 180 pages it is just the right length to hold your interest and give enough detail to suck you in to the underworld.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Tons of good silly fun November 9, 2010

By Chantelle L Pacheco

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Loved Elliot and the Goblin wars. It is perfect for that Beginning novel reader. It is smart and funny enough to keep an adult engaged. 100% better than so much drivel at this reading level. Be prepared to laugh out loud and wonder over and over again.... How did she come up with this stuff!