9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Teachers and Parents Beware.....!, February 11, 2007
.... your students and children are going to LOVE this story, as will you!
The Secret History of Tom Trueheart, written by Ian Beck, is a wonderful mythical adventure about a boy named Tom, overshadowed by his "courageous" older brothers, trying to find his place in his family as well as his world. Tom lives in the darkness, most haunted by his internal fear that he doesn't have the requisite courage that all of his older brother's profess. When it comes time for him to test that fear, Tom's true colors shine through, and the adventure that ensues is a wonderful romp through the world of familiar fairy tales.
Beck has managed to meld an entirely original story with the world of well-established tales, and that is the delightful discovery of this story. As you read this with your kids, much discussion can easily ensue, both about the plot and what my happen next, as well as the deeper issues of believing in one-self, making the right choices, and ultimiately, what path you might take in life.
A relatively quick, easy read, this story will lend itself easily to read-alouds, with its delightful use of language, quick prose, and engaging content. Beck seems to have set himself up for a sequel towards the end (no spoilers here!), but suffice it to say, this does lend itself to one.
Ever wish you could take your class or your children to a new world of make-believe? Look no further. I highly recommend "The Secret History of Tom Trueheart". Once you pick it up, you won't put it down until you turn that last page!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Pleasant, but not thrilling, July 29, 2007
I read this book because it was reviewed in the Washington Post this spring and I wanted to see if it would be good & appropriate for my children. There was nothing inappropriate, but I don't know that they will find it terribly interesting. I also wasn't crazy about the ending. It is obviously written to have a sequel. I prefer books that stand alone as written, even if a sequel is sometime written.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Inane Drivel...But Lovely Woodcut Illustrations, December 16, 2009
I just finished reading this with my almost eight year old daughter. I thought it was a lame serving of leftover fairytales thrown into a lousy soup of a pointless story. It started out with what seemed like a clever idea and went absolutely nowhere from there. The pacing was limp, the stories are predictable with all the traditional endings and the original portions are sprinkled throughout very inconsistently.
The writing is mediocre at best. I was very disappointed by this book and won't be looking for another by Ian Beck. My daughter enjoyed it...she also enjoys those Daisy Meadows fairy books. Had she read it independently that would have been fine with me. I did enjoy the woodcut illustrations and the fact that I picked up second hand and paid very little for it.
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