The Ironwood Tree
By Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
4/5
()
About this ebook
At school, someone is running around pretending to be Jared, and it's not Simon. To make matters even worse, now Mallory has disappeared and something foul in the water is killing off all the plants and animals for miles around. Clues point to the old abandoned quarry, just outside of town. Dwarves have taken over an abandoned mine there. And the faerie world's abuzz with the news that a creature with plans to rule the world has offered them a gift to join with him -- he's given them a queen...
Tony DiTerlizzi
#1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi has been creating children’s books for over twenty years. From fanciful picture books like The Spider & the Fly to chapter book series like the Search for WondLa, DiTerlizzi imbues his stories with a rich imagination. With Holly Black, he created the middle grade series the Spiderwick Chronicles, which has sold 20 million copies, been adapted into a feature film, and been translated in over thirty countries. The Norman Rockwell Museum’s exhibition “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 and USA TODAY and on CNN, PBS, NPR, the BBC, and the Today show.
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Reviews for The Ironwood Tree
43 ratings16 reviews
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I think I liked this one least of all the books- not to say that I disliked it- But it was nice how it had a sort of dark snow white meets The Hobbit feel to it.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It’s so hard to make book 4 of a series a standout and this one just completely crushes it. I love the gradual process of involving the kids’ mom, and how much further into second-world fantasy this book is able to go. Also a great book for Simon getting to lead - go Simon!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The ironwood tree really has a message in the series of spiderwick, the essence of the story shows a moral, a situation for people to show, it is exactly what people are looking for in a book : action, mystery , some comedy and a thriller. Especially the magical creatures that brings the book to life , that brings the whole story to capture an essence, the magical creatures like the dwarves and other creatures is mostly the main characters of the story, some of these creatures are good or bad but mostly bad, it shows no horror or bad messages but i suggest the bad words in the story must be erased to give children a nice, safe message of the book. Of course i say the book is thrilling and amazing
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5As with the previous instalments, this book is simply beautiful. It is presented so nicely and contains gorgeous illustrations and so looks great as part of any fantasy collection, for adults or children.Compared to the earlier novels in the series, I was a little disappointed with this one. It is very similar to The Seeing Stone in that it focuses on the kidnap and rescue of one of the kids, only this time around the series does not really offer anything new to the reader. Other than a quick glimpse of Mulgarath, the story just treads familiar ground. There is nothing more about Arthur Spiderwick's whereabouts or where Thimbletack hid the book and there is little explanation for the dwarves' behaviour (why, exactly, did they feel a need to collect the boys and what was the shapeshifter?)I was also somewhat disappointed by the characterisation this time around. While there was a little development for Jared, Simon and Mallory got next to nothing. This was a huge shame for me as the three protagonists were portrayed very realistically in the earlier books but this time it's only really Jared's time to shine.All in all, this was still an enjoyable and lighthearted story, but was still by far the weakest part of the series. Hopefully, the series will show improvement in its final instalment.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This was a very cool addition to the series. It is packed with adventure (none of which made it into the movie). Great descriptions, I really enjoyed the setup of the dwarven caves. The fourth book contains a scene that is a little movie violent than the previous books, although not much detail is included. Good writing. Great imagery. A must read.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5In the penultimate book of this five-part series in which the Grace kids (9-year-old twins Simon and Jared, and 13-year-old Mallory) have discovered a book in the dilapidated old family home they've moved into which has put them in touch with the faerie world, Mallory is abducted by dwarves and given the Sleeping Beauty treatment, while her brothers Simon and Jared brave the dwarves's underground world to come to her rescue. The dwarves are skilled with metalworks, and the twins discover amazing creations such as a giant life-like tree made of silver and animated iron dogs they must escape. A fun adventure, once again made all the better thanks to Tony DiTerlizzi's gorgeous pen-and-ink illustrations.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5These three are short, but they were so woven to be one story, that I'm giving them only one review. They are beyond adorable. I adore them and I want to have them for my kids.
And I love how all the races are done, the words in each of them, and how they connect. And the art! How can I not tell you about the art! Half of the fun of moving on through any of the stories is the art that's everywhere, brightening everything.
I love Mallory, Jared and Simon in their own ways, and I love how completely un-cliche they each are really. I'm looking forward to getting the rest of Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles one day too! - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mallory is kidnapped by dwarfs in this fourth installment of The Spiderwick Chronicles, and Jared and Simon must rescue her from the little creatures' quarry stronghold. Spirited away after a fencing match, Mallory is encased in a glass coffin, much as Snow White was. Jared, once again in trouble, this time for threatening a fellow student - really a shape-shifting faery of some sort - and Simon set out in pursuit, but quickly find themselves captured by their dwarfish enemies as well. After the twins escape and wake their sister, the Grace children flee, running from the dwarfs' mechanical hounds. Before heading for home, they witness the arrival of the ogre Mulgarath, of whom they had been warned in the previous book, and are horrified to see his goblin army slaughter the dwarfs...The story-line in The Ironwood Tree, whose title refers to the beautifully ornate metal tree constructed by the dwarfs, is highly reminiscent of the second entry in the series, The Seeing Stone, although here it is Mallory who is kidnapped by magical adversaries, rather than Simon. Although not as emotionally resonant as the previous title, Lucinda's Secret - here no family secrets are revealed, and no emotional traumas are dealt with - this penultimate story does set up the concluding volume rather nicely, highlighting at its conclusion the truly horrific nature of Mulgarath, who slays his own allies. It also demonstrates, through the shape-shifter that appears at the beginning of the story, the great power and cunning of the ogre, whom, it is hinted, was the 'boy' that Jared confronted. Although not the equal of the third in terms of story - thus far, Lucinda's Secret is my favorite of the series - this was still an engaging tale, one with plenty of excitement and adventure for young readers. The artwork is every bit as lovely as in the previous titles - these are really such beautiful books, physically! - making this an engaging reading experience. Recommended to anyone who read and enjoyed the previous three installments of The Spiderwick Chronicles.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This one was pretty cute. It had a Snow White theme to it. I really enjoyed it. It's starting to make me enjoy all of the characters. They each have their own good points. One more book to go. I still believe they should've turned it into one book instead of it being split up.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The action reaches new levels of danger in the fourth book in the series. The story opens with the family on their way to one of Mallory's duels, and the boys are teasing her because she has a crush on the team captain. While their sister is besting everyone in the fencing match, Jared notices another girl fencer rooting through her bags. He goes to stop her, but a teacher prevents him, and when Jared looks back, he sees that Simon is now digging around. The only problem is that Simon is still sitting on the benches with their mom. Jared chases after the creature, and discovers that it is a changeling when it transforms into the mirror image of Jared himself. The Not-Jared threatens him, and when Jared pulls out a knife to defend himself, the vice principal of the school walks in. Of course, the changeling switches to another form before the principal notices, and Jared is accused of assaulting another student with a knife. This event strains Jared's relationship with his mom to the breaking point; she doesn't scream or yell, but her look of quiet sadness breaks Jared's heart. He knows his mom expects him to be bad, yet none of this has been his fault, and he is unable to offer a reasonable explanation when faeries are at work.His mother sends him and Simon to get their sister, but they can't find her anywhere. Another fencer tells them that they saw Mallory crying in the bathroom, but everywhere they check she's gone. When they look outside, they find her medal among some stones from the quarry, and a word scrawled in a rock: trade. They realize that Mallory has been kidnapped! Back inside, they overhear their mom on the phone with their dad. She tells him that maybe Jared should stay with him for a while. Crushed, Jared decides that he and Simon need to rescue Mallory, because no one else will understand what has happened. They venture to the quarry, the land of the dwarves, and sneak in to an underground kingdom to save Mallory.I was so excited about this book. A lot happens to the characters in the fourth installment. We see the softer side of Mallory - she does have adolescent crushes, despite her tough exterior. Jared's relationship with his mother is steadily deteriorating, and it is such a complex dilemma that is presented in a way children can understand. Jared was the bad boy, but he's not anymore, and now he is being blamed for the actions that mythical creatures are taking. His mom has no idea that anything supernatural is happening and thinks that Jared is behind all of these problems, and she really doesn't know what to do to help her son. Jared and Simon are growing closer as brothers, and Simon is beginning to take a firmer stand for himself. Also, the overall plot surges forward in this book. Several plot lines that have been developing are tied together as we meet the main nemesis, Mulgarath. The dwarves took Mallory under the orders of Mulgarath, who wants the field guide so that he can rule all faerie kind, and humankind. We see just how cruel a monster he is at the end of this novel, and the story ends with a mystery as we see that the goblins have taken a human prisoner. The story line is exciting, the characters are growing and changing, and all of them are people I care about, the villain is truly frightening, and each book introduces new faerie creatures that are creative and fascinating. The Ironwood Tree is a fun and suspenseful tale, and revs the entire series up to the conclusion that we know is coming in the next, final, novel.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5For a couple of weeks, things have been almost normal for the three Grace children (Jared, Simon and Mallory) - there have been no faerie sightings. But that changes quickly at Mallory's fencing competition and soon Jared is in serious trouble and he has a hard time explaining his actions. But there's even more trouble for Jared and Simon when Mallory disappears. Their search for her will take them to places they never imagined and they begin to wonder if they can fight the monsters by themselves. "The Ironwood Tree" is the wonderful fourth book in the children's fantasy series "The Spiderwick Chronicles". Authors Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black step up both the action and fantasy elements in this, the fourth of five books. They add more fantastical creatures including dwarves and metal dogs as well as some mysterious beings (who was that girl rummaging through Mallory's bag and who was the boy that got Jared in trouble?) All three children are in real danger in this book - danger that will have children eagerly turning the pages to find out what happens next. Mixed in with the fantasy elements is a dose of reality - Jared is still having anger management issues and the thing that gets him in trouble in the book, while not his fault, happens all too often in the real world. "The Ironwood Tree" is a well-done fantasy book for children of all ages.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Picks up right where the third book leaves off. The Grace children are in hot water with the Faerie kingdom and they have lost the book besides. In this book the children find them selves captured by Dwarfs and held beneath the earth. They manages to escape only to come face to face with the true mastermind of evil, Mulgarath. What will happen? Will the Grace children be able to prevent a take over of the earth by the land of Fae? Will they even survive? I am looking forward to reading book 5.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This one is a bit different from the others. Instead of the three siblings at Spiderwick estate, this book starts off at school where Mallory is kidnapped and the twins are together for much of the book looking for her in the Dwarf kingdom in the old quarry. The story also is much darker as there is a battle (with deaths) and Mulgarath (whom we've heard mentioned) makes his first evil appearance. The 7yo is anxious to read the last one and find out how it all ends.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5My 8 year old and I couldn't put it down. My 5 year old lost interest in the series about this point, which was fine, because they did turn a bit darker I thought. I was so taken by how much my 8 year old got into it though - even more than the other books (maybe because the climax of the story was really building up during this book?).
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Fun and slight, this is a well illustrated story that continues the adventures of the children.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Mallory develops a crush and is kidnapped by dwarves. The final plotline of the series is revealed when it is discovered who has the Guide.There is something dissatisfying about this series. I’m finding I don’t really care that much how this ends up, though I will certainly read through to the end. I wanted badly to love these, and I just don’t, although they are fun enough.
Book preview
The Ironwood Tree - Tony DiTerlizzi
The Spiderwick Chronicles
Book No. 4
The Ironwood Tree
DiTerlizzi and Black
The Ironwood Tree, by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi, S&S Books for Young ReadersBehold, mortals, a beauty that will never fade.
LIST OF FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS
LETTER FROM HOLLY BLACK
LETTER FROM THE GRACE KIDS
MAP OF THE SPIDERWICK ESTATE
CHAPTER ONE:
IN WHICH THERE IS BOTH A FIGHT AND A DUEL
CHAPTER TWO:
IN WHICH THE GRACE TWINS ARE TRIPLETS
CHAPTER THREE:
IN WHICH SIMON SOLVES A RIDDLE
CHAPTER FOUR:
IN WHICH THE TWINS DISCOVER A TREE UNLIKE ANY OTHER
CHAPTER FIVE:
IN WHICH JARED AND SIMON WAKE SLEEPING BEAUTY
CHAPTER SIX:
IN WHICH THE STONES SPEAK
CHAPTER SEVEN:
IN WHICH THERE IS AN UNEXPECTED BETRAYAL
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
About TONY DiTERLIZZI… and HOLLY BLACK
List of Full-Page IllustrationsBEHOLD, MORTALS, A BEAUTY THAT WILL NEVER FADE.
MAP OF THE SPIDERWICK ESTATE AND SURROUNDING AREAS
IT’S AN ABANDONED QUARRY.
I BET HE LIKES YOU.
I LIKE FENCING BETTER WITHOUT ALL THIS JUNK.
CLANG OF THIN METAL BLADES
THE COACH STOPPED HIM.
DON’T YOU KNOW ME?
WHAT KIND OF FAERIE DO YOU THINK IT WAS?
MALLORY?
JARED FROZE.
SEEM TO TRICK HEN TOOK PEN
THAT’S PRETTY FAR DOWN.
WHAT HAVE WE HERE? PRISONERS!
BEHOLD, MORTALS, A BEAUTY THAT WILL NEVER FADE.
MY LORD KORTING.
YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE TO FEED US.
THEY’RE NOT HERE, EITHER.
LEAN ON THE SWORD LIKE A CANE.
THE STONES. THE STONESSPEAK. THEYSPEAKTOME.
THESTONESSPEAK.
TOGETHER THEY LEAPED.
METAL DOGS BURST INTO THE ROOM.
WHAT HAPPENED?
KILL THEM!
For my grandmother, Melvina, who said I should write a book just like this one and to whom I replied that I never would
—H. B.
For Arthur Rackham, may you continue to inspire others as you have me
—T. D.
Dear Reader,
Over the years that Tony and I have beenfriends, we’ve shared the same childhood fascination with faeries. We did not realize the importance of that bond or how it might betested.
One day Tony and I—along with several otherauthors—were doing a signing at a large bookstore. When the signing was over, we lingered, helpingto stack books and chatting, until a clerkapproached us. He said that there had been aletter left for us. When I inquired which one ofus, we were surprised by his answer.
Both of you,
he said.
The letter was exactly as reproduced on thefollowing page. Tony spent a long time just staring at the photocopy that came with it. Then, in a hushed voice, he wondered aloud aboutthe remainder of the manuscript. We hurriedlywrote a note, tucked it back into the envelope, and asked the clerk to deliver it to the Gracechildren.
Not long after, a package arrived on mydoorstep, bound in red ribbon. A few days afterthat, three children rang the bell and told methis story.
What has happened since is hard to describe. Tony and I have been plunged into a world wenever quite believed in. We now see that faeriesare far more than childhood stories. There is aninvisible world around us and we hope that you, dear reader, will open your eyes to it.
HOLLY BLACK
Dear Mrs. Black and Mr.