Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Aladdin
Description
In the village of Giant's Hand Jack's grandfather has been pushing him to find a princess and get married, so when a young lady falls out of the sky wearing a shirt that says "Punk Princess," and she tells Jack that her grandmother, who looks suspiciously like the long-missing Snow White, has been kidnapped, Jack decides to help her.
User reviews
LibraryThing member mamalaoshi
I picked this up from the library after reading the first (sample) chapter online. From the first chapter I expected the book would be funny but it was more serious, scary and intense. There was a lot of action. I had problem with the characters, who are fourteen and fifteen, acting older-their
Part of my rating is because it always annoys me to read a while book and not know that it is a series until the last couple chapters. This is a trilogy but the cover gives no hint of this and it is definitely not a stand alone book. I do want to read the other two books, if only to hopefully get some questions answered. For instance, by the end I was unsure who was really good or bad.
"Half Upon a Time" reminded me at times of the TV series"Once Upon a Time", especially with May and her grandma.
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ages are mentioned frequently and always surprised me because I kept feeling that they were seventeen or older because of the flirting. Though, now that I think of it, their dialogue was often as annoying as typical young teens' bickering usually is.Part of my rating is because it always annoys me to read a while book and not know that it is a series until the last couple chapters. This is a trilogy but the cover gives no hint of this and it is definitely not a stand alone book. I do want to read the other two books, if only to hopefully get some questions answered. For instance, by the end I was unsure who was really good or bad.
"Half Upon a Time" reminded me at times of the TV series"Once Upon a Time", especially with May and her grandma.
Show Less
LibraryThing member mamalaoshi
I picked this up from the library after reading the first (sample) chapter online. From the first chapter I expected the book would be funny but it was more serious, scary and intense. There was a lot of action. I had problem with the characters, who are fourteen and fifteen, acting older-their
Part of my rating is because it always annoys me to read a while book and not know that it is a series until the last couple chapters. This is a trilogy but the cover gives no hint of this and it is definitely not a stand alone book. I do want to read the other two books, if only to hopefully get some questions answered. For instance, by the end I was unsure who was really good or bad.
"Half Upon a Time" reminded me at times of the TV series"Once Upon a Time", especially with May and her grandma.
Show More
ages are mentioned frequently and always surprised me because I kept feeling that they were seventeen or older because of the flirting. Though, now that I think of it, their dialogue was often as annoying as typical young teens' bickering usually is.Part of my rating is because it always annoys me to read a while book and not know that it is a series until the last couple chapters. This is a trilogy but the cover gives no hint of this and it is definitely not a stand alone book. I do want to read the other two books, if only to hopefully get some questions answered. For instance, by the end I was unsure who was really good or bad.
"Half Upon a Time" reminded me at times of the TV series"Once Upon a Time", especially with May and her grandma.
Show Less
LibraryThing member agrudzien
As the son of the infamous Jack (and the beanstalk), Jack has a hard time restoring the family reputation. Things get even crazier when a “Punk Princess” lands in his fairytale world and he has the quest that he never really wanted: help the princess get her grandmother back. As they adventure
A few too many near-death, just-made-it-out experiences for me but overall a good story and a clever use of a variety of fairy tales and characters. The 400 pages go by really quickly so it would be good for a more reluctant reader.
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together, Jack and May run into the Wolf King, a giant, and a prince who is a little too perfect according to Jack (but May likes him just fine!)A few too many near-death, just-made-it-out experiences for me but overall a good story and a clever use of a variety of fairy tales and characters. The 400 pages go by really quickly so it would be good for a more reluctant reader.
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LibraryThing member ShannonC.B4
There was a guy named Jack he went to a acting school. In the play he had to save a princess. Jack didn't succeed he let the lesson. Then the same day a princess fell from the sky. Jack couldn't believe his eyes. He had to save her. then he did save her.
This book was good. I have gave it a three
This book was good. I have gave it a three
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star. I gave it a three star because the beginning was very boring. Then in the middle it got more interesting. At the end it got very interesting. It took me only three days to finish it. I am glad to finish it. But I would not read it again. Show Less
LibraryThing member Mirandalg14
I'm slightly disappointed that I didn't enjoy this better. Something about the writing just didn't speak to me. The story was fine, but I didn't ever really care what happened.
LibraryThing member Cheryl_in_CC_NV
Just a few pp in - looks like more of an adventure than I usually like, but ok...
Gave up at 3/4 of the way through. I even have the other two books checked out from the library, so the suspense wouldn't kill me. But gosh, this is boring. It's a passive experience, like watching a second-rate movie.
It's not horrible, and I don't fault its fans. But I'm not one of them.
Gave up at 3/4 of the way through. I even have the other two books checked out from the library, so the suspense wouldn't kill me. But gosh, this is boring. It's a passive experience, like watching a second-rate movie.
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If you like movies, you will probably like this. Personally, I want characters I feel for, twists that make sense rather than gimmicks, writing style that includes poetry, word-play, grace or something worth reading, and more to a book than 'what happens next.' Something thoughtful, crafted for love rather than for fame & fortune.It's not horrible, and I don't fault its fans. But I'm not one of them.
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LibraryThing member Jadedog13
"Life's no fairy tale for Jack. After all, his father's been missing ever since that incident with the beanstalk and the giant, and his grandfather keeps pushing him to get out and find a princess to rescue. Who'd want to rescue a snobby, entitled princess anyway? Especially one who falls out of
In the beginning of this story, we find Jack playing the hero in a training exercise. He is supposed to rescue the princess, but Jack does things his own way and it doesn't go so well. Luckily it was only training. On the way home, Jack's grandfather is explaining to him how important it is for him to learn to be a hero and rescue & marry a princess. Jack says something like there aren't any unmarried princesses around here and it's not like one is going to fall out of the sky... When that's exactly what happens. A girl (May), who appears to be a princess (according to her shirt anyway), falls out of the sky right in their path. She seems to be from our "normal" world and she has somehow fallen through a portal of sorts to Jack's world of magic, giants, fairies, etc. In other words, the world of Fairy Tales. A Huntsman is chasing May and her grandmother is missing. And it seems as if, somehow, May is related to Snow White (who has been missing for some time). Jack ends up on an adventure after all, trying to help May and rescue her grandmother.
My Opinion:
Okay, first I must admit that I have a thing for these kinds of stories. I've seen quite a few written for younger readers in our school library. For instance, Goldie Socks & the Three Libearians, The Three Little Pigs & the Somewhat Bad Wolf and Three Silly Billies. Not to mention some of my recent favorites for young adults such as the Cinder series and Rump. I love the new twist put on an old story.
The story of Jack, May and Prince Phillip pulled me in right away. The characters are flawed and likable. And the situations range from funny to edge of the seat adventurous. This story brings in characters from many different stories, including Little Red Riding Hood, the Wolf, Snow White, the Evil Queen, the Huntsman and many more.
The book is cleverly written and fast paced. I am quite excited to read the next two, Twice Upon a Time and Once Upon the End. The end of this book left many questions that must be answered...
Recommended to:
This would be a great book for kids in grades 4-8 (depending on reading level). I also think it's a great book to read aloud and share with your kids. Any kids who enjoy adventure stories or princess or hero stories should enjoy this book. Quite a few of the 4th & 5th graders at our school are reading this.
Similar Books:
Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff
Show More
the sky wearing a shirt that says PUNK PRINCESS and still denies she's royalty. In fact, May doesn't even believe in magic. Yeah, what's that about?" (from the book jacket)In the beginning of this story, we find Jack playing the hero in a training exercise. He is supposed to rescue the princess, but Jack does things his own way and it doesn't go so well. Luckily it was only training. On the way home, Jack's grandfather is explaining to him how important it is for him to learn to be a hero and rescue & marry a princess. Jack says something like there aren't any unmarried princesses around here and it's not like one is going to fall out of the sky... When that's exactly what happens. A girl (May), who appears to be a princess (according to her shirt anyway), falls out of the sky right in their path. She seems to be from our "normal" world and she has somehow fallen through a portal of sorts to Jack's world of magic, giants, fairies, etc. In other words, the world of Fairy Tales. A Huntsman is chasing May and her grandmother is missing. And it seems as if, somehow, May is related to Snow White (who has been missing for some time). Jack ends up on an adventure after all, trying to help May and rescue her grandmother.
My Opinion:
Okay, first I must admit that I have a thing for these kinds of stories. I've seen quite a few written for younger readers in our school library. For instance, Goldie Socks & the Three Libearians, The Three Little Pigs & the Somewhat Bad Wolf and Three Silly Billies. Not to mention some of my recent favorites for young adults such as the Cinder series and Rump. I love the new twist put on an old story.
The story of Jack, May and Prince Phillip pulled me in right away. The characters are flawed and likable. And the situations range from funny to edge of the seat adventurous. This story brings in characters from many different stories, including Little Red Riding Hood, the Wolf, Snow White, the Evil Queen, the Huntsman and many more.
The book is cleverly written and fast paced. I am quite excited to read the next two, Twice Upon a Time and Once Upon the End. The end of this book left many questions that must be answered...
Recommended to:
This would be a great book for kids in grades 4-8 (depending on reading level). I also think it's a great book to read aloud and share with your kids. Any kids who enjoy adventure stories or princess or hero stories should enjoy this book. Quite a few of the 4th & 5th graders at our school are reading this.
Similar Books:
Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff
Show Less
LibraryThing member wrightja2000
I picked this up from the library after reading the first (sample) chapter online. From the first chapter I expected the book would be funny but it was more serious, scary and intense. There was a lot of action. I had problem with the characters, who are fourteen and fifteen, acting older-their
Part of my rating is because it always annoys me to read a while book and not know that it is a series until the last couple chapters. This is a trilogy but the cover gives no hint of this and it is definitely not a stand alone book. I do want to read the other two books, if only to hopefully get some questions answered. For instance, by the end I was unsure who was really good or bad.
"Half Upon a Time" reminded me at times of the TV series"Once Upon a Time", especially with May and her grandma.
Show More
ages are mentioned frequently and always surprised me because I kept feeling that they were seventeen or older because of the flirting. Though, now that I think of it, their dialogue was often as annoying as typical young teens' bickering usually is.Part of my rating is because it always annoys me to read a while book and not know that it is a series until the last couple chapters. This is a trilogy but the cover gives no hint of this and it is definitely not a stand alone book. I do want to read the other two books, if only to hopefully get some questions answered. For instance, by the end I was unsure who was really good or bad.
"Half Upon a Time" reminded me at times of the TV series"Once Upon a Time", especially with May and her grandma.
Show Less
LibraryThing member bunnyjadwiga
Ugh. Books capitalizing on a trend (for instance, re-imagining fairy tales) should either be very good and very interesting, or at least light fare, to be consumed like potato chips. This one is neither. Too many plot lines badly woven together. Too many reversals. And characters and writing that
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just isn't that interesting, as well as basically no worldbuilding at all. Might work for someone as their first introduction to the genre, but the hamhanded attempt to include a whiff of early-teen romance is likely to be a non-starter. Show Less
Awards
Mark Twain Readers Award (Nominee — 2013)
Sunshine State Young Reader's Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2015)
The Best Children's Books of the Year (Nine to Twelve — 2011)
ISBN
9781416995951
Local notes
Half Upon a Time, 1
DDC/MDS
| Fic Childrens Riley |