Status
Available
Call number
Publication
A Yearling Book
Pages
228
Description
Ophelia, a timid eleven-year-old girl grieving her mother, suspends her disbelief in things non-scientific when a boy locked in the museum where her father is working asks her to help him complete an age-old mission.
Description
Unlikely heroine Ophelia Jane Worthington-Whittard doesn't believe in anything that can't be proven by science. She and her sister Alice are still grieving for their dead mother when their father takes a job in a strange museum in a city where it always snows. On her very first day in the museum, Ophelia discovers a boy locked away. He is a prisoner of Her Majesty the Snow Queen, and he has been waiting for Ophelia's help.
As Ophelia embarks on an incredible journey to rescue the boy, everything she believes will be tested. Along the way she learns more and more about the boy's own remarkable journey to reach her and save the world.
A story within a story, this modern-day fairy tale is about the power of friendship, courage, love, and never ever giving up.
As Ophelia embarks on an incredible journey to rescue the boy, everything she believes will be tested. Along the way she learns more and more about the boy's own remarkable journey to reach her and save the world.
A story within a story, this modern-day fairy tale is about the power of friendship, courage, love, and never ever giving up.
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2014
Physical description
228 p.; 7.6 inches
ISBN
9780385753562
Similar in this library
Lexile
660L
User reviews
LibraryThing member Neftzger
I really enjoyed reading this updated retelling of The Ice Queen. The story is set in a museum, which is an enchanted and magical place full of wonder and mystery. The setting heightens the sense of danger and adventure in the story and helps to provide a great background for the plot. The book is
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nicely written with some wonderful illustrations, and I think it will appeal to fans of authors like Maile Maloy (The Apothecary) or who enjoy fairy tales in general. Show Less
LibraryThing member Whisper1
What an incredible book! I give it five stars without hesitation.
Ophelia Jane Worthington-Whittard grieves the recent loss of her mother. Sad, with little courage, the magical trip she is about to take, will change and empower her with self confidence as she hears her mother's voice guiding her to
When her father is given the task of pulling together a huge display of swords for a local museum, she and her sister Alice spend days inside touring the many floors and many exhibits.
Wandering to the room containing a foreign city where it always snowed, on the third floor in room 303, Ophelia peeks inside a key hole to find a small boy dressed in costume of years gone by.
Listening, she learns his tales regarding magical kingdoms, of trees that protect and wizards who guide. He and his lost magical sword are a dangerous threat. Held hostage for many years, locked away by the curator who in truth is the wicked snow queen, he convinces Ophelia that she is the one to save him and the world.
As Ophelia rescues him by finding keys locked away in museum halls, she has many adventures, including watching in horror as stone lions softly jump from their pedestals to circle and terrorize. When she finds a room containing the evil misery bird who has a wing span as large as the room, she must hurry before he awakens and devours her.
The statues of armored men come alive, and beneath a large plastic cover, there is a white horse carrying a soldier, with marble eyes that come to life as the plastic rustles and wind rushes and pushes so hard that Ophelia is knocked down.
This book is magical, delightful and engaging.
I think I especially liked it because I vividly remember that during my third-grade school trip to the Natural History Museum in New York City, I sat mesmerized and fearful believing that at night the elephants, lions and all taxidermical animals behind thick glass would come to life when the guests left.
Highly recommended!
Ophelia Jane Worthington-Whittard grieves the recent loss of her mother. Sad, with little courage, the magical trip she is about to take, will change and empower her with self confidence as she hears her mother's voice guiding her to
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bravery.When her father is given the task of pulling together a huge display of swords for a local museum, she and her sister Alice spend days inside touring the many floors and many exhibits.
Wandering to the room containing a foreign city where it always snowed, on the third floor in room 303, Ophelia peeks inside a key hole to find a small boy dressed in costume of years gone by.
Listening, she learns his tales regarding magical kingdoms, of trees that protect and wizards who guide. He and his lost magical sword are a dangerous threat. Held hostage for many years, locked away by the curator who in truth is the wicked snow queen, he convinces Ophelia that she is the one to save him and the world.
As Ophelia rescues him by finding keys locked away in museum halls, she has many adventures, including watching in horror as stone lions softly jump from their pedestals to circle and terrorize. When she finds a room containing the evil misery bird who has a wing span as large as the room, she must hurry before he awakens and devours her.
The statues of armored men come alive, and beneath a large plastic cover, there is a white horse carrying a soldier, with marble eyes that come to life as the plastic rustles and wind rushes and pushes so hard that Ophelia is knocked down.
This book is magical, delightful and engaging.
I think I especially liked it because I vividly remember that during my third-grade school trip to the Natural History Museum in New York City, I sat mesmerized and fearful believing that at night the elephants, lions and all taxidermical animals behind thick glass would come to life when the guests left.
Highly recommended!
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LibraryThing member beverlyjean
What would you do if you met a boy who asked you to help him “save the world?” Not likely to happen, you think. Maybe not, unless you’re eleven-year-old Ophelia Jane Worthington-Whittard who never dreamed she‘d soon be searching for a key and a sword to help a boy do just that. But there
Author Karen Foxlee has written a whimsical tale of magic, blessings, evil, and a mother’s love. In her middle grade novel, OPHELIA AND THE MARVELOUS BOY, the author tells the story of Ophelia, who encounters the boy quite accidentally. When he tells her he’s a prisoner of the Snow Queen and must escape to find his magical sword and the One Other, or he’ll die within three days, Ophelia sets out in search of the key to free him from his prison. Things do not run smoothly for Ophelia, as you might imagine. She faces one danger after another. She cannot turn to her father or sister, Alice, for help. And the time is growing short for her to succeed in her quest. Ophelia’s mother, however, who passed away a short time earlier, is always there for her daughter, whispering to her, encouraging, and advising her what to do.
Well-developed characters take the reader back to a magical age of fantasy and fairy tales where you find yourself lost in their world, searching with the characters for a happy ending. The setting of the museum brings to life the different displays, the animals that seem to move but are only statues. Or are they? If you’re like me, you’ll find yourself holding your breath when all seems lost and Ophelia will be unable to save the boy. Will she succeed, or will he fade away, his life ended? OPHELIA AND THE MARVELOUS BOY will make a nice addition to school libraries and classrooms. Why not pick up a copy or two for your own children’s library and enjoy a wild adventure into fantasyland?
An e-copy of this book was provided to me by Random House Children’s Books and Net Galley for my honest review.
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she is, risking her very life to help a three-hundred-and-three-year old boy, without a name.Author Karen Foxlee has written a whimsical tale of magic, blessings, evil, and a mother’s love. In her middle grade novel, OPHELIA AND THE MARVELOUS BOY, the author tells the story of Ophelia, who encounters the boy quite accidentally. When he tells her he’s a prisoner of the Snow Queen and must escape to find his magical sword and the One Other, or he’ll die within three days, Ophelia sets out in search of the key to free him from his prison. Things do not run smoothly for Ophelia, as you might imagine. She faces one danger after another. She cannot turn to her father or sister, Alice, for help. And the time is growing short for her to succeed in her quest. Ophelia’s mother, however, who passed away a short time earlier, is always there for her daughter, whispering to her, encouraging, and advising her what to do.
Well-developed characters take the reader back to a magical age of fantasy and fairy tales where you find yourself lost in their world, searching with the characters for a happy ending. The setting of the museum brings to life the different displays, the animals that seem to move but are only statues. Or are they? If you’re like me, you’ll find yourself holding your breath when all seems lost and Ophelia will be unable to save the boy. Will she succeed, or will he fade away, his life ended? OPHELIA AND THE MARVELOUS BOY will make a nice addition to school libraries and classrooms. Why not pick up a copy or two for your own children’s library and enjoy a wild adventure into fantasyland?
An e-copy of this book was provided to me by Random House Children’s Books and Net Galley for my honest review.
###
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LibraryThing member melaniehope
I thought this was a very good book for younger readers. It is labeled for middle school, but I think it would be better received for a third to fifth grade level reader.
I am an adult and still enjoyed this book. It was a nice, short read that is at a good pace for that age group.
Ophelia and her
This modern day fairy tale was well written and had an important message of showing kindness and trusting those around you. I would love for my 7 year old to read this story, as well. It has just the right amount of adventure and intrigue for any 8 to 10 year old boy or girl
I am an adult and still enjoyed this book. It was a nice, short read that is at a good pace for that age group.
Ophelia and her
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older sister are still grieving over the death of their mom, when their father takes a job in an old museum in a faraway city where is always snows. While there, Ophelia discovers a locked room with a young boy behind it. He tells her of a great sword that must be found in order to defeat the evil Snow Queen. Ophelia is skeptical, but can't shake the feeling that she must help this boy. Along the way, she discovers his incredible story.This modern day fairy tale was well written and had an important message of showing kindness and trusting those around you. I would love for my 7 year old to read this story, as well. It has just the right amount of adventure and intrigue for any 8 to 10 year old boy or girl
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LibraryThing member ltcl
I love when someone retells a fairy tale but it has lessons that apply to modern times. Such is the case with "Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy" which is a retelling of the scary tale of the Snow Queen who enchants a young boy to keep him in her icy lair forever. In this tale Ophelia and her sister
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are on a trip abroad one Christmas with their father who is an expert in old swords and has been commissioned to work on a new museum exhibit. The museum's curator seems like a very slick woman as she tries to make the girls feel welcome but Ophelia goes off exploring and lands herself in the middle of a mystery helping a jailed boy and saving the world from total destruction. The lesson to be learned in all of this is that she must trust herself and her instincts. Ophelia, her sister and father are all feeling a bit lost since the passing of her mother and this trip seemed like a way to take everyone's mind off of it. The lovely part of this book is that Ophelia,through her adventure,will find a way to reconnect to her mother. It is the magic of Narnia mixed with the courage of "A Tale of Despereaux" and one that will endear itself to young readers and their parents everywhere. Show Less
LibraryThing member Perednia
Ophelia is an intrepid tween who prefers science to magic, fact to fantasy and, right now, the past to the present. The last is because her mother died a few months ago of cancer.
Her father has buried himself in his work as a sword expert, taking Ophelia and her older sister, Alice, away from their
The girls are bored as well as in mourning. Ophelia explores the vast corriors and twisty exhibit halls of the museum where the exhibition will be held. The nooks and crannies of the museum are far preferable to the company of the museum curator, a vaguely menacing young woman named Miss Kaminski. She may be beautiful, and her father and Alice may think she's spiffy, but Ophelia wants nothing to do with her.
Ophelia soon has her hands full with a quest. In one of the locked museum rooms, she discovers, is a boy. He has been there for a long, long time. Ages ago, the king who he was met when he was sent across the water to defeat the Snow Queen had him locked up at the behest of his new wife. As Ophelia battles fantastical things she knows cannot exist, but which do, the boy fills her in on his story.
As Karen Foxlee's new novel, Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy, picks up speed in an action-filled adventure, her heroine finds she has also embarked on a personal journey that involves honoring the spirit of her mother, a fantasy writer who loved to spin tales about frightening things. Foxlee knows just when to switch scenes to what Ophelia's father and sister are up to, when to tell the reader more about the marvelous boy and when to move Ophelia's quest forward.
One of the great aspects to this story is that it is not sad. It is filled with life and making time count. Foxlee knows how to spin wisdom into her tale with light and laughter. She also has a masterful touch at description.
Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy is a fabulous fantasy for middle grade readers who love fairy tales, adventure and stories of courage and love.
Her father has buried himself in his work as a sword expert, taking Ophelia and her older sister, Alice, away from their
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London home to a European city filled with snow. They're to spend their time ice skating while their father puts together an exhibition of the greatest swords ever gathered together.The girls are bored as well as in mourning. Ophelia explores the vast corriors and twisty exhibit halls of the museum where the exhibition will be held. The nooks and crannies of the museum are far preferable to the company of the museum curator, a vaguely menacing young woman named Miss Kaminski. She may be beautiful, and her father and Alice may think she's spiffy, but Ophelia wants nothing to do with her.
Ophelia soon has her hands full with a quest. In one of the locked museum rooms, she discovers, is a boy. He has been there for a long, long time. Ages ago, the king who he was met when he was sent across the water to defeat the Snow Queen had him locked up at the behest of his new wife. As Ophelia battles fantastical things she knows cannot exist, but which do, the boy fills her in on his story.
As Karen Foxlee's new novel, Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy, picks up speed in an action-filled adventure, her heroine finds she has also embarked on a personal journey that involves honoring the spirit of her mother, a fantasy writer who loved to spin tales about frightening things. Foxlee knows just when to switch scenes to what Ophelia's father and sister are up to, when to tell the reader more about the marvelous boy and when to move Ophelia's quest forward.
One of the great aspects to this story is that it is not sad. It is filled with life and making time count. Foxlee knows how to spin wisdom into her tale with light and laughter. She also has a masterful touch at description.
Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy is a fabulous fantasy for middle grade readers who love fairy tales, adventure and stories of courage and love.
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LibraryThing member librarian1204
The Snow Queen returns once again to a fairy tale that combines the present day with the past. Perfect timing for the kids who will have seen the recent movie, Frozen. Ophelia and her sister,Alicia and their dad are mourning the loss of the girls mother. A chance for dad to catalog and set up a
I was approved to read this from NetGalley.
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display of swords sends the family on a pre Christmas trip to a museum that houses (among many other things) the wintertide clock that is set to end the world. It becomes Ophelia's task to stop this. Along the way she has many adventures, meeting and aiding the marvelous boy. His story is entwined with Ophelia's, as he helps her realize what she is destined to accomplish. Sure to be a favorite of upper elementary girls. Could also be used as a read aloud.I was approved to read this from NetGalley.
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LibraryThing member slavenrm
"As usual I received this book for free just so I'd review it. Also as usual I'll give my candid opinions below.
Since this is a child's book I don't judge by my usual criteria but explore two basic questions. The first is whether I would want my child to read it. To this I say most assuredly yes.
The second question is whether I think my kids would want to read it at all. This is always difficult to judge but it does have characters that kids can relate to and a pretty entertaining story line. The vocabulary is not especially daunting and the action picks up from the every first paragraph so I think this one has a chance at setting the hook.
So in summary, I was entertained enough reading it and I think kids will be too. I have no concerns about the lesson they'll get out of it and they might learn something positive too if they're not careful. Exactly the sort of book I wold have liked as a youngster.
PS: It is always my endeavor to provide helpful reviews. If you find my review helpful please vote appropriately. If you do not, then please leave me a comment indicating what you want to know and I'll be sure to do better next time."
Since this is a child's book I don't judge by my usual criteria but explore two basic questions. The first is whether I would want my child to read it. To this I say most assuredly yes.
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It has a strong lesson to teach about following your own path, bravery and never giving up and being systematic in everything you do. As a fairly logical person I would like every chance to influence my children in that particular regard especially! More importantly, the book contains nothing one could consider even remotely of concern for young audiences. No sex, no drugs, just a bit of adventure, petty theft and lying to one's parents. OK, maybe not the best example but not like some of the terrible YA stuff I've come across.The second question is whether I think my kids would want to read it at all. This is always difficult to judge but it does have characters that kids can relate to and a pretty entertaining story line. The vocabulary is not especially daunting and the action picks up from the every first paragraph so I think this one has a chance at setting the hook.
So in summary, I was entertained enough reading it and I think kids will be too. I have no concerns about the lesson they'll get out of it and they might learn something positive too if they're not careful. Exactly the sort of book I wold have liked as a youngster.
PS: It is always my endeavor to provide helpful reviews. If you find my review helpful please vote appropriately. If you do not, then please leave me a comment indicating what you want to know and I'll be sure to do better next time."
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LibraryThing member HeartbreakDX
received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book, the Snow Queen is one of my favorite stories. Ophelia is an engaging character, the boy's backstory is really different from what I expected, and the climax managed to surprise me a bit. However, most of the book is very
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predictable. Though that's not a bad thing, I wish I hadn't been able to guess a some of what was going to happen. Still, I really liked the book and would recommend it for quick read Show Less
LibraryThing member tapestry100
I received Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee from Random House Kids early last week and while I was in the middle of some other books at the time, I thought I'd at least sit down and read a couple of chapters to get a feel for the book. Half the book later I realized I needed to set it
Foxlee takes the fairy tale The Snow Queen and gives it a lightly modern spin. In an unnamed town, Ophelia's father has taken a job organizing an exhibit of swords at an unnamed museum, being the international expert on swords that he is. Ophelia and her sister, Alice, try to find ways to amuse themselves while their father is hard at work on the exhibit. Exploring on her own one day, Ophelia discovers a young boy locked away in a room deep in the sprawling museum. She befriends the boy, and the story he tells her of how he came to be locked away in the room in the museum with the name the Marvelous Boy is its own story within the story.
As Ophelia journeys through the museum on various quests to help the Marvelous Boy escape so that he can finally defeat the Snow Queen, she creates her own fairy tale. There are elements here that will be familiar with all readers of fairy tales, but Foxlee handles them all beautifully, so that you don't really feel like you are treading too familiar water. I found myself re-reading entire chapters because I simply loved the way that Foxlee was telling Ophelia's story. It's a middle grade book, so there are elements that are fairly predictable and foreshadowed rather heavily, but even knowing how the story was going to end, I still enjoyed every bit of it. There is an ethereal quality to the story that is both charming and magical. I don't want to give too much away about the ending, but I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that Ophelia doesn't try to handle everything on her own, as in other young reader books. I find that annoying. I suppose it's to instill a sense of independence in young readers, but sometimes there are things in life that are just too much for a young person to handle, and it's perfectly normal to go to your parents for help, which Ophelia does. This was refreshing for me.
I think anyone who enjoys a good fairy tale and a beautifully written story will absolutely enjoy this book. Highly recommended!
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aside or I wasn't going to be getting to bed at any sort of a reasonable hour that night.Foxlee takes the fairy tale The Snow Queen and gives it a lightly modern spin. In an unnamed town, Ophelia's father has taken a job organizing an exhibit of swords at an unnamed museum, being the international expert on swords that he is. Ophelia and her sister, Alice, try to find ways to amuse themselves while their father is hard at work on the exhibit. Exploring on her own one day, Ophelia discovers a young boy locked away in a room deep in the sprawling museum. She befriends the boy, and the story he tells her of how he came to be locked away in the room in the museum with the name the Marvelous Boy is its own story within the story.
As Ophelia journeys through the museum on various quests to help the Marvelous Boy escape so that he can finally defeat the Snow Queen, she creates her own fairy tale. There are elements here that will be familiar with all readers of fairy tales, but Foxlee handles them all beautifully, so that you don't really feel like you are treading too familiar water. I found myself re-reading entire chapters because I simply loved the way that Foxlee was telling Ophelia's story. It's a middle grade book, so there are elements that are fairly predictable and foreshadowed rather heavily, but even knowing how the story was going to end, I still enjoyed every bit of it. There is an ethereal quality to the story that is both charming and magical. I don't want to give too much away about the ending, but I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that Ophelia doesn't try to handle everything on her own, as in other young reader books. I find that annoying. I suppose it's to instill a sense of independence in young readers, but sometimes there are things in life that are just too much for a young person to handle, and it's perfectly normal to go to your parents for help, which Ophelia does. This was refreshing for me.
I think anyone who enjoys a good fairy tale and a beautifully written story will absolutely enjoy this book. Highly recommended!
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LibraryThing member KMT01
This is a story loosely based on Hans Christian Anderson’s Snow Queen, geared for the middle school reader. Although the story is easy to read and understand, I worry that this reader might be overcome by all the scary episodes and happenings of the book. Plus, the book definitely shows a father,
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lost in his remorse for his recently deceased wife, who has absorbed himself totally in his work in an effort to forget events who really is taking little or no interest in his young daughter Ophelia. Ophelia has an older sister Alice, who is also consumed with grief, but she is obsessed with material things and is taken in by the modern-day version of the Snow Queen, and has little time for Ophelia. They all live and work at a museum, where their father is preparing for a huge sword exhibit (swords are his specialty). With a lot of time on her hands, Ophelia begins roaming the museum and comes upon a room where a young boy has been imprisoned for years and is trying to find a way out. Ophelia, being the sensitive girl that she is, at first does not want to help him find his way, but eventually she relents and begins a journey for and with him that will stretch her scientific mind and courage as well as teach her many new things and more about who this boy really is and what his purpose is. This story was fairly well written, though it did drag a lot. I am not sure a middle school reader would want to keep up with all the endless descriptions and discussions and thoughts of Ophelia and the little boy. I found myself bored throughout, waiting for some, any, action to break up the monotony. The story is ageless. The plot is well known. Both might find resurgence because of the recent Disney movie, also loosely based on the Snow Queen. I am not sure I would recommend this to middle school readers, however, for, though the story is pretty good, there are just an awful lot of scary, unbelievable things and events that might come back to haunt the reader. In addition, I am not sure the pace of the story could keep the reader’s interest. Still, it is well written and might hold the interest of some readers. I received this from NetGalley to read and review. Show Less
LibraryThing member Wanda_Barefoot
This story is about Ophelia Jane Worthington-Whittard an eleven year-old girl whose father is an expert in swords and is working for the museum. While exploring the museum, Ophelia finds a small boy locked in a room. She soon discovers he is the Marvelous Boy and a miraculous adventure awaits her.
Ophelia was such an adorable little girl. She had asthma and each time she was frightened she would take a puff from her inhaler which was quite frequently. She was a very smart child that thought scientifically. She believed in finding evidence, compiling lists, shading maps or asking questions to get things accomplished. One of her most endearing traits was tugging on her braided pigtails to make her feel better. This book was also full of lessons for children and adults alike.
___________________Quote___________________
"The strangest thing I have learned is that it's impossible to know what's inside someone. The wizards didn't teach me this, but I have learned it myself. Those who appear tall and straight and very good are sometimes rotten on the inside, and others, huge and clawed and apparently very bad, sometimes contain a pure and sweet form of goodness. The biggest trap is to judge a person by their outer casing. Their skin. Their hair. Their snow-white feather."
___________________End Quote___________________
Ophelia was often encouraged to use her imagination. I think that is the main aspect of this book, the beauty of a child's imagination. This is an excellent children's book that I would love reading to children. It was a fantasy story about Snow Queens, magic swords, wizards and a mysterious machine. But it was also full little bits of wisdom, such as the list of instruction the wizards gave to the Marvelous Boy.
___________________Quote___________________
"Instead she took out the fragile paper containing the words from the Great Wizard. She unfolded the thing piece of paper.
The letter was written in a very old-fashioned writing, a little shaky. It was a list.
First, always be kind, it read.
Be kind to everyone whom you meet along the way, and things will be well.
Kindness is far stronger than any cruelty.
Always extend your hand in friendship.
Be patient.
You may feel alone, but there will always be people who will help you along the way.
Never, ever give up.
Ophelia leaned her cheek against the cold window. She closed her eyes.
Your heart, said her mother, very softly in her ear. Use your heart, my dear daughter."
___________________End Quote___________________
I can honestly say that, even at my age, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next on Ophelia's journey through the museum. It was such a delight to read and I, personally, would like to read more stories from Karen Foxlee. She knows how to satisfy a reader's mind and feed the imagination. The book is recommended for children ages 7-12 but I think people of all ages would enjoy it. If you or your child loves imaginative stories that are full of adventure, you'll want to read this book. Highly recommended!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Netgalley for my honest review. The opinions stated are mine alone and are honest and forthright. If I recommend a book you can believe its a book I enjoyed. I received no monetary compensation for this review.
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The Marvelous Boy sends Ophelia on several errands to find the things she needs to rescue him and find the Other One to defeat the Snow Queen. With the clock ticking, signifying the end of the world, Ophelia braves her fears and forges onward to complete her mission.Ophelia was such an adorable little girl. She had asthma and each time she was frightened she would take a puff from her inhaler which was quite frequently. She was a very smart child that thought scientifically. She believed in finding evidence, compiling lists, shading maps or asking questions to get things accomplished. One of her most endearing traits was tugging on her braided pigtails to make her feel better. This book was also full of lessons for children and adults alike.
___________________Quote___________________
"The strangest thing I have learned is that it's impossible to know what's inside someone. The wizards didn't teach me this, but I have learned it myself. Those who appear tall and straight and very good are sometimes rotten on the inside, and others, huge and clawed and apparently very bad, sometimes contain a pure and sweet form of goodness. The biggest trap is to judge a person by their outer casing. Their skin. Their hair. Their snow-white feather."
___________________End Quote___________________
Ophelia was often encouraged to use her imagination. I think that is the main aspect of this book, the beauty of a child's imagination. This is an excellent children's book that I would love reading to children. It was a fantasy story about Snow Queens, magic swords, wizards and a mysterious machine. But it was also full little bits of wisdom, such as the list of instruction the wizards gave to the Marvelous Boy.
___________________Quote___________________
"Instead she took out the fragile paper containing the words from the Great Wizard. She unfolded the thing piece of paper.
The letter was written in a very old-fashioned writing, a little shaky. It was a list.
First, always be kind, it read.
Be kind to everyone whom you meet along the way, and things will be well.
Kindness is far stronger than any cruelty.
Always extend your hand in friendship.
Be patient.
You may feel alone, but there will always be people who will help you along the way.
Never, ever give up.
Ophelia leaned her cheek against the cold window. She closed her eyes.
Your heart, said her mother, very softly in her ear. Use your heart, my dear daughter."
___________________End Quote___________________
I can honestly say that, even at my age, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next on Ophelia's journey through the museum. It was such a delight to read and I, personally, would like to read more stories from Karen Foxlee. She knows how to satisfy a reader's mind and feed the imagination. The book is recommended for children ages 7-12 but I think people of all ages would enjoy it. If you or your child loves imaginative stories that are full of adventure, you'll want to read this book. Highly recommended!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Netgalley for my honest review. The opinions stated are mine alone and are honest and forthright. If I recommend a book you can believe its a book I enjoyed. I received no monetary compensation for this review.
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LibraryThing member cyderry
Ophelia is in the museum while her father works on a special exhibit. Bored, she starts to explore and discovers a boy who is locked in a room. He tells her his story and she works to free him and find the sword he needs.
The adventures that Ophelia encounters are entertaining and seem to be exactly
The adventures that Ophelia encounters are entertaining and seem to be exactly
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what an 11 yr old would want to do. Show Less
LibraryThing member steadfastreader
Delightful! Charming! Fun! ... those are three adjectives that I would use to describe Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy. Its magical children's lit at it's very best. It doesn't quite reach the brilliance of Roald Dahl as it lacks the sharp wit and humor that is found throughout his novels, (but let's
I loved that the strongest of the roles were played by women and girls. Ophelia is a mere girl of eleven with glasses that won't stay clean and pigtails that always come out uneven if she has to do it herself.
This is a story about love and grief, betrayal and redemption, and above all the power of goodness. It sounds a bit hokey, but it's important to remember that this title was written with a middle-grade demographic in mind, (let's say... seven to twelve) Ophelia (and even the Marvelous Boy) are exceptional role models.
As an adult this book appeals to me in part because I must admit that I'm a bit of an anglophile and this book is decidedly British.
I also love museums, so there is something to be said about the author being able to capture the spooky feeling that you get when you're in a room of a museum that is rarely visited (it's the same creepy feeling that you get being in a theme park alone, after all the guests have gone home.)
This book is excellent, it's especially excellent for middle grade girls.
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face it, will anyone, ever?? What other authors seem to have influenced this book? I'd say it feels a little like Neil Gaiman and C.S. Lewis (without all the Christian overtones.) as well. I loved that the strongest of the roles were played by women and girls. Ophelia is a mere girl of eleven with glasses that won't stay clean and pigtails that always come out uneven if she has to do it herself.
This is a story about love and grief, betrayal and redemption, and above all the power of goodness. It sounds a bit hokey, but it's important to remember that this title was written with a middle-grade demographic in mind, (let's say... seven to twelve) Ophelia (and even the Marvelous Boy) are exceptional role models.
As an adult this book appeals to me in part because I must admit that I'm a bit of an anglophile and this book is decidedly British.
I also love museums, so there is something to be said about the author being able to capture the spooky feeling that you get when you're in a room of a museum that is rarely visited (it's the same creepy feeling that you get being in a theme park alone, after all the guests have gone home.)
This book is excellent, it's especially excellent for middle grade girls.
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LibraryThing member krau0098
I really enjoyed Karen Foxlee’s young adult book, The Midnight Dress, so when I heard she was writing a middle grade novel that was a fairy tale retelling I was so excited to read it. I got a copy of this book to review through the Amazon Vine program. It ended up being a very good retelling of
Ophelia Jane Worthington-Whittard and her sister, Alice, are still grieving the death of their mother when their father decides to take a job prepping a museum for a sword exhibition in a strange city where it always snows. The museum is dark and has some fabulous nooks and crannies to explore. While Alice is drawn in by the owner of the museum, a very elegant yet strange women….Ophelia is drawn to explore the dark corridors of the museum.
One day while peeking in an eye hole, she finds an eye peeking back at her. This is how she meets The Marvelous Boy, who has been trapped by the Snow Queen in this room for 75 years. He convinces Ophelia to go on a number of adventures throughout the museum all in an effort to find a magical sword and to save the world from the clutches of the Snow Queen.
I absolutely adored this book. The writing is beautiful and magical, and the story has such a great dark fairy tale type of atmosphere. It was a very well done retelling of the Snow Queen.
The whole book takes place in an old museum. I love books like this. The old museum is so magical and the enchanting things Ophelia finds within the museum are bewitching and so creative. I love books where people explore something that at first seems mundan, but then ends up containing many marvelous wonders.
The story is done in a wonderful way. Some parts of the book are told from Ophelia’s perspective during the current day. There are also other parts of the book where the Marvelous Boy tells Opehlia the magical stories that make up his past. Both perspectives are very engaging and I found myself looking forward to them equally.
At first Ophelia is reluctant to help, she doesn't believe in magic. Ophelia is strictly a science type of girl, her mother was the fanciful one and the death of her mother has only solidified Ophelia’s commitment to facts and science. But as the Boy tells his tale, Ophelia is drawn in and can't help but be curious. She ends up doing small quests for the Marvelous Boy in order to hear the next portions of his story and it is in this way Ophelia confronts her fears and accomplishes some truly marvelous things on her own.
The book wraps up nicely and has some nice discussion around the importance of friends and family. The writing is beautiful and was wonderful to read. My only complaint is that the story is fairly predictable. I knew right away who the Snow Queen was and how she was tied in with the sword exhibition at the museum.
Overall I loved this book, the story is engaging and beautifully written. The pictures throughout are magical. It was just an absolutely wonderful fairy tale retelling. Recommended for readers of all ages, especially for those who love wonderful fairy tale retellings. I look forward to what Foxlee writes next.
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the Snow Queen, the writing is beautiful and very atmospheric. Ophelia Jane Worthington-Whittard and her sister, Alice, are still grieving the death of their mother when their father decides to take a job prepping a museum for a sword exhibition in a strange city where it always snows. The museum is dark and has some fabulous nooks and crannies to explore. While Alice is drawn in by the owner of the museum, a very elegant yet strange women….Ophelia is drawn to explore the dark corridors of the museum.
One day while peeking in an eye hole, she finds an eye peeking back at her. This is how she meets The Marvelous Boy, who has been trapped by the Snow Queen in this room for 75 years. He convinces Ophelia to go on a number of adventures throughout the museum all in an effort to find a magical sword and to save the world from the clutches of the Snow Queen.
I absolutely adored this book. The writing is beautiful and magical, and the story has such a great dark fairy tale type of atmosphere. It was a very well done retelling of the Snow Queen.
The whole book takes place in an old museum. I love books like this. The old museum is so magical and the enchanting things Ophelia finds within the museum are bewitching and so creative. I love books where people explore something that at first seems mundan, but then ends up containing many marvelous wonders.
The story is done in a wonderful way. Some parts of the book are told from Ophelia’s perspective during the current day. There are also other parts of the book where the Marvelous Boy tells Opehlia the magical stories that make up his past. Both perspectives are very engaging and I found myself looking forward to them equally.
At first Ophelia is reluctant to help, she doesn't believe in magic. Ophelia is strictly a science type of girl, her mother was the fanciful one and the death of her mother has only solidified Ophelia’s commitment to facts and science. But as the Boy tells his tale, Ophelia is drawn in and can't help but be curious. She ends up doing small quests for the Marvelous Boy in order to hear the next portions of his story and it is in this way Ophelia confronts her fears and accomplishes some truly marvelous things on her own.
The book wraps up nicely and has some nice discussion around the importance of friends and family. The writing is beautiful and was wonderful to read. My only complaint is that the story is fairly predictable. I knew right away who the Snow Queen was and how she was tied in with the sword exhibition at the museum.
Overall I loved this book, the story is engaging and beautifully written. The pictures throughout are magical. It was just an absolutely wonderful fairy tale retelling. Recommended for readers of all ages, especially for those who love wonderful fairy tale retellings. I look forward to what Foxlee writes next.
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LibraryThing member DTChantel
"Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy" took me back on a wonderful, fantasy-filled trip to my childhood. In the tradition of all the best fairy tales, this book had chills, thrills, magical creatures, wicked queens and a reluctant heroine.
Throughout the book, Ophelia doesn't feel she has what it takes to
The museum setting was a character in itself and as Ophelia darted and ran up and down its halls and zipped past various intriguing rooms and displays, I found myself wishing I could be there to explore them.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope desperately that there will be sequels. I believe there's much more on the horizon for our timid heroine to conquer. And I also want to see the marvelous boy again.
Throughout the book, Ophelia doesn't feel she has what it takes to
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be a hero. As you travel along with her on her quest and stand by her as she fulfills her destiny, you want to cheer her on, just as her recently deceased mother does, because you just know she has it in her to challenge the evil queen and help the marvelous boy.The museum setting was a character in itself and as Ophelia darted and ran up and down its halls and zipped past various intriguing rooms and displays, I found myself wishing I could be there to explore them.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope desperately that there will be sequels. I believe there's much more on the horizon for our timid heroine to conquer. And I also want to see the marvelous boy again.
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LibraryThing member zzshupinga
ARC provided by NetGalley
Ophelia Jane Worthington-Whittard doesn't believe in anything that can't be proved by science. Magic? Unicorns? Bigfoot? Science says it isn't there, so it isn't. So there! After her mom dies, her dad takes a job in a strange museum, where it always snows, and curator is a
On the surface the description seems...quaint. A girl that doesn't believe in magic, who discovers a hidden boy and they must defeat an evil queen. Sounds like something from long ago does it not? But if you look past the surface you discover a story that is pure magic and is often unlike anything that you've read before.
And it all starts with Ophelia. Ophelia Jane Worthington-Whittard is one of the strongest heroines to come out of literature recently. Not because she doesn't believe in magic, or that she advocates science, but because she is very real. From the first page we can imagine Ophelia standing before us, a young girl, mourning the loss of her mother and attention from her sister and father, but staying strong. Holes in her pockets as she worries at them, full of curiosity at what's around her, and a strength and courage that defies her size and age. She's not some sheltered prep school kid, or someone that can do magic, or has an IQ of 150 and does chemistry in her spare time. She is someone that we can imagine as being our younger sister or our cousin or the girl next door. And that is phenomenal thing. While we can find plenty of strong female characters in recent YA lit, so many of them rely on other things or have tools at their disposal that we lack in the real world. Ophelia doesn't.
And while I could devote the entire review to Ophelia, I suppose I should discuss other aspects of the book. The story itself is phenomenal. Its one that keeps you turning that next page, never quite wanting to put the book down because you have to know what happens next. And even though at times you think you can guess what might happen next, Karen's tosses twists and turns in that are never quite what you expect. And I know so many stories try to teach you "don't judge a character by its cover" and it becomes corny how there's always that one character that changes...that corniness doesn't occur here. The characters feel natural, and real, and that's in part because Karen is honest and open about them from the beginning.
There's so much more I want to say, but I'm afraid if I continue I'll spoil the book and I don't want to do that. The book is described as a modern fairy tale. And that's true it is, but it is oh so much more than that as well. And it's a story for all ages. While Ophelia may not believe in magic, this book will help you find and believe in it once more. I give the book 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it to everyone.
Ophelia Jane Worthington-Whittard doesn't believe in anything that can't be proved by science. Magic? Unicorns? Bigfoot? Science says it isn't there, so it isn't. So there! After her mom dies, her dad takes a job in a strange museum, where it always snows, and curator is a
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bit...off. Ophelia and her sister Alice explore the museum and on their very first day, Ophelia wanders down a few forgotten passages, goes under a velvet rope, and finds a locked door. And behind the door she finds...the Marvelous Boy. Who is a prisoner of the Snow Queen. And he's been waiting for Ophelia's help for a very long time. The two together must stop the Snow Queen before the clock chimes again...and she wins.On the surface the description seems...quaint. A girl that doesn't believe in magic, who discovers a hidden boy and they must defeat an evil queen. Sounds like something from long ago does it not? But if you look past the surface you discover a story that is pure magic and is often unlike anything that you've read before.
And it all starts with Ophelia. Ophelia Jane Worthington-Whittard is one of the strongest heroines to come out of literature recently. Not because she doesn't believe in magic, or that she advocates science, but because she is very real. From the first page we can imagine Ophelia standing before us, a young girl, mourning the loss of her mother and attention from her sister and father, but staying strong. Holes in her pockets as she worries at them, full of curiosity at what's around her, and a strength and courage that defies her size and age. She's not some sheltered prep school kid, or someone that can do magic, or has an IQ of 150 and does chemistry in her spare time. She is someone that we can imagine as being our younger sister or our cousin or the girl next door. And that is phenomenal thing. While we can find plenty of strong female characters in recent YA lit, so many of them rely on other things or have tools at their disposal that we lack in the real world. Ophelia doesn't.
And while I could devote the entire review to Ophelia, I suppose I should discuss other aspects of the book. The story itself is phenomenal. Its one that keeps you turning that next page, never quite wanting to put the book down because you have to know what happens next. And even though at times you think you can guess what might happen next, Karen's tosses twists and turns in that are never quite what you expect. And I know so many stories try to teach you "don't judge a character by its cover" and it becomes corny how there's always that one character that changes...that corniness doesn't occur here. The characters feel natural, and real, and that's in part because Karen is honest and open about them from the beginning.
There's so much more I want to say, but I'm afraid if I continue I'll spoil the book and I don't want to do that. The book is described as a modern fairy tale. And that's true it is, but it is oh so much more than that as well. And it's a story for all ages. While Ophelia may not believe in magic, this book will help you find and believe in it once more. I give the book 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it to everyone.
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LibraryThing member kalky
OPHELIA AND THE MARVELOUS BOY is a wonderful story about grief, bravery, magic, and being good. In it, Ophelia's mother has recently died, and her father takes a temporary job in a new city to try to distract himself, Ophelia, and Ophelia's sister, Alice, from their grief. While their father works,
Ophelia is a terrific character who is analytical and takes comfort in facts. She is also timid, nonathletic, and asthmatic. Through the course of the book, she is asked to believe in magic, follow her heart, and face down many different challenges. Although the reader is never left guessing about the identity of the Snow Queen, mystery isn't what propels the story, it's the adventure, and Karen Foxlee does an excellent job with the language and the pacing of the story.
I highly recommend this book, and look forward to reading more by the author. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ebook in exchange for my unbiased review.
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Alice becomes vain and unkind, and Ophelia meets a magical boy from another land who needs her help in defeating the Snow Queen and saving the world.Ophelia is a terrific character who is analytical and takes comfort in facts. She is also timid, nonathletic, and asthmatic. Through the course of the book, she is asked to believe in magic, follow her heart, and face down many different challenges. Although the reader is never left guessing about the identity of the Snow Queen, mystery isn't what propels the story, it's the adventure, and Karen Foxlee does an excellent job with the language and the pacing of the story.
I highly recommend this book, and look forward to reading more by the author. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ebook in exchange for my unbiased review.
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LibraryThing member katsmiao
This is a great book for children.
it really is a modern-day fairy tale, reminiscent of Roald Dahl, with a touch of Grimm Brothers, engaging like the Narnia books.
The setting (a museum) is unique, there are ghosts and other mysterious creatures, there's a child tasked with saving the world (Ophelia)
This book has everything a fairy tale should have and readers of any age will enjoy this book
it really is a modern-day fairy tale, reminiscent of Roald Dahl, with a touch of Grimm Brothers, engaging like the Narnia books.
The setting (a museum) is unique, there are ghosts and other mysterious creatures, there's a child tasked with saving the world (Ophelia)
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with the help of the marvelous boy.This book has everything a fairy tale should have and readers of any age will enjoy this book
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LibraryThing member untitled841
Adorable Ophelia, I can so relate to missing a family member so much. This touching tale of how to find yourself when you are so young and your world is completely changed from everything you ever knew.
LibraryThing member kraaivrouw
Hans Christian Andersen's story, The Snow Queen, is one of my favorites and has been the inspiration for many great retellings. The Snow Queen appears in Narnia and my favorite of all - The Snow Queen by Joan Vinge. When I spotted Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy, I knew I had to read it.
A charming
Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy is a book for young readers, but is written so well that readers of any age can enjoy it. I wish I had a little girl to read it to - it's just that good. Highly recommended.
A charming
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tale about a girl who has lost her mother and a boy who has lost his time period and country, Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy is a wonderful tale for young readers. The story is set in a museum where Ophelia and her sister, Alice have journeyed with their father. He is an expert on edged weapons and is there to curate and restore a famous collection of swords. The snow in the city is unending and its cold penetrates to the bones of the characters and the museum (which becomes stranger and stranger as the tale progresses). When Ophelia discovers a strange boy locked in a room and her sister, Alice, begins behaving strangely the adventure begins. Ophelia is a wonderful heroine, strong and self-reliant - the kind of girl I wish I could've read more about when I was younger. Ms. Foxlee writes beautifully and the tale is full of lovely imagery and surprises fitting its original inspiration.Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy is a book for young readers, but is written so well that readers of any age can enjoy it. I wish I had a little girl to read it to - it's just that good. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member foggidawn
Ophelia would say she's not very brave. Mostly, she feels broken inside because her mother died three months ago. Ophelia's mother was the one who dreamed and wrote of adventure and heroines and danger. Now, Ophelia's father, an international sword expert, has taken Ophelia and her older sister
I found this story engrossing. It's the sort of book that draws you into its atmosphere, until you are almost surprised to find yourself not surrounded by snow or wandering through endless corridors of mysterious displays. It's a bit predictable, but the story is less about figuring out who the Snow Queen is, and more about watching Ophelia discover that she is stronger and braver than she knows. For that, I recommend it -- though if you can wait, read it in the winter, or at least at a time when you are longing for winter!
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Alice with him to a museum in a strange city, where he is arranging an exhibition of swords from around the world. While her father works, Ophelia wanders the mysterious halls and galleries of the museum. Tucked away in the far reaches of the building, she discovers a keyhole, and on the other side of the keyhole is a boy without a name, who says he's been locked away for hundreds of years. He asks Ophelia to rescue him, but it will be dangerous: a quest fraught with ghosts and monsters and magic, and Ophelia doesn't believe in any of those things. (Well, she's withholding judgment about the ghosts.) And she doesn't have much time, because the Wintertide Clock will chime in three days -- and when it does, the world will end. If you believe the Marvelous Boy, that is. Which Ophelia doesn't . . . at least, not yet.I found this story engrossing. It's the sort of book that draws you into its atmosphere, until you are almost surprised to find yourself not surrounded by snow or wandering through endless corridors of mysterious displays. It's a bit predictable, but the story is less about figuring out who the Snow Queen is, and more about watching Ophelia discover that she is stronger and braver than she knows. For that, I recommend it -- though if you can wait, read it in the winter, or at least at a time when you are longing for winter!
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LibraryThing member MickyFine
When her father brings Ophelia and her sister to the city where it is always winter so that he can prepare an exhibition on swords at the museum, Ophelia only hopes to go ice-skating with her sister and perhaps observe some things that will appeal to her scientific mind. But then she meets a boy
A charming retelling of the Snow Queen, the novel has all the delights and horrors of a traditional fairy tale. While none of the twists were a surprise for me, they may be more shocking for the younger audience for whom the book is intended. The book doesn't shy away from heavier issues as Ophelia is dealing with the recent passing of her mother and her father's distance as he buries himself in work. However, the fairy tale elements and the magic that comes with them adds a lovely twist to the narrative. If you're looking for a more faithful reinterpretation of the Snow Queen, this is a good place to start.
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with no name who is locked in a room in the museum. Suddenly, Ophelia is pulled into helping the boy escape so that he can find the One Other and give him or her the sword that will help defeat the Snow Queen; not at all something a scientifically minded person would do.A charming retelling of the Snow Queen, the novel has all the delights and horrors of a traditional fairy tale. While none of the twists were a surprise for me, they may be more shocking for the younger audience for whom the book is intended. The book doesn't shy away from heavier issues as Ophelia is dealing with the recent passing of her mother and her father's distance as he buries himself in work. However, the fairy tale elements and the magic that comes with them adds a lovely twist to the narrative. If you're looking for a more faithful reinterpretation of the Snow Queen, this is a good place to start.
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LibraryThing member acargile
Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee is a fantasy novel about a girl meeting a boy and saving the world with a sword.
Ophelia, her sister, and her father, arrive in London to prepare for a sword display. Her father is an expert; while he works, Ophelia explores. The museum makes absolutely
Ophelia completes several tasks that are quite dangerous. She must ascend to floors six and seven to get objects in order to help find the sword that has been missing for many, many years. She survives these adventures but is unable to find the sword. Meanwhile, her sister is bored and is recruited to be "beautiful" with help from the museum curator. Her father works tirelessly and fails to pay attention to his children. Eventually, when the clock winds down, the world will end with the Snow Queen taking over. Ophelia must find the sword, get it to the boy, and save the world. Unfortunately, time is running out and Ophelia worries the boy will die and the Snow Queen will win.
I listened to this book and may have liked it better had I read it. Nevertheless, I was a bit bored. The story shifts from the boy's story and his past with the present time and Ophelia. I never cared about the characters or whether the Snow Queen was going to win. I do see how many would really enjoy this novel--those who read the historical books about famous girls in history and those who like somewhat "scary" books, but these do not appeal to me personally.
Ophelia, her sister, and her father, arrive in London to prepare for a sword display. Her father is an expert; while he works, Ophelia explores. The museum makes absolutely
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no sense. The signs point the wrong way, the map is questionable, and the building is so large and maze-like that one can get lost for a very long time. Ophelia stumbles upon a door and hears a voice within. It's the boy. He asks her to do several tasks and tells about his life. He is to protect the sword he's been given until his champion comes along who will kill the Snow Queen.Ophelia completes several tasks that are quite dangerous. She must ascend to floors six and seven to get objects in order to help find the sword that has been missing for many, many years. She survives these adventures but is unable to find the sword. Meanwhile, her sister is bored and is recruited to be "beautiful" with help from the museum curator. Her father works tirelessly and fails to pay attention to his children. Eventually, when the clock winds down, the world will end with the Snow Queen taking over. Ophelia must find the sword, get it to the boy, and save the world. Unfortunately, time is running out and Ophelia worries the boy will die and the Snow Queen will win.
I listened to this book and may have liked it better had I read it. Nevertheless, I was a bit bored. The story shifts from the boy's story and his past with the present time and Ophelia. I never cared about the characters or whether the Snow Queen was going to win. I do see how many would really enjoy this novel--those who read the historical books about famous girls in history and those who like somewhat "scary" books, but these do not appeal to me personally.
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LibraryThing member katsmiao
This is a great book for children.
it really is a modern-day fairy tale, reminiscent of Roald Dahl, with a touch of Grimm Brothers, engaging like the Narnia books.
The setting (a museum) is unique, there are ghosts and other mysterious creatures, there's a child tasked with saving the world (Ophelia)
This book has everything a fairy tale should have and readers of any age will enjoy this book
it really is a modern-day fairy tale, reminiscent of Roald Dahl, with a touch of Grimm Brothers, engaging like the Narnia books.
The setting (a museum) is unique, there are ghosts and other mysterious creatures, there's a child tasked with saving the world (Ophelia)
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with the help of the marvelous boy.This book has everything a fairy tale should have and readers of any age will enjoy this book
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Awards
Massachusetts Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2016)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Nominee — Grades 3-5 — 2016)
Aurealis Award (Shortlist — 2014)
E.B. White Read-Aloud Award (Honor Book — 2014)
The Best Children's Books of the Year (Nine to Twelve — 2015)
Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Children's Books — 2015)
Tome Society It List (2016)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Kids (Fiction for Older Readers — 2014)
Call number
J4A.Fox