What We’re Reading

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane | Kate DiCamillo

Rating:

Edward Tulane lived the life of a spoiled rabbit–but he didn’t know it. He knew he was gorgeous, that he had fine clothes and his own pocket watch, set by him every day when his owner, Abilene, left for school. Pellegrina, her grandmother, spoke to Edward as an equal, as did Abilene, but her parents, he felt, were condescending. He didn’t like being thought of as a mere toy, regardless of whether it was true or not.

One night, not long before they’re to leave on an ocean voyage, Pellegrina tells Edward and Abilene a story. It’s a story of a princess who loves no one, and ends up turned into a boar and eaten. Edward doesn’t get it. He also doesn’t understand why Pellegrina, when she tucks him in, tells him “you disappoint me.”

When, during their ocean voyage, Edward finds himself thrown overboard, he has plenty of time at the bottom of the ocean to think things through.

After finally making it out of the ocean, Edward passes from home to home, family to family, spending time as a girl rabbit, a hobo, a scarecrow, and a puppet. Eventually, he finds himself in a shop on a shelf with dolls, after major repair-work. It’s enough to make him unlearn everything his adventures had taught him. But thanks to the words of an ancient, cracked doll, on her way out the door to another new life, Edward rebounds.

This was a really great book, with excellent lessons on love, friendship, family, and perhaps a little humility. I expect to be buying it for my own collection.

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