I loved this book as a kid, and I read it while I was learning cursive, too.

Thank goodness for the Quagmire triplets! I'm ridiculously happy that they meet kids their age in this book, and with similar interests - I definitely saw some potential crushes. ;) I care about these children way too much. <3

1) What a crazy superintendent
2) I am reminded how silly adults are most of the time.
3) The silverware and glasses punishment was hilarious.

Snicket's anecdotes are perfect. Fascinating!

Food - secret - meaning (notes for later)

I saw the film before reading the book, and that might've tainted my reviews a little (though book/movie contrasts don't bother me, as they are different genres). Most of the film came from book 1 and 5, maybe a chapter or so from book 3. This last book was very different than the ending of the movie, - I would have loved to see the junkyard castle, etc., in the movie.

Anyhow.

The defeat of Mulgrarath is about as anti-climactic as in the film, but it's still pretty funny. ;)

I was surprised that the end of the story left me wanting so much more - Perhapse I should check out the "Beyond Spiderwick" series?

This was a series carried by plot - a fantastic, innovative idea, but the middle felt uncertain. I would still recommend it, but I probably won't read it again.

This was probably the weakest book. The writing could have been tightened in some areas, but the plot keeps moving.

Sister blindly stabbing goblins? Awesome.

Cute book!

I can see why they left a lot out of the movie. Julie Andrews encompasses Mary ever so well--she is very true to the character in the book.

Mary captures your heart and makes you wish that maybe you had a nanny like her, too. The chalk drawing chapter in this book is my favourite. I came away from it smiling and sighing––it was such a lovely image.

Seemed somewhat 'long' in parts, but overall it was great.