Fantastic Friday: Elliot and the Goblin War by Jennifer A. Nielsen

ELLIOT AND THE GOBLIN WAR
by Jennifer A. Nielsen, illustrated by Gideon Kendall
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2010
ISBN: 9781402240195
Middle Grade Fantasy
Grades 3-5

ABOUT THE BOOK

WARNING! As of today, there are only 7 CHILDREN who have ever read this book and lived to tell about it. 95 CHILDREN successfully read the first chapter, but upon beginning chapter 2, they started BLABBERING in some language known only as "flibberish." 38 CHILDREN made it halfway through this wretched book before they began SUCKING THEIR THUMBS THROUGH THEIR NOSES.

If you're VERY BRAVE, perhaps you are willing to TAKE YOUR CHANCES. Be sure that you have told your family who gets your favorite toys if you DO NOT SURVIVE this book. Read it now, IF YOU DARE. But don't say you haven't been warned, for this is the story that unfolds the MYSTERIES OF THE UNDERWORLD.

REVIEW

I found Elliot and the Goblin War to be both exciting and humorous.  The intrusive narrator, which might be annoying to some readers, I thought was funny (see above). I snorted and giggled my way through this book.  I really liked Elliot, mostly because he is a pretty normal kid.  He doesn't have special powers or anything.  He only becomes King of the Brownies through an accident involving a couple of goblins (he thought they were wearing costumes), a brownie, and a bag of pickles.  By trying to help the Brownies in their war with the Goblin's he learns to not only stand up for others, but for himself as well. Patches, the girl brownie he rescues, is also a fun character, along with her father, the mocked Mr. Willimaker who is left with the task of chosing the new Brownie ruler. This is a fun series perfect for younger readers not ready for the bigger, longer fantasy series.

Be sure to check out the other two books in the series as well.

An entire floor of St. Phobics Hospital for Really Scared Children has been set aside just for readers of this book. You may wish to take a minute before you start reading and reserve yourself a bed there.

As you read, you may begin to understand myctophobia (mic-tofo- be-a), or the fear of darkness. However, do not expect this book to help you with arachibutyrophobia (a-rak-i-something-be-a), the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth.

If you can't get yourself to St. Phobics, then get every lamp, flashlight, and lantern you can find and drag them into your bedroom. Turn them all on. You'll need them until you're certain there is nothing lurking in the dark.

At least, that's what Elliot wishes he had done.

 

As King of the Brownies, Elliot has battled Goblins, tricked Pixies, and trapped a Demon. But now, that Demon has escaped and he's ready for revenge. Elliot will face a challenge unlike anything he's seen before. The Last Underworld War is about to begin.