The Field Guide (The Spiderwick Chronicles, #1) by Tony DiTerlizzi


The Field Guide (The Spiderwick Chronicles, #1)
Title : The Field Guide (The Spiderwick Chronicles, #1)
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 0689859368
ISBN-10 : 9780689859366
Language : English
Format Type : Hardcover
Number of Pages : 114
Publication : First published May 1, 2003
Awards : Flicker Tale Children's Book Award (2005)

It all starts when Jared Grace finds their great uncle's book, 'Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastic World Around You' and the Grace kids realize that they are not alone in their new house. Now the kids want to tell their story but the faeries will do everything they can to stop them.


The Field Guide (The Spiderwick Chronicles, #1) Reviews


  • Patrick

    I'm reading these books for the second time. But it's been years since I picked them up, and it's the first time I'm reading them with my son. And both of those things make a huge difference to my experience.

    First, and perhaps most importantly, my little boy likes them. He's about five an a half, which is younger than the target age for these books, but he's into them.

    (In the interest of full disclosure, Oot isn't the most critical of readers at this point in his life. He pretty much likes all books.)

    I like the books too. I think they do a great job of blending traditional folklore and the modern world. What's more, they borrow from the traditional lore, and expand on it in interesting ways.

    What's more I *really* like the illustrations. I'd forgotten the books were illustrated, and that really makes it nicer when reading them to my boy. It adds a lot to the experience. I wish I had thought to look through these books for some pointers before I did Slow Regard of Silent things with Nate Taylor.

    All that said, I have some quibbles with these books as a parent. Things that never occurred to me the first time I was reading them. I'll save those comments for the reviews I'll write of the later books in the series, as the issues I'm going to be talking about are more prevalent there...

  • Bangadybangz

    This was such a fun little book! Short and sweet, quirky and magical, loved it! I've always been a fan of anything to do with fairies and folklore, so I'm definitely pumped to delve more into this exciting world!

  • Ahmad Sharabiani

    The Field Guide (The Spiderwick Chronicles, #1), Tony DiTerlizzi

    After finding a mysterious, handmade field guide in the attic of the ramshackle old mansion they’ve just moved into, Jared; his twin brother, Simon; and their older sister, Mallory, discover that there’s a magical and maybe dangerous world existing parallel to our own—the world of faerie.

    The Grace children want to share their story, but the faeries will do everything possible to stop them...

    The first book, The Field Guide, was published in 2003 and then followed by The Seeing Stone (2003), Lucinda's Secret (2003), The Ironwood Tree (2004), and The Wrath of Mulgarath (2004).

    عنوانها: «کتاب راهنما: کتاب نخست از سری ماجراهای اسپایدرویک»؛ «ک��اب راهنمای عملی: کتاب نخست از سری ماجراهای اسپایدرویک»؛ نویسندگان: تونی دی ترلیزی؛ هالی بلک؛ تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز سی ام ماه ژوئن سال 2007میلادی

    عنوان: کتاب راهنما: کتاب نخست از سری ماجراهای اسپایدرویک؛ نویسندگان: تونی دی ترلیزی؛ هالی بلک؛ مترجم: محمد قصاع؛ تهران، افق، واحد کودک، کتابهای فندق؛ 1385، در 140ص؛ مصور، شابک 9789643694258؛ چاپ دوم 1388، چاپ سوم و چهارم 1389، چاپ ششم 1391؛ چاپ دهم 1396؛ موضوع: داستانهای کودکان و نوجوانان از نویسندگان امریکایی - سد 21م

    عنوان: کتاب راهنمای عملی: کتاب نخست از سری ماجراهای اسپایدرویک؛ نویسندگان: تونی دی ترلیزی؛ هالی بلک؛ مترجم: بابک تختی؛ تهران، قصه، 1385، در 128 ص، شابک: 9642647028؛

    عنوان: کتاب راهنما: کتاب نخست از سری ماجراهای اسپایدرویک؛ نویسندگان: تونی دی ترلیزی؛ هالی بلک؛ مترجم: شقایق محمدزاده، ویراستار: حمیدرضا صفایی؛ تهران، آسمان خیال، 1391؛ در 136 ص، شابک: 9789642290680؛

    زنی به نام «هلن گریس»، که به تازگی از شوهرش جدا شده، به همراه پسران دوقلویش «جارد»، و «سیمون»، و دختر بزرگش «ملوری»، به خانه‌ ای قدیمی، در املاک «اسپایدرویک»، متعلق به «عمه لوسیندا»، اثاث کشی می‌کنند؛ در شب نخست اقامتشان در خانه ی تازه، «ملوری» پشت دیواری کاذب، یک آسانسور کوچک، و یک کلید عجیب پیدا می‌کند؛ «جارد»، با استفاده از آسانسور و کلید، به اتاقی مخفی، راه پیدا می‌کند، که متعلق به صاحب قدیمی خانه «آرتور اسپایدرویک» است؛ «جارد»، با استفاده از کلید، صندوقی را باز کرده، و نوشته‌ های «اسپایدرویک» را، می‌یابد؛ کتابچه‌ ای که حاوی اسرار سرزمین پریان است، و «اسپایدرویک» طی یادداشتی، از یابنده خواسته، نگاشته های خطرناک کتاب را نخواند؛ اما «جارد» هشدار را نادیده گرفته، و مهر از کتاب برمیگیرد؛ مدتی بعد، «جرد» با موجود کوتوله‌ ای به نام «تیمبل تاک»، برخورد می‌کند، که از موجوداتی کوچک، و معمولاً نامرئی، با وی سخن می‌گوید، و اینکه موجودی پلید، به نام «مولگارث»، در صدد دستیابی به کتابچه ی «اسپایدرویک» است، تا بر تمامی سرزمین پریان، حکمرانی کند؛ «اسپایدرویک» سال‌ها پیش، ناپدید شده، اما پیش از رفتن، حصاری جادویی، پیرامون خانه، برای حفاظت از دخترش تعبیه کرده‌ است؛ «جارد»، موضوع را با برادر، و خواهرش، در میان می‌گذارد، اما آنها حرف‌های «جرد» را، جدی نمی‌گیرند؛ تا اینکه «سیمون»، توسط بختک‌های شرور «مولگارث» دزدیده، و به اسارت گرفته می‌شود

    همزمان «جارد»، با بختکی خوشدل، و دشمن «مولگارث»، به نام «هاگسکوئیل»، آشنا می‌شود؛ «مولگارث» نیز، «سیمون» را رها می‌کند، تا کتابچه را برای وی بیاورد؛ اما «جارد»، و «ملوری»، او را از آن کار برحذر می‌کنند، و در نتیجه، با یورش گسترده ی بختکها به خانه، روبرو می‌شوند؛ به نظر می‌رسد، تنها کسیکه می‌تواند به آنها یاری کند، وارث خانه، یعنی «لوسیندا» دختر سالخورده ی «اسپایدرویک» است؛ اما «عمه لوسیندا» به آنها می‌گوید، تنها راه نجات آنها، یافتن «آرتور اسپایدرویک» است، اما او نمی‌تواند، به آن‌ها یاری کند؛ «مولگراث» سه صفحه از کتاب را می‌دزدد، و …؛ دنیایی پر از جن و پری و بختک و موجودات عجیب و غریب؛ سه‌ بچه‌ ی معمولی یعنی «جارد»، «سیمون» و «ملوری» را به سوی خود میکشاند؛ هر رخدادی در این دنیا رخ میدهد، اما برای هیچکس حتی برای مادرشان نیز باوركردنی نیست

    تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 29/06/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی

  • Janete on hiatus due health issues

    A light and pleasant children's book to improve my English and forget life's difficulties. Scribd book + Brazilian youtube audiobook.

    Synopsis : "After finding a mysterious, handmade field guide in the attic of the ramshackle old mansion they’ve just moved into, Jared; his twin brother, Simon; and their older sister, Mallory, discover that there’s a magical and maybe dangerous world existing parallel to our own—the world of faerie. The Grace children want to share their story, but the faeries will do everything possible to stop them..."

  • April (Aprilius Maximus)

    1.) The Field Guide ★★★
    2.) The Seeing Stone ★★.5

    -----------------------------------------------

    BOOK #6 READ FOR BELIEVATHON ROUND 2.

    [trigger warnings are listed at the bottom of this review and may contain spoilers]

    ★★★

    This didn't read as a separate book in a series, it read as though it was chapter 1 of the first book! There was no solid beginning, middle and end, instead it seemed like just a beginning? I'm confused as to why this series is split into separate books like this when the stories seem so incomplete on their own.

    That being said, I think if I kept reading, I would really enjoy it! It's super spooky and fun!

    trigger warnings: parents separating, outdated and potentially harmful language when referring to people with mental illnesses.

  • Becky

    Just your typical 'move into an old creepy house, weird stuff starts happening, one of the kids gets blamed, and then they find a book that explains the existence of fairies/faeries/fey which solves their problems... while at the same time causing many more problems'.

    Happens every day.

    Also, I'm no expert in the sport of fencing, but I'm pretty sure that they don't call the weapon a sword, and someone who is serious about fencing, as Mallory apparently is, would know that.

    I think that this book reads a little young, also. Not just for the length, which is REALLY short, but also in the style and feel of the writing. The characters are 9 year old twins and a 13 year old older sister, but if I had to peg an age range for the target audience, I'd go with 6 or 7 year olds.

    Still, this is probably a fun and cute story for kids. I'm just less than impressed by it, considering that I'm a crotchety 30-something cat lady.

  • Rachel

    Everything about the packaging and promotion of this book is delightful...the title, the mysterious notes obscuring the back cover synopses, the inclusion of a letter from the three children protagonists to the author. All of that is very nice, but after reading the first installment, I can't help but feel a little robbed.

    First of all, and forgive me for this, I can't help comparing the books to a more cleverly written and altogether smarter series, Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events." Aesthetic similarites aside (and there are many), both series center around the somewhat fantastical adventures of three children, and, more importantly, both series emphasize the importance of children solving their own problems. I'm all for that.

    What irks me about the Chronicles is the authors' lack of subtlety and creativity; take this passage, for instance: "Jared watched him go and wondered what he could do. Could he really solve anything by himself?" Ironically, the authors seem to underestimate the problem-solving abilities of the kids that are reading these books. Not to mention the first book ends with hardly an introduction; breaking the series into a five-book set feels like a cheap trick to make a profit, and I think the overall flow of the story suffers because of it.

    The Chronicles are not without merit; there is some enjoyable dialogue and the illustrations are terrific. I think the series could be truly engaging if the authors focused more on the story, rather than on spelling out the moral behind it.

  • Iben Frederiksen


    Wanted to read this series badly when I was a kid, but somehow never got around to it. Now I needed something light and fun, to get myself back into a rhythm of reading every day -and this is exactly that.

    The books aren't so much individual stories of their own, but instead more like five parts of one story, but I guess that way they are quick and easy to get through. I like the characters and the setting as well, feels kind of nostalgic in a way.

  • Taylor


    I read the Spiderwick Chronicles back when I was quite young, maybe eight or nine. My sister and I read the crap out these books (we must have read them 15 times, no joke) and I've been wanting to revist this series and the wonderful fantasy world that Holly and Tony created for awhile now but I've finally gotten around to it.

    The writing partnership of Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi is remarkable and this series is by far some of the most well written literature that I've ever read.

    The three main characters, Jared, Simon, and Mallory, are so relatable and realistic. I can relate to each of them in a different way and I think most readers will feel the same.

    Overall, I highly recommend this series to everyone of any age. The Field Guide is such an outstanding start to a series and I can see myself rereading this book a hundred times and still enjoy it just as much as the first time.

  • Jen - The Tolkien Gal

    When I was small, I stole sleeping faeries from flowers and would show my grandfather the dainty, slumbering little people. I would be careful not to hurt their wings and would always put them back on their flowers at my grandpa’s urging. That being said, my aunt’s collection of illustrated faerie books containing wild, quirky and often wicked little creatures flared my imagination. And so, a few years later when my mother bought me the first two books of the Spiderwick Chronicles, I was sucked into the world of the Grace kids immediately.

    In a man’s torso you will find
    My secret to all mankind
    If false and true can be the same
    You will soon know of my fame
    Up and up and up again
    Good luck dear friend

    I decided to pick this series up again, especially now that I’ve been able to track down all five books. Field Guide still manages to enthral me with its lovely illustrations and quirky characters. The story follows Simon, Jared and Mallory Grace as they move into their aunt Lucinda’s old home with their mother. The riddles and strange encounters that the characters experience makes Field Guide a kind of children’s mystery novel – a whodunnit where the characters discover who froze Simon’s tadpoles in ice cubes instead of finding a killer. I enjoyed this book; I love its nostalgic air and compelling atmosphere. I’m not too fond of the binary nature of the twins (Simon: reading + liking animals = “nerdy” with neat hair and Jared: adventurous + temperamental = messy hair and rebellious). However, I love what the authors have done with Mallory. She certainly isn’t a YA trope character and prefers fencing over swooning.

    I’m looking forward to continuing with the series.

  • Kristina

    I remember reading and loving this book when I was 10 or 11years old. So when I saw it in one of my local charity shops I immediately bought it. I definitely don't regret it. I think I loved it just as much as my child self. Maybe because I am such a huge fan of all things paranormal.
    I like that there are drawings throughout the book which are absolutely gorgeous by the way. :)
    It follows the adventure of two brothers and a sister into the magical world right beside the house they live in. There are descriptions of many magical creatures - like their appearance, habits, etc. I find this simply amazing!

  • MissBecka Gee

    I love love love how this series came to fruition!
    Very quick audio (about an hour) and sets things up nicely for more adventure.
    I adore that Mark Hamill is narrating; totally in for the rest of the series!

  • Alexis Ayala

    Las crónicas de Spiderwik nos cuenta la historia de Simón, Jared y Mallory, tres hermanos que se mudan con su madre a una casa de la época victoriana en medio de un lugar aparato de la ciudad. Pronto, los ruidos de la casa, los mensajes en el polvo y aquel libro lleno de criaturas fantásticas que encontraron los llevará a querer descubrir qué hay detrás de todo eso.

    Volver a estos libros después de años me trae un sin fin de recuerdos de aquella primera vez que lo leí. En esta ocasión, vuelvo a ellos con más experiencia lectora y tal vez hasta más exigencia de mi parte.

    Los libros están destinados a un público infantil, y cumplen su función: entretener, divertirnos y provocarnos sentimientos que a los primeros lectores entusiasman demasiado.

    Los personajes nos causan empatía y la historia nos lleva poco a poco a lo que parece ser un gran misterio. Las ilustraciones son de mis favoritas. Hay tantos detalles muy cuidados y me encanta la forma en la que acompañan a la narración.

    En conclusión, pienso que la historia es simpática, sin embargo, quiero descubrir algo mejor con los siguientes libros, a pesar de que ya los leí hace tiempo y no recuerdo a la perfección lo que sucede. Aún así el libro me parece bueno ❤️

  • Reem Alkhalaf

    ممتعة لأقصى حد انتهيت منها بأقل من ساعتين

    المراجعة ستكون عند انتهائي من الجزء الخامس والأخير منها

  • Diz

    This first volume introduces readers to the world of the Spiderwick Chronicles. The writing is very atmospheric and creepy. Also, there was a real sense of danger as well since the children are attacked by the creature in this story. For some reason, I enjoy children's literature that has a bit of darkness to it.

  • Haniye

    دلم واسه این فانتزی بازیای دوره نوجوونیم تنگ شده بود.

  • C.P. Cabaniss

    About a year and a half ago I found this entire five book series at a thrift store and decided to buy them. I didn't know much about the series, other than that there was a movie made, but for five bucks I decided to take a chance. And now, over a year later, I have finally started reading them. And I'm really glad I have.

    This first book is about the Grace children: Mallory, Jared, and Simon. Their lives have changed quite drastically in a short amount of time and they find themselves in a new home. Things get interesting when they hear things in the walls and Jared discovers a field guide to faeries.

    The plot is simple because this is focused toward children, but well detailed and clever. The writing is also really excellent and engaging. Although targeted at a younger audience, this can easily be enjoyed by adults. My sister and I read this first book together and plan to continue reading the series in the coming days/weeks. I hope that the remainder of the series holds the same charm as this first installment.

    We're excited to share these books with our six and seven year old niece and nephew, who we think will really enjoy the story and humor.

    The illustrations are also really great and should work well when trying to engage younger children in the story. I highly recommend this first book.

  • Rosaline (Rosaline's Rolls & Scrolls)

    I mean it wasn't bad. I finished it pretty quickly. I've read many middle grade books this year, and this one wasn't really anything special. I think it was more of an introductory book than anything. I hope the following books will be more fun.

  • Anne

    Very cute! I can see why kids like them. I'm sure I'll end up buying the complete set for mine!

  • George Jankovic

    I like this book for kids (8-11). It's spooky at times as you follow two twin boys and their sister in a creepy, old house.

    Enjoy!

  • Luzmila✨

    Reto #30 PopSugar 2018: Un libro con personajes que son gemelos.

  • Amy

    A fun and quick read.

  • Tawfek Sleep of The Endless

    رواية قصيرة جدًا كما سنعتاد مع سلسلة سبايدرويك و ممكن الحقيقة تخلص كل واحده فيهم في قعدة او تخلص الخمسة في قعدة زي ما تحب يعني
    الرواية سلسة جدًا و مش مملة و مفيهاش وصف ممل علي الإطلاق
    بتقدم فانتازيا الرواية بغموض لذيذ و الرواية تعتبر أدب أطفال بس ده ميمنعنيش اني استمتع بيها طبعًا
    من الواضح ان موضوع الرواية هيبقي عن الجنيات بس مش جنيات من بتوع تنكربل لا جنيات بشعة الأشكال و بيعملوا افعال فظيعة لو دستلهم علي طرف
    ابطال الرواية جارد و سايمون و مالوري جريس اخين و بنت بينتقلوا لمنزل جديد بيسمعوا فيه اصوات غريبة و بيبداوا البحث و يلاقوا عش غريب بيبوظوه
    فبيبدء انتقام الجني منهم لحد ما بيراضوه بهدية
    مش هطول الريفيو مش حابب احرق الرواية كلها تتحكي في عشر سطور اصلًا

  • bella farren

    3 / 5 stars

    The Spiderwick Chronicles movie had been a family favourite in my household for years, my sister and I watched the movie a ridiculous amount of times and yet, I never read the series. I was curious when I picked this up, to see how much of the story I remembered and how accurate the film had been.



    This story follows the Grace family, who were forced to move into the house of a crazy Great Aunt when they couldn't afford to live in New York after the divorce. The three siblings; Jared and Simon, nine year old twins and their older sister Malory, thirteen, were perfect. They were the typical bickering siblings who drove each other crazy but also supported and trusted each other.



    The main character in this book was Jared, who was treated as the black sheep of the family, suspected by their mother to have anger issues after getting into a fight at his last school. He was so cute and misunderstood, blamed for the mischief and mayhem an angry Brownie created in their new home.



    I was surprised by just how short this book was, I finished it in one very short sitting, so I'm sure it will be easy enough to get through the series. It was fast-paced and exciting, covering what ended up being the very beginning of the movie. I'm intrigued to see more of the fantastical creatures and the way the family situation progresses. I remember Aunt Lucinda was always a favourite of mine, so I can't wait until she appears!

  • P

    เดี๋ยวนี้กลายเป็นคนชอบอ่านหนังสือเด็กที่มีภาพประกอบไปแล้ว สำหรับสไปเดอร์วิกนี่เคยดูหนังเมื่อหลายป���ก่อน ชอบนะ พอมาอ่านแล้วรู้สึกว่าหนังสือนี่เล่าเรื่องแบบกระชับมาก ไม่ยืดเยื้อ ภาพประกอบก็สวย ให้อารมณ์ลึกลับน่าติดตาม ติดแค่ตรงเนื้อเรื่องเล่มแรกสั้นมาก เป็นการปูพื้นไปเล่มต่อๆไป แต่อ่านแล้วติดใจจนต้องหยิบเล่มต่อขึ้นมาอ่านทันที

  • Jackie "the Librarian"

    Fairies are DANGEROUS. And they don't want you to know about them. I love that this book takes the question of fairies and brownies and pixies seriously, it gives this story its power. I love the setting: the rambling old house out in the country, the secret room, the shadowy feeling that something is watching...
    And I love the format of this series, with the uneven edges to the pages, the small size of the books. They just feel cool.
    This is the first book of the series, and it starts off strong. Subsequent books in the series were less interesting to me, I think this is a series you need to read all of in one fell swoop.

  • Brooke

    This had everything a children's book should have: imagination. This was really great!

  • Gretchen

    As I said in an earlier comment, I love the size and feel of this small book. That may sound an odd comment, but I am a book lover of the real deal books, not electronic ones. I love books you can hold in your hands, feel and smell the paper, books you can caress. It's just such a lovely size; I could hold it in one hand whilst I read. Even the fonts captured me. This is the sort of book that I would have cherished as a young girl, collecting all of the series and placing them in a special spot on my bookshelf. I found this copy, in near perfect condition, at a thrift store for 50 cents. Initially I picked it up thinking it would be a good base for an altered book but it's a keeper. It is going on one of my (grownup) bookshelves.

    The story would also have captivated me as a young girl: three children and their newly-divorced mom move, out of necessity, into an older relative's practically abandoned Victorian home, where weird things happen and a mystery unfolds. I realized reading it as an adult that there is powerful marketing going on here; The Field Guide is just a tasty morsel to whet young readers' appetites so they'll want to buy the next in the series. That's cool. I once owned over 60 hardback Nancy Drews and loved every one of them. (I can't believe my mom let me sell them to a used bookstore when I was 14 and thought I had outgrown them. I weep still.)

    Lovely illustrations, fun mysterious story, beautiful presentation. I read it in an hour or two and enjoyed it very much. Made me remember how very much I loved to read as a child, especially tales like this that opened secret doors onto magic and mystery.

  • Michael Sorbello

    Simon, Jared and Mallory Grace move into a creepy Victorian house with their mother after their parents divorce and the three kids get themselves in trouble. After moving in, they discover that something isn't quite right with the house. It's haunted, but not by ghosts. It's haunted by fairies and other classic fantasy creatures from another world.

    It's a fun little mystery book with cool fantasy elements and it does a good job setting up the characters and premise at an incredibly fast speed without feeling rushed. The ending shows a lot of promise for the future of the series. My only complaint is that it ended way too soon. Just when it was about to get into the meat and bones of the fantasy side of things, it abruptly cuts off. I enjoyed what little I was given though and I plan on reading the rest of the series.

    ***

    If you're looking for some dark ambient music for reading horror, dark fantasy and other books like this one, then be sure to check out my YouTube Channel called Nightmarish Compositions:
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPPs...

  • Peter Monn

    Loved this book so much. Can't wait to read the rest of the series. Check out my review on my booktube channel at
    http://YouTube.com/peterlikesbooks