Module 4 - The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

Bibliography:

DiCamillo, Kate. (2003). The Tale of Despereaux. New York: Scholastic. ISBN: 0439692202

Summary:

Despereaux is a tiny mouse who is more interested in things like light, love, music, and stories than he is in correct mouse behavior. One night Despereaux stumbles upon the King singing and playing his guitar for his daughter, the Princess Pea. Despereaux instantly falls in love with Pea and tells her so. But the king hated rodents because his dear Queen recently died from shock from a rat, Roscuro, falling into her soup. So, the King outlawed rats and soup. The king tells Despereaux to leave, but Despereaux’s brother saw that Despereaux was talking to humans and tells the other mice, who decide to send Despereaux to the dungeon where he will be killed by rats. But when Despereaux enters the dungeon, the jailer agrees to save him if Despereaux will tell him a story. The story then skips to talk about Roscuro, who is a rat who loves both the dark and the light. He left the dungeon to see the light and saw the royal family eating, which is when he fell in the soup and caused the death of the Queen. Roscuro looks back as he is leaving to see Pea looking at him with hatred. This look breaks his heart and he then decides to get revenge. For his plan he uses a girl named Mig, who was sold by her own father to a man, who cuffed her ears so many times that she becomes a little deaf. But the king’s men found her and take her back to live at the castle, as having a slave is illegal. Mig wants to be a princess and so Roscuro tells Mig that if she helps him get Pea to the dungeon then Mig will be a princess. So Mig threatens the princess with a knife and they all enter the dungeon. Despereaux, who had overheard part of this plan, enters the dungeon to save Pea with a sewing needle for a weapon. When he finds them he threatens to kill Roscuro, but Pea begs him not to. Instead, Pea tells Roscuro that if he frees them, she will give him access to soup and light. Roscuro agrees and they all leave and eat soup. Roscuro also helps to reunite Mig and her real father, who happened to be in the dungeon. He felt so bad about what he did to Mig that he treated her as a princess forever more. As for Despereaux and Pea, they become really good friends.

Impressions:

I adored this book! I loved the narration throughout the book, especially how the narrator would stop and talk to me, the reader. He would encourage the reader to look up a word, or stop and imagine something, or just as questions to make you think. I like how the book makes you think of light and dark and the things that lie in each category. It clearly points out the consequences for actions taken, and when I say clearly, I mean, the narrator has a whole conversation on the topic to make sure the point is illuminated. The book was humorous and heartwarming and I think readers of any age would enjoy it.  

Reviews:

" Forgiveness, light, love, and soup. These essential ingredients combine into a tale that is as soul stirring as it is delicious.." 

Cooper, Ilene. (July 01, 2003). Library Journals LLC [Review of the book The Tale of Desperaux.]. Booklist. Available from booksinprint.com

"With allegorical elements such as quests for love and light, and dangerous encounters that lead to forgiveness and redemption, Kate DiCamillo's novel (Candlewick, 2003) is a multi-layered fantasy."

Wysocki, Barbra. (March 01, 2004). Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT [Review of the book The Tale of Desperaux.]. School Library Journal. Available from booksinprint.com

Suggestions For Use:
Because this book has such a unique narration, I think this book would be perfect for reading out loud. There are many points in the narration when the narrator stops the reader and asks a question or encourages the reader to do something, like look up a word, or imagine a certain scenario. As you are reading and you come to these parts, you could actually make your listeners do these things. Have them close their eyes and imagine; have them look up a word. When there is a question asked to the reader/listener, get their answers, their replies and their thoughts. The kids would enjoy the book and using the narration is an extra way to get them involved in the story. There is also a movie and so the movie could also be watched. After watching the movie, a comparison discussion could be had about the similarities and differences and also about which format the kids preferred.