Why Won't Meggie's Father Read to Her?

Meggie has always loved reading, and her books are some of her most treasured possessions. Her father, Mo, is a skilled book binder and spends his life traveling to repair old books. Stories have always held a special place in their lives. Yet, for as long as she can remember her father has never read to her. When Meggie spies her father wrapping a mysterious book in brown paper, she becomes curious. Especially since Mo tells her to pack up her favorite books because they need to leave their house for a while. As they are leaving, Dustfinger shows up. He is a stranger to Meggie, but her father seems to know him and lets him come with them. Conversations between her father and Dustfinger make Meggie want to know more about a man named Capricorn. Her dad refuses to tell her more, and before long they arrive at her long lost mother’s Aunt Elinor’s house. Elinor was unaware that she would be having visitors, and she is a bit cold. She even says she doesn’t know if she has room for them because all of her bedrooms are filled with books. Meggie is doubtful that anyone could have that many books, and she can’t wait to see the inside of the home. It turns out that Elinor is a collector of books, and Meggie is in awe of the amazing library in her house. She becomes even more intrigued when she hears her father and Elinor talking about the book in the brown wrapping, and she learns that there are very few copies of the book in existence because someone is stealing them. Why would someone steal one specific book? Why does Dustfinger keep calling her dad, Silvertongue? What is the reason that Mo doesn’t read aloud and what really happened to Meggie’s mother? Wait until you read this book! Your imagination will run wild!

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke will be a favorite of people who love books and stories. You will want to visit Elinor’s house to look through her one of a kind library, filled with treasures you didn’t even know existed. As someone who always feels at home with my favorite books, I could relate to Meggie’s love for stories and the comfort she gets from reading and rereading her favorites. The magic that takes place in this fantasy adventure makes you realize that anything is possible. This is the first in a trilogy. I think anyone from 8 years old and up would enjoy this fanciful read. Although the book is long, children as young as 8 can enjoy it on their own if they like a challenge, or with an adult to help the story come to life. Once you realize what happens when Mo reads aloud, you will be on the edge of your sear. The author uses a lot of description to help readers picture the varied characters and different settings. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I just heard that there is a movie version and I will check that out as well. This is a book that you will spend a lot of time thinking about after you turn the last page. There is something about the characters and the plot that you will turn over in your mind time and time again.

Has anyone else read Inkheart? Or another book by Cornelia Funke? If so, what did you think?

Happy reading!
~L