Book Review: Bruce Coville’s The Monster’s Ring

Posted April 9, 2012 by Kathy Davie in Book Reviews, Children's

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Book Review: Bruce Coville’s The Monster’s Ring

The Monster's Ring


by

Bruce Coville


fantasy that was published by Aladdin Paperbacks on September 1, 2003 and has 105 pages.

Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon


First in the Magic Shop children’s fantasy about bullies and finding your own ground.

My Take

It’s about standing up for yourself against bullies. Whether it’s a caring sort of bullying from your parents or the nastier kind from mean kids. But the ring provides opportunities for Russell to learn why Eddie is so mean and gives him the courage to talk to his parents, to make peace with Eddie.

It’s also about reading the instructions . . .!

The Story

Russell Crannaker is a shy boy who is always being bullied by Eddie. And it’s his innermost desire that leads him to Elives’ Magic Supplies shop. The shop that both fulfills his fantasies and fuels his nightmares.

But Russell takes it too far one time and discovers, really, how wonderful his life was.

The Characters

Russell Crannaker is shy but curious. Mr Crannaker never, ever stops talking and Mrs Crannaker fusses and fusses trying to make everything all right.

The Cover and Title

The cover is bright shades of green from blues to yellows. The front is bordered in devilish carvings with statues inset on the sides. The lower half is an inset golden window featuring a horned and fanged drooling monster in a striped T-shirt wearing a watch and a baseball cap.

The title says it all for it’s The Monster’s Ring that changes everything.