the snow spider is definately one of my favorite books of all time. when I was reading it, everyone was trying to get me to do something, ANYTHING besides read that book, but nothing anyone did could make me stop. after i read this book, I had to read "orchard of the cresant moon," and "the chesnut soldier." I often think of the snow spider now, and wish that i could be a magician like gwen, and do things like see pictures from a different world. Jenny Nimmo is extremely creative, and i know i will remember this book forever.

Gwyn's 5 gifts from his grandmother, Nain, take Gwyn's imagination to a whole new level. After finding out that he's a witch, he experences new things that he never thought was possible without the gifts. But the most important things that he wants most of all, is to bring his sister back that disappeared 4 years earlier and to bring his family back together. With the help of a magical snow spider named Arainwen he goes to beat the challenges of the mortal world to bring his sister home.

the best book and an added bonus of finally finding my name, i especially love all the characters and the way that everyone in their own magical way is a beautiful character

This book is definately one of my favorite, and I know I will never forget it. Jenny Nimmo makes you get drawn into the book, and you feel like you are living it. it is a great adventure, has mystery, magic, and people you can relate to. you get so caught up in the book, you can't wait to see what will happen next. This is definataly one of the best books in the world, as far as I am concerned.

The author again combines fantasy elements with the growth of her imagination to weave solid entertainment. This book has many wonderful elements of magic and mystery, and unusual plotting and events. A very great story. Anyone could enjoy this incredible book by Jenni Nimmo.

I REALLY LOVED THIS BOOK !!! I OFTEN FEEL LIKE NIA LIKE I ''CAN'T DO NOTHING'' BUT THIS BOOK SHOWS YOU THERE'S MAGIC IN EVERYONE. NO ONE MORE THAN GWYNN.(YOU'LL FIND OUT WHAT I MEAN IF YOU READ THIS BOOK)

Jenny Nimmo's trilogy started by The Snow Spider, continued with Emlyn's Moon and finished with The Chestnut Soldier is all eminently readible children's fantasy literature for all ages. The series, however, has an interesting trait in that it appears to mature from one book to the next. The Snow Spider has the youngest feel of the series, with our hero just turned nine. The Chestnut Soldier deals with more mature themes as the hero turns thirteen. Coincidence?

The Chestnut Soldier is the best of the series, with a strong writing style, complex characters and a good storyline. This series is rare, but well worth getting your hands on. I highly recommend it.

My mom brought the whole series back from England for me when I was about 11 years old, I'm 19 now and I wish I hadn't given away my copies! It's a wonderful book, especially for kids (and adults!) who are fascinated by myths and magic. I loved it!

Poor Little Hen. She's not a prize winning fowl like her coopmates, Biddie, Lily, Rosie, and Gertie. She's just small and ordinary. But as Mrs Field, the farmer's wife tells her, "Don't be sad because you're small...Small creatures can do wonderful things." And though the other chickens laughed when she told them, right then and there Little Hen decided she was going to do something wonderful. It wasn't long before she got her chance. One very hot summer day the chickens strutted into the cool woods to lay their eggs in a shady nest. They all walked away and forgot about them, all except Little Hen..... Jenny Nimmo has written a sweet and endearing story with a gentle message that will warm the hearts of young and old alike. Her simple and easy to read text makes this a great read aloud book at story time, and is complemented by Debbie Boon's charming, colorful and expressive artwork. Perfect for little ones 3-7, Something Wonderful is a joyous, engaging story with a happily-ever-after ending, reminding youngsters that each and every one of us is special and capable of something wonderful.

Budding-wizard-goes-to-school books are becoming increasingly common now that the initial buzz over the Harry Potter series has passed. But more of these are good than you'd think. "Midnight for Charlie Bone," while not the best, is certainly entertaining.

Charlie Bone and his widowed mother live more or less under the thumbs of his horrible grandmother -- until the day he starts hearing photographs speaking. His horrible great-aunts are elated. It turns out that Charlie is one of the "children of the Red King," and so has a specific magical talent. Because his mother was not magical and his father was, they weren't sure if he would be, and now they know.

Though Charlie doesn't want to go, he is quickly enrolled in Bloor's Academy for gifted children. A man with three unusually intelligent cats is lurking around the place, his uncle Paton is stirred from his lethargy, and Charlie begins to learn about a missing child from many years before. A child that, for some reason, someone doesn't want him to find...

Jenny Nimmo's book isn't outstanding, but it is quite nice. While the ending wraps up this particular story, it's clear that there are sequels in mind. With a combination of ordinary and "endowed" people, and a sprinkling of unique talents (one boy can sense the previous owners of clothing), this can stand on its own with no comparisons to Harry Potter. This one is a little darker, a little weirder.

The concept of the Red King is an interesting one, especially the slightly dark tone of the good and bad "endowed" people's responses to one another. The particular quirks, like the intelligent cats, the flashbacks, and the material about Charlie's may-not-be-dead father are also quite good. Her writing style is a little too spare, not giving much detail, and the handling of the "endowed" school is rather unassuming.

Charlie himself is a likable character, as is his timid pal Benjamin. The sinister grandmother and great-aunts aren't quite as well-fleshed out, and his schoolmates have potential but aren't quite there yet. (I guess we'll have to wait for the sequels) Uncle Paton is one of the standouts, a moody and introverted guy who causes lightbulbs and windows to explode.

"Midnight for Charlie Bone" isn't quite as good as the Magickers or Chrestomanci series, but it is a solid read that kids may enjoy. Not bad at all.

My son's a 3rd grader (age 8) who loves to read. He's read all of the Harry Potter books several times. I was just looking for something similar, because I know he likes the fantasy style. When he was finished reading Midnight for Charlie Bone, I picked it up. What a great book. Lots of mystery... not too dark! It was very well written and I enjoyed it too! This one's a can't miss for your Harry Potter fan! Jenny Nimmo's writing is fun, interesting and intriguing, just like J.K. Rowlings.

Charlie's aunts had given up all hope that he would show signs of having some of the mysterious and magical powers of the Red King, which are passed down through his descendants. Some of the gifts are evil and some are good. Some of them turn up unexpectedly...as in the case of Charlie Bone. After years of living life as a normal little boy, he begins to hear people talking in photographs. His horrible aunts are delighted to discover that he takes after their side of the family. They immediately enroll him in the gloomy Bloor's Academy for gifted children, forcing Charlie to leave his best friend behind. Still, Charlie tries to make the best of it and is able to make some new friends at his academy. But Charlie quickly becomes embroiled in the search for a stolen baby whom no one wants him to find. As Charlie struggles to master his magical gifts and to fit in with his fellow classmates, he begins to uncover old clues to more than one mystery...

Midnight for Charlie Bone was an absolutely delightful children's book following in the wake of Harry Potter's popularity. I am not saying that it is a Harry Potter copycat, no indeed. The plot is quite fresh and original and Charlie was a great character. Jenny Nimmo did such a wonderful job at capturing how a little boy thinks and it was really fun to see how Charlie felt about everything that was going on and how he puzzled through old clues. All of the characters were well developed and the plot was intriguing. If you are looking for a book that you will love almost as much as Harry Potter then this is the book for you! (If you don't want to pay extra for the library binding, look for it at your local school's book fair in paperback.)