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Book Review of The Ironwood Tree (Spiderwick Chronicles, Bk 4)

The Ironwood Tree (Spiderwick Chronicles, Bk 4)
Bibliocrates avatar reviewed on + 252 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2


In this book, Mallory is very nervous about a fencing match, where she will dual with Chris-the-Captain, a boy she likes. Mrs. Grace, Simon, and Jared go along to watch their sister at the fencing match. While there, Jared notices someone who looks an awful lot like Simon going through his sister's belongings. When Jared tries to go after the Simon look alike, a Jared look alike, Not-Jared, is "caught" with a weapon and the real Jared gets in trouble. Meanwhile, Mallory goes missing. Jared and Simon try to solve a riddle to help find Mallory, which leads them to a tree unlike any other, 'The Ironwood Tree,' where they meet the king of the dwarves, The Korting, who wants 'The Field Guide' in exchange for Mallory. The Grace children manage to find their way out of the dwarven lair with help from The Knocker, who hears the stones speak, but they must get past the metal dogs in order to escape. Beyond the dwarven lair, they notice The Korting, his dwarven minions, and a hoard of nasty goblins trailing behind the 'Great Lord Mulgarath' with a familiar human prisoner and realize that they have been betrayed. I really liked this book. It reminded me of 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarves,' only with mean dwarves instead of nice ones.