The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane: (A Heartwarming Tale of a China Rabbit's Quest for Love & Belonging - A Middle-Grade Chapter Book for Kids Ages 7-10 in Grades 2-5)

A wonderful story about starting over. A treasure for children and adults alike.

Although Dicamillo may tend to go a bit overboard in her presentation of mistreated individuals, she's extremely good at showing the struggles someone goes through when their very character is forced to completely change.The rabbit Edward Tulane was instantly likeable for me. I found him to be vain in a Ravishing Rick Rude sort of way, and that's something I've always admired, even though it's definitely a character flaw. And because of this unusual character preference of mine, I was immediately into the book. (Also I'm a big fan of anything that assumes stuffed animals have feelings, despite their inability to move. I always wanted my stuffed animals to be alive when I was a little kid.)Of course, Edward's problem isn't limited to admiring his own handsomeness, but it stretches to neglecting the love of others. This becomes the central part of the story. Until the old grandma describes what happens to someone who doesn't care about having the love of others, Edward has no reason to change. But when circumstances get rough for Edward and he's thrown into the ocean, kicked off a train, and treated to numerous other trials and tribulations, he finds that he gets great joy from the company of others and eventually wants others to love him.Edward reaches the breaking point regularly as he's often left with no choice but to endure hard times until they blow over. All he can do in his helplessness is cry out phrases like, "I have been loved!" to the stars in his lonely and unending frustration. That's pure drama right there. And of course it's compounded with an interesting near-death experience.Most of the characters in the story feel drawn to Edward and see him as something special that you don't find on just any old day. (I mean, how often do you find a hobo carrying around a children's doll?) But one or two characters simply despise him, enough to attempt his destruction. Like I said, I myself found Edward to be a likeable guy. Others might hate him. It's tough to be lukewarm around him anyway.The ending of the book is somewhat predictable, but I wouldn't put too much focus on originality for this particular story. I mean, you can say it borrowed a bit from things like the Velveteen Rabbit, or that other Newbery book about the doll that was around for 100 years - yet it doesn't really matter. Edward's story is simply told very well, and that's its strong point. Little things like the star motif sure add a lot.The illustrations are just amazing. They look like they come right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Most of the book's setting is probably taking place during the timeframe depicted on old Rockwell's pictures too, so the illustrations are a good fit as well.Okay, I admit, maybe this book will ring better with adults than children. I'm not sure. But you know, there's only so many books about serial killers and sci-fi UFOs that adults can read. Got to have a nice old-fashioned fairy tale every now and then, and a book like Edward Tulane's is perfect for that.

What a lovely, sad, heart warming story. My girls (ages 6,7,10) all loved it. They begged for “just ONE more chapter”, no matter how many I read.It offers a lot to think about. What is love? What does it look like? What does a person without love look like physically? What if the ugliness or beauty on the inside showed on the outside, instead? Is loving people worth it, if losing them hurts so much? Why are some people mean? What does it mean to feel lost? What can we learn from the people that come and go in our lives?And so much more.There is the death of a young child in the book, which could be difficult for sensitive readers. It’s written beautifully and delicately, but it’s very sad. The child’s father is a drunk who is mostly absent, so the children have to fend for themselves.But again, it offers the opportunity to discuss death, poverty, addictions, hidden heartbreak, etc.This book is not “fluff”. The author has a brilliant way of introducing weighty life issues on a child’s level, without being at all simple or watered down. It gives them significant ideas to ponder long after the chapter or book is done.I think that’s why it is so well loved. Children crave that.

ordered for my sons school. came perfect

This is a must read for elementary age children. Read aloud to my then 8 year olds and now purchasing a copy to share with a niece. Kate DiCamillo never disappoints!

Good tale

Fun quick read with some good lessons for kids. It’ll be fun to read this aloud with my daughter in a few years when she’s old enough to follow a longer format book. Loved this.

She has reading disabilities and avoids books in general but after her teacher read some of this in class she begged me to find it for her! It’s beautifully written and doesn’t talk down to the reader- highly recommend