A Series of Unfortunate Events

This  Probably doesn't count as a book trailer, as it is too short. Also maybe I stole these pictures? I did sort Google to make sure these were able to be used. But I didn't save information to cite them. It was my first try, and I'm keeping it because it took me 2 hours (Animoto is hard, mmkay?). So, though it may not count for credit... I can't bring myself to delete it. I'll make a longer one eventually. 

*All images from Google images, licensed for reuse*

A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning

Citation: Snicket, Lemony. A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning. HarperCollins, 1999.

Plot:


The title is quite correct: as far as the three Baudelaire children are concerned, these are indeed a series of Unfortunate events. Violet (the inventor), Klaus (the reader), and baby Sunny (the biter) are orphaned at the beginning of the book because their parents suddenly perished in a fire that consumed their entire home. The three young children then must go live with a crazy distant relative, Count Olaf, whom they had never met before. The giant house is dirty, Olaf is eccentric to say the least, and the three children miss their home. It soon becomes apparent that Olaf only has taken the children in order to control their inheritance, and schemes up a way to try and marry Violet in order to get the money. With Violet's skills and Klaus's knowledge (and maybe Sunny's biting) the children try to scheme a way out of the clutches of Count Olaf. Whether it works or not is another story. A probably sad, unfortunate story.


Review:


I really enjoyed this book, though I feel bad admitting it because it is sort of sad. Tweens will instantly love the Baudelaire children, sympathize with them, but find it difficult not to laugh at Olaf and become completely engaged in the story. Snicket is able to write an unfortunate story in a hilarious way, fortunately. This series has turned many tweens (girls and boys alike) into avid readers. The length isn't that of a Harry Potter book, thus making it readable for younger tweens. I highly recommend the hijinks of the Baudelaire children and the masterful writing of Lemony Snicket.


Reading Level:

8 and up

Characters:


Violet: Oldest Baudelaire, inventor

Klaus: Middle Baudelaire, avid reader

Sunny: Youngest Baudelaire, avid biter

Count Olaf: Crazy, money hungry count; actor by profession


Series Information:

The Reptile Room
The Wide Window
The Miserable Mill
The Austere Academy
The Ersatz Elevator
The Vile Village
The Hostile Hospital
The Carnivorous Carnival
The Slippery Slope
The Grim Grotto
The Penultimate Peril
The End

Similar Titles:

Harry Potter
The Graveyard Book
The Lightning Thief
Joey Pigza Series