I will have to agree with Rachel on everything she said in her first posting. The fact that Funke was so descriptive throughout the novel was definitely "my style" as well. She kept my attention by making what I was reading full of imagery. I also am enjoying this book quite a bit more than Carnival at Candlelight, because the book was written for an older age group. I believe that some students in middle school could read this book. I don't believe that this book would have interested me as much in 5th grade because I don't believe that I knew much about Venice then. It is fun to read about it now because I know where it is and I know a little history about it. I believe that unless someone shows you pictures of Venice and explains some of the history of Venice this book may be somewhat hard to follow in the 5th grade. I believe that Funke is a wonderful author and is amazing at capturing the reader's attention with the twists and turns as the novel ends. Great novel!!