I’ve enjoyed Black’s fiction for adult and young adult readers, and The Field Guide, the first volume of “The Spiderwick Chronicles,” demonstrates a similar playful attitude toward well-established tropes. At the outset the Graces are moving into a spooky new house, but in contrast to more traditional fare, the Graces have recently become a single-parent family. Jared’s been acting out in response to the stress of the divorce anyway, so when strange things happen in the house, his siblings and mother assume he’s responsible. The Field Guide wraps up this plot conflict, but clearly serves as a prequel more than a stand-alone work.
needs more demons? no.
Needs More Demons Or Not 