by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Brett Helquist

 

Dear Reader,

 

I hope, for your sake, that you have not chosen to read this book because you are in the mood for a pleasant experience. If this is the case, I advise you to put this book down instantaneously, because of all the books describing the unhappy lives of the Baudelaire orphans, The Miserable Mill might be the unhappiest yet. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are sent to Paltryville to work in a lumber mill, and they find disaster and misfortune lurking behind every log.

 

The pages of this book, I'm sorry to inform you, contain such unpleasantries as a giant pincher machine, a bad casserole, a man with a cloud of smoke where his head should be, a hypnotist, a terrible accident resulting in injury, and coupons.

 

I have promised to write down the entire history of these three poor children, but you haven't, so if you prefer stories that are more heartwarming, please feel free to make another selection.

 

With all due respect,

Lemony Snicket

 

The 13 books that make up the series have won numerous awards and have been on the New York Times bestseller list for over seven years.

 

Lemony Snicket is the pen name for Daniel Handler who lives in San Francisco.

 

Hard cover. 224 pages.

 

Age 10+