Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Riggs, Ransom.  Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.  Philadelphia: Quirk Books, 2011.  Hardcover.  ISBN: 978-1-59474-476-1.  US $17.99.  348.

 

Annotation:

      Jacob grew up hearing stories of the orphanage his grandfather stayed in during World War II.  He didn't really believe them until his grandfather died sending him on a quest to find the orphanage and discover the truth behind the stories and himself.  Recommended for ages 14+ because of the overall aura of horror and some violence.

Book Talk:

            Sixteen year old Jacob grew up hearing stories about the orphanage his grandfather stayed in during World War II.   It was run by an unusual bird-lady who smoked a pipe and minded children with peculiar powers. There were girls who could float and boys who could lift rocks over their heads.  His grandfather even had pictures to prove it but Jacob knew those stories were just his grandfather’s way of explaining the horrors of the war.  But then his grandfather was killed by one of the monsters from his faerie tales which sends Jacob on a quest to find out the truth about the orphanage and himself.

 

Book Review:

            Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is a beautifully sinister story made even creepier by the real photos displayed throughout the book.  The plot line does get a little complicated in the middle and the ending is obviously a set up for the next book but Ransom’s characters and descriptions more than make up for these flaws.  As the book progresses you go through all of the stages of grief, disbelief, and growth that Jacob does in a world that seems remarkably, fantastically real.  This book, especially the photographs included in it, has strong hints of horror making it most appropriate for those 14 or older who enjoy frightening fantasy novels.

Awards and Honors:

       2012- YALSA’s Reader’s Choice List for Sci-fi/Fantasy

Interested in finding out more about this book or author?  Check these out:

Author website: http://www.ransomriggs.com/

Author Interviews:
       July 2011 interview in I Like These Books blog
       Oct. 2011 interview The Book Rat blog

The Book Thief

Zusak, Marcus. The Book Thief. New York: Alfred A. Knopf Books, 2005.  Hardback. ISBN 978-0-375-83100-3. US $17.99.

Annotation:

          Liesel is a young girl growing up in Germany on the cusp of World War II.  Unbeknownst to her she sparks Death’s curiosity who keeps tabs on her life over the years.  Recommended for those 16+ because of dense language.



Bookcover provided by Google Image.

Book Review:

               It is the eve of World War II and Death is being kept busy collecting souls when he notices a young German girl on a train. Something about her sparks his curiosity and so over the years Death, as a silent and mostly removed observer, keeps tabs on her life. He watches as she becomes a foster daughter to a poor but kind accordion-playing painter and his stern, foul-mouthed but loving wife, learns to read and share words, steals food and books, befriends and helps hide a Jewish man, and deals with life and loss in Nazi-run Germany.

           Overall, The Book Thief is a beautifully written story of love, friendship, the bravery of everyday people, and the power of both the written and spoken word set during a period of history which seemed to really need all of those things. I think both high school and public libraries could benefit from having this book in their collection both for its beautiful use of language as well as the unique historical perspective it offers on life as a German under Hitler. Although the book is beautifully written the length and density of the work would probably be more suited to older teens and adults who are interested in historical fiction, the Holocaust, or World War II. I can also see the book being used as a supplementary/ recommended reading in a European History class when the unit on the Holocaust and World War II is being taught.

Awards and Honorable Mentions:
  2006 - Kirkus Reviews Editor Choice Award
               School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
               Daniel Elliott Peace Award
               Publishers Weekly Best Children Book of the Year
               Booklist Children Editors' Choice
  2007 - Michael L. Printz Honor Book

Interested in learning more about this book or author?  Check these out:

Author Site:  http://www.randomhouse.com/features/markuszusak/index.html

Interviews with the author:
         March 23, 2006 audio interview on the Diane Rehm Show

        April 13, 2006 interview on teenreads.com

        May 1, 2009 YouTube interview posted by Random House Books