Author: Carolyn Cohagan
Publication Date: February 9, 2010
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Copy provided by: Publisher
Summary (via Goodreads):Josephine Russing owns 387 pairs of gloves. She's given a new pair every week by her father, a sullen man known best for his insistence that the citizens in town wear gloves at all times.
A world away, the children of Gulm have been taken. No one knows where they might be, except the mysterious and terrifying leader of the land: The Master. He rules with an iron fist, using two grotesque creatures to enforce his terrible reign.
When a peculiar boy named Fargus shows up on Josephine's property and then disappears soon afterward, she follows him without a second thought and finds herself magically transported to Gulm.
After Fargus introduces her to his tough-as-nails friend Ida, the three of them set off on an adventure that will test everything Josephine has ever thought about the rules of the universe, leading to a revelation about the truth of the land of Gulm, and of Josephine's own life back home.
Why I read this: It looked like a fun travel-between-worlds middle grade fiction, so I thought I'd give it a read. :)
Plot: I have to say, I really like multi-world plots, especially in children's novels. You get the best of both worlds, adventure and usually some glances into different cultures. This plot had some great adventure, some very cool worlds to explore, and a bad guy that I would have never thought up in a million years.
Characters: I'm going to start with the bad guy on this one. Definitely an inventive bad guy and the creatures he harnesses are something you do not want to mess with. I love the unusual bad guy, makes the story a lot more interesting.
Josephine, the main character, takes every plot turn in stride, trying her best to make the most of what is going on and keep going so she can get back to her world.
Fargus is the silent sidekick, having lost his ability to speak after he ruined his family's lives, he cannot seem to communicate with his voice. He makes for an interesting character and definitely one that feels guilty for his foolish mistake.
Ida is quite a spitfire, the other companion that has known Fargus growing up and can understand him better than anyone. She definitely is the tough one in the group and keeps them moving at different points in the novel.
Relatability: If you've ever been a child or have an imagination, this book is for you. There's nothing more fun than believing another world exists and there is a doorway to it in your shed. I definitely think this will appeal to all types of kids thanks to the wonderful way it is written.
Cover Commentary: Love it. Definitely portrays something ominous but adventurous.
Rating: 5/5 Roses
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I am a middle s hool librarian, whose school covers grades 5 through 8. So I am always looking for good middle grade fiction. Sound great, Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI signed up for the comment contest thinking that it was something else. Would you. Ind either explaining it to me or direct g me to the post that does? TIA
Brenda
I really love that cover. So pretty,but spooky too. Sounds great too. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteHi Brenda! The comment contest was explained in this post:
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I'm a little weary of time travel books. Sometimes the way they do it is so ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteGreat review. :)
Ooh I love time travel. This one looks like it could be quite good.
ReplyDeleteLove the cover! This seems like a great story.
ReplyDeleteWow, 5 stars! This sounds like a very enjoyable MG read with fun characters and an interesting setting. I might look into this one for my younger cousin... (or myself? hehe, I don't know.)
ReplyDeleteAnd great review, btw. You're a liar if you say you can't write reviews, haha! ;)
WOW - thats a good rating! The cover kind of reminds me of Monster House, the movie. :)
ReplyDeleteYay for time travel books! It's going on my list.
ReplyDeleteGreat cover. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteHavent read this one yet but it sounds like a good book with lots of adventure.
ReplyDeleteI love the book cover!Hope I'll read this soon..I like middle grade adventure. =)
ReplyDeleteit does sound nice. I love fantasy, but I hope it won't be hard to imagine the other world :D
ReplyDeleteI love alternated universe tales and this one sounds interesting. A great adventure for middle schoolers. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reviewing this. I've had it in my hands several times at Barnes and Noble, but didn't know for sure. Now I think I will buy it :)
ReplyDeleteOoo this looks so good. I really don't need to beef up my TBR pile.. but I think I can make an exception for one book.
ReplyDeleteOh, this looks wonderful! Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteThis looks fun and interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review.
Seahn
Gloves + the bad guy. Makes me wonder if there's any connection!
ReplyDeleteWow, haven't heard of this one before. I'm adding it to my wishlist. Great review - thanks!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read for some middle schoolers I know.
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