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andmarycatherine's review against another edition
4.0
This was really good! I thought the tie-ins with old antique photos were really interesting. The ghosts were something that I was not expecting but it was fun to read about. RJ Palacio has done it again! I love her books!
kellee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sn00pyk1d's review against another edition
5.0
My first review of the year, and I wasn't disappointed by this story. Especially when I listened to the author's notes and how this story came to life. I'm not sure what genre to put it in, historical fantasy western? Whatever it is, it was exciting, heartbreaking, and wondrous.
jkhossack's review against another edition
3.0
A western-style ghost story centered around the time period of the Civil War. A bit of a slow mover but parts of the story are compelling enough to keep the reader interested. Some interesting information about the history of photography as well.
shanpow's review against another edition
5.0
Silas Bird and his dad live together peacefully away from the judgmental world - exploring, learning, inventing, and happily being. When strangers show up at their house and lead Martin Bird away into the night, 12-year-old Silas is left alone to figure out what to do. Alone that is except for his friend Mittenwool and a strangely beautiful horse, which shows up the next day.
Taking Pony's arrival as a sign, Silas sets off on an adventure to find his father and save him from the men who took him, and learns a bit about his own bravery, his family's past, the greater world, and the gift that he and his father have kept secret for as long as they can.
The characters Palacio has assembled in Pony are wonderfully full, and the journey Silas follows is a marvelous study of love, loyalty and acceptance. I received this advanced copy from Random House for Book Fairies distribution on release day.
Taking Pony's arrival as a sign, Silas sets off on an adventure to find his father and save him from the men who took him, and learns a bit about his own bravery, his family's past, the greater world, and the gift that he and his father have kept secret for as long as they can.
The characters Palacio has assembled in Pony are wonderfully full, and the journey Silas follows is a marvelous study of love, loyalty and acceptance. I received this advanced copy from Random House for Book Fairies distribution on release day.
mudder17's review
5.0
Oh man, it's been a couple of years since I've read Wonder, which I like to revisit every once in a while. I wasn't sure what to expect, because how do you live up to a book like Wonder? The answer is you don't--you write a different kind of novel. That is not to say that kindness is not an addressed theme in this book. How you treat people is definitely important. But this story was realistic fiction set in a historical setting (but fictional time and place) with supernatural realism. Because our protagonist sees and interacts with ghosts, while others just think he is touched in the head. And yet, the reality is that there may be some people (and young children) who may be able to see ghosts.
This was set around the time of the Civil War, but as I said, it took place in a fictional town and a fictional forest. Silas Bird lives with his father on the outskirts of town and besides the fact that his best friend Mittenwool is a ghost that only he can see, hear, and touch, he is also considered odd by the other kids because of his prodigious vocabulary and his knowledge of so many things, a product of his father's homeschooling. His father is known for making boots and taking amazing photographs, and for all his life, he has been a tinkerer and scientist, his accomplishments in photography a product of playing around with materials and chemicals. His mother died during childbirth so it's always just been the two of them. Until one day some bad men arrive and force his father to leave with them at gunpoint. This is the point when everything changes.
This was a story narrated by Silas as a young adult but told mostly from his 12-year-old self. In some ways, it was a slow build and reminded me a little bit of Little House on the Prairie in terms of the style. But it felt right for this story and I couldn't help but be drawn into Silas' journey. The author obviously did a ton of research, and her author's note at the end is definitely worth reading. She incorporated much of the history of photography, American spiritualism, our country's treatment of indigenous peoples (as well as other marginalized groups), the Civil War, counterfeiting, and even the photographic effects of lightning on a person. In fact, it's apparent she incorporated many of her passions in this book, including her love for old musical instruments. With so many things included in this book, it would seem like it might get out of hand, but I never felt that way. She constructed the story very skillfully and while Silas' story of how he ventures out to rescue his dad drives the entire thing, I loved how she was able to include so much in the tale. In her author's notes, she includes many recommendations for further reading, which I think is particularly awesome since this story targets middle school students.
I received an advance review copy from NetGalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. However, I am already planning on getting the audiobook so I can revisit Silas Bird, Pony, and Mittenwool.
This was set around the time of the Civil War, but as I said, it took place in a fictional town and a fictional forest. Silas Bird lives with his father on the outskirts of town and besides the fact that his best friend Mittenwool is a ghost that only he can see, hear, and touch, he is also considered odd by the other kids because of his prodigious vocabulary and his knowledge of so many things, a product of his father's homeschooling. His father is known for making boots and taking amazing photographs, and for all his life, he has been a tinkerer and scientist, his accomplishments in photography a product of playing around with materials and chemicals. His mother died during childbirth so it's always just been the two of them. Until one day some bad men arrive and force his father to leave with them at gunpoint. This is the point when everything changes.
This was a story narrated by Silas as a young adult but told mostly from his 12-year-old self. In some ways, it was a slow build and reminded me a little bit of Little House on the Prairie in terms of the style. But it felt right for this story and I couldn't help but be drawn into Silas' journey. The author obviously did a ton of research, and her author's note at the end is definitely worth reading. She incorporated much of the history of photography, American spiritualism, our country's treatment of indigenous peoples (as well as other marginalized groups), the Civil War, counterfeiting, and even the photographic effects of lightning on a person. In fact, it's apparent she incorporated many of her passions in this book, including her love for old musical instruments. With so many things included in this book, it would seem like it might get out of hand, but I never felt that way. She constructed the story very skillfully and while Silas' story of how he ventures out to rescue his dad drives the entire thing, I loved how she was able to include so much in the tale. In her author's notes, she includes many recommendations for further reading, which I think is particularly awesome since this story targets middle school students.
I received an advance review copy from NetGalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. However, I am already planning on getting the audiobook so I can revisit Silas Bird, Pony, and Mittenwool.
helensadler55's review against another edition
5.0
An absolutely beautiful book, adventurous and heartwarming in so many satisfying ways.
bionicsarah's review against another edition
3.0
5 go wild in the Wild West
I think this is more a children’s book than an adult one .I loved Wonder and bought this book on the basis of this
I was disappointed the story is very simple and there are fewer twists and turns than I need to find a novel fully satisfactory .It did keep me entertained for a few hours neutral lacked the substance and depth that I expected
I think this is more a children’s book than an adult one .I loved Wonder and bought this book on the basis of this
I was disappointed the story is very simple and there are fewer twists and turns than I need to find a novel fully satisfactory .It did keep me entertained for a few hours neutral lacked the substance and depth that I expected