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adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book aimed for middle schoolers and early teens is as much as resonating to adults who may have lost their creative sparks or need a reminder of the importance of giving time to one's self in the middle of the large waves and pressures of life.
Penelope as a character is strong in a sense that she knew what she wanted, and even though she did not know how the journey would look like or how she would fare, she persevered and embodied the youthful hope of cherishing one's creativity and self-confidence where positive language to one's self and a belief to have faith to ourselves may be simple but carries a vital importance as a life lesson from this book.
I like to think the whole fantasy, imaginary world Penelope travelled in throughout the book was a figurative analogy of her creativity. The Great Moodle was her muse--whether it was her innate sense of creativity or Miss Maddie herself (the lovely neighbour who encouraged and empowered Penelope in her own convicted, gentle way to instil her own agency over her overcontrolling parents). The destruction of the Realm of Possibility was a symbol of her burnout due to the toll of the stress she was under in her mother's rigid planning alongside her father's complicity. Chronos may be a manifestation of her own doubts festered from the expectations she was under pressure to achieve (this is not exclusive from her parents alone, this could be the American society she was in to achieve higher in order to attain better opportunities such as college and to conform on the rigid structures of the American school system). Dill is the character I struggle to choose a direct representation in Penelope's real life. Because of it, I'm quite open with any interpretations. Though essentially, Dill was a fantastic deuteragonist. Perhaps he was simply a figment of Penelope's imagination as a friend who was basically her 'ride-and-die', since in the real world we only see Miss Maddie as the only person outside of her house that Penelope associates with.
It was a shame I struggled to finish this book during my first reading all the way back 2021-22. But this was a great book for me to re-establish my reading momentum and be reminded of the valuable lesson that time is less important than one's wellbeing, and the best time is now.
Penelope as a character is strong in a sense that she knew what she wanted, and even though she did not know how the journey would look like or how she would fare, she persevered and embodied the youthful hope of cherishing one's creativity and self-confidence where positive language to one's self and a belief to have faith to ourselves may be simple but carries a vital importance as a life lesson from this book.
I like to think the whole fantasy, imaginary world Penelope travelled in throughout the book was a figurative analogy of her creativity. The Great Moodle was her muse--whether it was her innate sense of creativity or Miss Maddie herself (the lovely neighbour who encouraged and empowered Penelope in her own convicted, gentle way to instil her own agency over her overcontrolling parents). The destruction of the Realm of Possibility was a symbol of her burnout due to the toll of the stress she was under in her mother's rigid planning alongside her father's complicity. Chronos may be a manifestation of her own doubts festered from the expectations she was under pressure to achieve (this is not exclusive from her parents alone, this could be the American society she was in to achieve higher in order to attain better opportunities such as college and to conform on the rigid structures of the American school system). Dill is the character I struggle to choose a direct representation in Penelope's real life. Because of it, I'm quite open with any interpretations. Though essentially, Dill was a fantastic deuteragonist. Perhaps he was simply a figment of Penelope's imagination as a friend who was basically her 'ride-and-die', since in the real world we only see Miss Maddie as the only person outside of her house that Penelope associates with.
It was a shame I struggled to finish this book during my first reading all the way back 2021-22. But this was a great book for me to re-establish my reading momentum and be reminded of the valuable lesson that time is less important than one's wellbeing, and the best time is now.
Wow that was good and very sophisticated fantasy akin to Alice and Phantom Toll Booth. Alot of word puns and borderline surrealism images and concepts all around time and possibles plus artificial control vs natural control. The lesson learned here in this book maybe a very loose schedule is a very good thing in the realm of possibilities.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It’s really nice
Minor: Death
This was an adorable children’s book! It gave me Narnia and Alice vibes.
honestly i just found it boring. don't hate it, don't like it. just meh
This is a sweet little book very reminiscent of "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster. It's a little bit "Alice in Wonderland" and "Wizard of Oz" with some Roald Dahl sprinkled on top for good measure. There are many good messages such as "make time for yourself" (p.305) and "moodle on (or daydream about) whatever tickles your fancy" (p.224) and anything is possible if you use your imagination (rough paraphrase of pages 212-217). Essentially a little girl's journey to discover what is truly important to her set in a wildly fantastic world where she overcomes great obstacles and breaks evil spells and the reader comes away wondering if it was all a dream. Pretty much an allegory for an elementary or early middle grade reader about negotiating upcoming teenager hood, but would not appeal to much older than 12 years old. The physical copy of the book is a bit more square and thick than your standard library size, a style choice by the author or publisher no doubt, and it includes lovely, purple, whimsical sketches which remind me of the illustrations in "James and the Giant Peach". Even though I liked the book, I gave it only 3 stars because it wasn't all that original, considering it reminded me of so many other books that I have already read. My one actual complaint is that the font is teeny tiny, which may be fine for a kid, but gosh, my old eyes really had to strain even with my glasses on!
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
lighthearted
fast-paced