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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
This is the first book in a series of alternative realities for children. In this one, certain "gifted" children can do marvelous things: fly, hear pictures, etc, etc. I thought it was kind of Harry Potter meets The Sixth Sense (I see pictures moving. . .). It was okay, but I also thought it was much more for children than the Potter books, which also appeal to adults.
This is the first in a series. I initially read this book because I am blessed that I have boys who LOVE to read. With the help of a teacher, this book was sent home for C to read. He REALLY wanted to read Harry Potter, and while I don't think the story/ plot of the first couple of books is too dark, I know that once he starts, he won't want to stop after one book. This book was a compromise of sorts. 5th grade reading level, so a challenge for him, but the whole series is that. He didn't want to read it at first, so I suggested I read it with him. We read the first couple chapters and I was hooked. A great series.
Definitely not a Harry Potter rip-off. The powers are much more specialized and this whole series takes you to a different sort of world and makes you think a very different way. It's a little bit eerie, and even eerier perhaps when it begins to feel comfortable because it really seems like it shouldn't. I look forward to reading more of what Jenny Nimmo writes. All in all, very creative, very enjoyable.
This ones a DNF for me. The pacing is badly done and the characters are so boring that I just can't push through anymore:/
I loved this series as a kid but I just found it kind of dull now. I might finish it another day but it’s unlikely.
The biggest problem that I had with this is that it seems like a Harry Potter knock-off. But for younger kids that haven't met the boy wizard yet, it would be a great read.
I picked this up a while ago because it looked interesting. This past week, one of the librarians at my public library recommended it, saying it was like Harry Potter. Okay, is IS like Harry Potter in a few respects. There are evil adults for no reason (though it's way more like A Series of Unfortunate Events in that respect). The main character is orphan-like (though he's a lot more Charlie Bucket than Potter). There's a sort of magic (though a lot lamer and more left to chance than anything). But the feel of it? The world-building? Not so much. The hero of this story seems intent to tell anyone and everyone the secrets that he's only supposed to tell someone he "trusts with his life." But he tells kids after he's known them for 5 minutes. He tells his uncle who he seems to have barely talked to until now and whose sisters are evil. Yes, he turns out okay, but it's not the best judgement call. Charlie as the hero of this story is a little lame too. I mean, he barely uses his "endowment." The only ones who seem to use theirs are the bad guys.
Overall, this wasn't a bad book, but there were some big flaws.
Overall, this wasn't a bad book, but there were some big flaws.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes