After begging for this book for a few months, I finally received it for Christmas. It had been difficult watching all my friends read it, but I somehow managed to make it until Christmas. What must be understood before starting this book, is that the summary on the inside flap really tells you nothing about the book. I can't recall what I had expected when I first opened the book, but the story was nothing like my imagination had thought.
Jacob Portman lived a fairly normal life in Florida, and he was often found complaining about how nothing extraordinary ever happened to him. His grandfather often told him stories about the peculiar children in the school/safe house he went to to avoid World War II (he being Jewish and all). Then his grandfather is killed by something that could possibly be a monster only Jacob can see. He goes a little crazy with depression, apparently suffering from Acute Stress Reaction (according to his psychiatrist), and his life basically sucks. In an attempt to find the meaning of his grandfather's cryptic last words, he goes to Cairnholm, an island off the coast of Wales, to find his grandfather's old teacher/caretaker, Miss Peregrine. By this time, Miss Peregrine could be about ninety, or, more likely, dead. It turns out that the island was bombed on September 3rd, 1940, and everyone in the children's home is dead. Jacob ends up entering a time loop on that exact day, finds the children, and things get confusing.
I feel like saying more would be unwise, since I don't want to give it away to people who haven't read it, but let's just say I never ever want to go to a psychiatrist after reading this. The first few chapters are a bit slow, but once you get to chapter five, things start getting very interesting, and it's impossible to put down. I ended up reading the last bit much too early in the morning, and no one was awake, and I was scared silly. I didn't even notice how hard I was clenching my teeth until I closed the book.
I feel quite lucky, since the publisher actually came and visited my class, and I got a wonderful, giant poster that is now hanging on my wall. I was also very excited to hear from him (the publisher) that there will be a sequel, and when he mentioned that Tim Burton might direct a film adaptation, I actually squeaked, started choking, and fell out of my chair. Luckily my class knows how much I love Tim Burton, so they all started to explain.
Despite the fact that it is different than I thought, I will sing the praises of this book far and wide, and it is definitely going to be re-read.
Miss Peregrine's is totally deserving of it's four hearts on Eleven's scale of awesomeness.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children can be bought here (Barnes and Noble) and at my father's bookstore!
More information about the author, Ransom Riggs, can be found on his website. But don't try to wikipedia him, because the result is not worth your time.
Anyway, happiest holidays from the desk of a bookworm! Keep reading, keep writing, keep blogging, and keep being peculiar!
x
Eleven
