The names of the characters were different in a good interesting way like Boy Genius
936118
this was a very surprising read im not a huge sci fi reader but this book caught my eye so i gave it a shot. The names of the characters were different in a good interesting way like Boy Genius, Bubble Gum, Lollipop,The Woman with Orange Hair and Soggy Bottoms it was a very unique story of Boy Genius and Bubble Gum opening a detective agency and get into a bunch of weird adventures. There were some very short chapters though that i would have done differently but asides from that it was a very entertaining adventurous book.
3533789
This novel is a good first effort, with vivid characters and a bt of a surprise ending, which is one of Nab's trademarks.  While I would never have read it for itself alone, it is interesting to see how a genius began in a new medium.
3600602
Very unique and inventive and intelligent thriller at times it wanders a bit and could be shorter. But I will absolutely real book 2.  recomend  as a good read  totally different with plot lines and outside the box characters and subject matter all connected within a historical backdrop.  Pretty cool
90907
Interesting characters who come together in spite of their differences.
1787992
When I started reading this book, I was impressed with two things.  First, the writing was excellent, it flowed smoothly allowing the reader to focus on the story rather than the writing.  Second, the story was kind of weird and I'm not really into weird, many of the kids I work with are into weird but I'm not.  So I was tempted to put the book down and go onto something else.  But then I decided that wasn't fair, especially since the book had been mentioned as a Newbery contender by one of my favorite bloggers, A Fuse #8 Production.  And I also have a hard time putting a book down without finishing it, I know that's silly, but that's the way I am.  So I finished the book.

The plot line is definitely unique, I can't say I've read another book like it, ever (and I've read hundreds of books in my lifetime).  I was really impressed at the way that Barnhill slowly revealed bits and pieces of the puzzle, which kind of makes the book a mystery, but it doesn't really feel like one.  This would be a great book to hand to kids who want a mystery, but not a formulaic one.

Being a geography fan, setting is something I pay a great deal of attention to.  Here, once again, Barnhill excels.  The reader quickly gets a feel for this town that is in some ways like any other small town, but in other ways very unique.  Here's an example,

  It was an old wooden farmhouse with a large porch, wide windows, and a small round porthole at the roof's peak.  And it was purple.  A deep, rich purple so intense it almost seemed to vibrate.  Jack squinted.  The front door was bright green and the trim of each window was painted a different color: red, yellow, orange, and blue.

You have to admit, that is a very intriguing description of the house that Jack comes to stay in.  The reader realizes almost immediately that this is an unusual house.  Barnhill has taken the regular world around us and given it a very interesting twist.

The characters I had a hard time with at first.  Jack, who has spent most of his life being semi-invisible, has little interest in this new place or the people who live there, at least not at first.  I found this hard to relate to, probably because I find the world a fascinating place.  But slowly as I read, I realized that Jack was doing what many of us do when faced with changes that shake the very foundations of everything we though we knew.  He was trying to ignore it.  Of course, he eventually realizes the futility of this.

As I continued to read, I also began to connect with the other characters, Wende, the girl who is so determined to find out everything she can so she can protect those she loves.  Frankie, the boy with the scars, both inside and out, whom everyone underestimates.  Interestingly, I also started to feel compassion for the 'villain' of the story and his bully son.  There aren't a lot of books, where I feel sorry for the villain.  This happens to be one of them.

It turns out that this is one of the best books I've read this year and definitely worthy of Newbery consideration.  I highly recommend it for all who enjoy interesting characters, an interesting setting, and a willingness to accept the weird.  I'm thinking I might try it as a read-a-loud with my fifth graders. There is certainly much that is worthy of discussion.
161385
This was a little different from other Boy's Adventure Books from the first half of the 20th century because of the location.  Of course with this title, it indulged in exoticism with a near naked young goddess, who was unexplainably white, or light skinned.  She acts like a spoiled teen-age girl, though a goddess, which could have been developed, but very much.  The daring duo young male leads, the Hope brothers, seem to have something else going.  "Will smiled and pressed Dave's hand affectionately.  These two were more than brothers, more than twins" is on page one.  And not much later in the book is this interesting narration: "When Dave got a little excited he called his twin brother 'Big Boy.'  This was in the nature of an ejaculation."  They are flying around China in their plane, The Bird of the Occident.  The rest of the plot is formulaic, and the writing style is at times strangely wooden.  Of course the dust jacket on any adventure book from that time period is usually the most valuable part.  This cover ranks five stars.  It is the Tibetan goddess and the two boys done in a sort of attractive Leyendecker-lite style.  Have a look at it on abebooks.com.  The illustrator did other boys and girls adventure books from the time period.  Maybe someone can identify the artist?
2869236
not for the prurient, this is an entertaining and sometimes funny book relating the ins and outs of boy love in samurai japan.  the descriptions of the boys are priceless as are the innovative ways they are chased by their admirers.
4351769
Note: For some reason, the ADD TITLES feature of my Media Library will not allow me to add this book and I don't know why. I did not purchase it from Amazon so that could be why even though that is exactly what the ADD TITLES feature is for.

This book is one of the most imaginative and creative books I have read in a long time. The concept is derived from finding vintage photos & then creating a story around them. Because of this, I found this book delightfully strange yet filled with the wonder and magic of child's mind, eye & heart. This book is completely original from concept to execution and gives the reader a chance to be a kid again...

That being said, I would have liked to learn a little more about the children and I certainly would have preferred a slightly different ending. But, given the ending that takes place, I will not be surprised if there is a follow up.
3449177
It was a fast read, had innovative ideas for a romance, and yet it showed a different way of life and connections for the characters
4588119
I recommend this book to people who love adventures and strong friendships. The main character is Thomas, he doesn't remember the past and is laying in an elevator. The elevator doors open and a group of teenage boys pull him into the glade. The boys also have no memory of their past except for what they should be called. Thomas stays in the glade and learns the culture of it and learns about brotherhood. He is taught that the maze is dangerous. He becomes obsessed with running and wants to map the maze and find an exit. This book is full of plot twist and is mysterious at some points. I thought this book was very good and would recommend it to a friend.
3243165
The book was so different and not really my type but interesting enough to keep me reading so guess that was good enough
774552
This book was different than what I usually read I was surprised how good it was
4483176
It was a little different I liked it and will read the next book
1056436
I thought that the beginning of the book was interesting. It grabbed my attention right away. I loved the whole storybook tone of Evie talking about what she thought of monsters and how she would deal with them if she was ever confronted by one. This idea seemed to carry on throughout the book as well as who was defined as a monster. I thought that for the voice of a 12-year-old Evie seemed immature and naive. Although, this carried on for quite a while until she was about 18 in the story. It bothered me somewhat but I was able to get over it because the story was so interesting.

The book had far more depth than I thought that it would. There came a point in the story when I thought that the book would go in the direction that I have seen other books go but it went in a completely different direction. I was pleasantly surprised! I enjoyed the story due to the characters and how unique it was though  I would have shortened how much time was spent on Abel's job. Although, it added a compelling element to their relationship and added issues to it.

I thought that the author took Abel and Pixie's relationship in interesting directions to provide the reader with an understanding of each of their personalities and how they each reacted to their trials differently. They each coped in similar and different ways but seemed to be separated by how they each chose to move forward. One of them held onto anger and hate while the other chose forgiveness towards the persecutors of their relationship. I appreciated the uniqueness of the characters. I have never read a book where one of the characters comes from such an unusual family background. It made for an intriguing character development and made me question how our society might treat such a person. A theme of the book seemed to be do you damn the children for their parents choices or are they their own person with a fresh start.
2816949
It was an interesting and fun read. There were a variety of really interesting characters with unique stories to tell.
602574
Eric Buffington has written an interesting tale of boys coming of age. The book is full of magic, intrigue and adventure. It even has a bit of romance weaved into the story. I thought parts of the book could have been been removed to make the story tighter, but that aside the story still held my interest. This was a good effort by Buffington.

<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Time-Traveler/dp/B018WGXP1Y/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Time Traveler</a>
3079757
This book was interesting but a little weird. It is definitely different than anything I normally read. The target audience is children ages 9-12. I think the upper end of it would be appropriate due to content. The characters are well developed and the plot kept my attention beginning to end. I could feel the emotions of the characters. Some issues addressed in the book include mental illness, death, and family dysfunction. It does not leave you light and happy but the end fits the book. I hope there is a second book so readers can see what happens to Caleb. Iris was a great character and I loved her she embraces her interests even while her mom is pressing her to be part of the it crowd. Recommended with caution. Parents might want to read it first.

Review copy provided by Litfuse in exchange for an honest review.