Find the extraordinary in an ordinary life.
For all intensive purposes, Jacob was an ordinary boy. He was awkward for a 16-year-old with very few friends, but there was nothing particularly special about him. As an only child, he was close to his grandfather and would often spend time with him when his parents were not getting along in their passive aggressive way. His grandfather told him stories and showed him pictures of a childhood far away on an island where children could do peculiar things. Jacob had learned not to believe in the stories anymore – until he himself saw something peculiar at his grandfather’s death.
I added this book to my list when I found out the movie would be coming out this summer. I thought this might be a good one for my children to read and then watch and I like to read what they’re reading so we can talk about it. I’m glad I read it before them because it’s a little more mature than where they are at for reading levels.
This book is more for middle and high schoolers than elementary children. There are some dark themes with death and power-hungry monsters as enemies. As Jacob comes to discover the world his grandfather described is true, he realizes he must either join their world or try to go back to living a “normal” life. Any 16-year-old who discovers time loops where people don’t age, children with almost super-hero abilities and his own peculiar ability would have a hard time turning his back on being a part of this new world.
This book is book one of three in a series. I do plan to read the next two books as it’s an interesting storyline. I can see how it would keep teenagers engaged. The movie should be fairly engaging, too. I don’t know if the movie will be based on book 1 or on the whole series. I would recommend this book to any teenagers or any adults who have children who will read it or see the movie. A few things are on the scary side, but there’s nothing objectionable.