L-J's Review of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs f yy Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Ransom Riggs' Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is different than any young adult novel I've ever read.  Based on collectors' photos of "peculiar" children, the story is about a Jacob who travels to an island off of England to learn about his grandfather's childhood.  Our hero grew up hearing his grandfather's stories of a girl who could make fire with her hands, an invisible boy, a girl who had to be weighted down so she would not float away, a girl with amazing strength and many many more.  His grandfather even had photos of some of the supposed "peculiar" children.  To teenaged Jacob, the photos appeared over-exposed and doctored, making him think his grandfather created this magical world to entertain him when he was younger.  After his grandfather's unexpected death, Jacob convinces his father to take him to the island where his grandfather grew up in an orphanage, and there he learns so much more than what he could ever have expected.

I could not put the novel down though there definitely were some scary moments (and I'm not a fan of scary).  I particularly appreciated the vintage photos dispersed throughout the book and love the way Riggs was able to create an entire story around them.  It's unique and quick and stays with you even after you finish it.

Here's a book trailer for it that would make me want to read it if I hadn't already done so:

And as I was wondering, there will be a sequel!

XOXO,