If you owned a pen that wrote the future, what would you do?If you found a pen that wrote the future, would you use it? What if the consequences spread like ripples in a pond? What if they raged out of control? What if the pen demanded tribute...in blood? Micah Randall has found such a pen. One that's ensnared him in a curse dating back generations. One that's devastated two families and now threatens his whole New England village. But how can Micah destroy the pen when it offers him his only chance at the future he dreams of?An engrossing story written in a beautiful literary style, The Quill Pen touches on a wide range of themes, including bullying, racism, consequences, loyalty, friendship, respect, and the freedom to dream deeply. It's both entertaining and thoughtful. Richly developed characters bring the story to life. Accurate 19th Century historical details provide a unique window into early America, making Quill Pen an ideal accompaniment to an American history social studies course. And a splash of magic makes this an absolutely unforgettable reading experience.Awarded a Readers' Favorite 5 Star seal of approval.
MICHELLE ISENHOFF writes for women, teens, and tweens. Her work has been reader-nominated for a Cybils Award, the Great Michigan Read, and the Maine Student Book Award. She's also placed as a semi-finalist in the Kindle Book Review Book Awards, a finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards, and earned multiple Readers' Favorite 5 Star seals of approval. A former teacher and longtime homeschooler, Michelle has written extensively in the children's genre and been lauded by the education community for the literary quality of her work. More recently, she has enjoyed writing historical romance for older teens and women. Currently, she is relishing the creative freedom of branching out into adult speculative fiction.
A sign of a good book: When you finish, you look for anything else written by the author. This is exactly what I did in the middle of the night, last night. This story is very well written. I'm going to pass it on to my grandsons.
This is a unique children's book set in a coastal town in New England, giving it a lovely historical ambiance. It is also a fantasy centered around a quill pen that needs no ink--it writes in blood--and anything written with it will come true . . . and not in a pleasant manner. The characters are well written, and the moral dilemmas are intriguing. I would recommend it to middle schoolers (and older kids like me) who enjoy creative fantasy.
First of all, I must say I love this new cover a lot better. The original cover was just a beach and a sunset, but I think that this beautiful cover captures the essence that is this adventure story.
The Quill Pen takes place in a remote town in the early 1800s during a time of American expansion and on the brink of the industrial revolution. Micah is a 13 year old boy who comes from a well-to-do family: his father runs the local grocery store and is driven by ledgers and bank accounts, and his mother is a woman who is involved in woman's groups and library luncheons. As all good sons do, he works at his father's shop, helping with deliveries and inventory, but Micah would much rather spend his time on the coastline, exploring the wilderness, or hanging out with his best friend Gabby (who is a part of the only black family in town).
When Micah's father signs him up for the grueling job of cleaning out crazy Widow Parson's attic, Micah is less than thrilled. But it is in this attic that he uncovers a truly magical gift--a pen that, when used, let's everything it writes come true. But as with any magical power or gift comes a huge responsibility, and it is up to Micah to decide what he needs to do with this magical pen to keep everyone safe and happy, including himself.
This little novel is one full of intrigue and excitement that I really wasn't expecting. As it is a middle grade historical fantasy, I wasn't really expecting as much character development and interweaving storylines as this novel offers! Isenhoff does a remarkable job of connecting key elements of her characters together in a way that keeps the mystery intact. For such a short novel, there is a lot of depth and intricacy to the storyline that allows for the reader to enjoy and appreciate the story being told.
There are a couple of noteworthy characters to mention. Micah, the star of the story, is of course one of them. As a 13 year old boy from a restrictive family, he is tyring to figure out how to balance his life--between pleasing his family and being himself--and that balance in his world is so hard for him to find. But a long the way he grows in a respectable and believable way, which I really appreciated. Gabby and her family are the outsiders of this town and are continually fighting for their dignity. Gabby's father has a very interesting past, full of sailing stories and a shed full of interesting artifacts, making him one of the most interesting characters in this novel. But by far my favorite character is Crazy Widow Parson. She is a loner who knows exactly who she is, and she isn't afraid of what others say or do. But at the same time, she is not without her own pains--but she is a strong old woman, and the more you get to know her, the more you really like her!
This short novel is full of surprises and pleasantries. I found myself completely enjoying this read through, and this is the first of my author request novels that I can honestly say I liked! This a great read for children ages 10-12, but it can also be a fantastic family read-a-loud together, as the storyline is compelling enough to keep everyone's attention. I love being pleasantly surprised, and this little gem is definitely a novel worth sharing about.
Thank you to Michelle Isenhoff for asking me to review this novel. I would have probably never picked it up otherwise, and I am glad I did. =)
I absolutely loved this book!!!!! The most standout thing for me is the language that Isenhoff uses. Her writing and descriptions are sumptuous and juicy and her use of words is masterful and poetic. I found myself stopping to reread passages just so that I could savour them. This is the kind of descriptive writing that inspires me to try to be a better writer. I marked so many stand out sections, but I'll share a couple here:
The voice was cold as granite. On the far side of the table with the whole room under his eye, the figure of Micah's father presided over the meal like a medieval king. Like a statue of one, anyway, hard and stony. His brows pulled themselves into a heavy cliff that overhung narrow, unforgiving eyes. (p. 9-10)
He sometimes felt like a brooch his family adorned itself with. He'd much rather suffer the bumps and bruises of a well loved teddy bear. (p. 34)
Can't you just picture the scenes? Feel the emotion? Understand Micah's loneliness?
Beyond the great writing is a sweet story. My one criticism might be that the idea of the quill pen and what it could do took a little while considering it is such a short book. However, Micah is is a great, sympathetic character who show weaknesses, especially when faced with dilemma's, but also shows growth. As a reader, I felt for him and rallied behind him.
I loved Gabby and her family, especially her father with all of his stories and wisdom. They were a great foil for the rest of the town and Micah's own family. The friendship that Micah and Gabby had was fun and, I'm sure, widened the appeal of the book to both boys and girls.
One thing I really enjoy in books is when they explore interesting ideas and this one focused on the idea of each action having rippling consequences. The notion of one simple action leading to a myriad of unexpected results is a provocative one and is shown here along with its surprising results.
I highly recommend this book to those who like middle grade fantasy and good writing. This is a book that I will keep for my own kids to read and I will certainly be on the lookout for more books by Isenhoff so that I can continue to enjoy her rich writing.
Disclosure: Book received from the author for review.
This little novel packs a lot of interesting characters and a few unexpected twists into a book that middle school kids could easily read.
The story feels like a ghost story when you first begin reading but soon reveals itself to be something a little different. There are shipwrecks and curses and magic. There are prejudices and the possibility of budding romance. There are moments of history and moments of pure fantasy. I love the town outcasts and hate the town bully and was shocked by who the real villain turns out to be
If you found a pen that wrote the future, would you use it? What if consequences spread like ripples in a pond? What if they raged out of control? What if the pen demanded tribute...in blood?
Thirteen-year-old Micah has found such a pen. One that’s ensnared him in a curse dating back generations. One that’s devastated two families and now threatens his whole New England village. But how can Micah destroy the pen when it offers him his only chance at the future he dreams of?
This was a lovely story for teens and as a sixty-several-year old grandma I enjoyed it very much. Micah was an interesting young man and his fraught relationship with his father came across very well. I loved the idea of a magic pen that will obey your written desires and how this can have dire consequences. Some parts were beautifully written with lively descriptions of Micah's hometown and the surrounding area, emphasising why the boy was an outdoor person and refused to be confined to a small store in a small town. An intriguing story for young and old alike.
This is a blend of fantasy, magic, juvenile wish-fulfillment, and coming-of-age. I enjoyed it greatly and found only two minor misuses of words: JIVED for JIBED, and the nonstandard SNUCK for SNEAKED. (Like AIN'T, SNUCK is somewhat acceptable in oral usage, but should not be used in the written word.)
Set in a quaint port town, The Quill Pen by Michelle Isenhoff describes a time when life seemed slower, more simple. But was it really?
Hardly.
Thirteen-year-old Micah is an adventurer at heart. He longs for the freedom of the open air and sky found in the uncharted Western states. Micah’s father, however, is a born business man interested in one thing: making money. The two get along with each other as well as . . . well, as well as peanut butter and mayonnaise go together. Which, as most middle grade kids would agree, is NOT very good at all.
Add to the mix a batch of quirky neighbors, a pen that writes in blood, and a mysterious curse, and you’ve got the makings for a sandwich full of unique flavor and spice.
When Micah finds a quill pen that can be used to write the future, he is tempted to use it to stop his father from sending him away to attend a boy’s boarding school. However, each time he employs the pen, even for the simplest tasks like taking inventory of his father’s store, bad things happen. Regardless the consequences, the lure of the pen is too much for Micah. Near the end of the book, when he learns burning the quill would undo a curse placed decades earlier on his best friend’s father, Micah still can’t force himself to destroy the power the pen holds—that is until his arch enemy steals it from him.
This story is written with enough action to easily satisfy the demands of its intended audience: 8-12 boys and girls, as well as hold the attention of most adults. It contains wonderful imagery, similes, and metaphors. Granted, some of these will be lost on the book’s younger audience, but for those adults who pick it up it will be a treat.
Be forewarned, this is not a “reluctant reader” middle grade book. It is similar in theme and style to one of my favorite books, Tuck Everlasting. The Quill Pen expands on some of life’s universal themes: courage to face one’s fears, the destructiveness of unbridled power, and the joy of growing old with those you love. Treatment of these topics is scattered from cover to cover in a subtle way—for the most part. My one complaint (and I only have one) is that when Micah’s best friend, Gabby, talks about these themes, her character seems overly mature. To me, she didn’t come off sounding “kid enough.” Maybe I’m jaded, but it was hard for me to imagine a teenage girl being that wise and to imagine a teenage boy being nice enough to listen to her.
However, that was only one weakness in an overall amazing display of characterization that made the book come alive, such as: the old widow, Mrs. Parsons, whose past holds a tragic secret; and Sanjay Ramesh, a retired sailor whom the town shuns because of the color of his skin.
I appreciated the author using language appropriate for the book’s middle grade audience. There is no swearing or inappropriate jargon. And while there is violence (gun shots and fist fights), it is nothing gory or offensive. As for intrigue and suspense? There is plenty of both which is why I highly recommend this book to those in the market for a well-written middle grade fantasy.
What would you do if given the chance to write the future? That's the premise of The Quill Pen, and it's a really interesting one. Thirteen-year-old Micah finds a quill pen that contains magic. Whatever he writes with it comes true, though maybe not always in the way he'd intended.
I found this adventure story to be quiet and thoughtful, deep and complex. It unfolds steadily over the first half of the book, picking up steam until I couldn't stop turning the pages during the second half. The story took several turns that I hadn't anticipated and it was the better for it. I especially liked the mechanism behind why the quill pen worked and the lore tied up with it and how this resolved at the end. The characters were wonderfully complicated and their personalities were each distinct. Though the ending was very satisfactory, things weren't all tied up in a neat bow and completely resolved; there were no pat answers. This was especially fitting, considering the themes and feel of the novel.
I especially liked the way Micah's situation with his father was handled. His father had been a major thorn in Micah's side throughout the novel and the temptation would've been to either have him completely change by the end and see how wrong he's been or to have Micah leave and sever the relationship. But the author resisted those easy answers and chose a more complex path, but the right one for the story. Through it, Micah grows, and I believe his father will, too. And really, that's what the book's about--Micah finding his own path, but also finding the right way to go about embarking on it. I think the author does this very well.
Part adventure, part coming-of-age, and partly a philosophical look at what to do if given power over the future and immortality, this story was always compelling. What I enjoyed most about this book, though, was the writing. The descriptions, metaphors, and imagery used were beautifully written, almost lyrical. I highlighted many passages that I wanted to remember for the sheer loveliness of the writing.
All in all, I'd highly recommend this book, especially to those looking for books featuring a young male protagonist. Micah is conflicted and somewhat flawed, but really likeable and has a good heart. In the end, he finds the path that's right for him.
Micah had a boring life. His father owned a store that he made Micah work in. Micah did not like working in the store. Micah’s father told him he would run the store someday and that in a few weeks, he was sending Micah to a boarding school far away. Micah dreamed of going out west and exploring new lands, but he could not stand up to his father. When Micah’s father told him he had to go to work for the grouchy old Widow Parsons, cleaning out her attic, Micah sadly gave in. While working in the attic, Micah found a beautiful quill pen and asked Widow Parsons what she wanted to do with it. She told Micah to burn it with the rest of the trash, but Micah hid the pen in his jacket and brought it home. Micah discovered that the quill pen had magical powers, it can write the future! What Micah also finds out is that there is a horrible price that comes when using the Quill Pen. Micah figured with the Quill Pen he could write the future he wanted and not live the future his father planned for him, but at what cost?
I liked how exciting this story was. The plot was really unique and it kept me trying to guess what was going to happen next! Micah was a great main character (my mom’s favorite character was Widow Parsons) because he was so adventurous and he also was very respectful to his father even when he disagreed with him. I like the way Michelle Isenhoff writes because she describes the places in her books so well you can really see it in your mind. I think both kids and adults would really like this book. The story would also be great for younger advanced readers (there is a bit of violence but nothing graphic).
The author's historical fiction has always flowed flawlessly with beautiful wordsmithing bringing wonderful word pictures to the young readers who have chosen to read her books. The young reader will inevitably learn new vocabulary as well as true historical fact and descriptions of settings when they read a Michelle Isenhoff novel.
However, The Quill Pen, while set in a long-ago seaside village is not historical fiction per se it is a venture into fantasy. You see, the quill is a feather pen of magical qualities - it is capable of writing without true ink events and happenings of the future and they do transpire as written.
Micah is a young teen boy held under the domineering and stoney thumb of his unfeeling father. Micah wants a different future from that which his father has planned, and Micah sees how the feather/quill pen can be the instrument of his attaining this different future.
Characters in the story: Widow Parsons, a sharp-tongued lady; Gabby and her family, outcasts from village society because of an issue of race; Micah, tormented by the possibility that he will have to accede to his father's planned future for him.
Middle school readers will find themselves enjoying the conversations and actions of the characters as they are exposed to the beautiful, fluid writing style of Michelle Isenhoff.
I enjoyed reading The Quill Pen but was expecting more of a historical fiction from the pen of Ms. Isenhoff. I usually do not read fantasy, but found this fantasy enjoyable and I would recommend it. DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy of The Quill Pen by the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Teen-aged Micah Randall is, so far, unhappy with his lot in life. His father is domineering, unfeeling and quite insensitive to Micah’s feelings. Mr. Randall owns several businesses in their small New England coastal town and Micah spends all of his time, when not at school, working in the general store. Micah sees this boring life spread out before him and he wishes only to escape his father’s plans and head west for adventure.
Merle Parsons, an elderly widow, hires Micah to help her clean out the attic of her large coastal home. Although the widow Parsons is a prickly taskmaster, the two get along well and Micah is fascinated by the many tales that Mrs. Parsons tells him. While cleaning out an old trunk Micah finds a beautiful golden quill pen and, although Mrs. Parsons tells him to burn it, Micah secretly keeps it for himself. That night Micah experiments with the pen, which does not seem to require any ink but writes with a clear red liquid, and within days he finds that the thoughts he committed to paper begin to come true in real life. His pen writes the future! Micah plans to use the magical pen to release himself from his father’s grip but he will find that everything has a price.
This YA story is one that I got for free on my Kindle. Although it was a pleasant enough story I have issues with any book that has so many spelling errors – it takes away from my enjoyment of the book too much. Nobody “eeks” out a living or “hordes” papers. If you can get past that you might enjoy Micah’s story.
Micah is struggling with his anger at his father, who treats him more like a slave than a son. Micah can't make any decisions for himself. His father has his entire future planned out for him, a future that will cause Micah's spirit to wilt and die.
Micah is hired out by his father to help the widow Parsons clean out her attic. The Parsons home is considered to be haunted or cursed depending on who you talk to. Naturally Micah isn't thrilled but he does what he is supposed to and arrives at the widows door on time. The first day a beautiful feather is discovered in an old trunk. It is a unique quill pen that doesn't seem to need ink to write. What comes out of the pen looks like blood on the paper. The other unique and curious thing about this quill pen is that whatever is written comes true.
This was an ok story for me. I could take it or leave it. It was free and fulfilled a reading challenge that I was in so all in all not bad. The story was well written if not slightly contrived. I wasn't super impressed but it kept me interested and was a fast read.
The young protagonist and supporting characters clearly put this novel in the MG/YA category. However, The Quill Pen is one of those rare books that defy being pigeon-holed because it is so well written. Isenhoff’s quality prose, well-crafted dialogue, and richness of the historical setting make The Quill Pen entertaining for adults as well. She paints the characters with masterful strokes. These strengths give The Quill Pen a classic, almost Twain-like feel. This book is so well edited it could have come out of any major publishing house, a worthy feat for any indie author.
Quill’s only fault is it slows slightly in the middle, which might lose some MG readers. For older readers, this won’t be an issue. It could also use a snappier cover worthy of the content inside.
The Quill Pen is delightful on every level. Isenhoff is an indie author worth keeping an eye on.
This book is about a thirteen year old boy, Micah who lives with a very forceful father and loving mother. With the help of a friend Micah learns to find courage to face his father and to stand up for himself. Courage is something you already have like hope, compassion and love, no one can give it to you or take it away. Micah is hired to help an elderly woman, Widow Parson to clean out her attic and in an old trunk he finds a quill pen. He takes it home and discovers that whatever he writes with it comes true plus other consequences.
This is a book written for the younger generations of teens and older but can be enjoyed by all ages. The author describes her characters with life and personalities. This is a good mystery with some twists. The widow is an outstanding character and tells it like it is, she is a charming character. This is a good clean story, very refreshing, I really enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed this one. It was a cute, sweet story. The characters were very likeable and believeable. I guess, my only real complaint would be, that the character and story development took a little too long and the adventure/magic did not happen until the end of the story. I felt the story could have been longer or perhaps another book is needed. I would say that being a YA book, it would not be something that I could see passing to a reluctant reader. I don't think there would be enough to keep them engaged in this one. However, if you have a YA reader that devours everything? They would enjoy this one for sure. Being an adult reading this one? It really was a delightful, enjoyable little book and I would definitely read other books by Michelle Isenhoff that follow along with this genre.
Thirteen-year-old Micah suspects that a quill pen he discovers while cleaning Widow Parsons' attic can write the future- literally. Soon, he learns the future cannot be tampered with without consequences. A talented writer, Michelle Isenhoff paints a wonderful picture of an era gone by. The innocence of her story and the nobleness of Micah are refreshing. Though it's easy to relate to Micah and understand his temptation to use the pen to free himself from his domineering father-a truly horrid individual- Widow Parsons is the character who looms off the page (She fascinates me). This enchanting tale targets a young audience, but can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. A great book to sit around a fire and read out loud as a family. Parents and teachers, you'll find fantastic nuggets to discuss with youngsters in this story.
I liked the book, but it is not one I would say, you need to read this book, so I gave it 3 stars. The story follows a young boy who is unhappy with his dad's choices for him. He wants something different than working in his dad's store. The boy befriends people the rest of the town look down on. He discovers a magic pen, but the pen carries heavy consequences for its use. The story has some of the tried and true story ideas that are used often- a boy befriends a girl,who parents don't approve of- he wants to stand up to his father but doesn't have the courage-- he sees the good in others when most of the people look with more shallow eyes- since the story was good, enjoyable, but nothing new to me, I felt like 3 stars was good enough. The writing was good,but a little confusing on the italicized inserts-makes the reader wonder who it is about and it takes awhile to catch on.
This book is quite the adventure! I forgot that I was reading a children's book... I think that says a lot about Michelle's writing ability. This story is unique and full of adventure that most children would enjoy! It is not your "normal" paranormal read... there are no vampires or weres in this book, but it is full of magic and imagination! The story is great and keeps the pages turning! I would definitely recommend this book to others and age appropriate children (middle school grade) who love to read!
Disclosure: I received one copy of the book from the Author for review purposes only. I was not compensated to write a positive or favorable review. This is Keeping Up With The Rheinlander's personal opinion.
I found this book easy to read and enjoyed it immensely. Young Micah's struggle to build up the courage to stand up for himself takes you back to your own childhood. And helps you remember what it's like to be young and trying to figure out what you want to do with your life. As Micah finds the golden feather you just know it will change his life; will it be for better or worse. The story of the quill pen is a story you can take pleasure in and share with others. If you like YA books I say pick it up and enjoy.
The Quill Pen, I noticed more as I was reading it, is a young adult novel. The way it was written, though, pulled me in like not many young adult novels can. Generally, the way YA novels are written can be...adolescent, in their quality. This one very much had an adult's tone to it, and it showed in the content.
The ages-long story of feuds between two families is a stressor that is all too real in some places. But, Micah shows how much stronger he is than the tides of history. I am proud to say that I enjoyed this book, and I will enjoy future works from this author.
4.75/5.0 - This was a fun read filled with imagination
Against a backdrop of colonial times, Isenhoff plunges readers into the mystery of a feather profoundly influencing more than one person's life. But it's not just any feather, it's from a phoenix. I'd never seen mythical creatures mixed with colonial times before reading this story, but the author pulls it off believably.
My only issue was with the beginning where much description, albeit nearly poetry, makes the action drag a bit.
That said, it was still a great read that I recommend for middle grade readers.
If you found a pen that wrote the future, would you use it? What if the consequences spread like ripples in a pond? What if they raged out of control? What if the pen demanded tribute...in blood?
Thirteen-year-old Micah has found such a pen. One that’s ensnared him in a curse dating back generations. One that’s devastated two families and now threatens his whole New England village. But how can Micah destroy the pen when it offers him his only chance at the future he dreams of?
My goodness, Michelle Isenhoff is clearly SO VERY TALENTED. She sets the scene so incredibly perfectly that I felt like I was right there with the characters amid all the action. This is such a fantastic read. After I'd read it, I said to my husband that I could imagine this book being studied by children at school... it's that amazing! This has got to be one of the VERY BEST books I've had the pleasure of reading this year... actually, make that EVER. Simply superb!
Micah comes across a feather pen while helping widow Parsons clean out her attic. He discovers it has the power to write the future when using it. Micah shares the secret with his best friend Gabby, who belongs to a family that most of the town doesn't know or trust. Micah's father certainly doesn't approve of this friendship or anything else that Micah thinks or does. A fun suspenseful, mystery, fantasy.
Another enjoyable offering from Michelle Isenhoff. I found the story a little hard to engage with at times but that may be due to the fact that I had a lot of other things going on at the time and the text, although enjoyable, isn't one that really reached out and grabbed me by the collar, refusing to let go until I had gotten to the end.
I read this book for free on my kindle. It was a quick and enjoyable read. Even though it is geared as a children/YA book, I think adults of all ages can find it enjoyable. I will definitely read more from this author.
I really liked this book. One of those books that when I finish reading it, I try to find other books the author has written because I'm pretty sure I'll like them, too. I feel some things/possibilities could have been explored that weren't, so only 4 stars. Overall, definitely recommended.