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The Book of Dares for Lost Friends
Val and Lanora have been friends forever. Val expects their relationship to stay the same. But after they start middle school, Lanora decides to reinvent herself. Her parents have split up, and she wants to rise above that. Unfortunately Lanora's choices lead her into trouble. Val hates watching her friend lose her way. She wants to rescue Lanora, but how? Val doesn't know what to do until a stray cat leads her to a strange boy who lives in an even stranger bookshop. Together they embark on a quest. Will they be able to save a lost friend? Will they get lost themselves? Or will they find a way to help each other become who they want to be . . . .
Jane Kelley has created a nuanced, universal story about friendship and that delicate time of adolescence when there is much to lose and much more to find.
Jane Kelley has created a nuanced, universal story about friendship and that delicate time of adolescence when there is much to lose and much more to find.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2015
10 people are currently reading
474 people want to read
About the author
Jane Kelley
8 books30 followersJane Kelley lives in Mequon, Wisconsin, with her husband at the edge of a magical woods. She is the author of many middle-grade novels and science books. She studied theater at Northwestern University, where she learned how to get inside a character. She is proud to have reconnected with the stage. Her most recent novel has been turned into a family musical. She looks forward to traveling and discovering new worlds for her novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
think-about-it
July 16, 2015The whole book reminds me of this:
“Because in the end nothing is worse than seeing the fall of one you loved. It was somehow worse than losing a love. It made everything seem questionable. It made the past bitter and confused.”
― Cassandra Clare, The Fall of the Hotel Dumort
“Because in the end nothing is worse than seeing the fall of one you loved. It was somehow worse than losing a love. It made everything seem questionable. It made the past bitter and confused.”
― Cassandra Clare, The Fall of the Hotel Dumort
April 10, 2015
I think at 1st glance this book has everything a blossoming 5th or 6th grader would want to read about; a little bit of mystery, drama among friends, first crushes, and maybe even a little bit of magic. But I really did not enjoy the way the story was told and I had a hard time getting behind the anguish of one of the main characters (even though I should have, coming from a divorced family myself). And not being able to relate to her plight made it hard to get on board with the whole “saving the best friend quest,” which is kind of the point of the story. I just couldn’t get into it and after it was all said and done my final thought was plainly “blah”. On the surface it touched on a lot of relevant issues to that age group like trying to fit in, alienation, parent’s divorce and feeling out of control, but it lacked character development and thus was hard to get emotionally invested in their lives.
I also had some issues with the way it was written; I felt the story would jump around with regards to the setting from time to time and I would suddenly be confused about how they got places, where they were or how a character showed up – it was very jarring at times. As well, the author didn’t do a good job of switching perspectives and making a seamless transition between voices. You would be in one character’s head and then in the next sentence you’d be in someone else’s, which is acceptable but the author did it in a way that left the reader feeling a little lost and disorientated.
And side note I just didn’t get the cat character??
I also had some issues with the way it was written; I felt the story would jump around with regards to the setting from time to time and I would suddenly be confused about how they got places, where they were or how a character showed up – it was very jarring at times. As well, the author didn’t do a good job of switching perspectives and making a seamless transition between voices. You would be in one character’s head and then in the next sentence you’d be in someone else’s, which is acceptable but the author did it in a way that left the reader feeling a little lost and disorientated.
And side note I just didn’t get the cat character??
February 19, 2019
This book just didn't do it for me. So many things went unexplained...why the bowl was so important to the Captain (and the ritual), how Tasman came to live with the Captain, the "magic" that brought the girls back together. The Book of Dares...what is it? How does it work? Why is it only used one time? Unfortunately, this book fell rather short.
July 15, 2015
Huge thank you to Raincoast Books for this ARC!
I didn't know what I was getting into when I started The Book of Dares for Lost Friends by Jane Kelley. I admit, I'm not familiar with her work, but what I was from this novel was a beautiful written, if somewhat confusing narrative.
What you need for this novel is that it's very much an adventurer's quest -- Val wishes to save her friend Lanora from becoming someone different. From growing up and being forgotten. Interestingly what we have are two female heroines, both seemingly voiced as being older than they are, but with the maturity not quite being there yet. I actually appreciated that portrayal of the characters because it seemed very fitting as they are both in an awkward age where they want to be grown up but still are very childlike in their innocence. I just wish there had been more development in the characters, because I still feel like I didn't know them as well as I would have liked.
This novel is beautiful written, but I admit at times it confused me. You'd get these very detailed descriptions and I found myself having to read them more than once to ensure that I understood what was happening. The setting of the story jumps around a lot, so trying to keep up and stay consistent requires slow reading. This novel took me awhile to get through, not because it was bad, but because it wants and demands your full attention. If your mind wanders, it's easy to forget what you just read.
I appreciate a lot of the issues that Kelley presents in the novel, from divorce, fitting in, being lost, it's all integral to growing up and learning what kind of person you are going to grow into. While the characters in this story lacked depth, the author made up for it in how she approached the issues -- it's done in a very sensitive and thoughtful manner that I feel the age group this book is targeted to could understand with ease. She never dumbed it down or make it feel shoe-horned in, and I like how Lanora and Val respond to the issues. There's fear, uncertainty, challenge, and it felt very real at times.
I feel like The Book of Dares for Lost Friends offers a lot to a reader who is patient and methodical. Although this is very much an adventure story, it's not a book I would recommend to a reader who is impatient and simply wanting action and instant discovery. This book is layered, it's challenging, and I think with a patient reader, it could easily be a favourite. I admit, I feel like I wanted so much more from this story, and while I adore some of it's approaches to topics, as a reader I struggled to connect. I think The Book of Dares for Lost Friends, while beautiful in it's prose, may be a very polarizing book for some readers, and that's okay too. Still, if you're a patient reader and love a middle grade novel with a slow unravel, then definitely check this book out.
I didn't know what I was getting into when I started The Book of Dares for Lost Friends by Jane Kelley. I admit, I'm not familiar with her work, but what I was from this novel was a beautiful written, if somewhat confusing narrative.
What you need for this novel is that it's very much an adventurer's quest -- Val wishes to save her friend Lanora from becoming someone different. From growing up and being forgotten. Interestingly what we have are two female heroines, both seemingly voiced as being older than they are, but with the maturity not quite being there yet. I actually appreciated that portrayal of the characters because it seemed very fitting as they are both in an awkward age where they want to be grown up but still are very childlike in their innocence. I just wish there had been more development in the characters, because I still feel like I didn't know them as well as I would have liked.
This novel is beautiful written, but I admit at times it confused me. You'd get these very detailed descriptions and I found myself having to read them more than once to ensure that I understood what was happening. The setting of the story jumps around a lot, so trying to keep up and stay consistent requires slow reading. This novel took me awhile to get through, not because it was bad, but because it wants and demands your full attention. If your mind wanders, it's easy to forget what you just read.
I appreciate a lot of the issues that Kelley presents in the novel, from divorce, fitting in, being lost, it's all integral to growing up and learning what kind of person you are going to grow into. While the characters in this story lacked depth, the author made up for it in how she approached the issues -- it's done in a very sensitive and thoughtful manner that I feel the age group this book is targeted to could understand with ease. She never dumbed it down or make it feel shoe-horned in, and I like how Lanora and Val respond to the issues. There's fear, uncertainty, challenge, and it felt very real at times.
I feel like The Book of Dares for Lost Friends offers a lot to a reader who is patient and methodical. Although this is very much an adventure story, it's not a book I would recommend to a reader who is impatient and simply wanting action and instant discovery. This book is layered, it's challenging, and I think with a patient reader, it could easily be a favourite. I admit, I feel like I wanted so much more from this story, and while I adore some of it's approaches to topics, as a reader I struggled to connect. I think The Book of Dares for Lost Friends, while beautiful in it's prose, may be a very polarizing book for some readers, and that's okay too. Still, if you're a patient reader and love a middle grade novel with a slow unravel, then definitely check this book out.
June 6, 2015
This sounded like a great book that kids in grades 5-8 would enjoy. Best friends are starting middle school and suddenly things are different and they’re hanging out with different people. Val meets a strange and mysterious boy while she tries to figure out how to get Lanora to be her friend again. Lanora is struggling to deal with her parents’ divorce and tries to fit in with the most popular girls in school. There is a sense of magic that permeates the story, but even the sense of mystery doesn’t save this story.
A lot of potential lies within this novel. I would love to see Tasman’s story a little more developed, filling him out and letting us understand him a bit more--or allowing for other characters to understand him. Everyone is very confused about him, even at the end of the novel. The energy and mystery surrounding him and the story is where the story really lies and this could have helped to create more interest in characters.
The characters were underdeveloped and unbelievable. Val and Lanora have been friends forever, but we don’t really get to see that at all, except for a few pages at the beginning, and even within those pages, Lanora is already plotting her break from Val. The break makes no sense. Even with Lanora feeling upset over her parents’ divorce, her actions and emotions don’t feel believable. She quickly becomes an emotionless being, who thinks a little too logically and rationally, and I immediately dislike her. I can’t even feel sorry for her because her actions: breaking ties from her friend, being rude to her mother, and other actions I will not disclose seem to come from another place that has nothing to do with anything. She just seems like a mean person.
There are other characters which are unbelievable as well. Tasman, the boy Val meets, is strange and speaks in a way that shows he is smart, but he doesn’t attend school. He brings in a mysticism to the story, but it’s strange and not fully developed, leaving a lot unanswered and empty. We know he lives with a man his grandfather, and maybe his father, knew, but that they are not around anymore, but we don’t know why, although it’s later explained slightly. There are hints to a troubled life for Tasman, but still it’s unclear exactly what is wrong--just that he is strange. Val’s brother is also unbelievable, knowing a lot for a six year old.
Last, but not least there was a cat. Several times in the story, we saw things through her point of view. It was confusing because the only importance she had was that she brought Val to Tasman, but this could have been accomplished without the cat.
Overall, I wouldn’t jump up and down and rush to the store to grab this book.
Check out this and other reviews at my blog: Living A Life In Books
A lot of potential lies within this novel. I would love to see Tasman’s story a little more developed, filling him out and letting us understand him a bit more--or allowing for other characters to understand him. Everyone is very confused about him, even at the end of the novel. The energy and mystery surrounding him and the story is where the story really lies and this could have helped to create more interest in characters.
The characters were underdeveloped and unbelievable. Val and Lanora have been friends forever, but we don’t really get to see that at all, except for a few pages at the beginning, and even within those pages, Lanora is already plotting her break from Val. The break makes no sense. Even with Lanora feeling upset over her parents’ divorce, her actions and emotions don’t feel believable. She quickly becomes an emotionless being, who thinks a little too logically and rationally, and I immediately dislike her. I can’t even feel sorry for her because her actions: breaking ties from her friend, being rude to her mother, and other actions I will not disclose seem to come from another place that has nothing to do with anything. She just seems like a mean person.
There are other characters which are unbelievable as well. Tasman, the boy Val meets, is strange and speaks in a way that shows he is smart, but he doesn’t attend school. He brings in a mysticism to the story, but it’s strange and not fully developed, leaving a lot unanswered and empty. We know he lives with a man his grandfather, and maybe his father, knew, but that they are not around anymore, but we don’t know why, although it’s later explained slightly. There are hints to a troubled life for Tasman, but still it’s unclear exactly what is wrong--just that he is strange. Val’s brother is also unbelievable, knowing a lot for a six year old.
Last, but not least there was a cat. Several times in the story, we saw things through her point of view. It was confusing because the only importance she had was that she brought Val to Tasman, but this could have been accomplished without the cat.
Overall, I wouldn’t jump up and down and rush to the store to grab this book.
Check out this and other reviews at my blog: Living A Life In Books
February 14, 2016
I won The Book of Dares for Lost Friends on Goodreads.
The Book of Dares for Lost Friends doesn’t seem to know what it wants to be. Is it a middle grade contemporary with the usual story of one friend ditching the other for popularity? Or is it a fantasy? It wants to be both and succeeds at neither. The fantasy elements are more confusing than interesting and the story about Lanora and Val’s friendship isn’t strong enough to save the book.
Part of the problem is that I don’t understand or like Lanora at all. Her entire identity crisis seems to stem from her parents’ divorce. That’s it? Probably half the kids in her class have divorced parents. It’s not ideal, but it’s not worth dumping your best friend over either. And when her bid for new, cooler friends, doesn’t work out, she starts getting into trouble, the kind of trouble that involves the police and reform schools.
Val, on the other hand, is better off without Lanora. Her new friends might not be cool and mature, but they’re willing to help Val out when she needs it — even if she doesn’t ask. Or maybe they’re just curious about what Val is up to, but in any case, they’re there for her. I really wish there had been more emphasis on these new friends. They’re around, but I wouldn’t even really consider them her friends until the end of the book. Until they come through for Val, they’re more people she sits with so she doesn’t have to sit alone.
Too bad for me that Val isn’t as ready to give up on Lanora as I am. Val watches as Lanora gets into trouble but she’s not just going to sit back and let Lanora get sent away. In setting out to “save” Lanora, Val proves once again that she’s a better friend and a better person than Lanora is. This is when the book, the cat Mau, and the strange boy Tasman come in. I’m not even going to go into it because this was the confusing and boring part of the book. I love cats, so I was disappointed that the cat as a character didn’t work for me.
I do like Val’s younger brother Drew. Although he gets annoying (and not just to Val, but to me too) at times, he’s entertaining. He’s a normal kid brother. He and Val’s new friends are the best characters in the book.
By the end of The Book of Dares for Lost Friends, I was just skimming and waiting to be done. I’m not even sure I actually finished it. I remember having a few pages left and just no desire to continue. At that point everything had been resolved and all there was left was the wrapup. I don’t care whether Val and Lanora become friends again, so I might have just it down and considered it done.
The Book of Dares for Lost Friends doesn’t seem to know what it wants to be. Is it a middle grade contemporary with the usual story of one friend ditching the other for popularity? Or is it a fantasy? It wants to be both and succeeds at neither. The fantasy elements are more confusing than interesting and the story about Lanora and Val’s friendship isn’t strong enough to save the book.
Part of the problem is that I don’t understand or like Lanora at all. Her entire identity crisis seems to stem from her parents’ divorce. That’s it? Probably half the kids in her class have divorced parents. It’s not ideal, but it’s not worth dumping your best friend over either. And when her bid for new, cooler friends, doesn’t work out, she starts getting into trouble, the kind of trouble that involves the police and reform schools.
Val, on the other hand, is better off without Lanora. Her new friends might not be cool and mature, but they’re willing to help Val out when she needs it — even if she doesn’t ask. Or maybe they’re just curious about what Val is up to, but in any case, they’re there for her. I really wish there had been more emphasis on these new friends. They’re around, but I wouldn’t even really consider them her friends until the end of the book. Until they come through for Val, they’re more people she sits with so she doesn’t have to sit alone.
Too bad for me that Val isn’t as ready to give up on Lanora as I am. Val watches as Lanora gets into trouble but she’s not just going to sit back and let Lanora get sent away. In setting out to “save” Lanora, Val proves once again that she’s a better friend and a better person than Lanora is. This is when the book, the cat Mau, and the strange boy Tasman come in. I’m not even going to go into it because this was the confusing and boring part of the book. I love cats, so I was disappointed that the cat as a character didn’t work for me.
I do like Val’s younger brother Drew. Although he gets annoying (and not just to Val, but to me too) at times, he’s entertaining. He’s a normal kid brother. He and Val’s new friends are the best characters in the book.
By the end of The Book of Dares for Lost Friends, I was just skimming and waiting to be done. I’m not even sure I actually finished it. I remember having a few pages left and just no desire to continue. At that point everything had been resolved and all there was left was the wrapup. I don’t care whether Val and Lanora become friends again, so I might have just it down and considered it done.
June 30, 2015
Full disclosure: I am a huge Jane Kelley fan. I am also a mom of two huge Jane Kelley fans - both my son and daughter, who are very different readers, fell in love with all of her books in the 3rd-6th grade years after she came to their elementary school library for an author visit.
Here's what's so great about "The Book of Dares for Lost Friends": The voice! Kelley tells the story like a concerned, very sympathetic, and all-seeing visiting aunt, the kind who knows just what kind of presents each of her nieces and nephews would like. She distills her characters' thoughts and feelings down to their essence, which is a great way for a young reader to get perspective on these characters--from cats who make a virtue of selfishness, to children who feel forgotten in a divorce, to middle schoolers navigating the line between friendship and budding romance.
I think children will be fascinated by the magic of ancient Egyptian mystical practice, the freedom of kids who have all of the Upper West Side and Central Park at their disposal, a curmudgeon of a rare books dealer, and the "home schooled" boy being raised inside the shop.
This story is particularly apt for readers anticipating the middle school transition in a late-elementary context...they'll see a little of what's in store for them, but through a lens of the wide-ranging curiosity that still characterizes their own view of the world. The popular girls, portrayed here with gimlet eyed accuracy, come off as anthropological curiosities rather than anything one might aspire to be, while the poetry club offers an excellent alternative view of staying true to your own interests as you get older.
Read it! Share it with your kids!
Here's what's so great about "The Book of Dares for Lost Friends": The voice! Kelley tells the story like a concerned, very sympathetic, and all-seeing visiting aunt, the kind who knows just what kind of presents each of her nieces and nephews would like. She distills her characters' thoughts and feelings down to their essence, which is a great way for a young reader to get perspective on these characters--from cats who make a virtue of selfishness, to children who feel forgotten in a divorce, to middle schoolers navigating the line between friendship and budding romance.
I think children will be fascinated by the magic of ancient Egyptian mystical practice, the freedom of kids who have all of the Upper West Side and Central Park at their disposal, a curmudgeon of a rare books dealer, and the "home schooled" boy being raised inside the shop.
This story is particularly apt for readers anticipating the middle school transition in a late-elementary context...they'll see a little of what's in store for them, but through a lens of the wide-ranging curiosity that still characterizes their own view of the world. The popular girls, portrayed here with gimlet eyed accuracy, come off as anthropological curiosities rather than anything one might aspire to be, while the poetry club offers an excellent alternative view of staying true to your own interests as you get older.
Read it! Share it with your kids!
November 14, 2015
Middle grades seem to be some of the most difficult years to navigate, partly because everything is new and confusing but also because they may offer a time to reinvent ourselves. When New Yorkers Val and Lanora start middle school, Lanora decides to do just that. Although she still dearly loves Val, she leaves her behind, avoids her calls and ignores her at school, and falls in with the wrong crowd. When her new friends, the A Team, go shopping, they don't use cash or credit cards to pay for their new acquisitions. Before she knows it, Lanora is arrested for shoplifting and becomes the object of ridicule among her classmates. Val, in turn, is confused by her friend's changes, and has no idea what to do. When she follows Mau to an odd-looking shop filled with old books and other treasures, she meets a boy named Tasman who offers her a possible way to help her lost friend. While parts of the story are quite easily relatable, the supernatural element makes this one somewhat hard to believe. The identity of the mentally ill homeless man seemed a bit contrived to me, but perhaps that's just my cynical side rearing its unattractive head. What I loved most about this book was Val and her determination to help the friend who had seemingly left her far behind and Mau, the cat that tied all the seemingly disparate parts together. The fact that Lanora felt ignored and unloved by her absent father contributed to holding the book together, but I would have liked to have known a little bit more about him and her mother. Despite some of its problematic elements, the book will provide reassurance to incoming middle graders that they will be able to find a place, a space, and some worthy friends as they move through their new schools.
July 20, 2015
THE BOOK OF DARES FOR LOST FRIENDS by Jane Kelley is the heartwarming story of what it means to be a friend.
When Lanora starts middle school, she decides to drop her longtime best friend Val and seek new friendships. However when Lanora’s reinvention turns out badly, Val comes to the rescue with the help of a cat, a strange boy, and some new friends.
Although set in Manhattan near Central Park, Kelley’s story transcends time and place. Her deep understanding of friendship and families make the situations and dialogue feel authentic. Readers will enjoy Kelley’s well-developed characters and interesting plot twists. Subplots involving issues such as homelessness, shoplifting, and divorce are all on target for the middle-grade audience.
Librarians will find this quiet, hopeful story to be popular among middle-grade youth who enjoy realistic fiction with a hint of magic. Perfect for the coming-of-age crowd transitioning from elementary to middle school, the universal themes will appeal to many children.
To learn more about the author, go to http://www.janekelleybooks.com.
Published by Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan on July 14, 2015. ARC from Edelweiss.
When Lanora starts middle school, she decides to drop her longtime best friend Val and seek new friendships. However when Lanora’s reinvention turns out badly, Val comes to the rescue with the help of a cat, a strange boy, and some new friends.
Although set in Manhattan near Central Park, Kelley’s story transcends time and place. Her deep understanding of friendship and families make the situations and dialogue feel authentic. Readers will enjoy Kelley’s well-developed characters and interesting plot twists. Subplots involving issues such as homelessness, shoplifting, and divorce are all on target for the middle-grade audience.
Librarians will find this quiet, hopeful story to be popular among middle-grade youth who enjoy realistic fiction with a hint of magic. Perfect for the coming-of-age crowd transitioning from elementary to middle school, the universal themes will appeal to many children.
To learn more about the author, go to http://www.janekelleybooks.com.
Published by Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan on July 14, 2015. ARC from Edelweiss.
November 30, 2019
Bit short but intriguing read! :) I loved the characters and the writing was done in a unique and captivating style of storytelling.
The ending fell a bit short however, some questions were still left unanswered, but the concept of magic and life were beautifully woven into this cute book. ;)
The ending fell a bit short however, some questions were still left unanswered, but the concept of magic and life were beautifully woven into this cute book. ;)
September 2, 2017
At first I didn't think that I was going to enjoy this book but at the end it stick with me. The way the story was told was sometimes confusing for me. Going for Mau, to Val to Lanora was confusing from time to time. I would have given the book a higher rating if there was a better indication of when the main point of view would be switched. I also had a personal connection with this book because I had a friend and we were pretty close (not close close, but we were pretty good friends,) and when we both went to the same school we were together because she would help me around. Then one day she changed and met another girl, which is not bad you can always make new friends, but the girl changed her look and style. We didn't hang out as often and lost connection. We don't really talk in school anymore, it would have been nice if there was this boy (or girl, gender doesn't matter) like Tasman who would help us become friends again, but things don't end like a fairytale.
November 6, 2019
This is the best book I've ever read
November 17, 2023
It was alright. It's not my favorite. It almost sounded like a witch story when two friends go in the forest and are lost and are hunted by witches.
December 2, 2015
This is book five.
I'll be honest. The only reason why I picked this up was because of the cool silhouette cover of the book. I love those. I think I'm a sucker for those. And I didn't even bother to read the description first because of it. Call it blind love, it's probs true.
The main problem I had about this is that I had to connection or interrelation with the main characters, or any of the characters for that matter. I just didn't click with her and I didn't feel any concern or interest in knowing what was happening in her life. Of course, I felt a negative response to her unfortunate situations but I didn't feel for her. Which is what intensifies my emotions to keep on reading. Maybe that's why I read this a little slower than I did for the other MD-Experiments.
Another reason why I disliked this book is because it was written in a really confusing way. I sometimes felt like the characters had teleportation powers because they'd be in one place and then another place without telling you how they got there. Like I don't even get the setting anymore besides the shop where I think Val's parents own. If I'm wrong about that then that just proves how adrift and wildered I was with the whole thing.
And I also realized late how there were two perspectives that was being told. Like whut?
I didn't realize until I got really confused about the story and things just started to not make sense.
And also the cat... what the freakin' deal was it with the freakin' cat. Cause I didn't get it and it just made me mad every time it was mentioned.
(Not so) happy reading!
June 18, 2015
"The Book of Dares for Lost Friends" by Jane Kelley is a children's book for ages 8-12 that centers around two best friends and their new adventures and struggles as they begin middle school. "Would you dare . . . to undo a spell? To save your friend?" That is the premise of this novel - a mix of magic and friendship. Sounds promising, don't you think?
With topics as friendship, trying to fit in, going through parents' divorce and rebellion, one would see the potential that spills out from a cute cover font, nice picture and catchy synopsis. Unfortunately, it falls short on the very storyline throughout. There's a sense of mysticism throughout the book, with the talking cat, Mau, the Captain and Taz...etc, all just conveys a mystery waiting to be explored and solved. However, even by the end of the novel (and trust me, it was not an easy read, surprising, considering it's for a younger crowd), there are multiple unanswered questions popping up in my mind. Does Ms. Kelley hope to create a series of this novel, and therefore withheld some background stories and explanations for future books? Whatever it is, the story was a mystery, the characters were under-developed and not at all connected through their dialogues. And as for their dialogues, it does not sound like someone going to middle school (or in the case of Taz, no school at all) would say.
Overall, I'm quite disappointed with this novel, since I'm a fan of fantasy children's novels. Does it evoke imagination if I were within the target age group? I'm not sure; but for someone my age, it falls short on many levels - from plot, to personal value and usage of fantasy elements to resolving unresolved matters. Lost it is for me.
NOTE: I received a complimentary e-copy proof (prior to final edits for printing) from the publisher, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for an honest review.
Check out my blog for other book reviews and a monthly book giveaway.
http://justcommonly.blogspot.com
With topics as friendship, trying to fit in, going through parents' divorce and rebellion, one would see the potential that spills out from a cute cover font, nice picture and catchy synopsis. Unfortunately, it falls short on the very storyline throughout. There's a sense of mysticism throughout the book, with the talking cat, Mau, the Captain and Taz...etc, all just conveys a mystery waiting to be explored and solved. However, even by the end of the novel (and trust me, it was not an easy read, surprising, considering it's for a younger crowd), there are multiple unanswered questions popping up in my mind. Does Ms. Kelley hope to create a series of this novel, and therefore withheld some background stories and explanations for future books? Whatever it is, the story was a mystery, the characters were under-developed and not at all connected through their dialogues. And as for their dialogues, it does not sound like someone going to middle school (or in the case of Taz, no school at all) would say.
Overall, I'm quite disappointed with this novel, since I'm a fan of fantasy children's novels. Does it evoke imagination if I were within the target age group? I'm not sure; but for someone my age, it falls short on many levels - from plot, to personal value and usage of fantasy elements to resolving unresolved matters. Lost it is for me.
NOTE: I received a complimentary e-copy proof (prior to final edits for printing) from the publisher, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for an honest review.
Check out my blog for other book reviews and a monthly book giveaway.
http://justcommonly.blogspot.com
March 8, 2016
I definitely thought I was going to like this book much more than I actually did. Val and Lanora have been friends for years, but now the girls are starting middle school and things are changing. Lanora's parents are divorced, and she begins to rebel. Val is a happy girl with a good family support system (even if mom is a little much at times). She gives Lanora a butterfly for her backpack, and when she leaves, Lanora buries it moving on with her life. Once school begins Lanora seems to forget that Val ever existed. She hangs out with the A-Team, a group of girls that all have names that begin with A. Somehow Lanora finds a way into the group, only things are not as good as they seem. The girls have Lanora shoplifting in no time, and then Val catches her in the act, she knows she needs to help her former best friend.
The setting sounds right up my alley for a good middle grade story, but when it came down to it, I had trouble getting into this story. I did not like Lanora, even though we are given the reasons for her actions, I just could not grow to like her. Even Val was not that much of a draw for me. I admired her ambition to save her friend, but her character lacked something for me. I did Mau, the cat that seemed to tell parts of her story through her eyes. I found that interesting. Tasman was the young boy in the shop that brought on the bit of magic and mystery to the story. Once again, I was not overly impressed. I think I felt there could have been more development and less jumping from perspective to perspective. I felt the jumps were choppy.
I may try another from this author, but I don't think this book will fit my book club readers.
The setting sounds right up my alley for a good middle grade story, but when it came down to it, I had trouble getting into this story. I did not like Lanora, even though we are given the reasons for her actions, I just could not grow to like her. Even Val was not that much of a draw for me. I admired her ambition to save her friend, but her character lacked something for me. I did Mau, the cat that seemed to tell parts of her story through her eyes. I found that interesting. Tasman was the young boy in the shop that brought on the bit of magic and mystery to the story. Once again, I was not overly impressed. I think I felt there could have been more development and less jumping from perspective to perspective. I felt the jumps were choppy.
I may try another from this author, but I don't think this book will fit my book club readers.
June 7, 2015
Thank you to Netgalley and MacMillan Children's Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
The cover of this book as well as the title immediately caught my attention. I'm a sucker for stories with a mysterious bit of the supernatural included. Unfortunately, this one was a bit of a let down. I found the author's decision to sporadically tell the story from the point of view of a cat, Mau, confusing. Although Mau's "cat" tendencies and attitudes were humorous to me as a cat lover. I found it unclear why Lanora had suddenly decided to drop her best friend Val in favor of searching out more popular friends as they entered middle school. Lanora's decisions and selfish tendencies made her a very unlikeable character and it was hard to understand why Val would go through so much trouble to "save" her. Tasman was my favorite character, though his behavior was often inexplicable as well. The twist about the mad man in the park's identity was a bit of a surprise though looking back I think savvy readers might reach the deduction before the author makes the reveal. Verdict - a solid choice for young readers but not a first purchase.
The cover of this book as well as the title immediately caught my attention. I'm a sucker for stories with a mysterious bit of the supernatural included. Unfortunately, this one was a bit of a let down. I found the author's decision to sporadically tell the story from the point of view of a cat, Mau, confusing. Although Mau's "cat" tendencies and attitudes were humorous to me as a cat lover. I found it unclear why Lanora had suddenly decided to drop her best friend Val in favor of searching out more popular friends as they entered middle school. Lanora's decisions and selfish tendencies made her a very unlikeable character and it was hard to understand why Val would go through so much trouble to "save" her. Tasman was my favorite character, though his behavior was often inexplicable as well. The twist about the mad man in the park's identity was a bit of a surprise though looking back I think savvy readers might reach the deduction before the author makes the reveal. Verdict - a solid choice for young readers but not a first purchase.
May 13, 2016
I'm not quite sure what I expected with this book, but it was different than whatever that was! :D That being said, I liked it alright. It has lots of elements that I like and that I would have liked as a younger reader: characters that have unique personalities (rather than cliché "sports girl" or "shy girl" types), a story that's told from different viewpoints, a view on how we insert magic into real life's struggles, an intriguing book shop of ancient works juxtaposed with the mall-like reality of middle school, the complexity of relationships and communication (though, admittedly, the younger version of myself might have been irritated at a certain character's apparent lack of ability to just open up and SAY some things), and a story about friends who aren't alike but who still care deeply about one another. There are some things I didn't love (the way the "A-Team" just sort of disappears from the story, for example) or understand (I see the idea behind making Mau a connecting character, but didn't feel it was done in a way that made a great deal of sense), but I'm interested to see what my 10-year-old makes of it.
May 12, 2016
As two young girls enter middle school Val is surprised to find she is completely drifting away from her best friend, Lanora. She is unaware that Lanora is trying to reinvent herself. One day a cat familiar to Val from her favorite spot in Central Park led her to the Antiquities From the Shipwreck of Time Shop where she met a strange boy named Tasman. Tasman introduced her to the "Book of Dares for Lost Friends". From there the adventures continue as Val fights to get reunited with her best friend and save her from her new, unhealthy relationships. This book should be a hit as it has easily relatable events for middle school age readers mixed with adventure, suspense, danger, and a sprinkling of magic. The detailed text aides the reader in creating vivid mental images to enhance the drama as scene after scent unfolds. As a result the readers interest will be captured and led quickly to the conclusion. I recommend this book.
September 15, 2015
I hate to one-star any book, but yikes. This was not at all what I'd expected, based on the synopsis. I'd been expecting realistic fiction about a girl who tries to get her best friend back with the help of a new friend, but I got a vague, maybe-fantasy-maybe-not, maybe-mystery-maybe-not story about a girl who tries to get her best friend back through odd means with the help of a weird boy she only kind of knows and who might or might not be a reincarnation of a long-dead soul. I can handle ambiguity, but this book went beyond ambiguous and into "did the author even decide what genre she wanted to write?"
My apologies to the author, but I did not enjoy this book at all. It left me confused and unfulfilled, and I imagine it will have the same effect on grade-school readers.
My apologies to the author, but I did not enjoy this book at all. It left me confused and unfulfilled, and I imagine it will have the same effect on grade-school readers.
January 16, 2016
Lanora reinvents herself when she starts middle school. She changes her style, her interests, and her friends. Lorna’s long-time friend Val is bewildered by the “new” Lanora. She is confused when Val ignores her and spends time with shallow “popular” girls who shoplift for thrills and hold other students in contempt or at arms length.
Val is forced to find new friends to fill the gap left by Lanora’s exodus. Val enlists her new friends to perform a spell to save Lanora from her self-destructive behavior and return to her former persona. Well-rounded characters dealing with topics that resonate with middle school readers -- friendship, fitting in, family dynamics, and upholding one’s values -- make this engaging story resonate with readers,
Val is forced to find new friends to fill the gap left by Lanora’s exodus. Val enlists her new friends to perform a spell to save Lanora from her self-destructive behavior and return to her former persona. Well-rounded characters dealing with topics that resonate with middle school readers -- friendship, fitting in, family dynamics, and upholding one’s values -- make this engaging story resonate with readers,
April 16, 2015
This is a coming of age story about two girls who are best friends and entering middle school. One girl has a loving and supportive family, the other is a child of divorce and she's taking the whole divorce thing pretty hard. In fact, Lanora has decided that she's going to remake herself in middle school and part of that remaking process is making new friends. Her best friend, Val, decides to try to save her. I really liked the side characters in this one-Val's little brother Drew, her new friends, the Poets, and Tasman, a mystic and a mystery. I think I just didn't really identify with Lanora and her complete rejection of her old friends and values.
August 25, 2015
Lanora and Val have been best friends forever, but now they are entering middle school and Lanora wants to reinvent herself. She wants to make new friends. Unfortunately when she chooses her new friends she chooses wrong. Now she is in trouble and friendless. Val is hurt that Lanora is ignoring her and her imaginative little brother Andrew tells her that Lanora has been enchanted by the evil Werd. Can Val save Lanora with the help of a cat, The Book of Dares, and a mysterious boy who lives in a store called Antiquities from the Shipwreck of Time. This was a good read, and the characters were well drawn, even the minor characters felt three dimensional and interesting. I loved the poets!
August 31, 2015
Val and Lanora have been best friends all through elementary school, but when middle school begins, Lanora decides to leave Val behind and reinvent herself in the image of the the girls on the A-team--cute, but cold hearted with a splash of criminality. Val decides to save Lanora and she enlists Tasman, a new friend with a curious past and access to the Book of Dares. Family dynamics are realistic and the night adventure in the closed park transports the reader into the magical realm. Will there be a sequel? Would like to know what happened to Tasman's father!!
December 17, 2015
*I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through my district library services*
The cover and description of this book were both so enticing, I was excited to read it. But honestly, it's not a good book. Several grammatical errors and a misspelled word were jarring, and the writing itself left a lot to be desired. Several times the author jumped into a scene and I had to reread a few times to make sense of it. I didn't really understand Lanora's motivation to behave the way she did. I was curious enough about the outcome to finish reading, but it took me 10 days.
The cover and description of this book were both so enticing, I was excited to read it. But honestly, it's not a good book. Several grammatical errors and a misspelled word were jarring, and the writing itself left a lot to be desired. Several times the author jumped into a scene and I had to reread a few times to make sense of it. I didn't really understand Lanora's motivation to behave the way she did. I was curious enough about the outcome to finish reading, but it took me 10 days.
February 3, 2017
Meh...confusing language. Mystical and practical combined in a weird way...had to look up ancient words-Egyptian...made it hard to stay interested when I couldn't form piture in my head if what they were talking avout. Couldn't figure WHY Lenora decided to reinvent herself...not really clear. Not enough story about Tasman...Would not recommend for kids.
October 23, 2015
I couldn't put the book down. It was a good read! I would definitely read again. This book almost hit home. As you grow up, you might lose close friends because you wanted to fit in or be a part of a different crowd. Or you just grow apart. This book shows the importance of friendship and how precious it is and you should probably do whatever you could to maintain that friendship no matter how ridiculous it is.
April 22, 2017
It took me a bit to get used to the way the book was narrated, but I liked it once I was used to it. The theme of the book, which I took to be family life and its effect on young people and their choices, is one that is always good to have in the juvenile fiction section. There was a little feel of magic which made it a little more fun and exciting, even though this book was not fantasy by any means.
I would recommend this book to children and adults alike.
I would recommend this book to children and adults alike.
August 28, 2015
I totally understand why some of my friends didn't like this as much. The kids in the book talk older but act younger. I think that makes it a solid match for my students.
I wish we'd gotten more about Tasman- I'm fascinated by his backstory - but the flavor of realism meshed with a bit of old world magic made me really enjoy this tale.
ARC from publisher
I wish we'd gotten more about Tasman- I'm fascinated by his backstory - but the flavor of realism meshed with a bit of old world magic made me really enjoy this tale.
ARC from publisher
August 13, 2015
A quirky book about 2 best girl friends starting middle school, in which one of the girls decides to change her image. She shuns her best friend and takes up with 4 new girls. But these girls are
shop lifters. They don't get caught, but Lanora does. Her former best friend tries to save her
from reform school in this New York City adventure with a magical element and a wandering cat.
shop lifters. They don't get caught, but Lanora does. Her former best friend tries to save her
from reform school in this New York City adventure with a magical element and a wandering cat.
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