The Somebodies

Anybodies #3

by N.E. Bode, Julianna Baggott

There is a city beneath New York City, one made by and for Anybodies. There you can find Bing Chubb's Ballpark, Willy Fattler's ever–changing Underground Hotel, and a castle whose spire sticks up into the dirt–filled sky...dangerously close to the rear ends of unsuspecting picnic–goers in Central Park. It's an extraordinary place, but it is in danger of becoming ordinary because of the nefarious Blue Queen. Somebody has to stop her, and if anybody is going to, nobody is better than everybody's favorite Anybody. In her third quirky adventure, Fern takes on the biggest, baddest, bluest opponent ever. Yikes!

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Mystery, Middle Grade, Juvenile, Magic

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Julianna Baggott
aka
Bridget Asher & N.E. Bode

Borned on 30 September 1969, she teaches at Florida State University. She's married to David G.W. Scott and has four kids. Along with her husband, she is a co-founder of the nonprofit organization Kids in Need - Books in Deed., getting free books to underprivileged kids in Florida.

Today, she is a critically acclaimed and bestselling author, who wrote novels and poetry, and who has over fifty overseas editions of her books. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Best American Poetry, Best Creative Nonfiction, NPR’s Talk of the Nation, All Things Considered, and Here & Now. For two years, her alter-ego, N. E. Bode was a recurring personality on XM Radio. Her work has been a People Magazine pick alongside David Sedaris and Bill Clinton, a Washington Post Book of the Week, a Girl's Life Top Ten, a Booksense selection, and a Starbucks Bookish Reading Club pick.

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story started to get boring, then i was excited to see how it would end. Sadly the ending felt cheap and rushed. No real battle or moral. Very disappointed in this one

[Luann · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun series! I've been enjoying them myself, and I've also loved the reception they've been getting in my library. I haven't had to sell them to the students at all. I just put The Anybodies on the "new" shelf, and it was immediately checked out. Soon I had several requests for the "Anybody" books. The Nobodies was also snatched up as soon as I put it out. And I had to put myself on the hold list for The Somebodies because I had so many requests for it before I had a chance to read it!

But you're probably wondering what I thought specifically of The Somebodies. Well, I enjoyed it a lot. Besides all the fun book references (which HAD to be there or I would have been disappointed), there were also a lot of interesting things about books in general - and how authors stitch their souls into books and that every time a reader finishes a book they love, they know the author's soul. But mostly I really liked the overall theme of this one: "The world is always changing, but there's a part of you that never changes. It's essentially you, and you can always rely on it to be true." And, "You've really got to be yourself in this life. You have to rely on something deep inside."

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series. It had such great characters and the plot line was just as fun as the two preceding books. The lessons that Fern and Howard learn about being true to yourself, the power of love and vital role of imagination in what it means to be human in this ever-changing world are just as relevant to adults as to children. One of the central themes that runs through all three of these books is that each of us is unique, with gifts to share with those we love and the world at large. Young or old, we all need that reminder.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahh... I love this series. I always thought that it was surprising the series didn't get more recognition for being so awesome. The series is really imaginative and unique and weird and hilarious and different from anything I've ever read, I love it so much. The only thing that disappointed me about the third book was the cover, which was kind of a letdown after the amazing cover art on the first two books!

[Addy LeBlanc · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was kinda good but very predictable. I guessed that Ubuleen Heet was the Blue Queen. I guessed that Lucess Brine was the Blue Queen’s daughter. I guessed that the meeting place was New York Foods. I guessed that the caterpillars were the souls. I guessed that the souls would come back later in a butterfly or moth form. I guessed that the Correct-O-Cure would come in handy and work. I think you get the point. Overall, this book did have a lot of action, but I would have appreciated better plot twists!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great conclusion to this trilogy that is a fun, relaxing read that will give you a great change of pace in your reading material. These books are a blast to read and it's fun to pick up on all the other books and authors that are mentioned.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever ending to this trilogy. Fern and Howard continue to develop as characters and learn valuable lessons about life along the way.

[Tiggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book. Not great, but good. I can only find this book online and not in one library I've been to. Also, does anyone else recall a different beginning to this story? It's almost as if someone changed the beginning and then republished it later. I read this book for the first time in 2007, now in 2022, the beginning is very different...anyone else discover this?

[Andre Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great adventure

[Atika · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was an okay ending to the series. Nothing that extraordinary happened. The new characters weren’t much. Missed the old main characters.

[Lucy Takeda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really adored the first novel. I do enjoy Fern and Howard. I did like the tiny pony in this tale. I found the number of characters and plot lines tossed in rather confusing.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

[Tehya Bush · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not read it I thought it looked good but I read the first part of it and did not like it.

[Boua Xiong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just read a amazing book, The Somebodies by Bode N.E. the story begins with a girl who was saving a guy from a different place that she did not know. The main character in this story is fern who is strong and brave. The best part of this story is the challenge that fern faces and the brave that she as to take. I like this book because it made me think how brave i am but nobody thinks so. If you book that are amazing and fitting for you then i recommend that you read this.

[Joanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was my favorite of the N.E. Bode trilogy. Fern receives an invitation and is compelled to visit the Underground City of the Anybodies beneath New York, dragging Howard along. Her fate is to battle the Blue Queen who is stealing the souls of books in order to rise back into power, a power that was not rightly hers to begin with. References to Narnia, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, and more, made this a fun read!

[Doris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started out with Fern having issues in school, with a girl who wants to get poor Fern into trouble. The teachers don't like her either, and the assistant principal actually wants to expel someone.

I also didn't like the ever-changing hotel, although the idea that books steal a part of your soul was good, as was the author's reference to several series and authors that I have read.

Overall a good read but a bit disappointing.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was still a cute book, following Fern from The Anybodies and The Nobodies - I think I am just tired of reading kids' books for the time being. I ran out of books and had checked these out for my 10 yr old, and so read them for fun. Just keep in mind my 3-star rating is probably more from my own state of mind, more than a reflection of the book itself. But so it is.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just could not get into this whole series. Plodded my way thru the first two books and just stopped a third of the way through this one. It's more about me than the book itself. I do not care for stories where the child has a dippy parent. Nor do I care for books where the adult author is trying to be funny to children and isn't.

[Jess Rowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm giving this 3 stars instead of 2 ONLY because of the ever changing hotel idea. That was the problem with this whole series - great ideas that were never fully explored. Instead of fleshing out the interesting capabilities of Anybodies and their existence the author wastes SO MUCH TIME on pointless and very irritating asides. Very disappointed in this series that had so much potential.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main set up seems to be a conglomeration of many fantasy books, but the details are unique. An interesting interplay between the narrative and comments from the author. While it can stand alone, I would advise reading the other books first.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

3rd in series.

[Ravenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the Anybodies and the Nobodies and they were both FREAKIN' AWESOME! so I have really high hopes for this book!!!!!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just started this book and I already like it. I love the wit and humor, it spans the ages.

[Moses · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfying and fun finale of the series. The character development improved vastly from the Nobodies, and I'm pretty thankful for that.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

MAN I love this series. The first one is still my favorite, but this was quite lovely too.

[Kc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book definately feeds your imagination.

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a quirky book. I loved it. It was a fitting ending to the trilogy. I like this author's style of writing. These were quick, easy reads for both me and my students.

[Arianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

One word AWESOME!

[Augustina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so sad when i realized this is probably the last one of the series. I love this book too, it was so exciting.

[Daniellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book seemed like a book that Lemony Snicket would write.
It was fantastic how mysterious it was throughout the whole book. This book is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!