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Perijee & Me
Perijee and Me is a hilarious and touching story about an unusual friendship, a heart-stopping adventure, and the power of kindness when you’re faced with an alien invasion. If E.T. the Extra Terrestrial is still “right here” in your heart, then you’re sure to fall hard for the misunderstood Perijee and the one girl who’s desperate to save him.
Caitlin is the only young person living on Middle Island. On the first day of vacation, she finds a tiny alien on the beach. Caitlin becomes close to her secret friend, whom she names Perijee, and treats him like a brother. Caitlin has a reading disability, but finds she is a good teacher, telling Perijee everything she knows about the world.
There’s only one Perijee won’t stop growing. And growing . . . Caitlin will have to convince the adults around her—and Perijee himself—that the creature they see as a terrifying monster is anything but. When things get out of hand, brave Caitlin embarks on a journey to save Perijee before it’s too late.
"Elements of humor and an attractive jacket add to this chapter book's undeniable appeal." -- Booklist
"A cute read for kids who like a strong dose of absurdity." -- School Library Journal
"Montgomery's jam-packed narrative doesn't slow for an instant in this exaggeratedly comic drama. . . . Humor carries the day." -- Kirkus Reviews
"Caitlin's desperation for friendship is palpable, and the book powerfully conveys the longing for connection that drives her to risky actions. This British import is earnest, often quietly thoughtful, and quirky." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“Montgomery engages us with . . . high drama, hurtling towards a heartwarming resolution.” — The Sunday Times (London)
Caitlin is the only young person living on Middle Island. On the first day of vacation, she finds a tiny alien on the beach. Caitlin becomes close to her secret friend, whom she names Perijee, and treats him like a brother. Caitlin has a reading disability, but finds she is a good teacher, telling Perijee everything she knows about the world.
There’s only one Perijee won’t stop growing. And growing . . . Caitlin will have to convince the adults around her—and Perijee himself—that the creature they see as a terrifying monster is anything but. When things get out of hand, brave Caitlin embarks on a journey to save Perijee before it’s too late.
"Elements of humor and an attractive jacket add to this chapter book's undeniable appeal." -- Booklist
"A cute read for kids who like a strong dose of absurdity." -- School Library Journal
"Montgomery's jam-packed narrative doesn't slow for an instant in this exaggeratedly comic drama. . . . Humor carries the day." -- Kirkus Reviews
"Caitlin's desperation for friendship is palpable, and the book powerfully conveys the longing for connection that drives her to risky actions. This British import is earnest, often quietly thoughtful, and quirky." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“Montgomery engages us with . . . high drama, hurtling towards a heartwarming resolution.” — The Sunday Times (London)
224 pages, Hardcover
First published March 3, 2016
5 people are currently reading
372 people want to read
About the author
Ross Montgomery
33 books367 followersRoss Montgomery has worked as a pig farmer, a postman and a primary school teacher, so writing books was the next logical step. He spent his childhood reading everything he could get his hands on, from Jacqueline Wilson to Beano annuals, and it taught him pretty much everything that's worth knowing. If you looked through his pockets you'd find empty crisp packets, lists of things to do, and a bottle of that stuff you put on your nails to stop you biting them. He lives in London with his girlfriend, a cat called Fun Bobby, and a cactus on every available surface.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
December 11, 2016
Well, this was surprisingly delightful! I knew the basic premise of it going in, but I didn't expect the additional elements that would make this story so fun to read.
November 26, 2016
INCREDIBLE BOOK. I read it myself earlier this year and I'm now reading it my class. The children love it! They are so engaged and don't want me to stop reading!
March 21, 2016
Honestly I am not sure I can adequately describe how much I loved Perijee and Me. I was so head-over-heals that I made myself pace reading the book, just so I would have a few days longer to enjoy it. I could have easily (very easily) read Perijee and Me in one sitting but knowing that this story was waiting for me was like a Perijee light beacon (this will make sense when you read the story yourself, something strongly recommend).
Caitlin’s narration is so endearing. I was utterly smitten from the start and something I loved even more what that it had ‘grown-up’ moments. Little parts that work for older readers and adults reading the book, such as Caitlin’s observations or her not being allowed to repeat what Frank actually said about Perijee. I could well imagine what Frank probably said. ;) Plus Caitlin herself is just so sweet.
Perijee and Me surprised me, exceeding all expectations. It is heart-warming, enchanting and beautifully written.
Caitlin’s narration is so endearing. I was utterly smitten from the start and something I loved even more what that it had ‘grown-up’ moments. Little parts that work for older readers and adults reading the book, such as Caitlin’s observations or her not being allowed to repeat what Frank actually said about Perijee. I could well imagine what Frank probably said. ;) Plus Caitlin herself is just so sweet.
Perijee and Me surprised me, exceeding all expectations. It is heart-warming, enchanting and beautifully written.
May 2, 2016
Really enjoyed the first third of the book where Caitlin and Perijee meet and become friends. But once Caitlin and her mother are taken by the government and placed in a camp, it just became odd and unbelievable. Just not my cup of tea I guess. I didn't find it particularly funny (cults that will sacrifice anyone and anything to a monster they know nothing about?, people panicking every which way and behaving like idiots? and Caitlin herself making some really poor choices?). I enjoyed the friendship between Caitlin and Perijee, but that's about it.
November 12, 2019
A great twist on a classic sci-fi concept for children!
Caitlin finds a tiny alien, that she saves and takes care of. They become close friends until Perijee is taken away from her and becomes a monster intent on destroying the world.
The story is all about Caitlin's adventures to save her friend and get him back home in a hostile dystopian world full of terror and hatred.
I loved the characters, realistically created with flaws and complex personalities which children can easily catalogue but also debate.
I also particularly enjoyed the representation of Caitlin finding reading hard, struggling socially and academically, but excelling in an array of other things, making close friends over the story and remaining a likeable a character throughout.
The family dynamics are interesting and realistic; neither heavily negative nor unrealistically positive, with a good closure point.
I would definitely recommend for children who enjoy sci-fi, action, fantasy or dystopian novels. Or for children who find reading a little harder, as they will find both gripping entertainment and representation within.
Caitlin finds a tiny alien, that she saves and takes care of. They become close friends until Perijee is taken away from her and becomes a monster intent on destroying the world.
The story is all about Caitlin's adventures to save her friend and get him back home in a hostile dystopian world full of terror and hatred.
I loved the characters, realistically created with flaws and complex personalities which children can easily catalogue but also debate.
I also particularly enjoyed the representation of Caitlin finding reading hard, struggling socially and academically, but excelling in an array of other things, making close friends over the story and remaining a likeable a character throughout.
The family dynamics are interesting and realistic; neither heavily negative nor unrealistically positive, with a good closure point.
I would definitely recommend for children who enjoy sci-fi, action, fantasy or dystopian novels. Or for children who find reading a little harder, as they will find both gripping entertainment and representation within.
August 29, 2019
rating: 2.5
I enjoyed the first few chapters (when Montgomery introduces Perijee and Caitlyn) but the plot was uncomfortably similar to E.T. Then it moved on into the realm of tall-tale, absurd, and silly, all of which I avoid.
I enjoyed the first few chapters (when Montgomery introduces Perijee and Caitlyn) but the plot was uncomfortably similar to E.T. Then it moved on into the realm of tall-tale, absurd, and silly, all of which I avoid.
April 29, 2018
Review to follow.
January 20, 2019
The first time I read this book, I feel like it is similar to the cartoon Lilo & Stitch where a child meet an alien and the alien is not dangerous but cute. Then, as the story goes, I don't know what to expect because I don't quite enjoyed it. Yes, there was some funny moments but still couldn't make me want to enjoyed reading this book. I love the cover though...
Actual Rating:
3.4 stars
Actual Rating:
3.4 stars
July 5, 2024
old review RATING: 5 stars
NOTE A few of the spoilers are hidden but some aren’t, so read at your own risk.
Perijee and Me was… interesting. Not in a bad way, more of a good yet extremely strange way.
It’s essentially about a neglected girl named Caitlyn, who lives on a middle-of-nowhere island because of her eccentric parents. She’s adorably naive (I mean, she is 10) and is always willing to see the best in people. The bobby hat and yellow wellies add to her cuteness :D
I also did enjoy that she's dyslexic but it’s not a major part of the book—it provides more to her character and the story, but it’s not like “this is about a girl with a reading disability.” It’s more of “this is about a girl who's friends with an alien.”
Additionally, the plot was original, in a VERY original way. Like when do you read books about a girl that goes to save her “little brother” from a cult of fanatical grannies that believe he's a god; and bloodthirsty, raging mad people who were made homeless because of the Monster? Oh, and don’t forget that crazy group of people that lived on the Monster's back, bending to Perijee's every will and dressing up as Caitlyn—all in their matching hats and boots.
It's a charming and funny gem, honestly. I love how it turned from a perfectly normal novel about a cute alien baby and an even cuter little girl... to an apocalyptic, doomsday world where castles are being blown up and tattoo-donning old ladies try to sacrifice people.
TW: There's nothing inappropriate about this book, except for the frequent use of the Lord's name in vain and a mild bad word. There is some violence—definitely not PG-13 violence—with the blowing up of buildings/ships, mass deaths (no bloody detail described), threats that involve knives pointed to throats, and so on.
NOTE A few of the spoilers are hidden but some aren’t, so read at your own risk.
Perijee and Me was… interesting. Not in a bad way, more of a good yet extremely strange way.
It’s essentially about a neglected girl named Caitlyn, who lives on a middle-of-nowhere island because of her eccentric parents. She’s adorably naive (I mean, she is 10) and is always willing to see the best in people. The bobby hat and yellow wellies add to her cuteness :D
I also did enjoy that she's dyslexic but it’s not a major part of the book—it provides more to her character and the story, but it’s not like “this is about a girl with a reading disability.” It’s more of “this is about a girl who's friends with an alien.”
Additionally, the plot was original, in a VERY original way. Like when do you read books about a girl that goes to save her “little brother” from a cult of fanatical grannies that believe he's a god; and bloodthirsty, raging mad people who were made homeless because of the Monster? Oh, and don’t forget that crazy group of people that lived on the Monster's back, bending to Perijee's every will and dressing up as Caitlyn—all in their matching hats and boots.
It's a charming and funny gem, honestly. I love how it turned from a perfectly normal novel about a cute alien baby and an even cuter little girl... to an apocalyptic, doomsday world where castles are being blown up and tattoo-donning old ladies try to sacrifice people.
TW: There's nothing inappropriate about this book, except for the frequent use of the Lord's name in vain and a mild bad word. There is some violence—definitely not PG-13 violence—with the blowing up of buildings/ships, mass deaths (no bloody detail described), threats that involve knives pointed to throats, and so on.
February 24, 2016
Originally published at http://solittletimeforbooks.blogspot....
I was introduced to Perijee and Me at the Faber blogger event last Saturday and I had to read it immediately.
Caitlin broke my heart. She’s ten-years-old and lives on Middle Island with just her mum who spends all day working on her computer, and when he’s not away on book tour, her dad and her only friend is Frank who takes her to the mainland to school everyday. They’re both super successful scientists and they just can't understand how Caitlin struggles to grasp reading and writing; her dyslexia isn’t understood and so she hides it. I just wanted to wrap her up in a big, warm hug.
Finding Perijee and teaching him all she can about being a human captures all of her energy and Caitlin finally feels like she has a friend, someone who loves and understands her completely. I loved seeing them go their adventure, finding friendship and mischief along the way. I loved how wonderfully naïve and innocent Caitlin is and the way that contrasted with Fi – I would love to know Fi’s story! They make a brilliant pair and I'm very glad they found each other.
Perijee and Me is a sweet, life-affirming adventure about friendship, family and home.
I was introduced to Perijee and Me at the Faber blogger event last Saturday and I had to read it immediately.
Caitlin broke my heart. She’s ten-years-old and lives on Middle Island with just her mum who spends all day working on her computer, and when he’s not away on book tour, her dad and her only friend is Frank who takes her to the mainland to school everyday. They’re both super successful scientists and they just can't understand how Caitlin struggles to grasp reading and writing; her dyslexia isn’t understood and so she hides it. I just wanted to wrap her up in a big, warm hug.
Finding Perijee and teaching him all she can about being a human captures all of her energy and Caitlin finally feels like she has a friend, someone who loves and understands her completely. I loved seeing them go their adventure, finding friendship and mischief along the way. I loved how wonderfully naïve and innocent Caitlin is and the way that contrasted with Fi – I would love to know Fi’s story! They make a brilliant pair and I'm very glad they found each other.
Perijee and Me is a sweet, life-affirming adventure about friendship, family and home.
August 9, 2017
This book is pure genius.
It's very much Caitlin's story, told through the eyes of a ten year old girl, with all her naivety and innocence. She often get's the wrong end of the stick and is so positive all the time. All she wants is a friend, you can't not love her.
Perijee was the cutest wee thing- at first, hahahahahahahaha.
Yes, you should read this book, it's flippin' hilarious. I laughed out loud so many times- the humour is so clever. Mr Montgomery's comic timing is spot on.
I'd reccommend this to anyone of any age.
It's very much Caitlin's story, told through the eyes of a ten year old girl, with all her naivety and innocence. She often get's the wrong end of the stick and is so positive all the time. All she wants is a friend, you can't not love her.
Perijee was the cutest wee thing- at first, hahahahahahahaha.
Yes, you should read this book, it's flippin' hilarious. I laughed out loud so many times- the humour is so clever. Mr Montgomery's comic timing is spot on.
I'd reccommend this to anyone of any age.
June 21, 2016
A good read told from the perspective of a 10 year old girl. So expect a narrator that is a bit naive (as 10 years old wont to be) and also very endearing.
The friendships are golden. The adventures are fun, funny and crazy. The plot can even fit inside a thriller or science fiction book.
Recommend me any other MG books?
The friendships are golden. The adventures are fun, funny and crazy. The plot can even fit inside a thriller or science fiction book.
Recommend me any other MG books?
July 20, 2016
loved the beginning of this book but it just went downhill for me.
September 8, 2024
Eine komplett mitreißende, herzerwärmende und auch witzige rasante Blockbuster-Geschichte mit so einigen überraschenden Wendungen, die man so schnell nicht mehr aus der Hand legt.
Erfrischend, spannend, emotional und auf die beste Art seltsam, bestimmt auch mal „drüber“! Hach, super!!
„And right now then I knew no matter what happened to Perijee an me, no matter how much we changed, it was my job to make sure that he was always safe und always loved and always happy.
Otherwise, what is the point of beeing a sister?“
Erfrischend, spannend, emotional und auf die beste Art seltsam, bestimmt auch mal „drüber“! Hach, super!!
„And right now then I knew no matter what happened to Perijee an me, no matter how much we changed, it was my job to make sure that he was always safe und always loved and always happy.
Otherwise, what is the point of beeing a sister?“
March 11, 2019
This is charming. The narrator has poor social skills and the author somehow manages to clue us all in on what is really going on despite the narrators (endearing) misunderstandings. There is a certain thing this book has... It's the thing where the unsaid things or the unseen moments are hinted at and the reader has to fill in the blanks on their own which makes it all the more hilarious to read. Like Caitlin crashing the car or stealing the boat. Those type of things. It's a pleasure to read. It reminds me of something that I might write only so far there aren't any zombies and no bathroom breaks.
Also, my daughter and i both drew a picture of Caitlin on the beach holding the pineapple surrounded by dead jellyfish. We just couldn't resist the visual.
Also, my daughter and i both drew a picture of Caitlin on the beach holding the pineapple surrounded by dead jellyfish. We just couldn't resist the visual.
February 25, 2019
It is rare when I read a children’s book that I can’t work out the plot, and the plot ending, way before I reach the last page. However, Perijee and Me surprised me, and I like surprises! Montgomery has an imagination out of this world, literally, and the journey he takes the reader on is full of twists and turns to amaze and shock. I love that he respects his youthful audience enough to challenge them beyond a simple plot line and that he emboldens them with the belief that a child’s heart for truth and kindness is worthy and powerful.
June 1, 2017
My 11yr daughter bought this book on holiday and really enjoyed it so I thought I'd give it a go. A lovely read about friendship, family and a misunderstood alien who is super cute!
October 17, 2018
Ini cerita anak anak 10 tahun yg menghangatkan hati :)
November 12, 2018
Veered off into directions I wasn’t expecting from the cover or the synopsis. Loved how it started off but wasn’t sure about where it went sadly. 2.5 to 3 maybe.
May 7, 2020
This is a great book!!!
April 21, 2016
It immediately struck me that this story is a universal one - a boy and an alien become friends in an Oliver Jeffers picture book (The Way Back Home), the Spielberg film (E.T. The Extra Terrestrial) and an adult befriends an (ultimately evil) alien plant in the adult-aimed Little Shop of Horrors.
Tales about aliens appeal to any age group, and Perijee's story could have been tailored to adults, or to toddlers as well as to the upper primary/lower secondary age with a few changes.
At heart, it's a story about accecpting someone different to you as a friend, and staying loyal to that friendship despite the fear or intolerance of others. It just so happens that Perijee is not a human friend.
Caitlin reminded me of Scout (To Kill a Mockingbird) and Jack (Room) - the voice of innocence and naivety, honest and kind children who find themselves caught up in adult situations that they don't fully understand, but who battle on with their own pure aims in mind.
As Caitlin's situation unfolds, my heart went out to her - she's an only child, with a famous scientist father away on a book tour, a mother busy working, and a home on a small island with no other children to play with. She travels to school by boat, and nobody there likes her. Words on the page swim in front of her eyes. The summer holidays loom before her...
And then one day she finds a small prawn-like creature on the beach... who starts to grow... and to learn. He is from another world, and Caitlin soon accepts him as her brother and best friend. Will the rest of the world accept him in the same way?
Caitlin is just adorable. And Montgomery brings out a lot of humour in her narration as well. In the gap between scenes that he writes in, her hilarious plots, she's a fully-formed ten-year-old with quirks, emotions and so much heart. A lot is left either unsaid or for the reader to interpret about Caitlin, and some of it is incredibly sad (her father, though only present for a couple of scenes, leaves a lasting impression as a certain type of parent).
The plot is quite a deep one for a children's book, it is quite dark (shades of Independence Day gung-ho behaviour and Cloverfield alien terror), but also incredibly funny. Caitlin meets another young character on her journey who only adds to the humour and dark aspects of the book.
Perijee himself, Caitlin's alien, has character but also remains a bit of a blank slate - he learns to talk, he quite clearly feels love for his new friend, but he's also quite a scary idea - a creature that grows and changes so fast, can adapt, eats everything. Their friendship is very sweet, Caitlin's desperate search for a friend so touching.
The plot is quite simply crazy, elements of a Hitchcock chase thriller in it, with some rather threatening bad guys that young readers might find overwhelming, but ages 10 and above should be fine with them.
I blazed through this, fascinated. I've not seen a story such as this written for the age group before - these are usually the domain of picture books or teenagers/adults, not a 9-11 year old market.
I really hope they give this a try. It's different, but original, very funny and a very moving and sweet story about a girl who wants a friend.
Tales about aliens appeal to any age group, and Perijee's story could have been tailored to adults, or to toddlers as well as to the upper primary/lower secondary age with a few changes.
At heart, it's a story about accecpting someone different to you as a friend, and staying loyal to that friendship despite the fear or intolerance of others. It just so happens that Perijee is not a human friend.
Caitlin reminded me of Scout (To Kill a Mockingbird) and Jack (Room) - the voice of innocence and naivety, honest and kind children who find themselves caught up in adult situations that they don't fully understand, but who battle on with their own pure aims in mind.
As Caitlin's situation unfolds, my heart went out to her - she's an only child, with a famous scientist father away on a book tour, a mother busy working, and a home on a small island with no other children to play with. She travels to school by boat, and nobody there likes her. Words on the page swim in front of her eyes. The summer holidays loom before her...
And then one day she finds a small prawn-like creature on the beach... who starts to grow... and to learn. He is from another world, and Caitlin soon accepts him as her brother and best friend. Will the rest of the world accept him in the same way?
Caitlin is just adorable. And Montgomery brings out a lot of humour in her narration as well. In the gap between scenes that he writes in, her hilarious plots, she's a fully-formed ten-year-old with quirks, emotions and so much heart. A lot is left either unsaid or for the reader to interpret about Caitlin, and some of it is incredibly sad (her father, though only present for a couple of scenes, leaves a lasting impression as a certain type of parent).
The plot is quite a deep one for a children's book, it is quite dark (shades of Independence Day gung-ho behaviour and Cloverfield alien terror), but also incredibly funny. Caitlin meets another young character on her journey who only adds to the humour and dark aspects of the book.
Perijee himself, Caitlin's alien, has character but also remains a bit of a blank slate - he learns to talk, he quite clearly feels love for his new friend, but he's also quite a scary idea - a creature that grows and changes so fast, can adapt, eats everything. Their friendship is very sweet, Caitlin's desperate search for a friend so touching.
The plot is quite simply crazy, elements of a Hitchcock chase thriller in it, with some rather threatening bad guys that young readers might find overwhelming, but ages 10 and above should be fine with them.
I blazed through this, fascinated. I've not seen a story such as this written for the age group before - these are usually the domain of picture books or teenagers/adults, not a 9-11 year old market.
I really hope they give this a try. It's different, but original, very funny and a very moving and sweet story about a girl who wants a friend.
September 25, 2016
While her scientist parents are preoccupied with their own jobs, Caitlin struggles with fitting in with her classmates who often belittle her and regard her as too immature for their notice. When not a single one accepts her invitation to a party on Middle Island where she lives, she is understandably disappointed and expects to face a lonely summer vacation. Thus, when she happens to see a shrimp-like creature on the beach, she saves its life and finds a friend. She names the creature Perigee after a term in one of her father's books, and desperately tries to keep her new friend fed. Perigee grows at an extraordinary rate, and since Caitlin is sure he must be an alien, she hopes to enlist the help of her father in sending him back home. After all, extraterrestrials are his area of specialty. But her father, Dr. Paul Bennett, lets her down as does her mother, Dr. Emily Williams. Because parts of Perigee grow rapidly and in colorful fashion when he is frightened, he morphs into a monster seemingly intent on taking over the world. Caitlin is furious with her mother because she has involved the military, and she slips away to help her friend since she is sure that somewhere inside that monster is the kind-hearted friend she met. As she starts her mission, she encounters Fi, a clever but deceitful girl who lives by her wits, and a group of women led by a woman named Mother who also claim to believe in the power of love and Perigee's good nature. Catilin's innocence and trust in others are sorely tested during her journey, and it's a good thing that she has a solid friend in Frank, the 42-year-old man who took her from Middle Island to her school every day and who understands her, as well as Fi. The ending contains some surprises while also making a comment on human nature and how quickly we are to believe the worst of anyone or anything unfamiliar to us. I especially liked Caitlin's voice, her struggles with reading and her failed attempts to meet her parents' expectations for her schoolwork, and the humor that has been peppered into the story as well as the trust she has in Perigee's good nature. Because the author only hints of what's happened before--for instance, her mother's comments on all the other pets she's tried to save before-readers are left wondering about her life before the book starts. Fans of ET: The Extraterrestrial will surely love this beautifully-written story filled with elegant description and wonder what would happen if there were a Perigee and how we humans would react.
December 16, 2024
Perijee and Me opens with Caitlin, the young daughter of two inattentive parents, who lives on Middle Island and travels to the mainland just to go to school or encounter anyone else. Seeing as she's the offspring of two famous scientists, Caitlin not only senses she has to live up to her parents' expectations and achievements, she also feels estranged from her school chums (who are anything but chummy) because she doesn't quite measure up. Her only friend is a kindly man who gives her boat rides to the mainland. But all of that changes when Caitlin discovers an odd, pale creature with gold symbols on his body. Later, she befriends the creature, christens him Perijee, and does her best to hide the alien from her parents as she tries to determine where he came from. Thus, the first chapters possess an enjoyably sweet, tranquil tone. Caitlin has Perijee's best interests in mind, and watching the two interact and learn from one another is heartwarming.
So that's naturally what I assumed this novel was going to be - a heartwarming, gentle story about a young girl who befriends an alien and tries to get him home, perhaps à la E.T. After all, what else could it be? Instead, rather than retain its initial tone that evoked the waves serenely caressing the shores of Middle Island, the novel unleashes a tsunami of frantic pacing, abrupt set changes, and bizarre plot angles.
As expected, Perijee's existence fails to remain a secret, especially as he eats and grows at an alarming rate, which reminded me of this Garfield comic:
However, rather than retain its initial tone that evoked the waves serenely caressing the shores of Middle Island, the novel unleashes a tsunami of frantic pacing, abrupt set changes, and bizarre plot angles.
Naturally, after Perijee is discovered to be living with Caitlin and her mother, it doesn't take long for the government to get involved, bursting into her home and trying to snatch poor (not-so) little Perijee away. But before they can lay hands on him, Perijee morphs into a Godzilla-sized monster and proceeds to lay waste to planet Earth - just because. In the meantime, Caitlin and her mother are taken to live in a special protective camp (as is everyone else on the whole planet, it seems), but Caitlin is certain that if she could just talk to Perijee, all will be right with the world. So she manages to sneak away from the camp; runs across some odd characters; encounters an all-female, murderous cult, and...well, you get the idea.
So in a nutshell, Perijee and Me is a strange little novel. Normally I like strange, but in order for strangeness to make sense in a story, the story itself, from the start, has to allow for the weird, the unusual, and the unexpected to occur. It's like a typical Tim Burton movie: you know from the beginning the story is going to involve the strange, the peculiar, and the darkly comical. But because the film starts out with those elements and an appropriate tone in place, nothing that happens later on feels too bizarre or disjointed. By way of example, the movie Mars Attacks! opens with a flaming, rampaging herd of cattle, much to the horror of some on-lookers, as a silver UFO soars up into the sky. Right from this opening image, you know this is going to be a dark, quirky sci-fi tale and it keeps true to that premise the whole movie through.
However, in the case with Perijee and Me, the initial tone and setting give no indication that the novel takes a nosedive into the strange and nearly nonsensical. If such elements and a pertinent tone had been present from the start, then I don't doubt this novel would have been easier for me to take. But when a story opens with scenes of a young girl enjoying a tranquil boat ride, crying because she doesn't fit in at school, then later introduces an all-girls human-sacrificing cult, it's a bit hard to mentally absorb. It's like if Lilo and Stitch or E.T. were somehow spliced with Lovecraft-esque imagery and cults. Perhaps some readers might enjoy such a mashup but not me. So, story-wise, this wasn't for me and was simply too out there for me to enjoy. Not to mention the ending is a bit of a let down as everything wraps up too quickly and perkily, and Perijee's origin story is less than stellar, shall we say.
This doesn't mean I hated the book as it had a few redeeming points. Character-wise, I liked Caitlin and found her to be a caring, tenacious protagonist. Yes, she feels like a misfit but she eventually embraces it rather than wallow in self-pity. While she suffers from seeing herself as an underachiever, she never lets that slow her down. Overall, she's a positive character who tries to act selflessly, especially towards Perijee. Other than Caitlin though, none of the other characters stood out to me because they were either tropes (such as the inattentive parent figure, akin to Coraline) or just too out there (such as the cult members). Overall, while Caitlin is far from unique, she's at least likable and doesn't act like a dumb kid.
I also liked the initial set up of Perijee, and it definitely emits some E.T. vibes. I love these types of alien/Human stories, and I sense I would have enjoyed this novel more had it retained this tone all throughout. Perijee doesn't get much dialogue, but he comes across as a very endearing, childlike being who is confused both about life on Earth and his own origins. He's not vindictive nor is he out to hurt anyone, but apparently fear causes him to do strange things, much like the way anger unleashes the Hulk. (Can someone say, "Perijee smash!"?) As a whole, despite its occasionally bright moments, Perijee and Me was a letdown, and it pains me to say that as I had high expectations for it. But it starts as one type of story, one I was more than willing to get behind, and rapidly morphs into something completely different - but a little too different.
Overall, Perijee and Me is definitely a study in contrasts when compared to its sweet, serene cover and opening chapters. But much like Perijee himself, it morphs into an outlandish monster story that betrays its setup and blurb. I honestly wanted to like, even love, this little tale; however, its twists and turns into the outré, offsetting its peaceful beginnings, were enough to indefinitely derail my affections.
Content:
Language - Minor PG-level words are uttered sporadically.
Violence - Violence is non-graphic and more along the lines of depictions of peril and mayhem (think of the old Godzilla movies). That being said, a strange cult is introduced who worships the Perijee monster and, as part of their worship, are said to sacrifice humans (though the book never details these sacrifices).
Sexual Content - Essentially none. One male character may be transgender, depending on how you interpret some of his actions and his ability to disguise himself as a woman.
So that's naturally what I assumed this novel was going to be - a heartwarming, gentle story about a young girl who befriends an alien and tries to get him home, perhaps à la E.T. After all, what else could it be? Instead, rather than retain its initial tone that evoked the waves serenely caressing the shores of Middle Island, the novel unleashes a tsunami of frantic pacing, abrupt set changes, and bizarre plot angles.
As expected, Perijee's existence fails to remain a secret, especially as he eats and grows at an alarming rate, which reminded me of this Garfield comic:
However, rather than retain its initial tone that evoked the waves serenely caressing the shores of Middle Island, the novel unleashes a tsunami of frantic pacing, abrupt set changes, and bizarre plot angles.
Naturally, after Perijee is discovered to be living with Caitlin and her mother, it doesn't take long for the government to get involved, bursting into her home and trying to snatch poor (not-so) little Perijee away. But before they can lay hands on him, Perijee morphs into a Godzilla-sized monster and proceeds to lay waste to planet Earth - just because. In the meantime, Caitlin and her mother are taken to live in a special protective camp (as is everyone else on the whole planet, it seems), but Caitlin is certain that if she could just talk to Perijee, all will be right with the world. So she manages to sneak away from the camp; runs across some odd characters; encounters an all-female, murderous cult, and...well, you get the idea.
So in a nutshell, Perijee and Me is a strange little novel. Normally I like strange, but in order for strangeness to make sense in a story, the story itself, from the start, has to allow for the weird, the unusual, and the unexpected to occur. It's like a typical Tim Burton movie: you know from the beginning the story is going to involve the strange, the peculiar, and the darkly comical. But because the film starts out with those elements and an appropriate tone in place, nothing that happens later on feels too bizarre or disjointed. By way of example, the movie Mars Attacks! opens with a flaming, rampaging herd of cattle, much to the horror of some on-lookers, as a silver UFO soars up into the sky. Right from this opening image, you know this is going to be a dark, quirky sci-fi tale and it keeps true to that premise the whole movie through.
However, in the case with Perijee and Me, the initial tone and setting give no indication that the novel takes a nosedive into the strange and nearly nonsensical. If such elements and a pertinent tone had been present from the start, then I don't doubt this novel would have been easier for me to take. But when a story opens with scenes of a young girl enjoying a tranquil boat ride, crying because she doesn't fit in at school, then later introduces an all-girls human-sacrificing cult, it's a bit hard to mentally absorb. It's like if Lilo and Stitch or E.T. were somehow spliced with Lovecraft-esque imagery and cults. Perhaps some readers might enjoy such a mashup but not me. So, story-wise, this wasn't for me and was simply too out there for me to enjoy. Not to mention the ending is a bit of a let down as everything wraps up too quickly and perkily, and Perijee's origin story is less than stellar, shall we say.
This doesn't mean I hated the book as it had a few redeeming points. Character-wise, I liked Caitlin and found her to be a caring, tenacious protagonist. Yes, she feels like a misfit but she eventually embraces it rather than wallow in self-pity. While she suffers from seeing herself as an underachiever, she never lets that slow her down. Overall, she's a positive character who tries to act selflessly, especially towards Perijee. Other than Caitlin though, none of the other characters stood out to me because they were either tropes (such as the inattentive parent figure, akin to Coraline) or just too out there (such as the cult members). Overall, while Caitlin is far from unique, she's at least likable and doesn't act like a dumb kid.
I also liked the initial set up of Perijee, and it definitely emits some E.T. vibes. I love these types of alien/Human stories, and I sense I would have enjoyed this novel more had it retained this tone all throughout. Perijee doesn't get much dialogue, but he comes across as a very endearing, childlike being who is confused both about life on Earth and his own origins. He's not vindictive nor is he out to hurt anyone, but apparently fear causes him to do strange things, much like the way anger unleashes the Hulk. (Can someone say, "Perijee smash!"?) As a whole, despite its occasionally bright moments, Perijee and Me was a letdown, and it pains me to say that as I had high expectations for it. But it starts as one type of story, one I was more than willing to get behind, and rapidly morphs into something completely different - but a little too different.
Overall, Perijee and Me is definitely a study in contrasts when compared to its sweet, serene cover and opening chapters. But much like Perijee himself, it morphs into an outlandish monster story that betrays its setup and blurb. I honestly wanted to like, even love, this little tale; however, its twists and turns into the outré, offsetting its peaceful beginnings, were enough to indefinitely derail my affections.
Content:
Language - Minor PG-level words are uttered sporadically.
Violence - Violence is non-graphic and more along the lines of depictions of peril and mayhem (think of the old Godzilla movies). That being said, a strange cult is introduced who worships the Perijee monster and, as part of their worship, are said to sacrifice humans (though the book never details these sacrifices).
Sexual Content - Essentially none. One male character may be transgender, depending on how you interpret some of his actions and his ability to disguise himself as a woman.
February 16, 2017
What a wacky little story, but overall endearing and with a strong message about friendship. There is so much going on in this little book. Family relationships, feeling different, wanting to belong are just a few of the struggles facing Caitlin, the main character of the story. And then there’s Perijee… and one absurd thing after another propels Caitlin into a hilarious journey in support of her friend. Will definitely appeal to a younger crowd, mostly grades 3-5 I think.
May 17, 2021
This has been on my TBR for ages, and although the plot was admittedly quite different to what I was expecting, I really enjoyed reading another book from Ross Montgomery’s back catalogue after adoring the Midnight Guardians last year. It’s about a girl called Caitlin, who lives on a secluded island and doesn’t fit in at school, and how meeting a mysterious creature named Perijee changes her life forever. It’s hard to say more about the plot than that, but I loved the apocalyptic twist it took, and the exploration of how people act in unprecedented situations, some of which seemed very familiar from the beginning of the current pandemic. Caitlin is such a darling and her naive, optimistic view of life made her so endearing. I also loved her friends Fi and Frank, who show that friendship can be found in unlikely places with unlikely people, but it doesn’t make it any less valid or beautiful a friendship. My feelings for Perijee were a wee bit complicated, which you’ll understand if you’ve read this I think, but I did feel very sorry for him and I liked his bond with Caitlin. As you’d expect from one of Ross’s books, this was very funny indeed in places, and utterly heartwarming too.
October 15, 2016
'Great, isn't he?' I said. 'I think he fell from a meteor. Anyway, I'm teaching him maths.'
You just have to love this kid.
I came across Perijee and Me by accident actually. I really loved the cover so I decided to check it out on goodreads and bought it.
I adored the first third of the book. It reminded me so much of Lilo and Stitch. I love the friendship between Caitlin and Perijee and the adventures and troubles they go through.
After that first third things got a bit unrealistic for me, and I know it's a chidlrens book, but I found it didn't fit the story very well for what it was in the first third.
Overall I would recommend this book to everyone! It's heartwarming, funny and heart-breaking at the same time.
You just have to love this kid.
I came across Perijee and Me by accident actually. I really loved the cover so I decided to check it out on goodreads and bought it.
I adored the first third of the book. It reminded me so much of Lilo and Stitch. I love the friendship between Caitlin and Perijee and the adventures and troubles they go through.
After that first third things got a bit unrealistic for me, and I know it's a chidlrens book, but I found it didn't fit the story very well for what it was in the first third.
Overall I would recommend this book to everyone! It's heartwarming, funny and heart-breaking at the same time.
August 12, 2016
There aren't many books that deeply affect you in the way that Perijee & Me does. It matters not at all that it's a children's book. In fact, that's the exact reason why it's so wonderful. It's a roller coaster ride of emotions. It's very funny, action packed, suspenseful, heartwarming and sad. It's about friendship, true friendship and how that comes when you least expect it. It's about never letting go. It deals with loss (of a friend/loved one) perfectly. Just because someone isn't physically with you any longer, doesn't mean they'll ever leave you. They'll always be with you. I must say, I had rather a large lump in my throat as I read those last couple of chapters to my daughter.
The best thing about having a child is rediscovering children's stories and I have to say, Perijee & Me may just be the best I've read yet!
The best thing about having a child is rediscovering children's stories and I have to say, Perijee & Me may just be the best I've read yet!
November 30, 2016
The cover and the first quarter of the book, which are what drew me in, are nothing like the rest of the book. I was okay with the type of adventure/intense action/science fiction that it turned into, but I still felt somewhat mislead by that cover and beginning. Terrific humor and writing, fast-paced with crazy characters and action, but I was ultimately more charmed by the beginning than the middle and end.
March 12, 2017
This book hooked me right away, even though it strongly reminded me of ET. Normally I like a book that takes twists and turns I don't expect, but this one turned into a whole other kind of story I certainly didn't predict. It took determination to finish it, hoping the whole time for it to turn back into the story I first fell in love with. It didn't happen.
March 12, 2016
Oh my gosh this book - it's so wonderful, uplifting and touching. If you can get your mits on a copy... get your mits on a copy! Full video review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6yXd...
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