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Oddity
Join a tough eleven-year-old as she faces down zombie rabbits, alien mobs, and Puppet Cartels while trying to find her missing twin in Sarah Cannon's imaginative middle-grade debut, Oddity.Welcome to Oddity, New Mexico, where normal is odd and odd is normal. Ada Roundtree is no stranger to dodging carnivorous dumpsters, distracting zombie rabbits with marshmallows, and instigating games of alien punkball. But things haven’t been the same since her twin sister, Pearl, won the town’s yearly Sweepstakes and disappeared . . .Along with her best friend, Raymond, and new-kid-from-Chicago Cayden (whose inability to accept being locked in the gym with live leopards is honestly quite laughable), Ada leads a self-given quest to discover Oddity’s secrets, even evading the invisible Blurmonster terrorizing the outskirts of town.But one of their missions goes sideways, revealing something hinky with the Sweepstakes . . . and Ada can’t let it go. Because, if the Sweepstakes is bad, then what happened to Pearl?
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 28, 2017
19 people are currently reading
865 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Cannon
4 books87 followersSarah Cannon has lived all over the U.S., but right now she calls Indiana home. She has a husband, three kids and a misguided dog. Sarah holds a B.S. in Education. She's a nerdy knitting gardener who drinks a lot of coffee, and eats a lot of raspberries.
She is probably human.
She is probably human.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
February 11, 2018
This book seemed to start off pretty well, with an exciting scene involving schoolkids trying to take down live leopards in the gym. It set the tone for the rest of the book's quirkiness. Unfortunately, those quirks were both its strength and its weakness.
For the longest time, I thought I was going to DNF this one. If I go back over my notes, I see that I was over halfway in when I suspected I might be getting to the main plot. That's way too late for any book, never mind one aimed at younger readers. When the plot finally did get going, it still had some hiccups and stalls before finally barrelling through toward the finale. The pacing in the whole book seemed off as a result, and the little "six months later" epilogue at the end really could have been skipped, since it was basically just a rushed scene that didn't really add anything to the story (except another quirky anecdote).
So... Oddity, New Mexico is a weird little town. It's sort of along the lines of Midnight, Texas, but with a more kid-friendly slant. There are aliens running around town, getting into weird face-offs with zombie rabbits (which I actually liked; their grasp of grammar was especially amusing--one of them referred to a particular type of frozen meat as "beeves"... which makes a weird sense if you think about it). The whole town is run by a quartet of sentient puppets. Yes, puppets. It's just one of the weird and wonderful ideas in this extremely creative story.
The problem is, so much of the first part of the book is spent developing this complex world. Each chapter seems like a little vignette, unrelated to any sort of overarching plot. And while I can see, looking back, that those episodes helped to explain a lot of what was going on, it didn't seem like those bits were relevant at the time. It's almost as if this story wasn't meant to be a novel. I can see it as a graphic novel (where you could draw many of these creatures and scenarios without having to explain them in writing) or as an animated movie (it would be so cute and colourful); as a novel, though, all that exposition and world-building became a bit tedious.
Then there's the issue of the ages. There are a few things in the book that made me wonder if the characters had originally been written as a bit older (13 or so, maybe?) and then were aged down later. I'm not sure why this would've been done, because it would've worked so much better had the characters been a little older. Then I wouldn't have had to wonder why all these kids were going through precocious puberty (Ada mentions that she continually teased her guy friends about their cracking voices, and one of them wears body spray, implying he's already getting stinky... but they're only supposed to be 11-year-old fifth-graders), why nobody seemed to care that preteens were running around at all hours of the day and night, and why Ada used words that I constantly had to look up. Writing child characters can be tricky. They need to sound like kids. Ada didn't. I might've been able to go with it if she'd been 13 and a voracious reader or something, but when an 11-year-old who hasn't shown any inclination toward being particularly studious talks about a baby being "fractious", the author's clearly showing her hand.
There's quite a bit of representation here. Ada's black, her friend has two moms, and her aunt's disabled. However, I wasn't quite sure why Ada was black, particularly in this setting. It might've been nice to see a kid with a background from the local area, maybe Pueblo. There was also a questionable joke about a certain type of alien that resided in the town that came perilously close to an offensive racial stereotype. I'm not sure if that's what the author intended, but that's how I read it.
Still, I really wanted to find out what happened to Ada's sister, Pearl. So I kept reading. Luckily, this book has some of the technically strongest writing I've read in ages, so at least I didn't have to worry about that. And when we finally got around to the real meat of the story, it was exciting and ultimately satisfying.
For the longest time, I thought I was going to DNF this one. If I go back over my notes, I see that I was over halfway in when I suspected I might be getting to the main plot. That's way too late for any book, never mind one aimed at younger readers. When the plot finally did get going, it still had some hiccups and stalls before finally barrelling through toward the finale. The pacing in the whole book seemed off as a result, and the little "six months later" epilogue at the end really could have been skipped, since it was basically just a rushed scene that didn't really add anything to the story (except another quirky anecdote).
So... Oddity, New Mexico is a weird little town. It's sort of along the lines of Midnight, Texas, but with a more kid-friendly slant. There are aliens running around town, getting into weird face-offs with zombie rabbits (which I actually liked; their grasp of grammar was especially amusing--one of them referred to a particular type of frozen meat as "beeves"... which makes a weird sense if you think about it). The whole town is run by a quartet of sentient puppets. Yes, puppets. It's just one of the weird and wonderful ideas in this extremely creative story.
The problem is, so much of the first part of the book is spent developing this complex world. Each chapter seems like a little vignette, unrelated to any sort of overarching plot. And while I can see, looking back, that those episodes helped to explain a lot of what was going on, it didn't seem like those bits were relevant at the time. It's almost as if this story wasn't meant to be a novel. I can see it as a graphic novel (where you could draw many of these creatures and scenarios without having to explain them in writing) or as an animated movie (it would be so cute and colourful); as a novel, though, all that exposition and world-building became a bit tedious.
Then there's the issue of the ages. There are a few things in the book that made me wonder if the characters had originally been written as a bit older (13 or so, maybe?) and then were aged down later. I'm not sure why this would've been done, because it would've worked so much better had the characters been a little older. Then I wouldn't have had to wonder why all these kids were going through precocious puberty (Ada mentions that she continually teased her guy friends about their cracking voices, and one of them wears body spray, implying he's already getting stinky... but they're only supposed to be 11-year-old fifth-graders), why nobody seemed to care that preteens were running around at all hours of the day and night, and why Ada used words that I constantly had to look up. Writing child characters can be tricky. They need to sound like kids. Ada didn't. I might've been able to go with it if she'd been 13 and a voracious reader or something, but when an 11-year-old who hasn't shown any inclination toward being particularly studious talks about a baby being "fractious", the author's clearly showing her hand.
There's quite a bit of representation here. Ada's black, her friend has two moms, and her aunt's disabled. However, I wasn't quite sure why Ada was black, particularly in this setting. It might've been nice to see a kid with a background from the local area, maybe Pueblo. There was also a questionable joke about a certain type of alien that resided in the town that came perilously close to an offensive racial stereotype. I'm not sure if that's what the author intended, but that's how I read it.
Still, I really wanted to find out what happened to Ada's sister, Pearl. So I kept reading. Luckily, this book has some of the technically strongest writing I've read in ages, so at least I didn't have to worry about that. And when we finally got around to the real meat of the story, it was exciting and ultimately satisfying.
April 19, 2018
So proud of my author friend @saille42, whose debut, #Oddity, was my introduction to middle grade fiction. (For those unfamiliar, middle grade is fiction written for the 8 to 12 yo set ). I let my 12 yo niece borrow my copy of Sarah’s book (she loved it BTW) and then, to my delight, recently gave it a read myself. It’s the story of fifth grader Ada Roundtree, whose twin sister goes missing in the annual town “sweepstakes” and whose mission it is to find out what happened to her. What I loved most about this book is how WILDLY inventive it is. Ada lives in the town of Oddity (where normal is odd and odd is normal), and with nearly every page of the book came a new, wildly imaginative character to delight in. Sarah, congratulations on fulfilling your dreams of publication. I’m so proud of you and this fantastical page-turner you created! #middlegrade #oddity
January 29, 2018
I made it halfway through this book and just wasn't motivated to finish it, which was disappointing since I know a lot of people who raved about it. I wasn't attached to any of the characters and it felt like the author was trying too hard to create a kooky world that somehow coexists within the normal one.
January 27, 2017
This book is fantastic! I read an early copy and I LOOOOOVE Ada. Her spunk and voice is memorable and will just put a smile on your face. LOVE IT.
December 28, 2017
What a book! It’s rare that I read a book that completely astonishes me with its imagination and world-building, but this book is amazing. Our heroine Ada is searching for her twin sister Pearl, all while dodging zombie rabbits, blurry monsters, aliens and creepy grownups. Laugh-out-loud funny, mixed with a dash or creepiness and a whole lot of heart, this book is wonderful!
February 6, 2017
Can I give this eleven stars? I read an early copy and was blown away by the tight storytelling and subversive humor. If you know MG readers who enjoy the weird, quirky, and hilarious, they will adore this book. Excellent adventure, creepy villians, badass characters, and exceptional everything! If zombie rabbits wearing pajamas sounds like your thing--you'll love ODDITY!!!
March 6, 2018
"When I grow up I want to be scary."
Oddity was a breathless romp, Welcome to Night Vale as experienced by kids. Highly recommend to anyone who is the least bit intrigued by the premise.
Oddity was a breathless romp, Welcome to Night Vale as experienced by kids. Highly recommend to anyone who is the least bit intrigued by the premise.
September 17, 2020
What can I say about this weird creepy little book....I loved it!! Lol This completed prompt #6 in the Adventures Through Wonderland readathon to read a strange & mysterious book. 1st of all, the title has “odd” in it-Oddity, & 2nd of all-it was so strange & mysterious! This was a creepy good time. Oddity is a creepy, weird, awesome town where everything odd is normal, & normal is odd. There are little zombie rabbits that wear footie pajamas-& I LOVE THEM! Lol Especially Snooks, who has my whole heart! The 3 friends in this story are just kick butt awesome! They are loyal, brave, smart, & just tough! Ada is amazing. So feisty & spunky. I really loved her. I love a good strong female lead, & she was all that & more. The humor in this book is next level. The characters are hilarious at times, when they aren’t even trying to be. This town has all sorts of different types of monsters. The villains though are these super creepy puppets that basically control the town. The whole story behind them & what goes on is so unique & just incredible. This was action packed adventure on the creepy level, & I ate it up! Oh! & little Xerple! So both Snooks & Xerple have my heart lol so adorable for little creepy monster things😆This book was an exciting adventure, hilariously creepy, so full of heart, & showed the importance of family. I highly recommend this whacky, creepy, amazing book!💜💜 The cover is absolutely stunning too! I adore it so much!!😍😍
Synopsis: Join a tough eleven-year-old as she faces down zombie rabbits, alien mobs, and Puppet Cartels while trying to find her missing twin in Sarah Cannon's imaginative middle-grade debut, Oddity.
Welcome to Oddity, New Mexico, where normal is odd and odd is normal.
Ada Roundtree is no stranger to dodging carnivorous dumpsters, distracting zombie rabbits with marshmallows, and instigating games of alien punkball. But things haven’t been the same since her twin sister, Pearl, won the town’s yearly Sweepstakes and disappeared . . .
Along with her best friend, Raymond, and new-kid-from-Chicago Cayden (whose inability to accept being locked in the gym with live leopards is honestly quite laughable), Ada leads a self-given quest to discover Oddity’s secrets, even evading the invisible Blurmonster terrorizing the outskirts of town.
But one of their missions goes sideways, revealing something hinky with the Sweepstakes . . . and Ada can’t let it go. Because, if the Sweepstakes is bad, then what happened to Pearl?
Synopsis: Join a tough eleven-year-old as she faces down zombie rabbits, alien mobs, and Puppet Cartels while trying to find her missing twin in Sarah Cannon's imaginative middle-grade debut, Oddity.
Welcome to Oddity, New Mexico, where normal is odd and odd is normal.
Ada Roundtree is no stranger to dodging carnivorous dumpsters, distracting zombie rabbits with marshmallows, and instigating games of alien punkball. But things haven’t been the same since her twin sister, Pearl, won the town’s yearly Sweepstakes and disappeared . . .
Along with her best friend, Raymond, and new-kid-from-Chicago Cayden (whose inability to accept being locked in the gym with live leopards is honestly quite laughable), Ada leads a self-given quest to discover Oddity’s secrets, even evading the invisible Blurmonster terrorizing the outskirts of town.
But one of their missions goes sideways, revealing something hinky with the Sweepstakes . . . and Ada can’t let it go. Because, if the Sweepstakes is bad, then what happened to Pearl?
July 20, 2017
Oddity is just as delightfully zany and odd as you might expect. After Ada's sister Pearl wins a sweepstakes and leaves, Ada has to adjust to life as the solo twin. But when strange things start happening (stranger than usual--this is a town where students might have to survive tiger attacks at school, after all, and where zombie rabbits are the norm, rather than the exception) that suggest Pearl's winning may not be what it's cracked up to be, Ada and her friends tackle this new mystery with the determination and grit that they use for everything else.
I loved how funny and quirky the story was. Ada is a heroine to root for, as are her friends Raymond and even Cayden, who reacts to everything the way I would (i.e., with terror and disbelief). Cannon has effortlessly woven diversity into a world where humans and aliens live in relative harmony with each other (aside from the zombie rabbits ongoing fued with some of the aliens). The whole thing was so clever and delightful--a sure hit for middle-grade readers who like a touch of the fantastic in their stories.
I loved how funny and quirky the story was. Ada is a heroine to root for, as are her friends Raymond and even Cayden, who reacts to everything the way I would (i.e., with terror and disbelief). Cannon has effortlessly woven diversity into a world where humans and aliens live in relative harmony with each other (aside from the zombie rabbits ongoing fued with some of the aliens). The whole thing was so clever and delightful--a sure hit for middle-grade readers who like a touch of the fantastic in their stories.
February 19, 2018
fun, creepy and totally original.
July 28, 2017
Ada's twin sister, Pearl, is missing after winning the Sweepstakes. Ada, along with friends Raymond and Cayden, begins to solve this fantastical mystery in their town called Oddity. They start to notice that everything is not as it seems, which is saying something given the aliens and zombie rabbits that inhabit their town.
The title says it all! Oddity is a wild ride and completely original. I LOVED Ada: spunky, determined, and witty; in short, everything I love in a female protagonist. I loved (and hated) the identical twin parts, because I am one. I sometimes felt like Ada was experiencing my biggest fears. A bit slow in parts, Oddity's ending is a rollercoaster. And I LOVED the humor, the creepiness of the puppets, and the unique voices of each character.
I'll definitely be shelving this fantasy in our classroom library for my students!!
The title says it all! Oddity is a wild ride and completely original. I LOVED Ada: spunky, determined, and witty; in short, everything I love in a female protagonist. I loved (and hated) the identical twin parts, because I am one. I sometimes felt like Ada was experiencing my biggest fears. A bit slow in parts, Oddity's ending is a rollercoaster. And I LOVED the humor, the creepiness of the puppets, and the unique voices of each character.
I'll definitely be shelving this fantasy in our classroom library for my students!!
January 23, 2018
This is definitely odd. And a delight.
October 18, 2017
This was hands down my favorite book of the year. I think that is mainly due to the fact that this book, much like it's title, is odd. I think the author just jotted down every bizarre thought she ever had and decided to put them all into one book. You'd think that couldn't possibly work but it does, it delightfully does. There's a little bit of Oz, a little twisted Disney, some traditional spooks and haunts, plus so many new and exciting things from our author's crazy and fantastic brain. Just read it.
Thank you NetGalley, thank you!
Thank you NetGalley, thank you!
January 31, 2018
I cannot think of the last time I read a book that so thoroughly delighted me. This is the TV show Eureka meets Welcome to Night Vale meets reverse Hunger Games meets Shirley Jackson's The Lottery meets complete awesomeness.
Sarah Cannon's writing is full of some of the best deadpan humor I've ever read. The story is tight, the plot never drags, and you just want more and more details about Oddity. You also want more and more of her main character's dry observations like, "He's got one of those neck tattoos that annoy me because I never know whether it's rude to read them" and there's a sentient kombucha sponge in a jar that runs a general store and his name is Scoby!
When I finished, I was both happy and sad. Satisfying end but now it's over! Treat yourself and read Oddity.
Then make five friends read it.
We'll make the world a happier place.
Sarah Cannon's writing is full of some of the best deadpan humor I've ever read. The story is tight, the plot never drags, and you just want more and more details about Oddity. You also want more and more of her main character's dry observations like, "He's got one of those neck tattoos that annoy me because I never know whether it's rude to read them" and there's a sentient kombucha sponge in a jar that runs a general store and his name is Scoby!
When I finished, I was both happy and sad. Satisfying end but now it's over! Treat yourself and read Oddity.
Then make five friends read it.
We'll make the world a happier place.
November 11, 2017
So much fun! This town is quirky with a side of alien-fighting flamethrowers. I loved reading about Ada's adventures uncovering the secrets of Oddity, New Mexico, especially what happened to her twin sister, Pearl. Hilarious lines and details are tucked into the story, making this a richly imagined and lovably weird setting for Ada's shenanigans.
October 18, 2017
I love a book full of wonderful weirdness. Particularly when the author doesn't explain the weirdness. We just have to accept it as a fact. A rollicking read from beginning to end.
March 24, 2018
I had high hopes for this book. It was like Sarah was trying to make it to weird. It was waaaay to much for a book like this. I'm very disappointed.
January 14, 2019
4.5, rounded up.
That was a buttload of fun. More details here: https://falconerslibrary.blogspot.com...
That was a buttload of fun. More details here: https://falconerslibrary.blogspot.com...
September 5, 2017
Do you know a 8-12 year old who likes scary books? Funny books? This is a little bit of both. Oddity is a lot like Nightvale. There are zombie rabbits, little aliens, an invisible monster and worst of all, a puppet government is running the town. No, like ACTUAL puppets are running things. Just like in Nightvale, conspiracies are everywhere. For example, people are going missing in Oddity and the grown ups don't seem to mind. Even when Ada's twin sister Pearl is taken (the first child to disappear) only Ada's family is concerned and they're not doing much about it. It's up to Ada and her friends to figure out what's going on in Oddity, and hopefully, get Pearl back. I adored this book and I already have a particular 10-year-old nephew in mind who will love it too.
October 5, 2017
I just love books with different and excellent world building (which is why I love sci fi) but rarely do you find great world building AND hysterical. That's what you get in Oddity. Zombie rabbits, aliens who fight with each other, an invisible monster and a puppet government that runs the town and I mean real puppets. It is just the right blend of scary and funny with characters (friends and family) that are at the same time so zany and yet so relatable. Get this book!
July 5, 2017
I loved this book! It's fun, funny, and delightfully weird. Ada is such a great protagonist, and the entire cast is so well-drawn. Readers of all ages who like quirky adventure and humor will definitely enjoy this. Highly recommend!
January 21, 2020
As I wrapped up the closing words of Sarah Cannon's "Oddity," I breathed a sigh of satisfaction and relief completing a story I'd thoroughly enjoyed while also not being burdened with figuring out how to create one of my kinder and gentler criticism pieces so as not to offend someone who is, in fact, a semi-regular part of my life.
While many people enjoy reviewing a friend's book, truth be told I dread it. As someone who writes film criticism professionally, I have a complete inability to write a false word in a review. I can be kinder. I can be gentler. I just have to be honest.
That doesn't always work out well.
While I understand some of the criticisms that I've seen lobbed at "Oddity," Cannon's first book that is aimed at the 4th-6th grade crowd, for the most part, I disagree with them wholeheartedly.
This doesn't mean I didn't contemplate a 4-star review, though I can say I never contemplated lower than a 4-star review. I've ultimately decided upon a 5-star for reasons that I'll explain throughout the course of my review.
First off, this is one book where I'll openly acknowledge that knowing the author had a certain unexpected benefit. As I began reading, I began hearing Sarah's voice as a sort of hallucinatory audiobook version that was completely in my mind. It added a personality to the book that I found completely delightful.
The world of Oddity, New Mexico is so vividly realized that I'll also admit that I looked it up to see if there is, in fact, a real such town. I want there to be a real such town.
I also want there to be zombie rabbits.
Cannon's story largely centers around 11-year-old Ada Roundtree, who probably could have qualified as a Nancy Drew type if the story took place in another time and another place. She's innately curious and impossibly mischievious. She's a vividly realized character and the anchor upon what most of the early pages of "Oddity" depends as we get to know her family, her friends, and the unpredictable world of Oddity.
Ada's world includes her best friend Raymond and the town's new kid, Cayden, in all the way from the relatively normal life of Chicago. Ada lives with her parents and her Aunt Bets, the latter easily being my favorite character in the entire book as a fellow double-amputee. The family's in a state of flux, Ada's sister Pearl having won the town's annual Sweepstakes before subsequently disappearing.
The already adventurous Ada becomes even more adventurous after Pearl's disappearance, embarking on risky explorations and quests to uncover Oddity's truths and underlying secrets. When one such mission goes awry, Ada and her friends discover hidden aspects to the town's beloved Sweepstakes. Suddenly, seemingly innocent quests have life-changing implications for Oddity, Ada, the townsfolk and, perhaps most importantly, for Pearl and other sweepstakes winners.
There are those who think Cannon spends an extraordinary amount of time developing the world of Oddity before delving into the meat of the story. While I understand this quibble, structurally it feels a lot like the Harry Potter series. Whereas Rowling would occasionally throw you brief expository reminders and hints to keep you on track, Cannon tends to be more trusting of her reader's ability to maintain a connection to the story. It seems like a good majority of those who've had issues with the book have either - 1) Not completed the book past this point or 2) Had difficulty following this type of narrative structure.
I've always struggled with the idea of reviewing a book that I didn't finish - something I simply don't believe in doing. I take the same approach to film. If I don't finish the film, which never happens, I refuse to review the film. I think "Oddity" is a great example of why this is necessary. "Oddity" is an entire experience. While the early part of the book is somewhat confusing, it sets the stage rather nicely for where the story is going. So, you may be confused early on but by the book's end, you're definitely not going to be confused. You may not be entirely satisfied, but you won't be confused.
In terms of narrative structure, I do get the concerns. Cannon packs a lot into the 300+ pages of "Oddity" and I won't say I felt completely satisfied with each character's development. Raymond, for example, left me unsatisfied with his story arc. However, the few quibbles that I had with the story and the structure were ultimately surpassed by my enjoyment of the story, the world that Cannon created, and the characters that I really enjoyed including my favorite, Aunt Bets, whom I noted in a social media message to the author I wanted to play in the stage version.
I mean, seriously. I'm a double-amputee. I'm practically tailor-made for Aunt Bets. Okay, the end might be a bit of a trick but I have faith I could pull it off.
I am not a regular reader of middle-school lit or YA lit. I've always wanted to try my hand at writing for children/youth, but my mind ultimately just doesn't go there. I admire greatly those who can create such vivid worlds and stories and make them age-appropriate. Cannon has certainly accomplished that task here.
While I had minor issues with character development and a couple of issues with the abrupt resolution of stories and conflicts, these were minor issues that never distracted from my enjoyment of the story that unfolded. It felt, at least to me, like the tone and pacing shifted a bit toward the end of the book and it didn't feel completely natural to me. It felt more like a literary device rather than a natural shift inspired by the story.
I ultimately wrestled with the 4-5 star review debate. So, why a 5-star review?
The importance of "Oddity" lies in the world it creates. Amidst the zaniness an unpredictability of this world, Cannon creates a world where children can make a difference and have the power to survive and thrive in the world around them even when the world around them is immensely flawed and even corrupt. Cannon creates a world where diverse populations have to figure out how to live together and it's those diverse populations that ultimately resolve the conflicts within the book. Cannon creates a world where being female is portrayed as a strength, yet she also doesn't feel the need to abuse the males in the story. Cannon creates a world with positive disability portrayal, both when Aunt Bets is in the wheelchair and when she is not. Cannon creates a world where love wins - but it's not the Hallmark Channel type of love, but it's the kind of love where people show up and fight like hell for one another and refuse to give up even when not giving up comes at great personal risk.
In other words, I don't give a crap about a minor structural issue or a minor character development concern or a tonal shift or the one painful and lonely typo that actually made me laugh. I ultimately care that Cannon has crafted a book that is fun to read and teaches children lessons that I want children to learn about living in this world with themselves and with one another.
The end result is that I loved "Oddity" and I look forward to Cannon's next book coming out in February 2020.
While many people enjoy reviewing a friend's book, truth be told I dread it. As someone who writes film criticism professionally, I have a complete inability to write a false word in a review. I can be kinder. I can be gentler. I just have to be honest.
That doesn't always work out well.
While I understand some of the criticisms that I've seen lobbed at "Oddity," Cannon's first book that is aimed at the 4th-6th grade crowd, for the most part, I disagree with them wholeheartedly.
This doesn't mean I didn't contemplate a 4-star review, though I can say I never contemplated lower than a 4-star review. I've ultimately decided upon a 5-star for reasons that I'll explain throughout the course of my review.
First off, this is one book where I'll openly acknowledge that knowing the author had a certain unexpected benefit. As I began reading, I began hearing Sarah's voice as a sort of hallucinatory audiobook version that was completely in my mind. It added a personality to the book that I found completely delightful.
The world of Oddity, New Mexico is so vividly realized that I'll also admit that I looked it up to see if there is, in fact, a real such town. I want there to be a real such town.
I also want there to be zombie rabbits.
Cannon's story largely centers around 11-year-old Ada Roundtree, who probably could have qualified as a Nancy Drew type if the story took place in another time and another place. She's innately curious and impossibly mischievious. She's a vividly realized character and the anchor upon what most of the early pages of "Oddity" depends as we get to know her family, her friends, and the unpredictable world of Oddity.
Ada's world includes her best friend Raymond and the town's new kid, Cayden, in all the way from the relatively normal life of Chicago. Ada lives with her parents and her Aunt Bets, the latter easily being my favorite character in the entire book as a fellow double-amputee. The family's in a state of flux, Ada's sister Pearl having won the town's annual Sweepstakes before subsequently disappearing.
The already adventurous Ada becomes even more adventurous after Pearl's disappearance, embarking on risky explorations and quests to uncover Oddity's truths and underlying secrets. When one such mission goes awry, Ada and her friends discover hidden aspects to the town's beloved Sweepstakes. Suddenly, seemingly innocent quests have life-changing implications for Oddity, Ada, the townsfolk and, perhaps most importantly, for Pearl and other sweepstakes winners.
There are those who think Cannon spends an extraordinary amount of time developing the world of Oddity before delving into the meat of the story. While I understand this quibble, structurally it feels a lot like the Harry Potter series. Whereas Rowling would occasionally throw you brief expository reminders and hints to keep you on track, Cannon tends to be more trusting of her reader's ability to maintain a connection to the story. It seems like a good majority of those who've had issues with the book have either - 1) Not completed the book past this point or 2) Had difficulty following this type of narrative structure.
I've always struggled with the idea of reviewing a book that I didn't finish - something I simply don't believe in doing. I take the same approach to film. If I don't finish the film, which never happens, I refuse to review the film. I think "Oddity" is a great example of why this is necessary. "Oddity" is an entire experience. While the early part of the book is somewhat confusing, it sets the stage rather nicely for where the story is going. So, you may be confused early on but by the book's end, you're definitely not going to be confused. You may not be entirely satisfied, but you won't be confused.
In terms of narrative structure, I do get the concerns. Cannon packs a lot into the 300+ pages of "Oddity" and I won't say I felt completely satisfied with each character's development. Raymond, for example, left me unsatisfied with his story arc. However, the few quibbles that I had with the story and the structure were ultimately surpassed by my enjoyment of the story, the world that Cannon created, and the characters that I really enjoyed including my favorite, Aunt Bets, whom I noted in a social media message to the author I wanted to play in the stage version.
I mean, seriously. I'm a double-amputee. I'm practically tailor-made for Aunt Bets. Okay, the end might be a bit of a trick but I have faith I could pull it off.
I am not a regular reader of middle-school lit or YA lit. I've always wanted to try my hand at writing for children/youth, but my mind ultimately just doesn't go there. I admire greatly those who can create such vivid worlds and stories and make them age-appropriate. Cannon has certainly accomplished that task here.
While I had minor issues with character development and a couple of issues with the abrupt resolution of stories and conflicts, these were minor issues that never distracted from my enjoyment of the story that unfolded. It felt, at least to me, like the tone and pacing shifted a bit toward the end of the book and it didn't feel completely natural to me. It felt more like a literary device rather than a natural shift inspired by the story.
I ultimately wrestled with the 4-5 star review debate. So, why a 5-star review?
The importance of "Oddity" lies in the world it creates. Amidst the zaniness an unpredictability of this world, Cannon creates a world where children can make a difference and have the power to survive and thrive in the world around them even when the world around them is immensely flawed and even corrupt. Cannon creates a world where diverse populations have to figure out how to live together and it's those diverse populations that ultimately resolve the conflicts within the book. Cannon creates a world where being female is portrayed as a strength, yet she also doesn't feel the need to abuse the males in the story. Cannon creates a world with positive disability portrayal, both when Aunt Bets is in the wheelchair and when she is not. Cannon creates a world where love wins - but it's not the Hallmark Channel type of love, but it's the kind of love where people show up and fight like hell for one another and refuse to give up even when not giving up comes at great personal risk.
In other words, I don't give a crap about a minor structural issue or a minor character development concern or a tonal shift or the one painful and lonely typo that actually made me laugh. I ultimately care that Cannon has crafted a book that is fun to read and teaches children lessons that I want children to learn about living in this world with themselves and with one another.
The end result is that I loved "Oddity" and I look forward to Cannon's next book coming out in February 2020.
September 10, 2017
Ada is not your everyday fifth-grade monster fighting, zombie rabbit wrangling, alien negotiating, creepy puppet smashing, smack talking hero. She's leading a quest of her friends to learn the fate of her twin sister, Pearl who disappeared a year ago after winning Oddity's coveted annual Sweepstakes. The residents of Oddity, a community filled with strange creatures and aliens, have struck up an uneasy truce with a collection of creepy puppets who supposedly protect its human citizens from the invisible, slow-moving Blurmonster.
Oddity would make a fantastic movie or mini-series on Netflix. I found the writing powerful, punchy, and clever, but confusing. Reading the first 50 pages was like parachuting into a treacherous unknown territory on a vague mission at night without a map. Once I grasped the context of the town's weird inhabitants and the mission to find Pearl, I connected with Ada and was with her till the end. This book needs scaffolding such as maps, illustrations, or a book trailer to give kids enough context to read to the end. Kids will be the ultimate judges of Oddity's popularity. (E-ARC in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.)
Oddity would make a fantastic movie or mini-series on Netflix. I found the writing powerful, punchy, and clever, but confusing. Reading the first 50 pages was like parachuting into a treacherous unknown territory on a vague mission at night without a map. Once I grasped the context of the town's weird inhabitants and the mission to find Pearl, I connected with Ada and was with her till the end. This book needs scaffolding such as maps, illustrations, or a book trailer to give kids enough context to read to the end. Kids will be the ultimate judges of Oddity's popularity. (E-ARC in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.)
May 28, 2018
I finally finished this weird little book and while it took longer than I would have liked, it was pretty good. The plot was interesting and a little odd(the puppets weren’t my favorite) but it went together well enough.
My biggest hang up was, the writing style. It’s not poorly done but I just wasn’t really able to catch the rhythm of the story. I had a few stops and starts but I’m glad I finished it. I loved that Ada was sassy and brave enough to ask questions and seek the answers. Raymond and Cayden were great friends and I liked Ada’s Aunt Bets. I didn’t like how Ada’s parents seemed to check out but the book still had a strong sense of family and friendship. This is a hard one to recommend though because it is a bit over the top and almost too silly/weird.
My biggest hang up was, the writing style. It’s not poorly done but I just wasn’t really able to catch the rhythm of the story. I had a few stops and starts but I’m glad I finished it. I loved that Ada was sassy and brave enough to ask questions and seek the answers. Raymond and Cayden were great friends and I liked Ada’s Aunt Bets. I didn’t like how Ada’s parents seemed to check out but the book still had a strong sense of family and friendship. This is a hard one to recommend though because it is a bit over the top and almost too silly/weird.
February 4, 2018
I loved this so much. It’s Welcome to Night Vale meets middle grade and if you’re not sold on just that, then I am sorry for you. It’s hilarious, full of great adventures, diverse characters, and an amazingly...dare I say...yes, I do...quirky town full of oddities. The main character is tough, funny, and brave. I mean, they uncover a mystery with the help of zombie rabbit mischief. I don’t want to spoil the other awesomeness. Just read it.
July 18, 2017
Most certainly human, with a heart.
April 12, 2018
Highly recommended! Wildly imaginative and action-packed, it ranks up there in the MG canon alongside works of quirky, creative brilliance like Lizard Music by Daniel Pinkwater
March 30, 2018
This book is full of imagination and characters that will grab your attention and not let go!
January 4, 2018
Oddity by Sarah Cannon
MG, Fantasy
Ada Roundtree is no stranger to dodging carnivorous dumpsters, distracting zombie rabbits with marshmallows, or instigating games of alien punkball. But things haven’t been the same since her twin sister, Pearl, won the town’s yearly sweepstakes and disappeared.
Along with her best friend, Raymond, and new-kid-from-Chicago Cayden (whose inability to accept being locked in the gym with live leopards is honestly quite laughable), Ada leads a self-given quest to discover Oddity’s secrets while evading the invisible Blurmonster terrorizing the outskirts of town.
But when one of their missions goes sideways, revealing something hinky with the Sweepstakes, Ada can’t let it go. Because if the Sweepstakes is bad, then what happened to Pearl?
*~*~*
Full disclosure: Until I picked up Oddity I had not listened to Welcome to Nightvale, but now I am hooked. If you are already a listener, stop reading this review and get to the store to get this book because it’s what you need in your life.
For those that haven’t listened to that podcast, strap in because things are about to get weird.
Oddity jumps right in with the weird too, just to let you know you’re not in Oz or even Narnia anymore with students locked in the gym for ‘safety drills’ dodging and tranquilizing angry leopards. Ada comes out swinging as a delightful mix of sarcastic and confident, with a dollop of Mama-Friendness as she does her best to keep New-Kid Cayden alive.
Cayden is a nice touchstone for those of us who don’t live dodging carnivorous dumpsters and aliens. While Ada is the main character, Cayden gets more page time than Raymond because while he may flail and scream, deep down inside he’s just like the rest of us and knows an epic adventure is at hand.
Raymond is rock solid to match Ada’s fiery impulsiveness. Raymond is an excellent foil not only in personality but in the steadiness of his home life as well. He does seem to play a bigger role at the beginning when reigning Ada in is more important. He remains a constant character throughout the book but once the mystery is hatched there’s more a focus on Ada and Cayden.
Ada’s world is topsy-turvy—more than usual—since her twin sister, Pearl, won the Sweepstakes. Her father is working long hours as an animal control officer (and that is one hell of a job) and her mother is mostly comatose. For better or worse, Ada’s Aunt Bets is there to try and wrangle her. And, despite their warring ways, Aunt Bets is like Raymond. She’s solid and there for Ada, looking out for her, putting the fear of the gods in her. All the things solid parental figures do for us.
The first few chapters are a ride as you find your new ‘normal’ in this bizarre little town. Things like the sentient puppets that run the city, the Puppet Committee, the invisible Blurmonster who routinely tears up the outer edge of town, UFOs sticking out of diners, zombie rabbits that are cute in inexplicable ways, ghosts that haunt closets, and even a pirate.
And then things get weird even for Ada.
Which kicks off the race to find Pearl and to find out what dark secrets the strange and dangerous town of Oddity are hiding. But most important: Finding Pearl.
If you strip away all the fantastical elements, Oddity is a story about family. Ada’s family is holding on by threads after Pearl is taken away. Ada’s recklessness initially is about running away from the Pearl shaped hole in her family and her life, but soon she circles back and begins running toward that gaping hole and looking for a way to fix it. And if she has to burn the whole town down to fix that hole and get Pearl back, she will.
As someone with a younger sister, this was a refreshing book to read. So often in media siblings are pit against each other at first and their arcs are about finding a close relationship I think most of us already have with our siblings. Sure, my sister annoys me sometimes, but she’s still my sister and I’d do anything to protect her. Being twins, Ada and Pearl have a little bit different bond, but they’re still best friends at the start of the book.
If you’re a fan of Welcome to Nightvale or you love the old Twilight Zone shows, Oddity by Sara Cannon is a book for you, your kids, the ghost in your closet, and the aliens in your side yard.
MG, Fantasy
Ada Roundtree is no stranger to dodging carnivorous dumpsters, distracting zombie rabbits with marshmallows, or instigating games of alien punkball. But things haven’t been the same since her twin sister, Pearl, won the town’s yearly sweepstakes and disappeared.
Along with her best friend, Raymond, and new-kid-from-Chicago Cayden (whose inability to accept being locked in the gym with live leopards is honestly quite laughable), Ada leads a self-given quest to discover Oddity’s secrets while evading the invisible Blurmonster terrorizing the outskirts of town.
But when one of their missions goes sideways, revealing something hinky with the Sweepstakes, Ada can’t let it go. Because if the Sweepstakes is bad, then what happened to Pearl?
*~*~*
Full disclosure: Until I picked up Oddity I had not listened to Welcome to Nightvale, but now I am hooked. If you are already a listener, stop reading this review and get to the store to get this book because it’s what you need in your life.
For those that haven’t listened to that podcast, strap in because things are about to get weird.
Oddity jumps right in with the weird too, just to let you know you’re not in Oz or even Narnia anymore with students locked in the gym for ‘safety drills’ dodging and tranquilizing angry leopards. Ada comes out swinging as a delightful mix of sarcastic and confident, with a dollop of Mama-Friendness as she does her best to keep New-Kid Cayden alive.
Cayden is a nice touchstone for those of us who don’t live dodging carnivorous dumpsters and aliens. While Ada is the main character, Cayden gets more page time than Raymond because while he may flail and scream, deep down inside he’s just like the rest of us and knows an epic adventure is at hand.
Raymond is rock solid to match Ada’s fiery impulsiveness. Raymond is an excellent foil not only in personality but in the steadiness of his home life as well. He does seem to play a bigger role at the beginning when reigning Ada in is more important. He remains a constant character throughout the book but once the mystery is hatched there’s more a focus on Ada and Cayden.
Ada’s world is topsy-turvy—more than usual—since her twin sister, Pearl, won the Sweepstakes. Her father is working long hours as an animal control officer (and that is one hell of a job) and her mother is mostly comatose. For better or worse, Ada’s Aunt Bets is there to try and wrangle her. And, despite their warring ways, Aunt Bets is like Raymond. She’s solid and there for Ada, looking out for her, putting the fear of the gods in her. All the things solid parental figures do for us.
The first few chapters are a ride as you find your new ‘normal’ in this bizarre little town. Things like the sentient puppets that run the city, the Puppet Committee, the invisible Blurmonster who routinely tears up the outer edge of town, UFOs sticking out of diners, zombie rabbits that are cute in inexplicable ways, ghosts that haunt closets, and even a pirate.
And then things get weird even for Ada.
Which kicks off the race to find Pearl and to find out what dark secrets the strange and dangerous town of Oddity are hiding. But most important: Finding Pearl.
If you strip away all the fantastical elements, Oddity is a story about family. Ada’s family is holding on by threads after Pearl is taken away. Ada’s recklessness initially is about running away from the Pearl shaped hole in her family and her life, but soon she circles back and begins running toward that gaping hole and looking for a way to fix it. And if she has to burn the whole town down to fix that hole and get Pearl back, she will.
As someone with a younger sister, this was a refreshing book to read. So often in media siblings are pit against each other at first and their arcs are about finding a close relationship I think most of us already have with our siblings. Sure, my sister annoys me sometimes, but she’s still my sister and I’d do anything to protect her. Being twins, Ada and Pearl have a little bit different bond, but they’re still best friends at the start of the book.
If you’re a fan of Welcome to Nightvale or you love the old Twilight Zone shows, Oddity by Sara Cannon is a book for you, your kids, the ghost in your closet, and the aliens in your side yard.
April 11, 2019
They say, if you think something is too difficult to explain to an adult, explain it to a child.
Sarah Cannon in her writing does exactly that. It is one of the books that a child reads, thoroughly enjoys, and think, “What a story!”
Then, she grows up, picks it again, reads it again, and goes like—oh, THAT was the story!
“Keep your eyes open,” I say. “Anything could happen.”
I really need that on a T-shirt.
Welcome to Oddity, this book is a riot.
I will go point by point what I loved in the book.
1- WHAT: Dark Humor in children’s book
It took staff a while to sort out what was blood and what was ketchup. Pg. 7
2- WHEN: Laughing Out Loud Moments
The series about kids at wizarding school is better, but I’m on book three and no one has died yet. I’m starting to get skeptical. Pg. 52
Vengeance. Even sweeter than marshmallows. Pg. 163
We are supposed to have our pizza delivered in thirty minutes, not have thirty minutes to find it before it self-destructs. Pg. 166
Pizzaapocalypse. Pg. 309
3- WHERE: Setting and Milieu
But you have to stop acting like everything you learn here is wrong. You already have a hard enough time fitting in without arguing about how many dimensions of existence there are. Pg. 91
I was not running towards Oddity as running away from everything else. Pg. 120
Oddity is the kind of place that makes you think anything is possible, and I need to believe that’s true. Pg. 121
4- WHO: Characters
Ada Roundtree: I’m an Oddity girl, born and bred. I don’t owe anybody an apology if my town’s not their cup of kombucha. Still, might be nice to talk to someone who came here on purpose. Pg. 109
Sometimes, even when I argue, I don’t really disagree. Pg. 24
There’s always one kid in every group, right? The biter. The one who tells kids every gross and private thing their parents never wanted them to know. Pg. 73
Aunt Bets: When someone is on your side, you forget that being scary means they can scare you. Pg. 65
I never realized until she was gone how miserably lonely it is to argue with yourself when you’re used to arguing with another person. Pg. 190
5- HOW: Cinematic Writing and Analogies
They were footie pajamas that go all the way up over their heads and become long pockets for their ears. Pg. 74
He’s the Swiss Army Knife of friends. Pg. 144
I want to stand and watch her like she’s a piece of modern art and I’m pretentious. Pg. 213
She screams upward in a shower of red sparks, going off like fireworks. Pg. 291
6- WHY: Philosophy and Theme
I look harder. Then it occurs to me that what I need to do is look less hard. I unfocus my eyes a little, stop studying the rock, and just see. Pg. 27
I should point out here that it’s possible to be responsible and still be evil. Pg. 72
Depiction of the difficult world:
Riding our bikes on sandy roads and sandy paths and sandy everything is how I imagine surfing must be. Pg. 32
I really share her contempt for people who don’t know the difference between factory food and fresh baked. Pg. 148
You ever notice how if you repeat something enough times, it stops meaning anything? But they won’t stop. They kept on saying it, with smiles so stiff that everyone looked like puppets, until I wanted to smash things, until I was lying in bed with ‘I’m happy for her’ running through my head like some kind of ritual chant. Pg. 157
If it’s true that doubt is the beginning of wisdom, I’m going to end up a genius. Pg. 220
Comments on Materialistic World:
The puppet use puppeteers as, like, batteries, right? Pg. 245
If they need souls to be alive, how were they alive before they had souls? Pg. 246
Sarah Cannon in her writing does exactly that. It is one of the books that a child reads, thoroughly enjoys, and think, “What a story!”
Then, she grows up, picks it again, reads it again, and goes like—oh, THAT was the story!
“Keep your eyes open,” I say. “Anything could happen.”
I really need that on a T-shirt.
Welcome to Oddity, this book is a riot.
I will go point by point what I loved in the book.
1- WHAT: Dark Humor in children’s book
It took staff a while to sort out what was blood and what was ketchup. Pg. 7
2- WHEN: Laughing Out Loud Moments
The series about kids at wizarding school is better, but I’m on book three and no one has died yet. I’m starting to get skeptical. Pg. 52
Vengeance. Even sweeter than marshmallows. Pg. 163
We are supposed to have our pizza delivered in thirty minutes, not have thirty minutes to find it before it self-destructs. Pg. 166
Pizzaapocalypse. Pg. 309
3- WHERE: Setting and Milieu
But you have to stop acting like everything you learn here is wrong. You already have a hard enough time fitting in without arguing about how many dimensions of existence there are. Pg. 91
I was not running towards Oddity as running away from everything else. Pg. 120
Oddity is the kind of place that makes you think anything is possible, and I need to believe that’s true. Pg. 121
4- WHO: Characters
Ada Roundtree: I’m an Oddity girl, born and bred. I don’t owe anybody an apology if my town’s not their cup of kombucha. Still, might be nice to talk to someone who came here on purpose. Pg. 109
Sometimes, even when I argue, I don’t really disagree. Pg. 24
There’s always one kid in every group, right? The biter. The one who tells kids every gross and private thing their parents never wanted them to know. Pg. 73
Aunt Bets: When someone is on your side, you forget that being scary means they can scare you. Pg. 65
I never realized until she was gone how miserably lonely it is to argue with yourself when you’re used to arguing with another person. Pg. 190
5- HOW: Cinematic Writing and Analogies
They were footie pajamas that go all the way up over their heads and become long pockets for their ears. Pg. 74
He’s the Swiss Army Knife of friends. Pg. 144
I want to stand and watch her like she’s a piece of modern art and I’m pretentious. Pg. 213
She screams upward in a shower of red sparks, going off like fireworks. Pg. 291
6- WHY: Philosophy and Theme
I look harder. Then it occurs to me that what I need to do is look less hard. I unfocus my eyes a little, stop studying the rock, and just see. Pg. 27
I should point out here that it’s possible to be responsible and still be evil. Pg. 72
Depiction of the difficult world:
Riding our bikes on sandy roads and sandy paths and sandy everything is how I imagine surfing must be. Pg. 32
I really share her contempt for people who don’t know the difference between factory food and fresh baked. Pg. 148
You ever notice how if you repeat something enough times, it stops meaning anything? But they won’t stop. They kept on saying it, with smiles so stiff that everyone looked like puppets, until I wanted to smash things, until I was lying in bed with ‘I’m happy for her’ running through my head like some kind of ritual chant. Pg. 157
If it’s true that doubt is the beginning of wisdom, I’m going to end up a genius. Pg. 220
Comments on Materialistic World:
The puppet use puppeteers as, like, batteries, right? Pg. 245
If they need souls to be alive, how were they alive before they had souls? Pg. 246
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews