Arlo Goodman lives with his Uncle Avery in a run-down flat above their bookshop. He has no friends, except for his pet mouse, Herbert.
But when a girl called Lisette bursts into the shop and begs him to hide her from a murderer, Arlo's life changes forever.
He's swept up into an adventure involving kidnappers, car chases and a story in The Book of Wondrous Possibilities, where Arlo and his skymouse battle dragons. But can Arlo find the courage to battle an even greater enemy, who threatens to destroy everything he loves?
A middle grade adventure for 8–12-year-old heroes (even if they don’t know it yet).
Deb knew she wanted to be a writer when she was 7 years old. Her first story was about a man made out of cheese. It wasn’t very good. She’s had much more practice writing since then and strangely enough her first writing job was for a kids’ show on channel Ten called “Cheez TV”. After 7 years of writing scripts about everything from llamas to bungy jumping and how to go to the toilet in outer space, Deb wrote her first novel - Max Remy Superspy Part 1: In Search of the Time and Space Machine.
It’s about a feisty girl called Max and her best friend Linden who travel the world as secret agents fighting bad guys. It’s an action packed series based on loads of adventures Deb had, just after she left school. She’s slept beside alligators, been harassed by monkeys (and who hasn’t) was almost traded for a camel and was thrown in jail at gunpoint, twice. Deb still claims her innocence to this day.
Together with sport icon Johnny Warren, Deb also created the Jasper Zammit (Soccer Legend) series. It’s about a young boy called Jasper and his best friend Lil, who love their soccer and dream of being soccer legends, just like Johnny. Deb lives in Sydney with her partner Todd, who is almost as cute as Linden.
‘Arlo Goodman lives with his Uncle Avery in a run-down flat above their bookshop. He has no friends, except for his pet mouse, Herbert. But when a girl called Lisette bursts into the shop and begs him to hide her from a murderer, Arlo’s life changes forever.
He’s swept up into an adventure involving kidnappers, car chases, and a story in The Book of Wondrous Possibilities, where Arlo and his skymouse battle dragons. But can Arlo find the courage to battle an even greater enemy, who threatens to destroy everything he loves?’ This book was wonderful. As soon as I saw this book I knew I had to read it, and I am happy to say it was everything I hoped it would be and so much more. This book is a love letter to book lovers everywhere. The readers, authors, collections, and booksellers that can fall into a book and travel to new worlds whenever they feel like it. The magic of this book is hard to put into words. From the very first page, I was captivated and it only got better and better as the story unfolded. With twists and turns, funny scenes, scary moments, and at the heart of it all; a love of books. Deborah Abela has done a fantastic job with this book. The story was smart and entertaining, the characters were different from one another which allowed them each to shine in their own ways, and the writing was utterly beautiful. As I am not the target audience for this book; yet I absolutely adored it, I can only imagine the joy Middle-Grade readers will find in its pages. The Book Of Wondrous Possibilities by Deborah Abela is a must-have for all Middle-Grade readers, and well worth the read for anyone who loves books.
The opening scene of this book is filled with tension - a tension that is sustained right through the whole book - it's a thrilling read.
Arlo lives in an old, messy bookshop with this Uncle Avery. Arlo lives a quiet life reading books from the shop with his pet mouse Herbert for company. Then, as the story opens, a young girl bursts into the shop. She is in a panic because someone is trying to catch and hurt her. Arlo only just manages to hide the girl, Lisette, before the evil Silas Gray bursts into the shop. He wants the book that Lisette has bought for Arlo - it contains a story written for Arlo by his dead mother. Someone has sent Silas. They want this book. Silas is the messenger but who wants Le Livre des Possibilities Merveilleuses (The book of Wondrous Possibilties) and why? And what does Arlo need to discover from reading the story written by his precious mother?
There are some wonderful rich words in this book: nefarious; capacious; perilous; boisterous; precarious; treacherous; charismatic; gormless; and boorish. Deborah Abela creates wonderful character descriptions. I highly recommend this book for readers aged 10+. It could also be a terrific class serial novel or a family read aloud choice. I'd like to send Deborah Abela a slice a homemade Banana cake as a thank you for a most enjoyable reading experience.
If you can find an older book by Deborah Abela - The Remarkable Secret of Aurelie Bonhoffen it would be the perfect companion read. Thanks to Beachside Books (Avalon) for my advance reader copy. Read more on my blog: http://momotimetoread.blogspot.com/
An action packed adventure that is planted in the real world with struggling children under threat from the rich and powerful, but also with a fantasy element with a magical book where the stories within have been written for a specific person and as the tale unfolds, the events change the character, the reader and events.
Arlo and his pet mouse Hebert have lived with his uncle since his mother was killed in a hit and rund accident. Lisette bursts into the uncle's bookshop (and Arlo's life) clutching a package - the magical Glimoire- and also homeless and orphaned. They each have character flaws which thy work through together and through the book, but other's want the book and will not stop to get hold of it. This puts the children in danger - kidnappings, arrests, dangerous pursuits are met with cleverness and commitment. As they confront these challenges and threats their friendship builds along with strength of character and resolve in the face of such wickedness and danger.
The audio performance was pacy and compelling and clearly presented a host of characters. A great read for 9 to 12 year olds who enjoy adventure with a touch of danger and smattering of fantasy.
This book is an interesting amalgamation. Even in the trailer, which I only recently shared with my students, there seems to be a clash of genres. A story involving kidnappers, car chases and murderers, yet also dragons and a 'sky-mouse'. As you read, parts feel modern-day, but parts also feel Victorian England - I expected Oliver Twist and Bill Sikes to pop around the corner at any moment. It all made reading this story a little disconcerting, and my young readers also don't seem to know what to make of it - who it appeals to. Ms Abela appears to be a writer not restricted by genre, with contemporary realistic fiction, fantasy, mystery, sports stories and more all under her belt.
The first chapter is a delicious piece of writing that sets up a whole range of questions and forces you to read on to find out the answers. In the end, some of these weren't answered to my staisfaction, as the story focussed on the problem at hand facing Arlo & Lisette, rather than explaining what has happened previously. Overall, I enjoyed the book and especially the young characters Arlo, Lisette & Violet. It is a story that champions friendship, believing in yourself, self-acceptance and the power of a good story.
I have such mixed feelings about this book. I LOVED the premise, the writing was wonderful, and for the most part I loved the characters. I had planned to read this book at some stage, but picked it up sooner than expected after my 11yo prolific reader put it down after three attempts and about a third of the book saying he just couldn’t do it. That it was too much. He has loved other works by the same author (not that you always have to love everything by the same author or artist) and this is a bit of a hit new book so I was curious. He does tend to think about things alot, and feel things deeply, but I have to say I struggled with the first at least half of the book for all of the trauma for all of the young characters in the book. If I’d just read the second half of the book I would have read it in a day, and there would be a five star rating here without hesitation. The last quarter of the book was brilliant, and in parts reminiscent of Inkheart and the Neverending Story.
‘What do you want from a book when you read?’ “…To go somewhere exciting. To be someone else.’…’To escape.’”
Arlo always has his head in a book, never leaving the bookshop, living in an apartment above with his uncle after his mums death a year ago. His only friend, lives in his pocket, a mouse named Herbert. Believing himself too scared to deal with outside world, Arlo suffers from panic attacks when things get too much.
That is until a girl named Lissette runs into the bookshop asking Arlo to save her from the man chasing her outside. This encounter forces Arlo to find his bravery and face the world outside to save his new friend, his home and bookshop and a girl locked in a tower. Arlo comes to terms with the death of his mother, through a story she has written just for him in a magical grimoire.
This book is full of adventure from cover to cover. Celebrating friendship, family, adventure and that sometimes we all need a gentle nudge to discover our true potential.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable fantasy adventure which highlights the power of story, which is always going to be good!
Timid Arlo lives with his Uncle Arlo in his bookshop following the death of his mother. He loves his uncle, the bookshop, and his pet mouse, Herbert, who is his only friend.
When a headstrong girl called Lissette bursts into the bookshop, claiming to be being chased by a murderer, Arlo is put in a position he really doesn't want to be in! And when Lissette shows him a special grimoire, a magical book, which seems to be connected to his mother, that position becomes even more undesirable! He REALLY doesn't want to get involved in anything dangerous, but the pull of his mother's memory is too much, and he and Lissette end up having the most terrifying, exciting, crazy adventure.
This could potentially be a wonderful readaloud for 7 year olds and up, and a great independent read for lovers of books like Mr Lemoncello's Library or Runt.
I LOVED this book. The main character, Arlo, is a boy who has been bullied and faced extreme loss with the death of his mother. This book shows the anxiety and panic attacks that come with such difficulties for a child. I love that they show it with a male character as well. I feel like it'll help young boys to see that they might not be alone if they feel these emotions. Arlo's whole life is changed when a spirited Lisette bursts into his life and drags him into an adventure he'd only ever read about in books. With the Book of Wonderous possibilities, the story his mother left behind for him jumps off of the pages and teaches Arlo to be brave, to step out of his shell and out from behind his books, to make friends and to find that the world is full of wonderous possibilities. This is the kind of book that will ignite a love for reading in children.
The following reviews have been shared by Penguin Random House Australia - publisher of The Book of Wondrous Possibilities.
'Warm-hearted, adventurous and funny. I adore this book!'– LIAN TANNER, AUTHOR OF THE KEEPERS TRILOGY
'This magical and delightful story spins along at a perfect pace, knowing just when to pause for tea and cake.'– JACLYN MORIARTY, AUTHOR OF THE KINGDOMS AND EMPIRES SERIES
'A fast-paced, funny and surprising book with original characters, dastardly plots and wondrous possibilities. You’ll want to read it all night.'– TRISTAN BANCKS, AUTHOR OF TWO WOLVES
'This lively adventure draws you right in.'– ZANNI LOUISE, AUTHOR OF WE ARE ALL PEOPLE
This was a fun fantasy adventure I believe will appeal to primary school children. The story is fairly predictable but it doesn't take away from the fun. A magical book, and the stories come alive! A story written just for the protagonist! A girl who tumbles into his life and sweeps him away on adventure!
Oh and banana cake, banana cake, did I mention banana cake?
There are some good healthy moral messages here that aren't too heavy-handed like accepting someone for who they are and finding your potential. It's fairly easy to see a mile away who the "good guys" and the "bad guys" are in the story. I find the characters nice enough but not very complex. Good for a younger middle grade audience.
When you're a reader, a good book evokes memories of other good books. As I read 'The Book of Wondrous Possibilities', I found that the warm memory of these books flashed into my mind: 'Library Mouse' (Kirk), 'Fearless Fredric' (Arena), 'The Grandest Bookshop in the World' (Mellor), 'All the Light We Cannot See' (Doerr). Books that have interesting plots and heartfelt characters are my favourite. Arlo, Lisette and Viola are wonderful young characters, but Herbert, Arlo's wingman...er...wingmouse, is adorable. Deborah Abela has achieved what she set out to do - write a 'love letter' about books to those who cherish books.
An exciting middle-grade adventure for kids who might need a little encouragement to be brave. Arlo lives with his uncle in a run-down flat above their bookshop. His only friend is his pet mouse Herbert. He loves his uncle but misses his mum. When a girl named Lisette turns up at the shop and begs to be hidden from a murderer it is the start of an adventure that will take Arlo out of his safe space and show him that being brave isn't so scary after all. There are magic stories, a princess in a tower, a very clever mouse and a whole troupe of drama enthusiasts to help Arlo find his courage.
Arlo must help a girl he doesn’t know, and she has a parcel for him. Arlo lives with his uncle upstairs over their bookshop. He is home-schooled and doesn’t go out much or have a lot of friends. Lisette’s arrival in Arlo’s life turns his whole world upside down. He goes from being almost invisible to the world to being a wanted person. Criminals are after him. Is there a link between Lisette, the parcel and the chaos in Arlo’s life? How does he sort it out? I enjoyed the rich characters and the tension the characters experience trying to solve the mystery. Recommended for readers aged eight years and older.
I'm sad that I have had to abandon this book (about 120 pages in). It just doesn't hold my attention despite the constant action. When I put the book down, there is no drive to pick it back up again. Similes are overused in the parts that I read. And exactly what do you look like if you look sock-coloured? Herbert was the best character here and he's a mouse. This is a book I should have enjoyed, it sounds great.
Disclaimer: I don’t like fantasy as a genre but had to read this book for a competition. Surprise surprise: I liked it! It’s a wild, rollicking fantasy adventure, and the goodies come through in the end! Some of the baddies reform. (see, there’s hope for most of us!) There are some strong characters across multiple generations. This would be a good classroom read for grades 4 - 6 because there are strong male and female characters. Well done, Deb Abela!
A magical adventure rooted in the real world, The Book of Wondrous Possibilities takes the reader on a journey with Arlo and Lisette as they find themselves needing more courage than they ever thought they possessed.
I love the story within a story trope and Abela does it so well. The fairytale in the grimoire supplements the main story and adds a truly magical touch.
I really enjoyed this book. It's a delightful fantasy and adventure tale about children who discover they are more capable than they had thought possible. They use their wits and a touch of magic to solve mysteries, defeat the bad guys and make sure that everything works out well in the end. What a fabulous book for anyone who loves books, libraries and bookstores, fantasy and adventure stories.
This book was incredible! The constant action had me gripped from the first page. I had to put aside other books I was reading because this book was just so good. All the characters had deep back stories that made them feel more real than ever. I haven’t empathised for characters this much before in a book. Anyone could enjoy it.
Just finished The Book of Wondrous Possibilities by Deborah Abela and wow — what a magical read!
I was completely swept up in this heartwarming adventure. The characters grow so beautifully throughout the story — full of courage, kindness and a dash of mystery.
Perfect for Stage 2 and 3 readers who love books about bravery, friendship, and the power of imagination. Highly recommend! 🌟
Frothy, magical delight. I read about four sentences and bought it. I did not regret it! Love Deb Abela's works back from Max Remy and Aurelie Bonhoffen and I love her further forays into fantasy. I just hope there's more
This book was fantastic! It was so interesting. I am Totally recommending this to anyone who hasn't read it and loves "A fast-paced, funny and surprising book, dastardly plots and Wondrous Possibilities." This is so amazing I've already finished reading it!
This book is a masterclass in writing for children. Each chapter is just the right-sized bite of action, with the plot woven beautifully throughout. Maybe it was the bookstore setting, but I could imagine myself popping into this book to sit and chat with the characters. Gorgeous book!
What an adorable book! A fabulous adventure romp jam-packed with warmth and danger! Fast paced, with quirky characters, and bursting with the magic of family and friendship... and books! What's not to love?