Jacob Portman’s life is completely ordinary. Well, it was, until a series of extraordinary events occur and change it forever. Once you read this mysterious page-turner, you won’t be able keep it closed. This is Ransom Riggs’ first book of the type, a 352-page mystery novel with riveting action and loads of both chilling and scenic imagery. Have you ever heard legends, tales, folklore, and stories told with a hint of obscurity? Did you think that they were imaginary, pieces made up to entertain children? It’s time to think again. Jacob most definitely has to.


Nobody would ever believe magical tales of levitating girls, monsters more malignant and ruthless than the depths of the night, fiery and burning powers held in the palm of a child’s hand, and the unrest of a boy who’s buzzing with bees alive inside of him. Yet Grandpa Portman, Jacob’s grandfather, insists that these tales are true. Jacob doesn’t believe him, not one bit, for years, until the completely unexpected death of his possibly senile grandfather. His last words are riddled with mystique and complete confusion to our unsuspecting protagonist, “‘Find the bird. In the loop. On the other side of the old man’s grave. September third, 1940.’” What does this sentence mean? How is the small orphanage on Cairnholm Island, that Grandpa Portman came from, of such upmost importance? Follow Jacob as he travels through an amazing adventure- and time.


This book holds all of the answers to the questions that arise from the plot. Who can be trusted, and who cannot? Where are the hollows, deathly black monsters that have a hunger for human lives? The story flows along easily, with clever tidbits of foreshadowing, and Ransom Riggs’ own style of writing along the edge of suspense comes into play. Every sentence has the potential to hold new and descriptive vocabulary words that could even influence your own writing. There are many strengths of the novel, some of which include the overall peculiar-ness of the plot, a strange sense of complete mystique, and a rich base/background story that could apply to many teens reading. On the other hand, this novel’s definitely not a book to read over a long period of time, because you won’t be able to put it down! This novel isn’t for children under 12-13, as it contains some mild curse words and mature content (such as alcohol). It’s a gripper, and the strongest theme found holds a strong message about life: Believe in what you find, stay true to yourself, and never let fear take the best from you.

Read Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, as the experience is one that will surely be worth it.