Word Out 2014

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Reviewed by William

First, imagine yourself in the real world. Then, you find yourself at a bog and you trek through the murky waters. In a few seconds, you are in another world. A fantastical world — one that seems never-ending. Then, out of nowhere, a girl who can control fire attacks you. An invisible boy kidnaps you and takes you to an old house. You are cordially greeted by the headmistress, clad in a long black dress. This is the story of an escape from ravenous dark forces. This is a story about Miss Peregrine and her peculiar children.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is definitely a peculiar novel, yet dark storylines and allusions to World War II makes this story all the more engaging. If the Harry Potter series had a companion, this novel would make a great case. The character, Jacob Portman, deals with psychological trauma after witnessing the death of his grandfather at the hands of mysterious creatures known as "hollows." This dilemma not only adds suspense to the story, but also relates to the theme of what's real and what's not.

Ransom Riggs' novel is also unique in its sense of storytelling. Like Brian Selznick's The Invention of Hugo Cabret, the book relies on pictures to progress and explain the plot. However, unlike Selznick, Riggs uses actual real-life photographs that he found at various locations to tell the story of the peculiars and the hollows — a really unique style of storytelling that I found intriguing. In fact, the prime inspiration for his characters are based off of his strange pictures (one being a girl floating in mid-air and another of a child and a creepy Santa Clause with no pupils!).

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was somewhat engaging and certain scenes had me wondering what would happen next to Jacob and the peculiars. A highly recommended page-turning book to read for the summer. And once you have finished this book, do not fret, there is a sequel called Hollow City out now, which I will be reading soon. There is also a graphic novel that's available… where else… you guessed it — the library!