"Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" Is So Much More Than Peculiar!

Being an English teacher, I am always on the lookout for books that I can introduce to my students in the hopes of making them lifelong readers. One of the ways I accomplish this task is by giving them books that I think they might enjoy, but of course, this can be an expensive endeavor. Last year, I discovered World Book Night - "a celebration of books and reading held on April 23, when 25,000 passionate volunteers across America give a total of half a million books within their communities to those who don’t regularly read." It's simple enough. You sign up to be a 'volunteer giver' (someone who hands out books), choose a book from the WBN list that you would like to give, and why you want to do this event. If approved, WBN sends 20 copies of the book you requested and you then gift them to others. My students are the recipients of these books. Last year, I picked Sandra Cisneros's The House on Mango Street and they went like hotcakes. This year, I chose The New York Times bestseller Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2011) by Ransom Riggs. Having never read the book, I decided to check it out before passing copies onto my students. I am glad that I did.

Synopsis: "A mysterious island.

 An abandoned orphanage.

 A strange collection of very curious photographs.

 It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow -- impossible though it seems -- they may still be alive. 

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows." (Amazon.com)

Review:  Mr. Riggs's debut novel, Miss Peregrine's, reached #1 on The New York Times Best Sellers list for children's chapter books on 29 April 2012 after being on the list for 45 weeks. It remained there until 20 May, when it dropped to the fourth spot on the list. The book dropped off the list on 9 September 2012, having spent a total of 63 weeks on the list. Pretty impressive start to what looks like a promising career.

Part fantasy, part adventure, part eccentric photo collection, this coming-of-age story received a lot of well-deserved attention after publication for the way it incorporates unusual antique photographs into the narrative. Even without the photos, this would be a gripping story, but the photos add an irresistible element of mystery. Mr. Riggs is clearly a gifted writer who decided to create a magnificent story around his collection of weirdly wonderful photographs. The first-person narration is authentic, funny, and poignant. Enthralling, magical, and spooky, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is one of the most original and captivating books I have read in a long time. A must read. The movie rights have been sold to 20th Century Fox with Tim Burton slated to direct. I cannot imagine a better choice for director.

I’m looking forward to the next volume in the series, Hollow City, which was released earlier this year!

Rating:  4 out of 5