I liked the idea of this book but I don't think it was well executed. The end felt a little rushed and some of the creepy factor could have been playeI liked the idea of this book but I don't think it was well executed. The end felt a little rushed and some of the creepy factor could have been played out a bit more. My 10 year-old daughter really liked it though. It creeped her out sufficiently enough to go sleep with her sister a few nights but it was a delightful thrill for her. She's glad she read it so it was worth the Kindle purchase!
Merged review:
I liked the idea of this book but I don't think it was well executed. The end felt a little rushed and some of the creepy factor could have been played out a bit more. My 10 year-old daughter really liked it though. It creeped her out sufficiently enough to go sleep with her sister a few nights but it was a delightful thrill for her. She's glad she read it so it was worth the Kindle purchase!...more
My 10-year-old son liked this. I read it after him and I liked it too but did not love it. It’s a nice introduction to science fiction and has some deMy 10-year-old son liked this. I read it after him and I liked it too but did not love it. It’s a nice introduction to science fiction and has some dense themes of life and energy and I appreciated that. The plot could really be tightened up though. Some characters were perfunctory and some of the story meandered unnecessarily. I’m critical as a 42-year-old reader but my son was less so at 10 and mostly I’m glad that this book is in his mental library now.
Merged review:
My 10-year-old son liked this. I read it after him and I liked it too but did not love it. It’s a nice introduction to science fiction and has some dense themes of life and energy and I appreciated that. The plot could really be tightened up though. Some characters were perfunctory and some of the story meandered unnecessarily. I’m critical as a 42-year-old reader but my son was less so at 10 and mostly I’m glad that this book is in his mental library now....more
My first grader read this to me, one chapter per night. It’s cute. Appropriate for advancing readers. I laughed when she saw the drawing of the presidMy first grader read this to me, one chapter per night. It’s cute. Appropriate for advancing readers. I laughed when she saw the drawing of the president and said, “He’s so young.” I guess her idea of a presidents’ age is skewed at the moment. ...more
Oh this is a clever book. Really fun classic fantasy. I think my 12 year-old would like it too.
I kept wondering what it would be like if the narratorOh this is a clever book. Really fun classic fantasy. I think my 12 year-old would like it too.
I kept wondering what it would be like if the narrator were not the character that was the scaredy-cat. It wasn't until the end that I realised why she gave him the protagonist role. I didn't see that twist coming and I loved it! ...more
My daughter just finished Kindergarten and is going into the first grade. She was able to read this with some help. It was her first chapter book! SheMy daughter just finished Kindergarten and is going into the first grade. She was able to read this with some help. It was her first chapter book! She enjoyed it and so did I! It’s a perfect series for early readers! ...more
This was undeniably fun but there's a but. I could not read this book as anything other than what I am and I am a mother who is constantly trying to kThis was undeniably fun but there's a but. I could not read this book as anything other than what I am and I am a mother who is constantly trying to keep my children off screens. The idea of a teenager who is on a screen for 12+ hours per day, 7 days a week made me super anxious, bordering on itchy.
Also, I could not help compare this with Willy Wonka yet Willy Wonka's contest was so much less egotistical. The idea that to win these challenges, one had to obsess about what the creator obsessed about really bothered me. It struck me as egomaniacal. There was a virtue test at the end of the contest, much like in Wonka, so that redeemed it a little.
Lastly, I could not buy that someone could know all of these 80s facts in just five years having not lived through the decade. I get why that is part of the appeal though. Readers who love this decade will get excited sharing references to Short Circuit or Family Ties. That was fun, sure. And my 12 year-old son who does not know those references enjoyed the book just as much because the plot is good. It is well paced and exciting. Also, the protagonists are well written and easy to root for.
Despite these caveats, I had a great time reading this book. I will continue on to the next one. I am Ready Player Two....more
We listened to this on a family road trip. It’s good for this purpose because it’s only an hour and 15 minutes so it’s easy to finish.
Our children arWe listened to this on a family road trip. It’s good for this purpose because it’s only an hour and 15 minutes so it’s easy to finish.
Our children are 5, 10 and 12. We enjoyed it. Very cute execution of adapting a classic tale. And now the kids want nothing to do with chocolate at the next gas station stop! ...more
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