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North Of Nowhere (2013)

by Liz Kessler(Favorite Author)

3.84 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

0763667277 (ISBN13: 9780763667276)

languge

English

genre

Fantasy

publisher

Candlewick Press

review 1: Because I'm a mom, I'm forever suggesting books to my kid. Because I'm a mom and she is a daughter, she is forever refusing to read them. So, when she said this book was really good and that I should read it, I could hardly refuse. The odds that she'll read something I suggest if I read something she suggests aren't great. However, as a mother, I have to desperately do things to prove to my children that I'm not a complete dork and that I am pretty smart sometimes and I do know books even if I'm lame in every other way. It won't make any difference until they're 30 but, as all mothers do, I hope they look back on this time and feel really, really guilty. Anyway, I read it. It's exactly what a middle grade book should be. If I was 11, I would LOVE this book, over-used itali... morecs, far-fetched story line, and all. Unless my mother suggested it. In that case, I would look at the cover, raise my lip in the perfect sneer, shake my head, say, "nah," and put it back on the shelf with what I hope is (but is not) a hidden roll of the eyes.
review 2: My 10 year old daughter is a big fan of Liz Kessler's previous novels, including the fantasy series, Philippa Fisher and Emily Windsnap, so I was keen to read her latest novel and see what all the fuss was about.Targeted at children aged nine and above, this is the second of three stand-alone novels all of which have a connection with time-travel. Whilst being more grounded in the "real" world than the fantasy novels, there is still that subtle element of the supernatural suffusing the story.Our narrator is thirteen year old Mia (Amelia). Her plans for a chilled out Spring half-term, hanging out with her friends, are dashed when her Grandad goes missing and she and her Mum have to join her Gran in the sleepy fishing village of Porthaven - with no mobile phone signal, no satellite tv, no internet - a teen's worst nightmare! Fortunately Mia makes a new friend in Dee, a local girl, although their friendship is somewhat unconventional given that they communicate via letters and diary entries.This is a cleverly constructed, gripping tale blending time travel, mystery, family relationships and friendships and introducing realistic, very relatable characters. The conversations between Mia and her family and her peers hit exactly the right note. The setting is perfect for a mystery with its windswept coast and taciturn locals - I found it reminiscent of Daphne du Maurier's gothic haunts.An intelligent, fast-paced adventure story which, I'm pleased to report, was enjoyed equally by my daughter and me. We're both looking forward to the next stand-alone novel, Has Anyone Seen Jessica Jenkins,which is due out on 14th August 2014 published by Orion Childrens. less

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