[Review] The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson
An absolute delight. The characters in this book were wonderful—so quirky and unique. I loved them all (except the obnoxious Raymond), with my favorite being the hag, Odge.
16 Feb 2025
An absolute delight. The characters in this book were wonderful—so quirky and unique. I loved them all (except the obnoxious Raymond), with my favorite being the hag, Odge.
11 Feb 2025
A delightful continuation of the You Wish series. The main character is brave and kind, and this book really champions helping those in need. It is also a celebration of family and community.
10 Feb 2025
Absolutely adorable. Great art, a quick compelling read, realistic dialogue, and relatable characters. This is a unique take on a genie story, told from the inside out. It had me smiling and giggling. I'm already eager for more. Lucky for me, the next book in the series will be released on June 3, 2025!
7 Feb 2025
Yes! This book was mysterious and creepy with some serious ghost-story vibes. Set during Halloween and perfect for the Halloween season. I loved the hauntingly atmospheric details which imparted a great sense of unease and tension throughout. This book succeeds in actually feeling like a ghost story.
27 Jan 2025
I generally love middle grade novels, but this one didn't garner a lot of interest for me. I did like the premise, and the book did a good job of illustrating the negative impacts of bigotry. I even appreciated that the book was loosely based on a historical event.
20 Jan 2025
I was instantly enchanted with this book. It was so fun and clever. Extremely original. And, while a sentence or two summary of the plot would make the book sound a bit absurd, Kingfisher completely pulled it off. The worldbuilding was great. And the character development was spot on. The characters felt so real and universal that I was in tears by the end of the book.
24 Dec 2024
A great Christmas book with interesting worldbuilding. It's a nod to the spirit of Christmas, but it's also a reminder of society's rampant consumerism.
13 Dec 2024
A lighthearted read set in a world where magic and music have a symbiotic relationship. Quite unique. It's the first time I've come across a magic system that is entirely governed by music.
8 Dec 2024
Cute, light, and quick. This was a fun read about a musician trying to fit in at a sports camp. A light and hopeful tone that really focuses on appreciating our uniqueness and individual talents, as opposed to just trying to fit in.
3 Dec 2024
A sweet homage to pastoral life. Set in the Swiss Alps, this story celebrates family and nature. This was my first time reading this classic, and I was quite delighted be it. It is a great example of the joie de vivre that one finds in a bucolic outdoor setting.
7 Nov 2024
A sweet story about family and community with an underlying message about the power of kindness. This feels a bit like contemporary fiction for a middle grade audience—regular people, living their regular lives, while trying to make the most of a bad situation. It felt slow in places and overly saccharine in others, but the writing was solid.
6 Nov 2024
Such a powerful and emotional read. This is a fast-paced and compelling continuation to the Sir Callie series, with deep, fully-developed characters and a dynamic plot that is full of adventure.