Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Abraham Portman always told his grandson of the adventures he lived before he became and father and grandfather. His life in an orphanage after surviving being snuck out of Germany during the Nazi invasion. The stories of fighting in the war. Knowing all there was to know about guns, how to camp and survive the wilds. Being able to speak three languages other then English. To his grandson Jacob his life was a legend, the thing that made him want to discover the unknown. But one day Jacob's mother sits him down and explains that everywhere has been discovered and that there is no where left to discovered. Grandpa Portman still always stuck to his story that he could never return to his place of birth, because of the monsters that were after him. And when Jacob asked about the monster his grandfather would explain ones with rotting skin and black eyes. Ones with tentacles in their mouths and strong jaws. Jacob struggled to sleep knowing these tells as any child would. But his favorite stories for his grandpa to tell were of the kids in the children's home that he grew up in. A place to be safe, kept warm where no one ever got sick or died. A place that a bird who smoked a pipe was in charge. A place where peculiar children were kept safe. A girl who flies, a boy with bees inside him and an invisible kid. Jacob struggled to believe the stories until he was shown pictures. Jacob decides on day when his grandpa picks him up that all these stories are made up, and that he no longer believes in them. Life goes on without stories and without nightmares for Jacob that is until he is fifteen. Then there is life only it is now the Before and After. With the strange death of his Grandpa and the strange words he utters as he dies to Jacob, there is no turning back. What Jacob will find is the after...


I LOVED this book.

It has a creepy quality that I loved but didn't scare me to death. I loved the idea and concepts, the pictures that helped tell the story and the idea that there are time travel loops. Days that never end and a chance to do it all over.

Due to the creepy idea behind this book I suggest 14 and up.

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Hallowed is book 2 in the Unearthly series for author Cynthia Hand. Seeing Tucker's burnt truck, it is hard for Clara to believe everything that happened was only a few weeks ago. Losing Tuckers truck and horse and Clara saving Tucker. Clara and Tucker  go to the mountain, trying to get some closure. This year is different for Clara as senior she is not a red head, the color will no longer take. She has stunning wavy, gold hair with beautiful red tints in it. She must apply to colleges and hope that she can figure out her purpose. Angela decides that herself, Christian, Clara and Jeffrey are all going to be the Angel Club. And in Angel Club there are no secrets. That way they can learn from each other. But all too soon the dreams begin. The black dress, walking up the stairs holding hands with.... Christian and where on earth is Tucker? Then she puts together that all the friends and family are there for a funeral but who is going to die? And how and why? What does this have to do with Clara? Can she fulfill her purpose?  And in the end, everyone, everyone has there secrets.

This book left me desperately wanting book 3. And saddened to the core. I love the characters, and feel bonded. This is such an amazing book, with just enough twists and turns to leave you continually wanting more.

Recommended for 12 and up. Such a Great read!!!