Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Reviewed by Lori

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
Title: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children  (Book 1 in the series)

Author: Ransom Riggs

Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 72163

Description: A horrific tragedy sends sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island, where he discovers the ruins of an old orphanage that was home to children who were more than just peculiar, but possibly dangerous -- and they may still be alive.

Rubric Rating: Level 3 - Laud It!

Why I Read It: Interesting cover and title, and it's being made into a movie.

Notes:  Jacob Portman was always close with his grandfather, loved the stories he used to tell, liked looking at his strange collection of photographs.  But as Jacob got older he stopped believing.  When Jacob receives a frantic phone call from his grandfather, and finds him on death’s doorstep, all of his stories begin to feel real.  Could his grandfather have been telling the truth?  Jacob is struggling in the aftermath of his grandfather’s death and the last task he has been given.  To return to the orphanage where his grandfather was sent during WWII to avoid the persecution of the Nazis and as it turns out persecution of another kind – the persecution of the peculiars.  When Jacob discovers the orphanage on the remote island it is a shell of a house, but Jacob can sense a presence, explores his grandfather’s beloved home, and finds even more peculiar photographs – some he recognizes and others he doesn’t.  However, when Jacob follows some children into an old stone cairn his life is turned upside down.  Now it’s not just his life in danger but everyone on the island.  And Jacob must make the choice to return home and attempt to live a normal life, or take up the reins from his grandfather and protect his new peculiar friends.  I loved the language in this story.  The visual images that are provoked not just with the photographs but with the writing are astounding.  The book had a slow start for me, and for the most part felt like the introduction to a longer story.  We have the background of Jacob and his grandfather and the introduction of the peculiar children.  We are also introduced to the villains in the “hollowgast”.  While I occasionally have issues with books that deal with time travel this one has done so quite well. 

 Recommended Readers: Grade 9 and up.  Books to Movies fans.

 Themes: Families, Granfathers, Peculiarity, WWII, Orphans, Oppression, Mystery, Time Manipulation, Persecution, Special Powers, Reluctant Heroes.

 Cross-Genre Links: 
Movie: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016)
Websearch: Barnardo's Boys (Orphans in WWII)
Websearch: Early experimental photography

 Inquiries and Activities: 
  • If you could have a peculiarity what would you want it to be?
  • What sorts of persecution are discussed in this book?
  • Why are people persecuted for being different?
  • How are people being persecuted today?
  • What are the Hollowgast?  What do they desire?
  • How is it that the Peculiar children have not aged?
  • Why is Jacob able to enter through the cairn? What makes him special?
  • Would you be able to live the same day over and over again?
  • Why does Abe (Jacob's grandfather) eventually leave the island?
  • What does Jacob learn about his father and grandfather?
  • How do we relate to other peoples' stories?  How do our parents' and grandparents' experiences influence our own?  or do they?
  • Speak to a grandparent or older relative and ask them to tell you stories about their youth. What would you most like to know?

 

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