Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books: Mr Ripley's Children's Book Picks - September 2015 - UK Post One

Jonathan Stroud - Lockwood & Co: The Hollow Boy - Published by Doubleday Children's (24 September 2015)
Lockwood & Co. might be the smallest (some might say shambollic) Psychic Detection Agency in London. But its three agents - Lockwood, Lucy and George - are exceptional Talents. And they get results. When an outbreak of ghostly phenomena grows to terrifying levels in Chelsea, Scotland Yard is left baffled. Even more baffling is that Lockwood & Co appear to have been excluded from the huge team of Agents investigating the Chelsea Outbreak. Surely this is the perfect chance for them to show once and for all that they're actually the best in town? Well, that's if they can put aside their personal differences for long enough to march into action with their rapiers, salt and iron...Ghouls and spectres, thrills and tension in this brand-new instalment in Jonathan Stroud's best selling series. "Stroud is a genius." (Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series).

Tom Becker - Dark Room (Red Eye) - Published by Stripes Publishing (10 September 2015)
The camera never lies...Darla and her dad are looking for a fresh start. But when they wind up in affluent Saffron Hills, Darla stands no chance of fitting in with the beautiful, selfie-obsessed teens at her new school. Just when she thinks things can't get any worse, she starts having visions. The gruesome snapshots flashing into Darla's mind seem to suggest she's going crazy...until she realizes they're actually a horrifying glimpse into the future. With a killer on the loose, can she make sense of what she's seeing before it's too late?

Brian Selznick - The Marvels - Published by Scholastic Press (15 September 2015) 
In The Marvels, Selznick crafts another remarkable artistic and bookmaking achievement that weaves together two seemingly unrelated stories-one in words, the other in pictures-with spellbinding synergy. The illustrated story begins in 1766 with Billy Marvel, the lone survivor of a shipwreck, and charts the adventures of his family of actors over five generations. The prose story opens in 1990 and follows Joseph, who has run away from school to an estranged uncle's puzzling house in London, where he, along with the reader, must piece together many mysteries. Filled with mystery, vibrant characters, surprise twists, and heart-rending beauty, and featuring Selznick's most arresting art to date, The Marvels is a moving tribute to the power of story.

Tim Kennemore - Circle of Doom - Published by Andersen Press (3 September 2015)
Lizzie, Max and Dan have never liked their neighbours, the fussy and nagging Potwards, so when it appears that Lizzie's magic potion has made them move out, the children should be delighted. Their glee is short-lived, however, as they worry over who might move in, and more magic seems necessary. Soon the three children are caught in a web of secrecy and conspiracy as one spell leads to another, each more powerful than the last. And then Max decides to cast a spell of his own, on his very worst enemy. . .

Brian Selznick - Wonderstruck - Book Review

•  Pages - 640 
• Published by Scholastic   
• Date - 13 September 2011
• Age - 9+
• Isbn -  978 0 545 02789 2 

Ben's story takes place in 1977 and is told in words. Rose's story in 1927 is told entirely in pictures. Ever since his mother died, Ben feels lost. At home with her father, Rose feels alone. When Ben finds a mysterious clue hidden in his mother's room, and when a tempting opportunity presents itself to Rose, both children risk everything to find what's missing.     


'Wonderstruck' is yet another amazing reading experience just like Brian's last book 'The Invention of Hugo Cabret'. This book has won many prestigious awards and has had glowing reports from many a reader since its original publication date. 


I actually remember purchasing my first copy in New York. At the time, I remember being in Books of Wonder and thinking that this book was something quite special. Its design first piqued my interest and, as soon as I entered the main part of the book, the story was equally as good. Especially through the way in which it was told, and represented, through the amazingly detailed and unique illustrations. 


In my opinion, Brian will be replicating the very same success with his new book Wonderstruck. He has produced yet another amazing story - it is a master piece of pictures and words telling two separate stories. However, these weave back and forth from two time periods (signalling 50 years difference) and follow the two main characters (Ben and Rose) who are both looking for a place to belong in the world. 


The drawings that follow the character of Rose are depicted in a most spectacular way. The two-tone illustrations leap off the page and share the intense emotional journey that she undertakes. These are delivered in a panoramic-style film technique showing, and building up to, scenes which share powerful glimpses into her world and her adventures. 


The second story is told through text and whilst it follows a similar journey, this time it is with a different character, Ben. Again, this poignant telling through the eyes of a child show Ben longing to belong in the world. In order to achieve this, he attempts to get in touch with the father that he has never known. Of course, this journey provides many magical moments steeped in awe and wonder, as well as friendship and loneliness. However, the final clue leads him to an unexpected discovery.


It is worth mentioning that this book is perhaps a more chunky read than most books. It comprises of approximately 640 pages! However, it is important to remember that these pages include many amazing illustrations which make up the bulk of the book. Therefore, do not be put off by the size - it takes far less time than you would think to read. The author's extensive research contributes to the accurate and interesting information that he provides between the two stories. 


If I was to find myself in New York again this week, I would be purchasing another bag or suitcase in which to bring a copy back with me. It would be worth every penny of the extra baggage costs that this would entail. In fact, this has set me wondering about a possible last minute trip over to Books of Wonder for the launch party on the 13th September . . . . . if only!