Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

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Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Quirk Publishing, June 1, 2011

Read for 2011 Debut Author Challenge

Summary from Goodreads:

A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage.
A strange collection of very curious photographs.
It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.
A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography,Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

Loved this debut! I don't know how it managed to escape my attention until it was released, but because it did, I was, like, number 23 on the holds list at the library (the horror! I'm usually number 1 or 2), so I had to wait a while for it. 

But it was well worth the wait. Ransom Riggs has a talent for creating a spooky scene and  a world where peculiars hide in plain sight. The accompanying photographs are stunning and I love what they add to the story. I love that we start reading the story thinking that Grandpa's monsters are figurative--that is, that there are real people he's attributing monster-like qualities to. As the book progresses, however, we learn that Nazis were not the only monsters chasing Grandpa. 

The assorted cast of characters are incredible! I can totally see why Jake is so intrigued by this motley crew. The story is incredible--there's just the right amount of horror, science fiction, history, even a touch of romance. It's a fun read, trust me.

Just the cover alone will draw you in. My co-worker's hold was filled at the same time as mine, so we were discussing it with our branch manager, who ran out and bought her own copy. Another co-worker snagged my copy when I finished it, and the children's librarian is waiting to read it, too. This is the first time that all five of us have expressed that much interest in the same book--and it's a YA book, to boot! So congrats, Ransom Riggs, and I look forward to more from you (I also think you have the most awesome name!).

Borrowed book from the library.

Enjoy your reading!

Christi