There are not many books written these days that take me back to how it feels to be a child again. Some books try to write the words but many fall short of achieving their goal. Recently, I ordered a book simply because the description and cover looked intriguing. I had no idea how much I would love the book or how much the book would inspire me. I finished this book faster than I expected too. I fell in love with the writing of a fellow Author and story.
What is the book about?
The BookWanderers by Anna James is written for ages 8 to 12 years old. The book takes place in London in a special bookshop called Pages & Co. Tilly who is the main character has a special connection to this bookshop as it is owned by her grandparents. Tilly does not have many friends in her life and so she finds a comfort in the books and stories inside the bookshop. But one day while she is reading one of her favorite books, her favorite characters start showing up inside the shop! Yes. You read that correctly. Characters like Alice from Wonderland and Anne of Green Gables came exactly into the bookshop and sat right in Tilly's favorite chair! Tilly then begins to realize reading is becoming more real as the adventures she is embarking on are happening before her in real life. Soon enough she realizes that not only can she meet characters in the bookshop while reading but she can actually wander INSIDE of the stories themselves. Tilly's new friend Oscar comes a long for the journey as Tilly learns how to book wander into stories and exciting adventures. But with every adventure comes a hint of danger as Tilly soon discovers can be found at a turn of the page. Once Tilly begins to learn more about her ability, she realizes that there are more secrets than she expected about the whereabouts of her mother. Soon Tilly is on a mission to solve the mystery of what exactly happened to her mother many years ago. This book specializes in the magic of books and the power of the imagination.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Stars!
I am giving this book a five stars or more rating simply because it is truly one of a kind. The Author is extremely talented. I would so much to say that she should be at the level of J.K. Rowling herself. I say this because the way the magic is written in this story is very similar. The world building was done so well that it did not take much for me to be hooked. Tilly is such a smart and curious girl who isn't scared to find answers. The ability to travel inside of a story while you are reading it and meet the characters is such an amazing idea! In fact, I am a bit jealous I did not come up with the idea for this story first. The story goes into the rules of BookWandering and how much of a responsibility it is for Book Wanderers to respect the gift. Tilly gets to take her new best friend Oscar a long for the ride and he is such a loveable character. He reminded me of a younger Ron Weasley. In my head, to be honest that is who I pictured for Oscar. I hate to keep comparing this book with Harry Potter but I cannot help it. The same excitment that I got when I first read Harry is the same excitement that I felt when I began this story by Anna James. The story mentions how important reading is and how special it is to hold a book in your hand. As a writer like myself, for children especially it is very important to write books that matter. I feel that Anna James wrote this to remind children that reading is a wonderful superpower. The characters inside her book are relatable and enjoyable. I absolutely had to get the Audible version of this story as well and I do not regret it at all. When I followed the story with Audible there were moments I would get lost inside the story myself. Hearing the narrator, Aysha Kala, bring Anne of Green Gables to life was remarkable. I could literally see her red hair and freckles in my mind! I have not read Anne of Green Gables in many moons but this story brought back that familiar feeling. The feeling of joy and pure love for a story. As a child reading comes naturally and without judgement. You simply embark on a stories adventure and you do it because it is enjoyable. I needed to be reminded of that feeling. I have noticed while on Instagram or Tiktok there are many challenges for reading many books. I think sometimes the fun of reading is zapped out of us because of the pressure the social world places on the act of reading itself. When I met Tilly for the first time inside Pages & Co., it was as if I was coming back home to an old version of myself. I saw myself in Tilly. The book has so many quotes that I had to highlight to remind myself why I write and read in the first place. The way Anna James wrote about reading in this book was truly magical. I felt like I was experiencing the love of reading for the first time as an adult. I know this book was written for children, but I truly think this book should be read by those who love to read no matter the age. Everyone from time to time, needs to remember what it feels like to be inside a good story. To be so involved with the adventure and the characters that you forget where you are and how much time has passed. That is when you know you have read a fantastic book. I ordered the rest of the books in the series because I must know what happens next for Tilly. Also, simply because I don't want the adventure to end. I don't want this feeling to ever end.
Thank you, Author Anna James, for reminding me why I write for children and why I read at all. You truly gave me the inspiration I so desperately needed. I think I am a bookwanderer too.
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