Yes, I remember that my sister and her friends LOVED it, and I really think that this is a case where many kids will think the book is awesome, while many adult readers have a really difficult time accepting how heavily Balliett relies on coincidence and intuition... I was reading through other reviews on Goodreads and they're really all over the place. Some people absolutely HATED it because they couldn't get past the coincidences; others thought it was an entertaining and unique read. I'm somewhere in the middle :) what did you think?
I remember that coincidence was very heavily used as a mystery-solution device, but overall, I enjoyed reading it. It isn't nearly as good - IMO - as From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, upon which it seems to have relied. My read-aloud years are over, sadly. I really miss it!
Yeah, I am very much looking forward to read-alouds when my baby's born in June :) reading stories at bedtime with my mom is one of my all-time favorite memories - what a special bonding time!
I remember reading From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler but I don't remember how much I liked it. I know that it's a classic and very well-loved by many readers, though - maybe it's time to revisit that one!
I remember reading From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler but I don't remember how much I liked it. I know that it's a classic and very well-loved by many readers, though - maybe it's time to revisit that one!