egg_gremlin's review against another edition
5.0
There are certain book that I interpret differently each time I read them, as if I understand it on a deeper level every revisit. This is one of those books.
Starting out normally enough, No Passengers Beyond This Point looks at first to be telling a fairly mundane story of three children forced to move across the country due to financial troubles. Finn, India, and Mouse must board a plane to their uncles house in Denver all by themselves while their mother finishes work. However, when the plane lands, they're not in Denver, but a strange city called Falling Bird. At first it seems like a paradise, but suspicious complexities lie just beneath the surface.
I loved the alternating perspectives of the book. Each character views the word an entirely different way, and has a unique voice. Viewing the word through three pairs of eyes fleshes out the setting, and no character knows the whole picture. In every rereading I seem to find new metaphors in how Falling bird is set up.
Really, my only complaint is that Mouse doesn't get more chapters. Her point of view is one I don;t often see in fiction. She has the logic of a genius, and the mind of a child. Finn and India are very good characters as well, but worried 12-year-old and misguided teenager are archetypes I've seen plenty of before.
Starting out normally enough, No Passengers Beyond This Point looks at first to be telling a fairly mundane story of three children forced to move across the country due to financial troubles. Finn, India, and Mouse must board a plane to their uncles house in Denver all by themselves while their mother finishes work. However, when the plane lands, they're not in Denver, but a strange city called Falling Bird. At first it seems like a paradise, but suspicious complexities lie just beneath the surface.
I loved the alternating perspectives of the book. Each character views the word an entirely different way, and has a unique voice. Viewing the word through three pairs of eyes fleshes out the setting, and no character knows the whole picture. In every rereading I seem to find new metaphors in how Falling bird is set up.
Really, my only complaint is that Mouse doesn't get more chapters. Her point of view is one I don;t often see in fiction. She has the logic of a genius, and the mind of a child. Finn and India are very good characters as well, but worried 12-year-old and misguided teenager are archetypes I've seen plenty of before.
sandraagee's review against another edition
3.0
Weird book. But then again, that's kind of the point.
jlmreader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
cowboyx2's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
adrienneambo's review against another edition
3.0
Juvenile title with twists and turns. Two sisters and one brother are "trapped" in an alternate world trying to make the right decisions to make it home.
shighley's review against another edition
3.0
I agree with many of the previous reviews. When I finished it, I thought, "Did I miss something? I think I know what was supposed to happen, but did it?" There are several elements that are enjoyable (imagine having students describe what their perfect mom/house would be like), but I felt like it tried to combine too many different elements into one. The epic journey for survival wasn't that epic, and there were many frivolous details. I enjoyed the alternating voices, but by the end when the biggest plot twist was revealed, it really was not an "aha" moment.
hanapowell's review against another edition
2.0
To me this book was boring the most interesting part was the last chapter.
lazygal's review against another edition
2.0
This story about the Thompkins siblings (Finn, India and Mouse) has the same energy as the Al Capone books, and the same flair for dialog, but the plot is - I think - too confusing for readers. We start with the usual sibling squabbling, interrupted by Mom informing the trio that they've lost their house and that while she finishes the school year in California (where they live, and where she teaches), they will be moving to Colorado to live with their Uncle Red. Needless to say, they're not happy about this news.
The move will be happening the next day, and the kids will fly to Denver, where Uncle Red will meet them, or send a driver to get them to his home. The usual TSA stuff happens, and then we're on board the flight, which sets down somewhere that doesn't quite feel like Denver... it doesn't quite feel like anywhere they've ever experienced or heard about. Since the book is told in alternating chapters by all three, you get to hear how Mouse, Finn and India react to this change in their situation. I won't go further except to say that their reactions surprised me, until I figured out the plot twist (which, as I thought about it, was obvious in retrospect).
ARC provided by publisher.
The move will be happening the next day, and the kids will fly to Denver, where Uncle Red will meet them, or send a driver to get them to his home. The usual TSA stuff happens, and then we're on board the flight, which sets down somewhere that doesn't quite feel like Denver... it doesn't quite feel like anywhere they've ever experienced or heard about. Since the book is told in alternating chapters by all three, you get to hear how Mouse, Finn and India react to this change in their situation. I won't go further except to say that their reactions surprised me, until I figured out the plot twist (which, as I thought about it, was obvious in retrospect).
ARC provided by publisher.
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
5.0
Great book with an unexpected twist at the end! Just when you have it all figured out... you don't! This book is told in 3 different voices, the three Tompkins kids - India, Finn and Mouse. The children learn they have to move to Colorado to live with an uncle they don't know very well. Their mom will join them as soon as the school year ends (since she is a teacher), and she sends them off on an airplane on their own. However, as soon as the kids land at the airport, they know something isn't right. For one, the airport is deserted, and another strange thing is their cell phone doesn't work. They get picked up by a taxi cab driver that looks as young as they do, and it's a pink feathered taxi. They soon discover they aren't going to their uncle's house, but to this alternative town... and they have the choice to stay there. But if they don't, there are consequences and they will have to find their way back themselves. The three siblings are separated quickly and have to work hard to find each other. Every chapter is a new obstacle they must overcome, which leads to a quick reading story. The characters are kids that we can relate to and that makes us root for them even more. The theme of family is emphasized in this book and while reading about this seemingly strange city they are in, you can't help but get caught up in the story!
I would recommend this book for fourth graders and above, and mature third grade independent readers. It's a great read-aloud, as well.
I would recommend this book for fourth graders and above, and mature third grade independent readers. It's a great read-aloud, as well.