ashconklin's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lainey34's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
naomiysl's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I really enjoyed thsi book, most of the time, but frustratingly found the climactic moments lacking in oomph. Still, the world building is very very cool. I hope there are more of these coming in the future!
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse
teaandspite's review against another edition
3.0
If I were rating solely on storytelling and writing-craft, this would get four stars. It's fun, well-paced, well-written, and full of great characters. The only real complaint from a writing standpoint is that the pacing is a bit off.
Problem is, this is a book for children. Writing for children requires a certain level of responsibility that doesn't exist in writing for adults. Kids learn from the books they read in a way adults don't. Fiction shapes their expectations of the world, even when it's about dragons. That means having to look at the messages of a story. In this case, that means having to drop down a star because of Walt and Van's dad.
As an adult, I can recognise that characters are flawed and complex and being realistic does not necessarily mean being good. Kids, however, look at a father character who is emotionally absent, domineering, and dismissive and internalise that it's fine for their own parents to treat them the same way. They see a narrative that dismisses emotional neglect because it's not as readily apparent as physical neglect and learn that only certain kinds of neglect 'count'.
These things are not ok. They are not simply 'cultural'. They are demonstrably harmful to child development and children should not be taught that they are normal. Despite the wonderful storytelling, I would be hesitant to give this book to a child because of these messages. They make it far too easy for abused and neglected children to rationalise their parents' behaviour.
Problem is, this is a book for children. Writing for children requires a certain level of responsibility that doesn't exist in writing for adults. Kids learn from the books they read in a way adults don't. Fiction shapes their expectations of the world, even when it's about dragons. That means having to look at the messages of a story. In this case, that means having to drop down a star because of Walt and Van's dad.
As an adult, I can recognise that characters are flawed and complex and being realistic does not necessarily mean being good. Kids, however, look at a father character who is emotionally absent, domineering, and dismissive and internalise that it's fine for their own parents to treat them the same way. They see a narrative that dismisses emotional neglect because it's not as readily apparent as physical neglect and learn that only certain kinds of neglect 'count'.
These things are not ok. They are not simply 'cultural'. They are demonstrably harmful to child development and children should not be taught that they are normal. Despite the wonderful storytelling, I would be hesitant to give this book to a child because of these messages. They make it far too easy for abused and neglected children to rationalise their parents' behaviour.
aotales's review against another edition
4.0
An enjoyable middle grade fantasy escape! If you love fantasy maps and the idea of jumping inside one, this is the story for you! A young boy, struggling to connect with his father and twin sister after moving to a new town realizes he has the ability to create worlds through his mapmaking … and potentially destroy them! An all around fun adventure with strong characters and real challenges that face them. While the ending was a bit rushed for my liking and would have loved even more fleshing out of the fantasy world, room has been left for sequels that may deliver that!
mwager's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jberry's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
cathy_acasefullofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This one was such a fun middle grade read!
Walt's dad wants him to play football. Walt just wants to draw maps. And one day, he realizes that the things he's drawing on a map of his town are appearing in real life! Soon after, he is whisked away to a world that he has drawn.
This was such a fun adventure, and I really loved the characters and the new world.
Walt's dad wants him to play football. Walt just wants to draw maps. And one day, he realizes that the things he's drawing on a map of his town are appearing in real life! Soon after, he is whisked away to a world that he has drawn.
This was such a fun adventure, and I really loved the characters and the new world.
marigold_faye's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0