zoekatereads's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you NetGalley and Blueberry Finch for the ARC ✨ Below is my honest review!
A thrilling middle grade adventure following Jane as she embarks on a journey to the Lands of Luxury. This was a super easy read that had me smiling from the very first chapter. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a short, heartwarming read.
Jane, Rodney and Timothy live on an island made of trash. Amongst the latest batch of trash to the island, Jane finds a doll, but this doll is like nothing Jane has ever seen - it is in perfect condition. And there begins her adventure, as the doll has a label asking "please return to Gloria Thatcher" and lists an address in a land Jane never thought she would see.
This is a heartwarming story following a courageous main character, best friends learning to be brave, wondrous adventure and heartbreaking moments. I really enjoyed the instances of found family in this book, as well as how it highlighted the importance of remembering what you've been through and where you've come from.
"It's okay to be scared, so long as we're still brave for those we love."
The characters were all incredibly likeable, and I loved seeing a story from a younger perspective. Even in such a short story, there was room for them all to grow and it was a pleasure to read. This book really encompassed what I loved about stories when I was younger - 'if the grown ups won't, we will'.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and cannot wait to read more middle grade stories and from Jon Tilton.
A thrilling middle grade adventure following Jane as she embarks on a journey to the Lands of Luxury. This was a super easy read that had me smiling from the very first chapter. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a short, heartwarming read.
Jane, Rodney and Timothy live on an island made of trash. Amongst the latest batch of trash to the island, Jane finds a doll, but this doll is like nothing Jane has ever seen - it is in perfect condition. And there begins her adventure, as the doll has a label asking "please return to Gloria Thatcher" and lists an address in a land Jane never thought she would see.
This is a heartwarming story following a courageous main character, best friends learning to be brave, wondrous adventure and heartbreaking moments. I really enjoyed the instances of found family in this book, as well as how it highlighted the importance of remembering what you've been through and where you've come from.
"It's okay to be scared, so long as we're still brave for those we love."
The characters were all incredibly likeable, and I loved seeing a story from a younger perspective. Even in such a short story, there was room for them all to grow and it was a pleasure to read. This book really encompassed what I loved about stories when I was younger - 'if the grown ups won't, we will'.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and cannot wait to read more middle grade stories and from Jon Tilton.
kmbooky's review against another edition
5.0
Such a sweet story. It was definitely something I've never read. However my daughter and I loved the story. Characters were well developed and loveable. I love the ending so much. I'm glad it went the way it did. I was very worried for a while.
femsbookshelf's review
4.0
This is a middle grade story about a young girl named Jane. She lives on an island completely filled with trash. One day she finds a beautiful doll with a tag that says “please return to Gloria Thatcher”. Jane is determined to get the doll back to Gloria and embarks on a grand adventure.
I must say that I really enjoyed this book. The world the characters live in is very interesting (but I must admit I really love dystopian stories!) and I’d love to read more about it. The chapters are rather short, there is always a lot going on and it has some important messages - very suitable for children. For me personally, a little more elaboration on the world, the island and the government (why? how? when?) would have been wonderful. But since this is the first book of a new series - who knows what's still to come! I’m very excited to read what’s next for Jane and her friends.
I really think this will be a wonderful new series for children and I really really really hope that it will be translated to Dutch, so that I can add it to our library and my children can read it as well!
A big thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book as an avanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. This has not affected my review in any way.
I must say that I really enjoyed this book. The world the characters live in is very interesting (but I must admit I really love dystopian stories!) and I’d love to read more about it. The chapters are rather short, there is always a lot going on and it has some important messages - very suitable for children. For me personally, a little more elaboration on the world, the island and the government (why? how? when?) would have been wonderful. But since this is the first book of a new series - who knows what's still to come! I’m very excited to read what’s next for Jane and her friends.
I really think this will be a wonderful new series for children and I really really really hope that it will be translated to Dutch, so that I can add it to our library and my children can read it as well!
A big thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book as an avanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. This has not affected my review in any way.
petalpineink's review
3.0
Journey to a new land as Jane leaves her home, garbage-filled Yarborough, to journey to The Lands of Luxury to return a doll marked “Please return to Gloria Thatcher”. Along the way you’ll find Jane’s plans don’t go as intended.
I enjoyed this short audiobook overall. This story certainly reads like a middle grade novel, as intended, but I felt it was a bit to fast at parts of the story. I could have used so more in depth and drawn out explanations of the characters personal histories as well as the lands’ histories. I felt the conflict wasn’t as explained as it could have been and was solved much too quickly for my own liking, but perhaps this is just the right speed and content for its intended middle grade audience.
I enjoyed the messages of family and place and friendship in this story. A good reminder that home isn’t linked to objects but meaning.
Thanks NetGalley for this auidobook ARC to listen to and review.
I enjoyed this short audiobook overall. This story certainly reads like a middle grade novel, as intended, but I felt it was a bit to fast at parts of the story. I could have used so more in depth and drawn out explanations of the characters personal histories as well as the lands’ histories. I felt the conflict wasn’t as explained as it could have been and was solved much too quickly for my own liking, but perhaps this is just the right speed and content for its intended middle grade audience.
I enjoyed the messages of family and place and friendship in this story. A good reminder that home isn’t linked to objects but meaning.
Thanks NetGalley for this auidobook ARC to listen to and review.
lemonix_reads's review
I liked the little descriptions, but I just couldn't get into. The book
rflavin's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
nelli_lakatos's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, what an incredible story! Adventurous, touching and truly inspiring. Jane is an admirable and brave main character, who sticks to her instincts and determined to help others, even when her friends disagree with her ideas.
I really loved this book, I was glued to the page the whole time so intrigued to find out what’s going to happen next. I enjoyed discovering this unique world through Jane’s eyes so much and all the adventures!
I highly recommend reading this adorable book to everyone!
Thank you to @netgalley for providing an AudioARC in exchange for my honest review.
I really loved this book, I was glued to the page the whole time so intrigued to find out what’s going to happen next. I enjoyed discovering this unique world through Jane’s eyes so much and all the adventures!
I highly recommend reading this adorable book to everyone!
Thank you to @netgalley for providing an AudioARC in exchange for my honest review.
kellyjmac's review against another edition
4.0
I received a free ebook copy of this book through Net Galley and Blueberry Finch but my review is my own.
I really loved this sweet book. It is filled with heart and found family and perseverance. I was initially drawn to the cover when I saw it on Net Galley and didn’t know what to expect really. The world building was good and I felt immersed quickly. Jane is lovable and brave and sweet and innocent and made for an excellent main character. I also enjoyed Rodney and Timothy and the banter and camaraderie between them throughout the story. The book is filled with so much heart and I definitely teared up in a few places. But it is set in a dystopian type setting and there are definitely hard moments and topics. My one real con (and it’s a small one really) is that the ending felt a bit rushed to me and I was hoping for more about what happened next. I would recommend this book to other middle grade fans.
I really loved this sweet book. It is filled with heart and found family and perseverance. I was initially drawn to the cover when I saw it on Net Galley and didn’t know what to expect really. The world building was good and I felt immersed quickly. Jane is lovable and brave and sweet and innocent and made for an excellent main character. I also enjoyed Rodney and Timothy and the banter and camaraderie between them throughout the story. The book is filled with so much heart and I definitely teared up in a few places. But it is set in a dystopian type setting and there are definitely hard moments and topics. My one real con (and it’s a small one really) is that the ending felt a bit rushed to me and I was hoping for more about what happened next. I would recommend this book to other middle grade fans.
missjustynak's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
polkadots_pints's review
adventurous
fast-paced
5.0
A seriously fantastic middle grade book! The pacing allows for sincere engagement, and the unexpected elements of the adventure keep the reader pondering what will happen next. Very impressed by the characters' inner reflections and struggles, as well as the complex exploration of humanity's moral values - especially for the reading level. Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury