Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
Best of All Worlds (Scholastic Press, 2025) by Kenneth Oppel was fascinating, mysterious, and a freaky story of survival.
Thirteen-year-old Xavier hadn’t wanted to go to the cottage with his dad and pregnant stepmom–he’d rather be gaming at home with Mom and his brother–but when he wakes up the first morning, it’s as if the cottage has been removed from one place and plunked down somewhere else. Have they been abducted by aliens, as Xavier expects, or by the government for a secret project?
Later in the story, three years have passed, and Xavier is 16, so this book may not be appropriate for younger readers. I don’t know how else the author could have ended the book, but it wasn’t as satisfying as I’d hoped.
Read about the award-winning author here and check out more books here. (Note: the website appears to not have been updated recently.)
This story has an interesting premise. And I haven’t seen a story switch from middle grade to ya. Happy MMGM!
Unless we count Harry Potter…
Interesting premise which might appeal more to YA readers. I have enjoyed a few other titles by this author so if time allows I’m going to spend time with this one
I think it’s good to have some books for this age range since many YA books the main character is 17 or older.
I’m left wondering if this is SF or what? The switch to an older protag presents an interesting problem for the author. I might read it just to see how she handles it, though it sounds like you weren’t in love with the story.
It’s not clear as you read if this is SF, so I won’t do a spoiler. I really enjoyed the book, found it un-put-downable, but the end didn’t resonate with me.
Very intriguing premise! And now I’m totally curious with the switch from MG to YA. I agree that may make it hard to find the audience. Thanks for featuring this! I will look for it.
It is an unusual switch in ages.
It’s certainly an unusual premise! I am intrigued as to how the story plays out. Sorry you found it unsatisfying in the end!
Me too. I loved it until the end.
Well, the cover certainly is intriguing, as is your review. I’ll put this on my list and see if I can get to it. Thanks for the post.
Great!
Sounds like a unique kind of storytelling. It’s hard when the end doesn’t satisfy. I’ve heard really good things about the bat books by this same author, but I haven’t read any of them yet. Thanks for sharing this!
I need to read more of his work too!
Sounds intriguing. I’m always up for reading Sci-Fi or government conspiracies… and now you’ve got me curious about the age switch.