Grab your suitcase we are off to another world!
The Strangeworld – the blurb
When 12-year-old Flick Hudson accidentally ends up in the Strangeworlds Travel Agency, she uncovers a fantastic secret: there are hundreds of other worlds just steps away from ours. All you have to do to visit them is jump into the right suitcase. Then Flick gets the invitation of a lifetime: join Strangeworlds’ magical travel society and explore other worlds.
But, unknown to Flick, the world at the very center of it all, a city called Five Lights, is in danger. Buildings and even streets are mysteriously disappearing. Once Flick realises what’s happening she must race against time, traveling through uncharted worlds, seeking a way to fix Five Lights before it collapses into nothingness – and takes our world with it.
Can you fit it in your suitcase?
Another solo book club this month but I chose a book that I hope allows us to travel despite being stuck at home. How fab would it be if you could simply open up a suitcase and step into another world? That is what Flick Hudson finds when exploring the town she has recently moved to.
I liked Flick and thought the observations about her life spot on. How many children are used as unpaid babysitters to younger children? Or have to let themselves in after school and start the tea? I also liked the books reliance on cups of tea, especially with a custard cream or two.
Ready for the next one
Strangeworlds feels like a starter for ten. The book is the first in a proposed series and very much sets things up for the next book, almost to this ones detriment. When the concept is traveling through suitcases to other worlds there is obviously a lot of world building going that I’m presuming the next books will benefit from. I read the book very quickly but at times fond things a bit boring. I wanted to know more about Flick’s powers, more about the creepy lighthouse world and more about Jonathan’s dad.
Overall it’s easy to read with a fun concept that I think younger middle grade readers will really enjoy. If you liked this one, try The Secret of Platform 13 that will also have you speeding to new worlds.
Book club questions
+++ These questions contain spoilers and should only be used if you have read the book already!+++
- The book often refers to cups of tea and how things can be made better with a nice cup and a biscuit. Can you make a cup of tea? I challenge you (under adult supervision) to make one for your parent as a nice treat.
- When unpacking her room the first thing Flick unpacks is a map of the world with countries ticked off that she has been to. What countries in this world have you been to? What country do you most want to go to?
- On page 75 Flick enters a suitcase for the first time then describes what she sees. Imagine you are Flick and have just stepped in to a new world. Can you describe what it would look like? Can you draw a picture of it?
- The book reminded me at times of other books (the food fight in Peter Pan, the dust in His Dark Materials, the sweet shop in Harry Potter) did it remind you of any books you had read? Which ones?
- On page 144 Flick and Jonathan visit a sweet shop that has some amazing sweets. Which one would you have liked to buy? Do you have a favorite sweet? What sweet would you invent if you got the chance?
- What did you think of the ending of Strangeworlds? Do you want to read the next book?
If you would like to join in with our Children’s Book of the Month keep your eyes peeled when we announce July’s book in a few days time, Our review with book club questions is usually posted on the last Monday of the month and you can check out previous book of the months such as Orion Lost by Alastair Chisholm by clicking on the Young Adult/Kids button at the top of our Home Page.
