The Bookwanderers (Pages and Co. #1) by Anna James

What worked:

Readers make personal connections with book characters all the time and they may even imagine what it might be like to meet them. Tilly’s dream comes true when she finds herself in the company of Anne from Anne of Green Gables and Alice from Alice in Wonderland. Tilly and her friend Oskar wonder how it’s possible and the author doesn’t offer an explanation right off the bat. Readers are left to wonder and enjoy the possibilities as Tilly visits Alice’s tea party and Anne’s school in Avonlea. Alice and Anne are aware they’re fictional book characters but that doesn’t stop them from being real. Got it? More information about what may be going on is provided when Tilly and Oskar meet the Librarian but questions surrounding Tilly’s situation remain. She’s able to do things that don’t follow the established rules for bookwandering.

The question as to how book characters can come to life is puzzling enough but there’s more mystery to be found in the Pages and Co. bookstore. Tilly knows nothing about her father and her grandparents don’t seem to know much more. Tilly’s mother left when she was little so Tilly’s thoughts and feelings about her come from pictures and stories she’s told. Readers should always be attentive when characters disappear under puzzling circumstances. A disgruntled employee of the Underlibrary has the personality of a sour grape so readers will assume he must be up to no good. Tilly wonders why he keeps showing up in the same places as her so readers will question his motives. Something nefarious is afoot.

The story is based on the passion readers can have for books as they become absorbed in the make-believe worlds and characters. Books can come to life in our imaginations and this story considers what it might be like if the make-believe worlds were real. This explains how Tilly is able to interact with Alice and Anne and how she observes Sherlock Holmes talking with her grandfather. It makes the atmosphere inside the Pages and Co. bookstore enchanting and magical where impossible things are possible. The conclusion to this story takes creativity a step further and opens unexpected twists. The sequel is sure to have even more drama.

What didn’t work as well:

References are made to other books and it will help if readers have some concept of their stories. The Little Princess plays a large role in the plot but it may not be familiar to most people. I haven’t read it and find myself wishing I understood the characters more. It’s not a large problem and young readers should still be able to fully enjoy the plot.

The Final Verdict:

This story makes readers think about books in a new way that is creative and thought-provoking. What is real? The journey into fictional worlds will enchant middle-grade book lovers and I recommend you give this one a shot.