The Journal of Curious Letters (13th Reality Series #1)

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Overview

What if every choice you made created an alternate reality? In The Journal of Curious Letters, Atticus Higginbottom, a.k.a. Tick, is an average thirteen-year-old boy until the day he receives a strange letter informing him that dangerous— perhaps even deadly—events have been set in motion that could result in the destruction of reality itself. Tick will be sent twelve riddles that, when solved, will reveal the time and place of an extraordinary happening. Will Tick have the courage to follow the twelve clues and discover the life he was meant to live? Tick’s journey continues in The Hunt for Dark Infinity! Mistress Jane and the Chi karda are back. Tick and Mistress Jane race to find the deadly Dark Infinity weapon. But who will destroy it—and who will become its master?

Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8

Atticus Higginbottom (Tick) is relatively happy, even though he wishes that he were a little braver or could make the bullies disappear. Then he gets a mysterious letter that begins a strange adventure into alternate realities. According to the letter, he and hundreds of other young people around the world have a choice: save the world by solving a puzzle or burn the letter and go on with their lives as usual. The 13-year-old is sure that it's a hoax, but once he begins getting the other clues from strange visitors, he is determined to figure out the puzzle. This book had great potential. The beginning of the adventure starts with a bang, but by the middle of the story things begin to drag. The immediacy gets lost in the daily struggle to figure out the riddles and the unending descriptions of Tick's life as he awaits the next one. Suddenly, he receives multiple clues at once and the fight to save the world occurs at bewildering speed. The conclusion is open-ended, indicating a sequel. Stronger choices of books with similar ideas of alternate realities include D. J. MacHale's "Pendragon" series (S & S) or Michael Lawrence's "Withern Rise" trilogy (HarperCollins).-Saleena L. Davidson, South Brunswick Public Library, Monmouth Junction, NJ

Kirkus Reviews

A boy . . . a mysterious letter . . . twelve clues . . . a girl . . . a dad . . . two very strange strangers. These are just the basic ingredients in this adventure served up by Dashner in what is the start of a series that will capture the imagination of young and old alike. Atticus Higginbottom (Tick to all who know him) is smart, well-adjusted and something of a loner at school, preferring his family, the library and the Internet to his classmates. So he's surprised to receive a letter postmarked in Macadamia, Alaska, from someone he's never even heard of. But he's intrigued and makes a commitment to join with his correspondent to "save many lives." Though there are chunks of text that are overwritten, the telling is generally laced with a strong sense of humor and a sure hand at plot; the author is plainly in tune with today's fan base. Let the adventure begin! (Science fiction. 10-12)

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781416991526
Publisher: Aladdin
Publication date: 12/22/2009
Edition description: Original
Pages: 528
Sales rank: 76,325
Age range: 8 - 12 Years
Lexile: 910L (what's this?)
Series: 13th Reality Series , #1
Product dimensions: 5.00 (w) x 7.50 (h) x 1.50 (d)

Meet the Author

James Dashner

James Dashner was born and raised in a small town in Georgia. His love of books and writing made him dream of being an author someday, and he still can't believe it's true. You can visit him online at www.the13threality.com or jamesdashner.blogspot.com.

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER
1

MASTER GEORGE AND MISTRESS JANE

Norbert Johnson had never met such strange people in all of his life, much less two on the same day — within the same hour even. Odd. Very odd indeed.

Norbert, with his scraggly gray hair and his rumpled gray pants and his wrinkly gray shirt, had worked at the post office in Macadamia, Alaska, for twenty-three years, seven months, twelve days, and — he looked at his watch — just a hair short of four hours. In those long, cold, lonesome years he'd met just about every type of human being you could imagine. Nice people and mean people. Ugly people and pretty people. Lawyers, doctors, accountants, cops. Crazies and convicts. Old hags and young whippersnappers. Oh, and lots of celebrities, too.

Why, if you believed his highfalutin stories (which most people quit doing about twenty-three years, seven months, twelve days, and three hours ago), you'd think he'd met every movie and music star in America. Though exactly why these famous folks were up in Alaska dropping off mail was anybody's guess, so it may have been a slight exaggeration of the truth.

But today's visitors were different, and Norbert knew he'd have to convince the town that this time he was telling the truth and nothing but the truth. Something scary was afoot in Macadamia.

The first stranger, a man, entered the small, cramped post office at precisely 11:15 A.M., quickly shutting the door against the blustery wind and swirling snowflakes. In doing so, he almost dropped a cardboard box full of letters clutched in his white-knuckled hands.

He was a short, anxious-looking person, shuffling his feet and twitching his nose, with a balding red scalp and round spectacles perched on his ruddy, puffy face. He wore a regal black suit: all pinstripes and silk and gold cuff links.

When the man plopped the box of letters onto the post office counter with a loud flump, a cloud of dust billowed out; Norbert coughed for several seconds. Then, to top everything off, the stranger spoke with a heavy English accent like he'd just walked out of a Bill Shakespeare play.

"Good day, sir," he said, the faintest attempt at a smile creasing his face into something that looked like pain. "I do hope you would be so kind as to offer me some assistance in an important matter." He pulled a lace-edged handkerchief from within the dark recesses of his fancy suit and wiped his brow, beads of sweat having formed there despite the arctic temperatures outside. It was, after all, the middle of November.

"Yessir," Norbert answered, ready to fulfill his duty as Postal Worker Number Three. "Mighty glad to help."

The man pointed outside. "Simply dreadful, isn't it?"

Norbert looked through the frosted glass of the front door, but saw only the snow-swept streets and a few pedestrians bundled up and hurrying to get out of the cold. "What's dreadful, sir?"

The man huffed. "By the Wand, man, this place, this place!" He put away his hanky and folded his arms, exaggerating a shiver up and down his body. "How can you chaps stand it — the bitter cold, the short daylight, the biting wind?"

Norbert laughed. "I take it you're just a-visiting?"

"Visiting?" The sharply dressed man barked something between a laugh and a snort. "There'll be no visiting from me, my good man. The instant these letters are off, I'll be heading back to the ocean. The very instant, I assure you."

The ocean? Norbert eyed the man, a little offended by the stranger's dislike of the only town where Norbert had ever set foot. "Well, sir, how long you been here?"

"How long?" The man looked at his golden pocket watch. "How long? Approximately seven minutes, I'd say, and that's far too long already. I'm, er, eager to be on my way, if you don't mind." He scratched his flaky red scalp. "Which reminds me — is there a cemetery closer than the one down by the frozen riverside?"

"A cemetery?"

"Yes, yes, a cemetery. You know, where they bury poor chaps with unbeating hearts?" When Norbert only stared, the man sighed. "Oh, never mind."

Norbert remembered hearing the word befuddled once on television. He had never been quite sure what it meant, but something told him it explained exactly how he felt at that moment. He scratched his chin, squinting at the odd little man. "Sir, may I ask your name?"

"No, you may not, Mister Postman. But if you must call me something, you may call me Master George."

"Alrighty then," Norbert said, his tone wary. "Uh, Master George, you're a-telling me you just arrived here in Macadamia seven minutes ago?"

"That's right. Please — "

Norbert ignored him. "And you're a-telling me you come all this way just to mail these here letters, and then you're a-going to up and leave again?"

"Egads, yes!" Master George squeezed his hands together and rocked back and forth on his heels. "That is, if you'd be so kind as to..." He motioned to the box of letters, raising his thin eyebrows.

Norbert shook his head. "Well, how'd you get here?"

"By...er, plane, if you must know. Now, really, why so many questions?"

"You got yourself your own plane?"

Master George slammed his hand against the counter. "Yes! Is this a post office or a trial by jury? Now, please, I'm in a great hurry!"

Norbert whistled through his teeth, not taking his eyes off Master George as he slid the box closer to him. Then, reluctantly, Norbert looked down, a little worried the stranger might disappear once they broke eye contact.

The box was filled to the rim with hundreds of envelopes, yellowed and crumpled like they'd been trampled by a herd of buffalo, the addresses scrawled across the wrinkly paper in messy blue ink. Each frumpy envelope also bore a unique stamp — some of which looked to be rare and worth serious money: an Amelia Earhart, a Yankee Stadium, a Wright Brothers.

Norbert looked back up at the man. "So, you flew in your own plane to the middle of Alaska in the middle of November to deliver these letters...and then you're heading back home?"

"Yes, and I'll be sure to tell Scotland Yard that if they're in need of a detective to ring you straight away. Now, good sir, is there anything else I have to do? I want to make absolutely sure there will be no problem in the delivery of these letters."

Norbert shrugged, then shuffled through the stack of envelopes, verifying they all had stamps and proper addresses. The letters were destined to go everywhere from Maine to California, from France to South Africa. Japan. China. Mexico. They were headed all over the world. And by the looks of it, the man had estimated the required postage to perfection.

"Well, I'll have to weigh each one and type the location into the computer, but they look all right to me on first glance. You wantin' to stick around while I check them all?"

Master George slipped a fat wallet out of his jacket pocket. "Oh, I assure you the necessary postage is there, but I must be certain. Here." He pulled out several hundred-dollar bills and placed them on the counter. "If you find that additional postage is required, this should be more than sufficient to pay in full. Consider the rest as a tip for your valuable service."

Norbert swallowed the huge lump in his throat. "Uh, sir, I can tell you right now it won't take nearly that much. Not even close."

"Well, then, I will return home feeling very satisfied indeed." He squinted at Norbert's name tag before tipping his head in a formal bow. "I bid you farewell, Norbert, and wish you the very best."

And with that, Master George slipped back out into the frigid air.

Norbert had a sneaking suspicion he'd never see the man again.

—-

Norbert had just placed the box of odd letters on a shelf under the front desk when an even stranger character than the finely appareled English gentleman stepped into the quiet post office. When the woman walked in the door, Norbert's mouth dropped open.

She wore nothing but yellow — her floor-length dress, her heavy overcoat, her pointy-toed shoes, her tightly fitted gloves. She pushed back the hood of her coat, revealing a bald head that shone as bright as a chrome ball, a pair of horn-rimmed glasses perched on her steep ridge of a nose, and eyes the color of burning emeralds.

She looked like a lemon that had been turned into an evil sorceress; Norbert surprised himself when he chuckled out loud before she said a word. By the way her eyes narrowed into green laser points, Norbert figured that wasn't the smartest thing he'd done in a while.

"Something funny, mailman?" she asked, her voice soft and seductive, yet somehow filled with a subtle hint of warning. Unlike Master George, she had no accent Norbert recognized — she could've been from any city in Alaska. Well, except for the fact that she looked like a walking banana.

After a long moment with no response, she continued, "You'll find that Mistress Jane doesn't react kindly to those who mock her."

"Um," Norbert stuttered. "Uh, who...who is Mistress Jane?" As soon as he said it, he knew he must sound like an idiot.

"Me, you blubbering fool. Are you daft?"

"No, ma'am, I can hear just fine."

"Not deaf, you moronic stack of soiled snow, daft — daft. Oh, never mind." She took a step closer, placing her gloved hands on the counter right in front of Norbert. Her eyes seemed to have tracking beams focused on his own, pulling his gaze into a trance. "Now listen to me, mailman, and listen to me well. Understand?"

Norbert tried to utter agreement, but managed only a small squeak. He nodded instead.

"Good." She straightened and folded her arms. "I'm looking for a little stuff-bucket of a man — red-faced, ugly, more annoying than a ravenous mouse in a cheese factory. I know he came here just minutes ago, but I don't know if I'm in the correct Reality. Have you seen him?"

Norbert called upon every ounce of willpower in his feeble little body to hold his face still, hiding all expression. He forced his eyes to focus on the Lemon Lady's bald head and to not let them wander to the box of letters on the shelf at his feet. He didn't have a single clue what was going on with these two strangers, but every instinct told him Master George equaled good, Mistress Jane equaled bald — he blinked — uh, bad.

What does she mean about being in the correct reality, anyway? Norbert marveled that two such interesting people could enter his tiny post office within a half hour of each other.

"Polar bear got your tongue — ?" Mistress Jane asked with a sneer, glancing down at his name badge. "Norbie? Anybody in there?"

Norbert ignored his racing heart and simply said, "No."

"No what?" the yellow woman snapped. "No, you're not in there, or no, the man I'm looking for didn't come here?"

"Ma'am, you're my first customer of the day, and no, I've a-never seen any such person as you described in my life."

Mistress Jane frowned, held a finger up to her chin. "Do you know what Mistress Jane does with liars, Norbie?"

"I'm not a-lying, ma'am," Norbert answered, trying his best to look calm. He didn't like fibbing to such a scary woman — and crossing his fingers under the counter wouldn't amount to a hill of beans if she found out — but somehow he just knew that if this evil lady wanted to stop Master George from doing whatever he was trying to do, then those letters needed to get in the mail, no matter what. And it was all up to Norbert Johnson.

The lady looked away as if lost in deep thought over what she should do next. "I know he's up to something," she whispered, barely audible and not really speaking to Norbert anymore. "But which Reality...I don't have time to look in them all..."

"Miss Jane?" Norbert asked. "May I — "

"It's Mistress Jane, you Alaskan ice head."

"Oh, uh, I'm awfully sorry — I just wanted to know if there's any postal service you'll be a-needing today."

The nasty woman looked at him for a long time, saying nothing. Finally, "If you're lying to me, I'll find out and I'll come back for you, Norbie." She reached into the pocket of her overcoat, fidgeting with something hidden and heavy. "And you won't like the consequences, I can promise you that."

"No, ma'am, I'm sure — "

Before he could finish his sentence, though, the last and by far most bizarre thing of the day occurred.

Mistress Jane disappeared.

She vanished — into thin air, as they say. Poof, like a magic trick. One second there, the next second gone.

Norbert stared at the empty space on the other side of the counter, knowing he needed a much stronger word than befuddled to explain how he felt now. Finally, shaking his head, he reached down and grabbed the box containing Master George's letters.

"These are going out tonight," he said, though no one was in the room to hear him.

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Average Rating 4.5

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-VaNeSsA-

Posted November 7, 2009

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I Also Recommend:

....amazing

I LOVE THIS BOOK! i spent all night reading it, could NOT put it down. it is very absorbing. when you read it, the writer always leaves you guessing, and you're thriving to read more. amazing. on to book two!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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doglvr

Posted February 24, 2009

Great book!

"The 13th Reality Book 1: The Journal Of Curious Letters" by James Dashner is a great book and I loved it! Even though the book started a little slow, it was full of action and mystery.
The setting in this book is Washington state. The main character lives in Deer Park. It takes place in the modern day, which makes it much easier to understand.
There are a lot of characters in this story. There is the main character, Atticus Higginbottom (Tick) and his dad Edgar Higginbottom. You also meet M.G. (Master George) who is the person who started the chain of events that led to the main conflict. Then there are Mothball and Rutger, friends of M.G. who Tick meets along the way of solving the mystery of the "curious letters." Through email, Tick meets Sofia and Paul, who have also received the letters, and they help each other. All of those people are on the good side, but what's a story without a villain, right? Mistress Jane is the enemy of M.G. who wants to take over the Realities. Her henchman, Frazier Gunn, tries to stop Tick from stopping Mistress Jane from taking over.
There are two main conflicts in this story. One is that Tick has to solve the riddles in the letters that he gets from M.G. so he can save peoples lives. The second conflict is that Tick and his new friends and partners have to stop Mistress Jane from taking over the Realities. They will battle hideous creatures and show their bravery. If they fail, it will be the end of the world as we know it.
So like I said, I loved "The 13th Reality Book 1: The Journal Of Curious Letters" by James Dashner. And as you can probably tell, it is full of action and mystery, because you're going on the adventure along with Tick and his friends. Keep in mind that this is only book one, so look out for "The 13th Reality Book 2: The Hunt For Dark Infinity.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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TeensReadToo

Posted November 2, 2008

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Reviewed by Voracious Reader for TeensReadToo.com

Can you solve the mystery?

James Dashner's first story in his new THE 13TH REALITY series, THE JOURNAL OF CURIOUS LETTERS, revolves mainly around a young boy named Atticus (or "Tick" as he likes to be called).

Tick's adventure begins when he arrives home to find a cryptic letter giving him riddles on something that is supposedly going to save the lives of people around him. Intrigued, he begins his investigation, and, gaining a few friends along the way, tries to dismantle the riddles given to him in a series of thirteen letters.

With quirky characters and an engaging, humorous plot, Mr. Dashner also manages to include a little about Quantum physics that will hopefully cause the reader to question further.

The best thing about the book is that although it is magic, it incorporates reality effectively, which makes it more believable. Which, in turn, makes it easier to lose yourself within the story.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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sjskogerboe

Posted January 23, 2011

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"The Journal of Curious Letters" by James Dashner :: The 13th Reality

"The Journal of Curios Letters" What a great name, huh? Journal. Curious Letters. The. But I digress. *** Atticus "Tick" Higginbottom is a strange boy, there's no question about that. Quiet, constant target of the school bully, always clinging to his scarlet "Barf Scarf", and, weird as it is, he actually likes science?! So we have established that Tick is not, in most ways, normal. But to make it all even stranger, he starts getting these letters. Letters addressed from all over the world: Japan, Alaska, Kansas. All of them are written by the same "MG", and all of them contain clues. To what, there is no mention. The only other information given? Many lives are at stake. *** James Dashner, author of "The Maze Runner", has written another classic. I, personally, loved "The Maze Runner", and hope to do a review on it soon. Both of his aforementioned pieces have masses of potential, "TMR" is already being made into a movie. "The Journal of Curious Letters", I predict, will soon follow its predecessor.
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felmarrah

Posted April 9, 2010

An amazing book!

When i first got this book it seemed boring but then after about the first chapter or so i was so absorbed in it that i could just not put it down. I stayed up late reading this book so in the morning i couldn't get up. But i felt like the characters needed an edge to them or something, but overall a super book!
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Anonymous

Posted September 7, 2009

I Also Recommend:

Sci Fi Fantasy Novel for teens!!!

this book is amazing! Besides the magic in many novels, the whole universe of the story is based on quantum physics! It's educational, thrilling, mysterious, and funny all in one book!
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Anonymous

Posted May 17, 2009

I Also Recommend:

Great new fantasy series

For all those readers who love the Keys to the Kingdom series by Garth Nix, Skullduggery Pleasant, Bartimaeus Trilogy, Artemus Fowl and Gregor books, YOU WILL LOVE THIS ONE!
James Dashner has created a great fantasy story that has adventure, action, twists, and a plot that keeps you flipping back and forth as you try to figure out the "code"

Book two - Hunt for Dark Infinity, continues the great pace and story line
Pick it up and enjoy

Surprisingly satisfying for adults as well!!
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read4ever

Posted May 5, 2009

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I Also Recommend:

A Masterpiece!

This book was packed full of mystery, adventure, fantasy, mind-boggling riddles and much more. Do not miss experiencing the thrill of reading this book. It was a masterpiece that was made by James Dashner, who will continue to create great novels for the adolescent.
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Koneko_no_Yami

Posted April 25, 2009

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I Also Recommend:

Middle of the Road Kid's Fantasy

The 13th Reality is a kids fantasy series masquerading as science fiction - sort of. The characters are quite typical of this sort of series, down-trodden male protagonist (Tick), spunky female protagonist (Sophia), etc. The secondary characters tend to resemble Harry Potter characters with slight changes (Hagrid is female). The primary factor that 13th Reality has going for it is its SF tinge; it all comes down to Quantum Physics (keewpy). This first volume is decently written, though not raptly engaging. Very similar books have done the same idea better. I recomend this for those who are devouring every kids fantasy, and can't get enough.
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Amajorbibliophile

Posted April 10, 2009

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Non-Stop Action!

"The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters," by James Dashner is a story full of mystery, humor, suspense, and non-stop action! While the clues keep you pondering what the answers are and reading constantly to find out what is going to happen next, the humor keeps you laughing, and the suspense keeps you trembling, feeling like you are right beside Tick on his strange roller-coaster ride of a life!
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storiesforchildren

Posted April 9, 2009

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good sense of adventure

Will you join Atticus "Tick" Higginbottom and his friends on an amazing adventure through time and space also known as the "Realities"? What if you had to make a choice right here and now which had a significant consequence and could alter reality as you know it?
In the first book of the 13th Reality series this is exactly what Tick and his friends find themselves facing. At thirteen years old, Tick has to make a choice and whatever he chooses could change the future or should I say the future of an alternate reality.
This isn't the first book by James Dashner, but it by far one of his best. With 12 postmarked letters coming from all over the world to Tick, each containing a clue as to how he can help save the world and those he loves. But what is he saving his family from? And who is this M.G. sending the letters? Dashner doesn't miss a beat-from riddles to mathematical problems kids will find themselves being drawn into Atticus "Tick" Higgnbottom's reality.
But it's not all fun and games. Tick doesn't know it yet, but M.G. has a very serious enemy and she doesn't want anyone helping or joining M.G. From Gnat Rat's to a crazy hit man, Tick must discover the magical words and prove he is willing to help. However, Tick can't do it alone, but who can he turn to? He doesn't have any friends. Well . . . where else would a thirteen year old turn . . . the internet and his dad.
Finding his not alone, and having the trust and support of his dad, Tick is ready to face the unknown, solve M.G's riddles, and join his new found friends (via the internet) on one crazy quest into the 13th reality.
I truly enjoyed reading The Journal of Curious Letters. The conflict and action are nonstop. The characters are well developed. The storyline complex yet entertaining. However, I did find the jumping around of character point of view a little annoying and distracting. I felt it was a weak way to explain details which could have easily been dropped into the storyline through dialog and observation from the main character . . . Tick. But, putting that one flaw aside, I feel children will enjoy reading The 13th Reality series. James Dashner won't disappoint those who have a curious mind, sense of adventure, and love for science.
Stories for Children Magazine editor, VS Grenier
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Anonymous

Posted January 7, 2009

I Also Recommend:

the 13th Reality

The 13th reality is a great book for anyone who doesn't enjoy reading. It is action packed and filled with suspense and wonder. I give it a 10 out of 10.
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Anonymous

Posted January 1, 2009

It was AWESOME!!!!!!! i CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought it was fun and exciting to see where the next letter would take him.
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Anonymous

Posted May 29, 2008

it blow me all the way to the 100th reality!!

it didnt take me long to finish it but it is not better than harry potter, twilight is 2 percent better maybe 100 hahahha i love this book.
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Anonymous

Posted June 1, 2008

Don't miss this one!

Another great series has begun! The characters are extremely likeable and the book has mystery, action, and humor. I liked the author's writing style and will defintely read the next book when it comes out!
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Anonymous

Posted April 13, 2008

Harry Potter is goin down! & that's sayin somethin

Harry Potter is almost nothing compared to this--although I still love HP books. Tick is so much like me, I just couldn't believe it. This book is for someone who loves comedy mixed with excitement and action and loves to solve riddles. I just had to think about the riddles, but I didn't because I couldn't/wouldn't put the book down. When I bought it, I started reading it and the first thing I thought was, 'Hey, this is like Leven Thumps!' That's good because I love that series. I could hardly put it down, but I had to because we were in a hotel and my parents were tired and turned out the lights. However, I finished it the next day, and it was awesome! I totally recommed this book. Dashner is now my all time favorite author and he has inspired me to write. I just hope my book can be as good as his, if that's possible. If you haven't read it, go to your nearest bookstore and buy it. Now! It's the best book I've ever read. Thank you Dashner for writing this book instead of just making it a figment of your imagination and keeping it there. My favorite part is when Tick sends everyone home with a Barrier Wand that doesn't have its Chhi'karda Drive. My mouth dropped open in awe. It's awesome! :D
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Anonymous

Posted February 21, 2008

A reviewer

The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters by James Dashner was another book that I managed to snag from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program (3 books in 2 months I couldn't believe my luck!). This book is as different from those others as night is to day and was the perfect read after the seriousness of my last book, The Translator by Daoud Hari. The Journal of Curious Letters is the first book in a series and the central character is a boy name Atticus ¿Tick¿ Higginbottom. Tick is a mostly normal 13 year old boy who is a bit too smart for his age and has trouble dealing with bullies. In essence, Tick is living the life of the average American teen. That is until he receives a strange letter in the mail that sets him on a path that will change all that he thought he know about the world around him. No, Tick is not some long lost heir to a faerie throne and there is no great and wondrous that that only he and he alone can do. Tick can chose at any time to change his course. To not read the letters. To not go to a dark cemetery late at night to be whisked off to who knows were. Yes, danger lurks just around the corner. Tick knows this and he decides to turn the corner anyway because sometimes the bigger picture takes more priority then the comfort of a single person. The main theme of this book is one of choice and the power that each choice a person has to shape not just their life but also the lives of those around them. Overall I really enjoyed this book and know that if I was teen reading it I'd be hard at work trying to figure out all the clues as they arrived. But as I am old(ish) and wake up at 5 AM most mornings, I decided to just sit back and follow along as Tick solved the clues for me as I rode the train into the city. One plus about this book (or negative depending on how you look at it) is that it made laugh out loud at some sections. How can this be negative you ask? Well, try riding on a crowded train tucked in your own little world iPod in and suddenly laughing. Yeah, you get looks. Mostly odd looks, some slightly amused ones and some downright dirty ones (usually coming from the person sitting next to me who I may or may not have woken up from their morning/evening nap). The science geek in me also really liked all the science talk. With luck this story will show kids that science really is fun. =) As with most first books in a series the story was a little slow to start. There was a whole lot of build up with the receipt of the letters and the figuring out of the clues (which took up the bulk of the book) that when Tick and the other kids who choose to stick it out finally all came together to learn the why of it all that last quarter section seemed just a little rushed. I almost would have liked to have seen more time spent in the 13th reality...but I suppose that will come with the next book(s?) in the series and I will just have to work on learning patience in the meantime. There were also times in which the dialog between characters seemed a little repetitive and unreal to me....but then to be repetitive is a flaw of many people I know (myself included). The character of Mothball also bothered me a little, no so much her but more her way of speaking. There were too many 'methinks', 'it is's' and similar such phrases tossed at the end of almost every sentence she spoke. It got a little grating at times so thankfully she left most of the talking to those around her. The final small issue I had with this book/series is that I think it might give me an irrational fear of the color yellow. But as yellow just washes me out and makes me paler then I already am, this might not be such a bad thing....
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Anonymous

Posted February 21, 2008

A reviewer

James Dashner's 'The 13th Reality Series' is off to a thrilling start in the book The Journal of Curious Letters! The reader is introduced to Atticus Higginbottom, nicknamed Tick, a budding genius who receives a mysterious letter informing him that he has been chosen to help with an important mission - if he is willing to solve clues presented to him in subsequent letters. As the story unfolds, Tick embarks on an exciting adventure and is met with a unique cast of characters along the way. The world Dashner creates for this novel is a fresh mix of witty teen literature and science fiction. The characters range from believable young adults and supportive parents to a broad range of fantasy-world sidekicks and villains. The brain-teasers and science aspects of the story will hopefully encourage young readers to engage their minds in the book. Part of the fun in reading it is certainly the challenge of solving the puzzles before the protagonists. Another great aspect of this novel was that the main characters were not heroes because of some magical destiny. Each one had the choice to pursue greatness in the face of dangers and I think the lessons of courage and responsible choices will resonate with young adult readers. Overall, The Journal of Curious Letters is a delightful book that will leave audiences of all ages eager for the next installment of what looks to be a very promising new series!
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Anonymous

Posted February 21, 2008

A reviewer

The 13th Reality: the Journal of Curious Letters is the first in a series by James Dashner. We follow the adventures of Atticus Higginbottom, or Tick as he likes to be called, as he begins to receive mysterious letters in the mail with clues as to a secret, magical ritual that he will need to perform that will help save the lives of many people. With no idea who is sending the letters or how to perform the ritual other than the enigmatic clues hidden in the letters he receives, Tick must discover the secret to the ritual and where and when to perform it. Gaining some friends along the way, Tick overcomes many obstacles to complete his mission and save the day. To put it simply, I really enjoyed this book. Reading this as an adult, I didn't find it a particularly challenging book, but I know that when I was younger I would have loved this book just as much, if not more. Not being a parent, I can't always comment on how these books would be perceived by children, but there was one aspect of this book that immediately stood out to me from other books in the genre. In most kids books today, the protagonists are always the same age as the target audience, which is expected, but the kids always feel the need to keep their adventures secret from their parents or the adults most capable of helping them. I suppose the idea is to instill a sense of independence in kids, to give them the feeling that they can do anything, and that's a great attribute to instill in kids. It's what I'd want to do if I were a parent. However, it seems that sometimes this idea that kids need to keep secrets from the adults around them is taken to new levels in some books. What I liked about The Journal of Curious Letters is that Dashner did away with that stereotype and had Tick go to his dad and explain what was going on, and his dad took an active role in the story and the process of discovering the secret behind the mystery. Granted, they then kept the whole secret from Tick's mom, but the idea that Tick appreciated the fact that an adult's input would help him really stood out to me. I thought that this was a nice departure from the norm that Tick's dad allowed him to be independent and follow through with his mission while being there as a support system for his son. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of the typical young kids books notions in The 13th Reality: like many protagonists, Tick's name is unusual, he's considered an outcast in school, he has an unusual physical feature that we wants to keep hidden, he gains a select number of friends around his same age to join in the adventure there are secrets galore, a mysterious villain, mental and physical challenges, but he always overcomes these obstacles. The scientific part of the mystery I think will help the book appeal to a wider range of kids, too. My only real complaint would be that the buildup of the story throughout the book seemed a little long in comparison to the actual ending. I feel that with such a large buildup there could have been more fleshing out of the final battle it just all seemed a little rushed to me. Either the buildup could have been shortened in some way, or there could have been more time spent on the final sequence with the kids in the 13th Reality. I think the characters could have been developed a little bit more, but this is the first book, so I can excuse that. There's always room in the following books to explore their backgrounds. I don't know that The 13th Reality series will be a runaway success like some others, but based on the first book, I can't imagine that it will be disregarded either. I think The Journal of Curious Letters, and the series as a whole, should appeal to both kids and adults who enjoy kids books equally. I anxiously await Tick's continuing adventures in the Realities.
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Anonymous

Posted March 22, 2008

The 13th's Reality: A Tremendously Fun Book

When Atticus ¿Tick¿ Higginbottom receives a cryptic letter in the mail, he is challenged to embark on a puzzling journey where life and death ¿ including his own ¿ hang upon the answers he and a few brave others uncover. Tick¿s brilliance, inventiveness, and courage are tested to the limit in solving the Curious Letters, which foreshadow a threat not only to the world, but to all Realities beyond. ¿The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters¿ is an engaging, funny story with elements of originality that differentiate it from much of mainstream middle grade fantasy. The story includes two fairly clear sections or stages, each of which blends mystery and suspense with action. The first half of the book is primarily driven by the mysterious letters Tick receives in the mail and the enigmatic clues they contain. Each clue adds instant intrigue and tension to an already well-paced story. Also, kids will have a terrific time trying to figure out the solutions to the clues before characters. Reading the book actually becomes a kind of friendly competition. As Tick begins to more fully realize what is going on, and how great the stakes of his little mystery truly are, the action kicks into higher and higher gear until the climax, which works well as a jumping point to the rest of the series. Dashner¿s style contains liberal doses of humor that sometimes add insight and a genuine childlike quality to his protagonist. Also, the book¿s portrayal of family is refreshing for several reasons. Not only does Dashner not rely on the overused trope of abandonment or displaced parentage for the child protagonist, but he also creates an authentic-feeling family unit where parents and children feel and show genuine respect and regard for one another. This adds a very healthy aspect to what is by-and-large a story meant to entertain and thrill. Dashner¿s grounding of magical feel and milieu in scientific principle adds unique texture to the story while encouraging interest in science and physics, another positive factor for many parents. While clearly calibrated for children, the plot and characters of this lively story will appeal to many adults as well. This makes ¿The 13th Reality¿ a wonderful family book that all can enjoy, a fine parallel to the message the book tries to portray. Few who buy this book will find themselves disappointed with the decision.
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