Who is Sam, and what do his strange dreams mean? The shock of icy water as a boat crashes onto rocks feels real; so does the castle high above him that is almost hidden in the mists. And what about the number eleven woven into all those dreams? The papers Sam finds in the locked box in the attic may hold the answers–if only he could read them. But to Sam, words are like spiders flexing their thin legs as they move across the page. Words are impossible. It’s wood that Sam understands, wood that he loves to shape and to build with. Caroline, the new girl, who bursts into Sam’s classroom one day and warns him that she’s not there to stay, helps build a castle with him, and reads those papers. Together they set out to discover who Sam really is and where he belongs.
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"I thought this would be a good book for 4-5th graders. It began with a mystery about a boy who can't read but learns that he may have been kidnapped. It has a fun adventure that two friends go on to try and solve the mystery. It would be a good book for a literature circle. "
— Trisha (4 out of 5 stars)
" very suspenseful, great author, reading another one of her's now "
— Liz, 2/15/2014" This book was very fascinating. I thought the author did an excellent job of hooking the reader right form the start and really keeping them guessing through the entire thing. I think this would be a great read for for a fourth-sixth grader. It might even be fun to do as a class read. Students could work on their prediction skills, or study the ways the author unravels the story a little at a time. "
— Jacqueline, 2/13/2014" Addtional appeal to kids with learning disabilities...Main character struggles with dsylexia. "
— Steph, 2/11/2014" Not the mystery I thought it would be. I t was a very good story of friendship and family. "
— Paula, 1/31/2014" This book was a great disappointment, with many of the same themes that Giff covered in the "Kids of the Polk Street School" series. That's especially unfortunate, because the overarching concept behind the book is such a good one. "
— Joe, 1/26/2014" this is a really wonderful story about friendship, finding oneself and has a great mystery intertwined--a quick read-read in one night--great for the 4th-8th grade reader and I really enjoyed it. Patricia Reilly Giff is an inspired writer. "
— Gretchen, 1/26/2014" It was a good, quick read. A tiny bit creepy too. Not the best book in the world. I still liked it. "
— Justine, 1/21/2014" Judging by the cover (which you are not supposed to do) I thought this would be more of a thrilling mystery -- along the lines of Skeleton Creek -- but it's quite tame, though still very intriguing. "
— Amanda, 1/18/2014" Cute, thrilling page-turner great for upper elementary grade students. A mix of the mystery of a missing boy and the tenderness of a grade-school friendship. "
— Angela, 1/16/2014" I really liked this book about a child who realizes his past holds some vague memories that just don't add up to his present. Can't wait to tell my kids about it! "
— Nancy, 1/10/2014" This book was entertaining but was a bit of a slow starter for me. It has a good story and enough suspense to keep the reader interested. I recommend it for some later grade readers. "
— Roger, 1/8/2014" I thought this book had a great beginning, and a decent ending but it was slow in the middle. I would like to see how kids respond to it...not sure? "
— Shar, 12/17/2013" Good, but I wanted to like it more than I did. The mysterious build up didn't quite pan out for me. "
— Glorilyn, 12/3/2013" Boy uncovers his past, that he lived in a foster home until rescued by grandfather. Has support and security of loving adult friends but doesn't relax until figures out meaning of number 11 in his memory. It was address of foster home. "
— Diane, 12/1/2013" I cried at the end of this book. "
— Joan, 11/30/2013" I really enjoyed this book, however, the number 11 wasn't what I was expecting. I thought there would be more to it. "
— Erika, 11/16/2013" -Sam is a boy who has trouble reading and when he finds a paper in the attic, he needs someone to help. He meets Caroline and together they try and find why the newspaper has a picture of him that says he is missing. "
— Olean, 11/11/2013" One Sentence Review: A pretty frustrating combination of Giff's typically stellar writing alongside one of the most forgettable stories I've encountered in a while. "
— Betsy, 11/3/2013" I thought this would be a good book for 4-5th graders. It began with a mystery about a boy who can't read but learns that he may have been kidnapped. It has a fun adventure that two friends go on to try and solve the mystery. It would be a good book for a literature circle. "
— Trisha, 3/14/2013" I agree with Cara's review. Also loved Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff better than this one. Cara's right...it's main theme is the gifts of family and friendship -- those who love and care for you. "
— Linda, 2/2/2013" This book was just okay. I thought it was cool how the author built the suspense. I do not think it will win the SSS award though. "
— Miss, 12/27/2012" The cover to this story really threw me off - I thought it was scary or dark, but it wasn't. It was a quick read with an interesting plot. I loves the relationship between Caroline and Sam. This could be a good book for predictions. "
— Megan, 11/16/2012" Really liked the ending of this one. Reminded me a little of Counterfeit Son but on a lower level. Not quite the same thing but good. "
— Tweller83, 8/8/2012" Love, family, friendship, belonging, and finding our talents. This book touched on these. The boys' talent was for wood working and that was really great. "
— Amy, 6/10/2012" Very well written and engaging. Well read, too. "
— Lia, 3/1/2012" I enjoyed the mystery and couldn't wait to find out what happened. However, I didn't think the writing was very good. It sounded very choppy. "
— Catherine, 8/24/2011" My 9 year old daughter got this one from school, and we read it together. It was a good story. "
— Lani, 8/8/2011" This is a really good book. I didn't give it the 5th star because the beginning seemed to be introduced awkawardly. Past the 6th or 7th chapter, you won't want to put it down! Really good!!! "
— Caleb, 7/5/2011" I totally forgot that I had read this until I started the first chapter. The cover looks like it's a horror mystery with kids walking over a bridge, and it's fooled me at least once. It's a very family-rich story about a boy who thinks he's been abducted by the man he believes to be his grandfather. "
— Beth, 6/11/2011" Struggling reader, Sam finds a newspaper clipping that suggests he was a missing child years ago. He and a new found friend at school work to uncover the mystery, even while Sam is not so sure he wants to know about his past. "
— Roxanne, 5/18/2011" In my opinion, it was lacking in terms of plot. "
— C9G7, 5/10/2011" Good book. I was expecting more of a wow ending. I was a good, sweet, ending. I was just thinking it would have ended differently. Fun and entertaining read. "
— Emily, 5/4/2011" Easy read and interesting plot. I finished this book in one day and while I did enjoy the story I was left wanting more. I wanted to get to know the charaters more and overall I wished there was more substance to this book. Good for readers who are developing their skills to read longer novels. "
— Allison, 5/1/2011" A great story of self worth and recoginition. I recommend this book to others. "
— Tim, 5/1/2011" I did not like this at ALL!Was interested about the newspaper but rather than that IT WAS HORRENDES LIKE SPOONS! <br/>9they can kill you ya now. "
— Madi, 4/29/2011" I enjoyed this story. I liked the characters - a lot. I loved Sam's ability to build even though he couldn't read. It showed that although he had a disability, he was intelligent in other areas. I'm glad he got to keep his cat and his Mack. "
— Catherine, 4/28/2011" Only one word describes this book... AWFUL! NO ONE READ THIS IT SUCKS! "
— Maddie, 4/27/2011" I think this is a good book for 4th grade- 6th grade. I am using it right now with a 6th grader I tutor and it is good book to work on predictions and asking questions. "
— Desiree, 4/24/2011" I really enjoyed this book. It kept me engaged and I couldn't put it down. THis would be great for older students that love mystery books. It also shines a light on the importance of reading. This may even be a good read aloud book for upper elem. "
— Sarah, 4/20/2011" I always like a book when they have a boy character who struggles with reading. "
— Siobhan, 4/19/2011" Everything in this book revolves around the number 11. Was an okay read but I wouldn't return to it. "
— Shelley, 4/4/2011Patricia Reilly Giff is the author of many beloved books for children, including the Newbery Honor books Lily’s Crossing and Pictures of Hollis Woods. She lives in Trumbull, Connecticut.