Questions can be tricky things. Everyone has their own way of dealing with them. India Tompkins can charm her way out of answering most of them. Finn Tompkins is too quiet to be asked in the first place. And Mouse Tompkins? She’s a genius—she’s used to having all the answers.
But when they find themselves trapped in Falling Bird—a city seemingly without logic—the Tompkins kids are facing a whole slew of impossible questions, all demanding answers, and not even Mouse knows how to solve these.
How do you find your way home when you aren’t even on the map? What’s the fastest way to wrap your brain around a problem when time itself keeps getting away from you? And if your life at home wasn’t perfect, can you be sure you really want to go back?
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"I really liked this book. It's meant for young readers, and the girls and I started out reading it together. But it's weird. You don't know where you are or what's happening. I could see it better than they could (in third grade), but it really amazed me that Choldenko would go there in a book for young readers. The girls never finished. I'm going to try to re-introduce it."
— Carrie (4 out of 5 stars)
" Should this be 3.5 stars? I'm not sure. I liked it, though. I'll have to think about it more. I really liked how the story developed between India and Mouse, and the ending was just lovely and interesting. "
— Miri, 2/17/2014" This is bound to be one of the talked about books this year. I was reminded of A Wrinkle in Time as three siblings find themselves in a time-bending adventure that tests the binds of family. The ending absolutely floored me - I didn't see it coming and it provided the story a dream-like reality. "
— Sue, 2/1/2014" This book went from "really good" to "what the heck??" I was almost ready to say "This is at the top of my list." Now it's just "This would make a nice door stop!!" "
— Stephen, 1/15/2014" Loved the Tompkins kids and was enjoying their interactions and dilemma until it went sci-fi on me. "
— Kim, 1/11/2014" Interesting, a bit strange at times, but kept me reading until the end! "
— Kim, 1/10/2014" An interesting children's book. Different from anything I've read. "
— Kelle, 1/7/2014" Disappointed- thougth the ending was a little rushed. "
— Mercy, 12/30/2013" Weird book. But then again, that's kind of the point. "
— Sandy, 12/25/2013" Weird-that's all I can say. "
— Adriane, 12/4/2013" Told in three voices this is fabulous! Good study on how to write distinct voices between characters. The six year old voice is clearly a six year old and is still written at a middle grade level - unbelievable. "
— Mary, 10/28/2013" Excellent characterizations, fun concept, humor with heart. :) "
— Danyelle, 8/15/2013" It was an interesting book. "
— Liz, 5/18/2013" Loved this. I couldn't put it down. Three kids are sent on a airplane to live with their uncle in Colorado. When they land, things get very strange. They don't know what is happening, but try to adapt to their new environment, but also trying to get to their uncle. "
— Toni, 1/3/2013" I really was hooked on this story and thought I had it all figured out halfway through. I just found the technique of mixing reality with dreaming and the subconscious to tell a story very compelling. "
— Kathy, 7/11/2012" It was really easy to read, but it draws you in- I didn't want to stop reading! "
— Sam, 6/28/2012" This book really confused me. I didn't understand it. One minute they're in love with their mansions, next they're running away from them. I expected way mo because of the success of Al Capone Does My Shirts. "
— Sir, 6/16/2012" I loved the unpredicatable plot, it kept me reading to guess see what would happen next. This is a fast read about three children who board a plane only to land in an crazy city where the kids have to figure how to return home. The author did an especially nice job of handling the ending. "
— Katelin, 6/7/2012" Good, reminded me of the show "Lost." A bit macabre and confusing to the kids. Harder to follow on tape, although nice hearing the different voices. Don't think I'd recommend it as a BES. "
— Nan, 3/6/2012" Though this looks like an easy read I think it will be a lot of fun. Can't wait to dive in. "
— Ali, 12/14/2011" will pass along to my 11 yr. old "
— Angela, 5/17/2011" Really enjoyed this book. Left me with lots to think about. "
— Matt, 5/12/2011" Umm...so are these kids dead? Is this Lost? This book lost me and I LOVE GENNIFER CHOLDENKO! <br/> "
— Emily, 5/10/2011" I liked the fact the story was told from all three kids' perspectives. It just seemed like there was a whole lot crammed into one book. I think the author could have easily expanded this into a three/ four book series and really delved into the "other world" "
— K.Lee, 5/8/2011" starts out interesting but go too heavy handed and i didn't even want to finish is. "
— Carla, 5/3/2011" India, Finn and Mouse are told they have 24 hours to pack. They are moving to their Uncle's house because the their house has been foreclosed on. They are to fly alone, because mom needs to stay behind for her job. The plane takes off for Colorado, but it definitely does NOT land there! "
— Kim, 5/3/2011" A good kids' book, although some of it was a bit unclear. I loved the sci-fi aspect of it and the ending, but some of the things just didn't make sense. "
— Melissa, 5/1/2011" Well, it was like a really long, disjointed nightmare. I kinda figured it out about 3/4 of the way through. Interesting and scary idea. I'd pass on this one. "
— Barb, 4/25/2011Gennifer Choldenko is an author and illustrator. She is the author of several children’s books, including Notes from a Liar and Her Dog, named a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, and Al Capone Throws Me a Curve, named a Newbery Honor book. She received a BA degree from Brandeis University, graduating cum laude with honors, and a BFA in illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design. She was the youngest in a family of four kids, and her quirky sense of humor made its debut at the dinner table when she was very young.
Becca Battoe is a film and television actor, as well as an audiobook narrator. Her film roles include appearances on television shows such as Scrubs and Invasion. Other roles include Equity stage performances in Cats, Ug the Caveman Musical, and Shadow Hour. An AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator, she is best known for her narration of the bestselling Fifty Shades Trilogy by E. L. James. She currently lives in Los Angeles.
Jesse Bernstein is an audiobook narrator and winner of seven AudioFile Earphones Awards. His many works include The Battle of the Labyrinth, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Girls, Chasing Windmills, and Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson Series.
Tara Sands is an American actress, television host, and voice talent who has won numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards for narration. She is former cohost of Fridays on the Cartoon Network. In addition to performing in plays and musicals, her voice can be heard on numerous commercials, audiobooks, cartoons, and video games.