Olivia Kidney’s new apartment building is crazy! Talking lizards crawling everywhere. An exiled princess haunting the hallways. A tropical rain forest growing in 7B. Even an apartment made entirely of glass! Maybe Olivia’s father will get fired from his job as the building super, as he always does, and they can leave. But Olivia is tired of moving from place to place, from school to school. What she wouldn’t give for a little slice of sanity. And maybe a friend to share it with. In the tradition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Coraline comes a remarkable debut story that is quirky, fun, magical, and completely genuine. Ellen Potter offers a world where even the oddest characters feel right at home. “Olivia Kidney is absolutely delightful. I sat down to glance at the story one evening, was immediately drawn in, and ended up chuckling my way straight through in a single sitting, though not without a trace of jealousy. What a smashing debut for Ellen Potter!”—Bruce Coville, author of My Teacher Is an Alien
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"Although I "only" gave this book four stars, I will read the other books in the Olivia Kidney series. This book reminded me of a Polly Horvath novel--quite zany and eccentric, but good. I had to suspend disbelief for most of the book, but that's part of the fun."
— Kate (4 out of 5 stars)
" A slightly spooky book with some sentimentality. "
— Jennifer, 2/19/2014" really cute, a fun little read. i mean, it took me like 2 hours but it was still nice. "
— Emma, 2/19/2014" This was a cute, easy read. Olivia is trying to cope with the death of her brother (which the reader doesn't find out about until at least 1/2 way through the book). Fantasy story with lots of different crazy characters. Very fun read. "
— Tweller83, 2/6/2014" Good, I just randomly bought it thinking it looked a bit boring but turned out I was wrong, I liked it a lot and I had to read the next book an then the next. "
— Bridge, 1/31/2014" Oh my gosh, this book is so funny and brilliant and suspenseful. I love Olivia! "
— Kimberley, 1/29/2014" This book took a few chapters to get going, but it ended up to be a pretty good book. Seemingly unrelated stories pulled themselves together in, some predictable, some not, ways. "
— Ashley, 1/25/2014" 3 1/2 stars all the way! A delightfully quirky and heartwarming story! "
— Michelle, 1/21/2014" One of my favorite books growing up. I read this back in elementary school "
— Kelsey, 1/18/2014" This book was great!! It was a really quick read. "
— Zoe, 1/15/2014" I was slightly bored for the first half but slowly it picked up. Quirky characters, weird little adventures and a bit spooky and sad towards the end. "
— natercopia, 1/8/2014" Subject matter a little heavy, writing not that great. "
— Laila, 12/17/2013" THIS BOOK IS ABOUT A GIRL THAT IS LEARNING HOW TO SPEAK TO GHOSTS.HER DREAM IS TO SPEAK TO HER DEAD BROTHER.DOES SHE SUCCEED?DOES SHE GET WHAT SHE WANTS?YOU CAN FIND OUT...... "
— Jordan, 11/26/2013" This was odd and trippy. Olivia lives in an apartment building inhabited by magical tenants. Not magical in a fairyland rainbow way- darker than that. I think this would appeal to super imaginative kids who don't need a linear story but just want weird stuff to happen. "
— Librarian, 11/13/2013" I loved the detail and how it ended. "
— Kyla, 11/13/2013" I love this book! It is so creative. Imagine all of the quirky people you could meet in any city apartment building. Olivia really is a remarkable little girl. "
— Bonny, 8/6/2013" The greatest book since Alice in Wonderland. Is Olivia delirious? In denial? Psychic? You'll have to decide for yourself. The last few pages are worth the entire ride. Some of the smartest writing in Children's Literature today. "
— Kristy, 7/14/2013" My grand daughter enjoyed this book and I wanted to see what she liked. In the end, not a bad story. "
— ME, 12/21/2012" We all liked it but there's a rather ruthless pirate that likes to drown people and a couple of ghosts and it was a bit scary for my daughter who's a bit sensitive. It's all very absurdist and I think most kids would probably find it okay. "
— Jdiedrichs, 11/14/2012" Creative writing, Ms. Potter "
— ☆Expecto, 10/16/2012" Awesome books - not just this one - for any kid (or adult). Just such a great series. Olivia is one plucky kid and very self-assured. "
— Jessica, 8/4/2012" This book was bizarre. It only took a couple of hours to read. It was supposed to be Alice and Wonderland-ish but the author didn't pull it off very well. The way it all came together in the end was interesting and a little bit surprising but I wouldn't ever read this again. "
— Emily, 4/13/2012" Keep on keepin' on, Ellen Potter. "
— Kyla, 2/11/2012" Awesomer than awesome, but again, this has the same problem as the first book... Some parts just DON'T APPEAL to kids like me! "
— Anna, 3/21/2011" Spooky and Funny, what. Perfect for kids who likes Ghosts and Goons "
— Melissa, 3/19/2011" One of the first novels I've ever read. I wasn't such an avid reader back then, so this must be a good book if I finished it! "
— Emily, 12/22/2010" This is an awesome book about an exit academy. Teaches u how to die! Ellen Potter has a great imagination! "
— Bowoo, 9/19/2010" When I was younger my mom and I would read this together every night till we finished it... I thou8ght it was the best book in the world back then! :) "
— Erin, 7/1/2010" This was just ridiculous. It has crazy ideas, that I love, about things you wouldn't normally think about. "
— Jana, 5/21/2010" Interesting concept of the death process. Olivia Kidney is very likable. "
— Brett, 11/30/2009" Olivia and her father find themselves in a new home with a strange owner who seems to be up to no good. Slightly darker than the first Olivia Kidney, but still as fun and exciting. Fans of the first will be thrilled that Olivia's adventures are continuing. "
— Hilary, 11/4/2009" (Note: Same book as Olivia Kidney and the Exit Academy.) "
— Doofenshmirtz, 7/5/2009" I think it;s my favorite one. I liked it a lot. "
— Bridge, 4/29/2009" I liked it, very catching. I could barely put the book down when I was reading it. "
— Bridge, 4/29/2009" I'm becoming a huge fan of Ellen Potter . . . "
— Jane, 2/22/2009" The Olivia Kidney books, thus far, seem to get off to a slow start and then I can't put them down! Unique and imaginative and a little...weird, these books are a solid pick. "
— Ashley, 1/29/2009" This book was confusing at first but you will get it if you keep reading it. It is sort of a slow read. But you could try it. "
— Sydney, 11/2/2008" This book is the best book ever! I loved it so much that i was sad when i finished it!!!!!!!! "
— Emma, 4/6/2008" If you like ghost this book is for you. Even if you don't like ghost it is still a great book. "
— Amy, 3/17/2008Tara 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.