THE WINNER OF a National Book Award, a Newbery Honor, and countless other awards has written her richest, most spirited book yet, filled with characters that readers will love, and never forget. Jane is 12 years old, and she is ready for adventures, to move beyond the world of her siblings and single mother and their house by the sea, and step into the “know-not what.” And, over the summer, adventures do seem to find Jane, whether it’s a thrilling ride in a hot-air balloon, the appearances of a slew of possible fathers, or a weird new friendship with a preacher and psychic wannabe. Most important, there’s Jane’s discovery of what lies at the heart of all great adventures: that it’s not what happens to you that matters, but what you learn about yourself. And don't miss Polly Horvath's Northward to the Moon, the sequel to My One Hundred Adventures.
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"I wish I had the book in front of me so I could quote some of the good lines in it. As usual, Polly Horvath is able to blend humor and longing so seamlessly that we are able to easily move from one emotion as a reader looking in on a scene and as a reader feeling what the characters are feeling. The plot is not as "out there" as some of her other books, but it has its moments. The ending may appear to be a little pat but in fact it opens up so many new possibilities for the characters that I wanted the story to just keep going. Jane's adventures may not seem that adventuresome to some folks, but I thought they were great!"
— Jean (5 out of 5 stars)
" i luv this style of writing. it makes reading this book realy fun "
— Brown, 2/16/2014" I am surprised that this book was listed as a children's book. It is about a 12 year old girl. But many of the themes are more adult. I would put it as a Young Adult book geared toward middle or high school and older. I found it rich and endearing. Jane is 12 and the oldest of four children. It's a wonderful depiction of being that age, the innocence and excitement of life at that age. I would recommend this book. Just as "Secret Life of Bees" was about a young girl and life around her, but written for adults, this book will probably speak more to adults than to children. "
— Vicky, 2/15/2014" This was a lovely book in some ways--beautiful setting, realistic characters. But something was missing for me. While reading it I kept thinking, as I often due while reading children's and YA books, "What child would want to read this?" and I could not answer that question. Overall I liked it, but it's not a book I'll likely think about again now that's it's finished. "
— Beck, 2/6/2014" The story of Jane, a twelve year old girl, who wishes to have one hundred adventures. Well written, however, this would be for older readers because there are some issues concerning her mother having children with a few different men, which Jane doesn't quite get in the story, but as you read it, you can guess. Jane makes some mistakes over the summer, but then learns from them. A fun short read. "
— Tina, 2/4/2014" I had a hard time with this book. As with many books by Polly Horvath, it was hit and miss. On the one hand the story was very engaging. I loved the older female characters in the book, they were eccentric and vivid. On the other hand, the 12 year old narrator did not sound or feel 12 years old. I might have been more satisfied had Horvath chosen a 3rd person narration. The voice was very old, definitely adult. The effect, for me, was to make the intentional gaps in the girl's comprehension of what was going on, seem more like stupidity and less like childhood inexperience. Had the voice been younger these gaps would have reconciled. As it is, I had to keep reminding myself she was only 12. "
— Whitney, 1/29/2014" Easy read. Good story line "
— Katie, 1/28/2014" Just the kind of book i want all my kids to read when they are old enough. Well-written, and paced, but a little dull for an adult. "
— Clare, 1/5/2014" I like the writing, but I don't think this is a great book for young readers...supposedly it targets the 8-12 age group. I am excited for her other book though ("Everything on a Waffle") because she writes beautifully. "
— Tonya, 12/26/2013" you just need to keep reading it at first i thought it was boring but, it turned out to be a very good book "
— Emma, 12/24/2013" I found this book depressing. After reading such good reviews I expected to enjoy it. "
— Debbie, 12/6/2013" Hilarious and touching at the same time. I was laughing out loud for large portions of the book, but there were some bits that made me think as well. "
— Heather, 12/6/2013" cute and fast to read. "
— Kellie, 10/8/2013" i abandoned the book cuz it was a little too boring for me. i abandoned it more than halfway thru and it never got better. "
— Katie709, 7/28/2013" This was a sweet little book. I really enjoy Polly Horvath's writing. I just knew that I wanted to read it as soon as I saw it was hers. I didn't like it as much as I liked Everything on a Waffle but it was a fun read. I am still wondering what happened to the Hanger Man. "
— April, 5/29/2013" i thought that this book wads a classic. i love it. "
— Hannah, 1/31/2013" If you're up for some quirky stories, you'll love this! It is a good "summer" book as the main character--a teenager girl--prays to have 100 hundred adventures that summer in her small coastal town. I listened to this on CD and the narrator was great. "
— Alice-Anne, 12/13/2012" Jane, age 12, longs for adventures, maybe 100 of them. While she only gets 14, they all offer insights into understanding herself. A favorite author- unconventional, quirky, and never disappoints - in my opinion. "
— Ann, 10/28/2011" This book has valuable life lessons but sometimes I found it boring "
— Ally, 7/24/2011" Fantastic story. Wanted it to keep going. Wish it was an "adult" book so it wasn't so short and we could have delved a little deeper. Loved it. "
— Rose, 3/15/2011" A good book but I started to get tired of the adults in the book taking advantage of Jane. "
— Andrea, 3/15/2011" Lyrical. Which is to say that it's a children's book that will have difficulty finding an audience. Adults will appreciate the writing but I can't see a child or young adult really getting that into it. "
— LibrariAnne, 2/13/2011" Normally I love Polly Horvath--Everything on a Waffle is fabulous--but this book just left me cold. I thought it was boring, unfocused, and I really had a hard time getting into it. "
— Stephanie, 1/25/2011" I think this is meant to be a children's book, but I thought it was a bit too mature to be one, even though the narrator is a 12 year old girl. I quite enjoyed it though. It was very entertaining.... a fun read. "
— Alice, 12/30/2010" it was good till half way through "
— Neli, 12/16/2010" It was really good. Jane, who has just turned twelve wished for 100 advntures over the summer. She gets adventures, all right. Somehow, she gets tied into Nellie Phipps's "prophecy" and has possibly maimed a baby. Along with that, she encounters a list of possible fathers. "
— Brittany, 12/14/2010" I really enjoyed this book because it was fun and lighthearted. Jane is just looking for her 100 adventures to pass her time but she learns about growing up and being responsible for her actions along the way. A good coming of age book without the adult content which is sometimes questionable. "
— Shelley, 12/3/2010" i abandoned the book cuz it was a little too boring for me. i abandoned it more than halfway thru and it never got better. "
— Katie709, 10/3/2010" It's a nice cover.<br/><br/>***<br/><br/>Another "meh." Horvath's writing is very pretty, but the voice never felt right for the child. "
— Kaethe, 9/27/2010" you just need to keep reading it at first i thought it was boring but, it turned out to be a very good book "
— Emma, 8/17/2010" This book has valuable life lessons but sometimes I found it boring "
— Ally, 7/18/2010" This was one of my most delicious reads of 2009. "
— Anne, 7/16/2010Polly Horvath is one of the most highly acclaimed authors writing today. Her books include The Canning Season, a National Book Award winner and a YA Canadian Book of the Year; Everything on a Waffle, a Newbery Honor Book; The Trolls, a National Book Award finalist; My One Hundred Adventures, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, a Booklist Editors’ Choice, and a Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Book of the Year; and Northward to the Moon, an Oprah’s Book Club Kid’s Reading List selection. She lives with her family in British Columbia.
Tai Alexandra Ricci is an audiobook narrator whose readings include the Red Blazer Girls series by Michael D. Beil.