As my quest to find good reading materials continues, it seems that there are less and less interesting books that I have not yet read cover to cover. Being an avid reader tends to do that, as most good books I have already read at least a dozen times. Yet an odd book caught my attention – one that my friend had been begging me to read for a while – so I finally gave in and it was well worth the read. The book, “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” by Ransom Riggs was truly a one of a kind and must read for anyone who enjoys a good book. Though not usually a fan of creepy books with even creepier pictures of little kids on several pages, I gave the New York Times Best Seller a chance, and in the end I really enjoyed it.

The novel is the story of Jacob, a kid who formed a special bond with his grandfather over the latter’s bizarre tales and photographs of creepy situations: levitating girls, invisible boys, and incredibly flexible little children.When Jacob turns sixteen, however, he suffers from his grandfather’s unexpected death. Just like in most stories, the old man’s death sets forth a chain of events that the young boy must go through to achieve clarity and understanding.

Suddenly, a mysterious letter appears to Jacob and causes him to go on a journey to a remote Welsh island where his grandfather had grown up. There Jacob finds the children, the actual real and alive children, from the photographs that he and his grandfather had shared all those years ago. The islanders, however, claim that those children were killed decades ago. Therein begins Jacobs journey as he begins to unravel more about his grandfather’s past while eluding a monster that only he can see.

“Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” is a haunting and original tale, whose first person narration and several dozen real photographs are both convincing and absorbing to the reader. Rigg definitely allows the reader to see every detail of the surroundings and the children as he expertly weaves through the story in an unforgettable tale. This book definitely surprised me and amazed me with the incredible plot twists and delightful story that kept you wrapped in mystery.

A fantastic read for anyone, this was by far my favorite book of the summer. Not only did it allow me to remain absorbed in the creative story that I will not find anywhere else, but it also broadened my reading horizons to a new genre that I will definitely be reading more of in the future. Rigg’s novel is a definite must read for anyone who wants something creepy but also genuinely intriguing to keep them occupied in the summer.