Book 4 Project

4 Reasons Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children has been on the best sellers list for 96 weeks.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is a book about one boys adventure through time to try and uncover the secrets of his grandfather’s past life. Jacob’s adventure includes a lot of crazy and unbelievable things and people. Being on the best sellers list for 96 weeks is a very long time and I uncovered why.

1.      The Mystery

From the beginning this book leaves you wondering what happens next and with so many unanswered questions it is easy to see why people wanted to keep reading this book. Jacob’s grandfather gave him a simple clue that left him searching the whole book. Right before Jacob’s grandfather died he said, “Find the bird. In the loop. On the other side of the old man’s grave. September third, 1940” (37). This is what started Jacob’s adventure and after all of the crazy stories his grandpa has told him there is no way Jacob would have turned down this opportunity.

2.      The Descriptions

Everything in this book is described in such detail that it makes it very easy to actually see what the author is describing. The first time Jacob went to visit the old house he described it as, “a doorless doorway, bearded with vines, gaping and black; an open mouth just waiting to swallow me” (84). You can practically see the dark and scary doorway Jacob is about to enter. One user on an online review website says, “’It was very creepy, exciting and really intriguing’…” (Giselle). I believe part of the reason people believe it is so creepy is because of the details and descriptions, they make you see what the author wants you to.

3.      The Characters

The characters in this book are very interesting and since they are “peculiar” they each have a different talent about them. You want to find out what each child can do and each time you find out a new child its exciting at it adds to the story. Every time Jacob visits the children he finds out something new about one of them for example, “’It’s from a mouse,’ he explained. ‘That’s what I can do—take the life of one thing and give it to another…’” (217). The characters keep you wanting to read and find out more about their crazy lives.

4.      The Action

This book is full of action to go along with the mystery. There isn’t a chapter that doesn’t have something insane going on. No matter what the situation Jacob always seems to find himself in some sort of issue. For example, “It pulled taut just as the mob reached it, and they went sprawling over it and into the mud, a tangled heap of flailing limbs” (139). In this scene, Jacob was being chased but with the help from his friend, Emma, he got away. That piece of action is only one of the many in that chapter alone, so it is no wonder people like the book.

With action, adventure, and mystery all in one it is easy for anyone to see why it has been on the best sellers list for so long. The way the characters come alive make up want to read more and find out what happens. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is really a best seller.