A Door in the WoodsBy: James Dashner
Publisher: Bonneville Books
Publish Date: June 2003
Genre: Fiction, Young, young adult (Age Range 9-12)
Series: This is the 1st book in the Jimmy Fincher Saga. (From what I can see there are 4 books in this saga.)
Recommendation: Yes, for the young reader looking for a little fantasy and mystery.
First Sentence:
Before I begin the story that will change your life forever, I guess I should introduce myself.
Book Synopsis:
JIMMY FINCHER ENTERED THE DARK WOODS ON A DAY LIKE ANY OTHER...
But what he sees there changes his perception of reality and sets off a chain of events that explodes in a torrent of suspense and excitement. An ancient legend come to life. A conspiracy of madmen. Strange portals to other worlds. Villains named everything from Raspy to Shadow Ka.
And behind it all is the old wooden door, lying deep in the forest by Fincher's home.
THERE. THE WORLD WILL CHANGE FOREVER.
My Review and Summary:
Let me just start with a little background on what happens when I have a new book:
When I start reading a book, get part of the way through or to about a quarter of the way my son starts asking me questions on it.
My son always asks, "Mom, What book are you reading?"
I answer with whatever the name of the book is.
My son always asks, "Do you like it? What is it about?"
Lately, I answer with "Yeah, I like it." or "Yes, this is really good." then tell him a quick thought on what the book is about.
My son religiously askes, "Oh, maybe I can read it when you are done?"
Now, this is where I usually look up from my book and say, "No, this book is for adults. It's a little old for you." (Please keep in mind my son is 10. Going on 30.)
So you have to imaging his surprise and delight when I was reading this book and we where doing our normal ritual and my answer this time was "Yes, I think you would enjoy this one." The kids eyes just light up, and all he could say was, "Really!?!"
This was a really quick and easy read for me. I enjoyed following the beginning to Jimmy Fincher's tale. The author caught my attention in the first paragraph when Jimmy mentions he cannot be destroyed. I was curious to see how this all would play out. It was a nice adventure to get to the end of this book.
Jimmy was a normal 14 year old by with a Mom, Dad, and an older brother living in a town called Duluth, Georgia. Until the day he was climbing a tree and saw a man dragging a woman fighting into the woods, then she just vanishes. Where did she go? And why is this man... Oh, Jimmy nows this man... The whole story just takes off from here.
Jimmy is sent by his dad to find an old friend, not knowing exactly where this friend lives or what he looks like, whos name is Joseph. Then he is told by his dad to be scared, that being scared will keep him alive.
On page 3 of the book there was one paragraph I just loved and really made me look forward to the fun tale that was going to be told with a childs view and discription on things, which does make it easy to see knowing what a kid sees.
"Before I begin, there are things to say. You must prepare yourself. The world is not what you think it is, and the nightmares that sometimes wake you in the middle of a storm may be truer than you think. Every novel you've ever read may not be as fictional as you thought. If I have learned anything, it is that nothing is beyond possible or belief. The world as I once knew it has turned upside down, and I've finally realized that the phrase "truth is stranger than fiction" is not just a stupid cliche.""
**I do want to thank The_Writer's_Notebook for reviewing this book first, or I would have never found this little book. My son is just going to love this too.
