I'm Nobody: The Lost Pages by Alex Marestaing

A complimentary review copy was provided to me.

As a child, my mom signed me up for a Just for Girls book club. I remember having the opportunity to read what I thought were really good books. I still have those books and hope that someday, that my daughter will enjoy them - although, I do worry that some of those books might seem 'dated' to today's generation. I also have several other classics that I loved as a child that I want to share with her. For my son, I am a bit at a loss - I'm pretty sure that Anne of Green Gables and Little House on the Prairie will not appeal to him. We have found some wonderful series for him, but I am always on the hunt for other books and authors for him. So, when I got the chance to review I'm Nobody: The Lost Pages, I decided it would be a good opportunity to preview a potential book for him. The book is recommended for ages 9-12.

I will be honest, it took me a while to get started in the book. I am not really sure why, but I found myself reading a page or two and then getting distracted. I would come back and again, only read a page or two. It really wasn't until about Chapter 3 that I got to a point where I finally started to be pulled in and wanted to learn more about Caleb. I found myself wondering, what was real, what was in his imagination - and wanting to read more to help solve this mystery surrounding him. I really wanted to better understand the back story and how he came to be a 'prisoner' of his own home for 7 years, afraid to go outside and enclosed in a house where the curtains were always drawn. The author provided this detail in progression as the story unfolded. I found myself cheering for him as he began to finally adventure outside and slowly come to not only spend time outside of his home but began to interact with others outside of his family and even develop a friendship with Iris. As he ventured out, he was finally able to start to remember things about his sister and allow himself to move forward.

I enjoyed the book - it was definitely different than the typical book that I read, but it was a good story that made me think about the power of friendship and importance of grieving. The characters felt real and the story progressed nicely - once I got past the first two chapters - and I read it all in one morning. The author used vivid details in describing the settings of the story - as an example he described the comforter that used to be on Caleb's sister's bed - " the fluffy green comforter that practically devoured his sister in its warm and cozy arms". There were some points that were a little confusing - like a voracious reader that didn't connect the name Emily Dickinson with that of the poet, but looking beyond the little things, it was still a good book.

My son is on summer break now and is already balking at the idea of having to read over the summer, but I will suggest this book to him and wonder what his response will be to the characters of Caleb and Iris.

About the book:

We're all broken on this side of heaven, but we can make beautiful things from the pieces. Agoraphobic Caleb Reed is about to step outside for the first time in seven years, meet indie filmmaker Iris Elliott . . . and definitely not fall in love. It's all because of the notes, the weird and wonderful notes he keeps finding on his front porch, notes signed by someone claiming to be long dead poet Emily Dickinson. Caleb's parents think he's losing his mind, as always, but he knows they're wrong. Something's going on outside --- something strange, something terrifying . . . something beautiful.

Read the EPIC Award nominated novel that critics are saying is "fresh", "powerful" and "unlike anything" they've read. In a world full of anxiety, I'm Nobody: The Lost Pages is a triumphant tale of faith over fear and one that kids and grown-ups of all ages will love. (A London Book Festival Honorable Mention Winner)

Purchase a copy here.

About the author:

Author Alex Marestaing loves to create. He's written for media outlets such as The Walt Disney Company, Lego, Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins, and The Los Angeles Times and has authored three YA novels. His latest, I'm Nobody: The Lost Pages, recently won an honorable mention at the London Book Festival and was nominated for a 2014 Epic Award. Though he spends most of his time imagining ideas for the youth market, he's also written for faith based publications and has covered his favorite sport, soccer, in Europe and the U.S. for Sports Spectrum Magazine and Yanks Abroad. When Alex isn't writing or speaking at conferences, you'll most likely find him hanging out in California with his wife, three kids, and Milou, his dog.

You can find the author on Twitter, Facebook and his website.

No compensation was received for this review. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family. A complimentary review copy was provided to me.