LitPick Review
The Hellandback Kids: Be Careful What You Wish For is about four siblings, Chris, Brittany, Trisha, and Jon, who are sent to their Grandmother's house in Scotland over the summer. Maybe it's the ghost of their Grandfather that keeps showing up, or the chicken that magically appears in Britanny's room, or the wax bride that disappears from Trisha's, but soon enough the four realize that something wierd is going on. That realization is only enforced when each of them is sent spiraling into a new world; Trisha to a handsome suitor wanting to suck the life from her, Brittany to bubonic-plague infested England, Jon to an important corporate job, and Chris to a strange, cold land inhabited by the fuzzy, green Bundlebobs. Although they are all struggling through their own adventures, the Hellandback kids find time to help each other, and learn an important lesson: Be careful what you wish for.
Opinion:
The Hellandback Kids: Be Careful What you Wish For was a very original story that followed diverse characters in a fun, imaginative plot. The story started out a little slow, but the adventures quickly speeded up and drew me into to the Hellandback kid's exciting summer. I enjoyed the large amount of symbolism included in the story, especially Mr. Mole, Mr. Rat, Mrs. Lips and Mr. Windbag who worked in the corporate world with Jon. The author definitly drove home her message of being careful for what you wish for well with four examples that allow readers of different ages and personalities to relate to the theme. The ending tied up all the immediate loose ends, but still left me with enough questions to warrant a sequel. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy and adventure, and has a good understanding of symbolism.
