Series Introduction: Peculiar Children by Ransom Rigg - Conference of the Birds
By Elianor Kapelevich and Nicole Zhang
The Peculiar Children series follows the lives of a group of children with unusual talents (from shapeshifting, to influencing the essence of time). The first novel follows 16 year-old Jacob as he is drawn into the lives of the peculiars by his deceased grandfather’s legacy. As Jacob too is unfamiliar with the world, Riggs introduces the reader to the characters slowly, through a foreign lens.
Miss Peregrine is one of the most significant characters in the series. She is a kind and exceptionally strong woman. She serves to protect the children from hollows - monsters who are shadows of human life... and who seek the peculiar children to kill them. Riggs draws the reader into a world of fantasy, mystery, and excitement as the children are faced with the challenge of defeating the Hollows.
The stakes and plot twists that change the course of the narrative make the series a captivating read. The originality and excitement of the plot, as well as the character relationships, are some of the aspects that make the series so special and enjoyable.
The books are accompanied by eerie and realistic photographs of the “peculiar children”; makes them haunting and strangely believable. These photos are also depicted on the cover pages. The story is well-researched and ties neatly into history by “expanding” on the reader’s knowledge of World War II. The children are fascinating and heart-warming - especially the younger few – and develop strong connections with each other as they are forced to fend for their lives.This series plays with the concept of time in a unique and surprising way, while playing with your expectations for the narrative. The books can be enjoyed by anyone, but are primarily aimed at boys and girls older than 12 years old.
The Conference of the Birds is the fifth book in the series, continuing Jacob’s arc and adventures with the peculiars as he seeks to avenge and secure his grandfather’s legacy. The book follows the story of Jacob as he tries to save a girl called Noor from a prophecy that she is trapped in- a prophecy that hints the coming of an apocalypse. With Hollows behind him and an unknown future ahead, Jacob must find the courage to save both Noor and himself from a potentially life-threatening situation.
Try this series if you find it interesting, or pick up the latest addition from the SIC if you have been following along. Here are the titles in the series:
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