I was told good things about this book from multiple people, friends, family, librarians, but for some reason this book just was very difficult to get into.
Maybe it was just because the characters seemed shallow and lazy to me, or maybe it was because it didn't really seem like their was a main conflict, but this did not really appeal to me.
The idea is very creative and it was very well written and describe (this is the reason I have it two stars) but the delivery and characters were not all that great.
I'm sure others like it but personally this book just wasn't for me. ( )

What a fun, cool book. Freesia's world is perfect; her pet peacocks wake her every morning with a song; Mummy serves delicious meals daily, always with a smile on her face. She has her own "itty car", and a perfect circle of friends, all of which are as eye-catchingly beautiful as she. Her classes range from Glitter Eye-Makeup to Korean Fusion. The weather is always perfect; sunset's glorious. What more can a girl ask for? Sometimes bubbles can pop, however, and Freesia learns things are not always as good as they seem to be. ( )

Sort of like Dave Eggers' 'The Circle' but more...more...in a way I found this book more realistic than 'The Circle' even though the premise is more fantastic.

I originally rated the book 4 stars but I'm hiking it up to 5 now because it's been quite a while since I read 'Bubble World' and I still want to sit around and talk about it with someone else who has read it. There's a lot to mull over about the direction we, as a society, want to take our recently learned technological skills and expanded communication methods. ( )

Once in a blue moon I run across one of those books that's really different. In this case it's a book that looks and sounds stupidly simple, but isn't half as simple as all outward appearances suggest.

MINOR SPOILERS... MINOR SPOILERS...
On the surface BUBBLE WORLD is about a girl who didn't match the 'normal' profile as a child. In the descriptions given in the book she sounds like she had some sensory issues, along with some other behavioral problems that I won't deign to denigrate with a 'tag'. Her parents, who are definitely a bit too self-absorbed, were at their wits end when they discovered a revolutionary education package. A package that takes kids out of this world completely and immerses them in another.

And when the book begins, it's in Avalon that we find Freesia and her friends. Only problem is, that world is having some technical difficulties. Difficulties that eventually end with Freesia at home in the other world; the one we call real.

END OF minor spoilers... END OF minor spoilers......

BUBBLE WORLD reads like it's written for middle-graders. The language is very simple and if you don't stick with it for awhile your not going to get to the point where you can see how Carol Snow is playing with your head.

As far as likes, I have to say that I liked that the author didn't paint issues as black or white.

And if I can say that I had a dislike, it would be that the serious character development didn't occur until after the half-way point. I realize that part of this was due to the fact that Snow wanted to keep everything light and fizzy, but it hurt the story telling. I care about the characters now, but at page 169 I could have foolishly put the book down and entirely missed the good stuff.

So hang in there.
.

Principal character:: Freesia
Time Frame:: slightly future
Language:: some invented phrases
Cursing: No
Humor:: definitely
Disbelief O'meter:: just the basics for me
Sexual content: kissing
Pacing:: a bit slow
Satisfying ending: Yes!

Book for everyone?
I think the fact that this is not an action book, but a book about character and relationships is going to limit it's appeal. Especially when all the 'heavy' stuff takes place in the last quarter of the book. It's also not going to appeal to people who don't like made up terms, like de-vicious. Personally I thought the new-speak was fine, but I know other people that it rubs the wrong way.

I'd recommend BUBBLE WORLD to someone who is in the mood to sit back and wait for the story to slowly unfold. Someone who would like to consider the effects that alternate cyber worlds might have on those in them, and outside of them. ( )