J. B. Cheaney

This book may have had the weirdest ending to a book that I've ever read. The story starts out with a bus accident. Then the story flashes back to several weeks before the wreck. A large group of characters who ride the bus is introduced, and then each chapter that follows explains why each one of the characters might become famous. I did like each character and the problems that are introduced about each one, but just as I would get interested in that character and his or her problems, the chapter would end and we would move on to another character.
Without giving too much away, I will say that the ending was a bit of a let down, especially when we find out that there is another chapter of the book that has to be read online. The last chapter does sum up what happens to each character, and the ending has a nice twist, but still pretty odd.… (altro)

This book may have had the weirdest ending to a book that I've ever read. The story starts out with a bus accident. Then the story flashes back to several weeks before the wreck. A large group of characters who ride the bus is introduced, and then each chapter that follows explains why each one of the characters might become famous. I did like each character and the problems that are introduced about each one, but just as I would get interested in that character and his or her problems, the chapter would end and we would move on to another character.
Without giving too much away, I will say that the ending was a bit of a let down, especially when we find out that there is another chapter of the book that has to be read online. The last chapter does sum up what happens to each character, and the ending has a nice twist, but still pretty odd.… (altro)

It took some time before I could get into this novel. One of the primary reasons I almost walked away from it is Matilda Ransom, Isobel's mother. She is onerous and selfish, and it really bothered me that she used corporal punishment as an outlet for her own issues/feelings. The (possible) dalliance with Charlie Chaplin wasn't necessary to the story; and discussions of a marital affair (even set in 1918) isn't something I want to introduce to my 10-year-old. This seems more young adult than middle grade to me. What kept me reading was learning the history of movie making and Ranger's relationship with Isobel. The cousins developed a genuine friendship, and the sincerity of his efforts to help Isobel later in the novel (no spoilers) is noteworthy. While I liked Sylvie, she is an enigma. Her behavior seems to mirror that of an autistic child, though no medical condition is mentioned. I also scratched my head when she was spending the night with a girl whose family were none-to-pleased about Sylvie's antics in their previous meeting (pouring India ink on the child's head). Why would they agree to host such a high maintenance child?

Pros: Readers interested in character-driven historical fiction will enjoy this early history of life in the early days of Hollywood and the beginning of the moving picture industry.

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