Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Will the Signal Work?


If you have ever wondered what it would be like to meet someone from another planet, then you will be captivated by Signal by Cynthia DeFelice. Owen McGuire is out running when he stumbles upon a girl with startling green eyes and cuts all over her body. She appears to be about his age and tells him her name is Campion and that she is from a distant planet called Home. Owen doesn’t know what to believe, but he can’t help but be intrigued by Campion and what she tells him about Home. Campion’s parents are coming to pick her up in a few days and she asks for Owen’s help in getting the crop circle ready so that she can signal them. Owen agrees to help and is surprised by how happy he is working with Campion and getting to know her. The past two years since his mom died have been rough, and he has felt very alone while he and his dad do their own things. If his dad wasn’t so lost in his own world Owen wouldn’t even have the time to help Campion make the signal for her parents. When Campion offers Owen a chance to go to Home with her he has an enormous decision to make. Will Campion’s parents arrive in a spaceship to pick her up? Will her parents be anything like the ones Owen conjured up in his mind? Will Owen decide to leave Earth in the hopes of a happier life on Home with his new friend? You will have to see for yourself what is happening in this mysterious book!
This is a good read for any time that you are looking for a book you can finish in a day or two. The story starts at a slower pace, but the action starts to build as soon as Campion and Owen meet. Campion was so mysterious, and she kept me guessing throughout the story. My heart went out to Owen because he was so lonely and depressed. I especially liked learning about Home and what a wonderful planet it is. As Owen learned more and decided to help Campion, I was able to see how he was finally changing and growing since his mom passed away. He had a lot of unresolved emotions, and it was great to see how his life changed through his relationship with Campion. I was curious throughout the book, and I couldn’t wait to find out if Campion was really from another planet and if her parents would see her signal and pick her up in their spaceship. I think kids between the ages of 8 and 14 will enjoy this book if they like science fiction and stories about friendship. This story kept my interest and made me think. I also learned a lot about crop circles!   

Has anyone else read Signal? Or have you read another book by Cynthia DeFelice? We would love to hear your thoughts.


Happy Reading!
~L

35 comments:

  1. I have never read this author but I would love the total build up of this story!

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    1. Patty- I also read a few of her "Ghost of... series" and I loved them. I will review one of them soon. :) ~L

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  2. This looks so fun! I've been on a bit of an alien book kick lately, so I'll have to pick this one up :)

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    1. Definitely different to read an alien book. I liked the unique storyline. :) ~L

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  3. Haven't read a good alien book in a long time. I'll add this one to that scroll I call my TBR list.

    Thanks.

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    1. Lee- I had to laugh at the "scroll you call your TBR list"- my list is never ending too. :) ~L

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  4. Kids love "alien" mysteries and I have always been fascinated by the crop circles. This sounds like a very interesting read.

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    1. Anna Maria- Crop circles have always fascinated me too. It was interesting to learn more about them and the mystery kept me guessing. :) ~L

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  5. I have not read a single alien book. I like the name Campion and the other planet called Home. I will have to pick up this book.

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    1. Rachna- I like the name Campion too (she tells Owen she is named after a flower on Home). Happy reading! :) ~L

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  6. Sounds quite good. I haven't read anything by Cynthia DeFelice, but I would like to read this one. You left me hanging with, "I couldn’t wait to find out if Campion was really from another planet.." Makes me think there is a twist or two. Thanks for sharing and best of luck to Ms. DeFelice.

    Paul R. Hewlett

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    1. Paul- I am glad to introduce you to Ms. DeFelice. I also love her "Ghost of...series". I have read two of them so far and enjoyed them both. You will have to read this one to see if there is a twist or two- but you have a keen eye. :) ~L

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  7. Sounds awesome. I haven't yet tried this author. But looks good enough to add to my list.

    Nas

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    1. Nas- Cynthia DeFelice is a great author. She writes a variety of different books and has an awesome website: http://cynthiadefelice.com/

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  8. I've seen this one around, but haven't read it yet. Great review. :)

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  9. I'll have to read it to find out, because now I want to know.

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    1. L. Diane- Glad to have made you curious. :) ~L

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  10. What an original idea. I've never heard of anything like this before. It's fascinating! Great review! :-)

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    1. Lexa- I thought it was very original too! :) ~L

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  11. I like the sound of this. I enjoy books with alien characters.

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    1. Medeia- Aliens do make interesting characters. :) ~L

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  12. I haven't seen this book, but it sounds very interesting and now I want to know Owen's decision - to go home or to go to Home. Very intriguing!

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    1. Alex- Owen definitely had a tough decision to make! :) ~L

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  13. I hadn't heard of it before, but it sounds like a good read. Thanks for the review!

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    1. Cherie- Glad to introduce you to a new book. :) ~L

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  14. A book I'm sure Niece #2 (14) would love. This sounds like one of those rare books that will appeal to both sexes.

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    1. Petty- I think this is definitely a book that boys and girls would enjoy. I hope Niece 2 likes it. :) ~L

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  15. This book sounds really interesting and fun -- and I love the cover! I'm adding this one to my to-read list for sure! I can't wait to find out more about Home and whether or not Owen joins Campion there. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to read Signal soon! Fabulous review! *hugs* <3

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    1. Oh, and thank you so much for the sweet comment you left on my Percy Jackson review! Hope you'll get to read it soon! <3

      --Katertot @ A Belle's Tales

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    2. Hi Katertot- So happy to have you here. I loved hearing about the Percy Jackson book on your blog! Great review. :)

      Signal is interesting and different. I hope you enjoy it! :) <3 ~Stephanie

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  16. I feel for Owen just by reading this review. He does sound like a sad, lonely boy in need of a friend and an adventure. And it is warm reading about aliens/beings from another place in a friendly way (in children's literature). Great one, Lizzy!

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    1. Claudine- Owen is definitely sad and lonely. A friend is just what he needs- no matter what planet they are from. Thanks for your thoughtful response Claudine! :) ~L

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  17. I've read only one other alien book. It was weird but in a good way. This seems more... personal? It seems like you get to really know the characters for what they are and not where they come from. It seems sweet (:

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    1. Adriana- It is definitely a book I would describe as personal! :) ~L

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