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    Dreamland Social Club
    Dreamland Social Club
    Dreamland Social Club
    Audiobook10 hours

    Dreamland Social Club

    Written by Tara Altebrando

    Narrated by Erin Moon

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Popular author Tara Altebrando's Dreamland Social Club is a magical novel about one vagabond family finding a home. Still pained by the loss of her mother years earlier, Jane has been all over the world with her brother and father. Once they plant stakes in New York's Coney Island, Jane begins to feel settled. And the mermaids, dwarves, bearded girls, contortionists, and tattooed boys certainly keep things interesting. "Palpable without being melodramatic . a languid, introspective novel about a search for identity and meaning."-Publishers Weekly
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateJul 29, 2011
    ISBN9781461849940
    Dreamland Social Club
    Author

    Tara Altebrando

    Tara Altebrando is the author of several middle grade and teen novels, including The Leaving and Roomies, an ALA 2014 Best Fiction for Young Adults pick, co-written with Sara Zarr. She lives in New York City with her family. www.taraaltebrando.com @TaraAltebrando

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    Reviews for Dreamland Social Club

    4/5

    64 ratings20 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Jane comes to Coney with her dad and brother because the kids have inherited their grandfather's house. Being there brings back stories her mother told her before her death. Jane is eager to find out who she is by trying to learn more about her mother's life and about Coney. She explores with a beautiful tattooed boy named Leo who is the son of her mother's best friend and the son of the owner of the Anchor Bar. The old attractions are in danger of being demolished by the Loki Corporation which also bring conflict. Jane's father is a ride designer who has a chance of a big break with Loki but Jane's new friends want to preserve the old Coney. Excellent coming of age story!
    • 4/5
      With an utterly absorbing sense of place, this book is an homage to Coney Island wrapped around the story of a girl discovering her mother's history. Jane and her brother have traveled the world with their widower dad, a rollercoaster designer, who's currently jobless. Jane hopes he'll be hired to revitalize Coney Island when the family unexpectedly inherits a house there from a grandfather the teens never knew. Soon, Jane is uncovering artifacts from her grandparents' carny past as well as her mother’s role in the local high school’s mysterious Dreamland Social Club. Recommend to readers who like unique settings and unusual characters, as the "typical teenagers" here consist of multi-ethnic carny kids: a goth dwarf, a seven foot giant, a legless boy, a bearded girl. Coney Island becomes the perfect metaphor for Jane’s exploration into her past and present, with a hint of romantic tension thrown in for good measure.
    • 5/5
      Didn't actually pick this book out for myself to read, L picked it up and brought it to me AFTER checking it out. It was a very good read. Loved the setting of Coney Island the quirkyness of the entire story.
    • 5/5
      This book intrigued me since it reminded me of the opening monologue of a Godspeed you black emperor! with an old man remembering what Coney Island was like. Random, I know, but the premise made me think of that man and his sad voice, talking about how much has changed.

      Glad I picked it up. It was wonderfully done, atmospheric and was a great story about a girl trying to fit in while feeling different, your ideals vs reality and coming to terms with your past, present and future. It moved quite slowly, but that's not a complaint--the pace actually set up the atmosphere, in my opinion.

      By the way, I loved Jane and her insecurities and I adored her interaction with Leo. I felt like their interaction and connection wasn't forced, but properly set up and both were characters in their own right.

      Definitely something I would recommend to others and a book I really loved reading.
    • 2/5
      First off, I love the cover of Dreamland Social Club. It's bright, eye-catching, and features a mermaid... It's kind of hard not to notice it, whether it's the kind of book you'd normally pick up or not. I'll be honest, I bought it based solely on my positive response to the cover, without knowing much about the actual plot.Still, after reading the description, I knew that Dreamland Social Club was a novel I could potentially fall head-over-heels for. In fact, I was excited that the novel was set on Coney Island. The references to the theme parks that, at one time, enthralled visitors and employed the island's population were definitely my favorite part of the novel.Unfortunately, despite the wonderful setting, Dreamland Social Club didn't win me over in the end. There were simply too many aspects that bothered me. 1. Jane's immediate feelings and preoccupation with the tattooed love interest, Leo, was an immediate turn off. There was zero tension and I couldn't understand how she developed feelings for him so quickly.2. I always felt a bit confused about how I was supposed to feel about the theme parks. Sometimes I felt like they were being portrayed as magical and wondrous, other times I felt like they were a bit creepy and shady... Honestly, I'm still confused.3. Jane's brother seemed like an ass, yet it never seemed to faze her. If he were my brother, I definitely would have had some strong words for him.4. The characters had very little depth. Even though I finished the novel only a handful of days ago, they're already becoming difficult recall.I could probably go on, but I don't think it's really necessary. It's obvious that this book and I didn't mesh well. I was looking for more depth and the romantic elements held little magic for me.But, if Dreamland Social Club sounds like something you might enjoy, please don't let my opinion stop you from picking it up! In fact, one of my bestest blogging friends, Katie (from Sophistikatied Reviews) adored this book!
    • 5/5
      No words for the beautifulness of this book. I am in love with Leo and I wish Babette was my friend too! I want to visit Coney now for sure and I am very jealous of Luna Jane's adventures. Want my own copy of this book, cause it's def a re-read.
    • 4/5
      Engaging characters and a unique setting make this heartfelt story of a high school girl trying to find her place in the world a memorable and enjoyable read. Flashbacks of Jane's vivid memories of her mother and just the right amount of details about the people and places she is currently discovering combine to create a different and powerful voice in the area of teen literature.
    • 4/5
      I think this book may have been the genesis for the Beach Reads idea. I took one look at the cover, with it's bright colors, boardwalk and mermaid, and I had this yearning to be at the beach. (Minus the boardwalk craziness, though a mermaid would be cool. But still; you get what I'm saying.) It seemed like sort of the perfect beach read. And the thing is -- it is. The beach, the boardwalk, Coney Island - the scene become a palpable character, just as much as any of the others. But more than that, it's a quintessential "let your freak flag fly" type of story, done with heart and understanding.I've never been a huge contemporary reader. For whatever reason, I'm always convinced contemporary books are going to be either sappy-romantic or Gossip Girl. Couldn't tell you why that is, because I have read some damn good contemporary, and I know that it exists. Like this one. I connected to this story, to Jane's quest to find her place and her past. And I connected to the freaks that people the story, and their passion and boldness and lack of fear in being who they are. I found myself missing them when I was done, in the way that book characters sometimes feel like they're your friends. I wanted to pick up the phone and call them, or visit Coney and chat. There came a moment in the day after I'd finished the book where I realized it was over and I felt a little bereft.And the thing is, it's not that anything amazing ever happens. I mean, it's all pretty amazing, from the pov that it's full of circusy freakishness and over-the-topness, but it's not the type of story to really wow you with some dramatic event or unbelievablt effecting writing. But there's just something about it that makes it feel comfortable and real, and I enjoy that when I find it. I feel like I'm being a little rambly, so I'm going to move on from this, but I just want to say, this book felt like a friend, and I liked that.I think Altebrando understands characterization really well, too. There is a good mix of characters in this, and sometimes I mean Characters-capital-C, and they worked together believably for their age and for the setting. Seeing everything through the eyes of Jane, the uber-normal newbie on the scene, provided a lot of opportunities to connect with the characters and allow them to grow on the reader. Even though you're plunged in a bit, there's still a slow-reveal style, and the opportunity to let characters unfold. Readers are given the chance to let things grow on them, and see the real person beneath the tattoos or missing limbs or bearded female faces. Altebrando, through Jane, gets to the humanness of everyone involved, even many of the minor characters, and she does it with understanding and love. Jane's quest to understand her mother allows her to understand everyone else. I appreciated that.But I think what sold me the most on the story as a whole was Altebrando's subtlety. It's hard to be subtle when your characters are all over-the-top. It would have been really easy to pigeon-hole everyone and let them remain stock characters, OR to be very, very didactic and admonish the reader against judging a book by its cover and a lady by her beard. Altebrando skillfully avoided both, letting the reader make their own decisions about the characters, and using Jane to help us love them, despite or because of things that make those around them do double-takes. It was nice to have them just be, and have the love and acceptance just be, and not feel like it was being used for A Lesson of Great Importance. So though it's never a super fast-paced read, and it didn't necessarily leave me breathless or make me cry, in the end I was left pretty impressed - Dreamland Social Club is one I think I will remember.On a related note: I did a reading of the "mermaid auditions" from Dreamland Social Club for A Bakcwards Story's Splash Into Summer mermaid event. You can check it out here!
    • 4/5
      Jane has spent her life traveling the world with her roller coaster designing dad. When her maternal grandfather passes away, she moves into the home he has left her with her dad and older brother. Jane secretly hopes to discover more about her mother who passed away 10 years earlier, and why she left her life in Coney Island and never looked back. In her grandfather’s home she finds herself living among carnival relics. Her classmates at her new school include a goth dwarf, a giant, and a girl with flexibility that defies the laws of nature. It is a life Jane never even knew existed. She begins to recover long lost memories of her eccentric mother, and realizes that even though she wasn’t raised on Coney Island it still played a huge role in her life.I adored this book. Not only was it a story of Jane’s self discovery and search for answers about her mom, but it also had a little mystery weaved into the plot. I appreciated the impressive cast of quirky and unique characters. i was amazed by how well developed they all were. I totally dug the fact that Jane, who lived in a wardrobe of grays, was so eager to fit in with the classmates most wouldn’t consider normal. I loved that she looked at them without any bias. I was absolutely enthralled by the sights and sounds of Coney Island while I read. The description made me feel like I was there. Having never set foot in Coney Island before, I must say this was impressive. I even found myself googling sights to see how well the description in my mind lived up to the real thing. It was spot on, which can tell you what a great job the author did in describing the sights to readers. The plot moved at an ideal pace for a lazy afternoon of reading. This book is a true gem and I’ll be recommending it to friends who enjoy realistic YA fiction.I also think the cover and title are super cool! This book is an all around WIN!
    • 5/5
      Dreamland Social Club starts out like any other contemporary novel—motherless girl moves to new school, feels isolated—and then it just becomes something so breathtaking that you can’t stop turning the pages. The story defies all stereotypes (the school is full of freaks, and the new girl is normal, rather than vice versa), and really makes you think about the significance of places.Dreamland Social Club is set in Coney Island, New York—a place I soon learned was filled with unimaginable sights. The way Tara Altebrando describes the place is perfectly tinged with nostalgia, and her words read like poetry. Through the eyes of Jane, the protagonist, we see that sometimes what was is just as important as what is.Jane as a character was initially uninteresting, but that’s probably the point (she’s a “plain Jane”—nothing special). She eventually breaks out of her shell, and becomes this confident, driven girl that I really admired. Jane’s mother was an even more fascinating character—the way she approached motherhood was intriguing, and I loved how well she was developed through Jane’s childhood memories. It’s the first time I can say I’ve felt connected to the “dead mom” character. Tara Altebrando made her special.Dreamland Social Club is an absolutely fantastic read about unlocking the mysteries of the past and discovering your potential. Almost impossible to put down, it will hook readers with its vivid descriptions, memorable characters, and truly intriguing setting.
    • 4/5
      I liked this book, not hate, not love, but like. It starts out a bit...well really slow and doesn't pick up until the end. It was however interesting so it kept me going hoping for a pick up. The Coney Island lore was amusing and array of people Jane ends up befriending were truly something. Jane is a "normal" girl who has had to move into the least "normal" of places. In moving to her never before met and now deceased grandfathers house with her brother Marcus and her structural engineer father, she sets out to learn about who her mother was, and who she (Jane) is. The clues her mother leaves are a fun mystery. The love story aspect is warming, and sweet. The best friends/ the D.S.C are kooky and loveable. Jane is a strong character and it's interesting to watch her learn and grow, to watch her open up and actually be herself, and learn to have a little...fun.Worth a gander. Decent summer read.
    • 4/5
      Dreamland Social Club is one of those books where you read it and have mixed feelings about it. At least that is the case for me. I had no idea what I was getting into when I started Dreamland Social Club. While this is a lovely book about a girl, Jane, discovering who she is and where she belongs its also a story of Coney Island. I learned so much about Coney’s history than I did before, which I have to say my knowledge about Coney was about as much as a rock’s knowledge. Hey, I even learned other things, besides Coney, from this book that I didn’t know before. Jane comes to Coney Island after her grandfather passes away and Jane and her brother inherit his house. Only his house is more like a museum. Here Jane finds some things of her mother’s who had passed away when Jane was very young. Which goes to say that Jane barely remembers or knew her mother. So Jane then goes on an adventure to find out more about her mother. Along the way she meets Leo who has a familiar tattoo. As she gets to know Leo, they discover there is something that can bring them together. I also want to point out that Jane and Leo’s relationship besides the many questions this book brings is the only thing that kept me reading.With that said, Dreamland Social Club was boring or for better words slow. The plot didn’t really pick up until the end. Things overall didn’t start to get interesting or exciting until the end. But all that aside this book did manage to hold enough of my attention to continue reading. Don’t get me wrong I don’t hate this book; I only like it. Dreamland Social Club starts out like a first book to a series. Where they start out slow to introduce the world and the characters to the readers and then in future books they start to get better. But this is not a series as far as I know it is just a stand alone novel. Nevertheless Tara Altebrando couldn’t have written this book any other way. It just wouldn’t work out in my opinion. Despite the pace of the book Dreamland Social Club is an excellent novel of self-discovery, truth, mystery, secrets, and so much more. Before I end this review I want to say that I loved all the supporting characters. They were all so different from each other and other book characters. Dreamland Social Club’s one theme is to not judge others by their looks. This is so true with these characters. Jane’s first impressions of them were that they were freaks. As she got to know them better she found out that they are actually great people and friends. If you like self-discovery books with adventure and a little bit of mystery then this is the book for you. By the end of this book you’ll be sure to fall in love with all the characters, and Coney.
    • 4/5
      I really enjoyed this book – it was interesting, kooky, strange, mysterious and a whole lot of fun.Dreamland Social Club follows Jane who has just moved to Coney Island, the place of her late mother’s youth, with her father and brother. Because of her father’s erratic job as a roller coaster designer, she is never in one place for more than a year. The past few years have been spent abroad in Europe and Asia. Coney Island is much different than anything she has ever seen before – and she’s been a lot of places. The other kids are…. well, freaks. Like sideshow freaks. From midgets and dwarfs, to totally tattoo covered, to bearded ladies, and giants- Coney High has them all.Not only does Jane’s move stir up community trouble, Jane also starts to uncover secrets from her family’s past and she finds herself choosing between her friends and her family, and her history and her future.The imagery in this book was great! I have never been to Coney Island before… actually, I didn’t even know it existed (which is odd since I live so close to it). So needless to say, I knew nothing about the scenery. The author does an amazing job engulfing the reader into the world of Coney Island. She got me so interested in the park and its history that I found myself looking up pictures and history (which I found to be portrayed almost perfectly in the book). HERE is the link to the Coney Island website, which fascinated me!Apart for the imagery and setting, the characters were entertaining and vey unique. Jane and her family are “normal” but dysfunctional in their own way, but although they are the main characters, they are definitely not the most interesting. The cast of supporting characters was the most different set of characters I have ever read about. Jane’s newly acquired best friend, Babette, is a goth dwarf. Her bad-boy crush is Leo, is completely covered in tattoos. The boy who crushes on her, Legs, is giant – like an actual giant. And that is just naming a few. What I found most interesting about them is that not only are they different, but they defy their own little stereotypes. They each have strong personalities, but they are nothing like what one would expect. They are each struggling in their own way, and they each deal with it differently.This novel has a great plot and a great atmosphere – I would definitely recommend it. People like me who’ve never seen Coney Island will enjoy learning more about it, and people who have been there will appreciate how realistically it is portrayed. I would definitely recommend this one. Although it deals with common issues such as fitting in, deciding between the past and the future, and family verses friends conflicts this story is one hundred percent individual. I was eager to flip the pages, dying to know where the story went next, but when I reached the end, I was very sad that it was over. The author created a wonderful, consuming world that the reader is sure to love.
    • 5/5
      Dreamland Social Club is another one of those books that kind of came out of nowhere and completely took me by surprise. Prior to receiving a copy, I hadn’t heard a word of this book. No reviews, no buzz, nothing. And considering I’ve had a handful of bad experiences with situations like this, I’ll be honest and admit that I wasn’t expecting much from this book.But I don’t understand why there hasn’t been buzz surrounding this book. I absolutely loved it. I’m having a hard time trying to put into words how amazing I thought it was. It was one of the best novels I’ve read so far in 2011.There are so many stories going on in this book at once; Jane’s hunt to discover the Coney Island that her mother grew up with and her hunt to know her mother, the rebellion against renovation for Coney, the odd friendship Jane has with Leo, her struggling attempts to fit in and her struggling attempts to find out who she really is. It sounds pretty crammed in 304 pages but it’s not. The author tackles all of this and tells all of these wonderful stories that end up tying together in the end.The characters, Jane in particular, were amazing. I’ve never read a book with such a broad spectrum of personalities. Jane starts off as this quiet nobody and literally evolves through the pages into someone more brave and lively and spirited.And the scenery. Don’t get me started on the scenery. Even if I ended up hating the book, I would’ve re-read it again and again just for the gorgeous descriptions of Coney Island and the circus-esque atmosphere that surrounds Jane both in school and at home, especially in the scenes where Jane is exploring the contents of the attic. More than once I just wanted to jump into the book to see it for myself.Overall, I thought Dreamland Social Club was a brilliant novel that evoked a lot of emotions and left me thinking about it days and days after finishing it. Whenever I close a book with a grin on my face, I know it’s been a terrific reading experience, and Dreamland Social Club absolutely was. I definitely recommend you check this one out!
    • 3/5
      I was really surprised at how good this book was. I loved the historical part of the book. Jane is trying to find out what her mother was like and in the process learns alot about herself. The Carny aspect of the book was great I loved all the different characters and the unconventional love story. I will be looking for more books by this author.
    • 5/5
      This year, I have yet to pick up a contemporary YA book I didn't enjoy. Dreamland Social Club floats to the top of the contemporaries for me for a few reasons. I'm a huge history nut, and I love the historical elements of this book. Not only are the characters interested in Coney Island history, but Jane must sift through the past to learn a bit more about her family and their legacy in her new hometown. I'm also a fan of the oddball in life, and there are plenty of odd characters and happenings in this novel.To me, Coney Island is old New York. NYC is becoming 'yuppified' (for lack of a better word) and I wonder if the days are passing to legend when someone like Madonna or Patti Smith could head to NYC with just $40 and a dream. The characters share this thought, and Jane is torn between her father and how his job-hunt leads him towards the very people who want to strip away Coney's charm, and her new friends who want things to stay as they are.I also enjoyed the unconventional love story in this novel. Not every novel has to feature romance front and center, and while there is a romantic sub-plot, I enjoyed that the relationship enhanced the story, but it wasn't the end all be all.I really enjoyed Dreamland Social Club and if you're a YA fan, you must put this on your must-read list!
    • 4/5
      ARC ReviewI loved the Coney Island lore mixed into Jane's search for information about her deceased mother. The Coney stories added a touch of historical to the fiction but this book was not historical fiction. Also a meaningful missive about how old towns can lose themselves and opportunities in the fight for keeping tradition.Full of quirky, colorful characters that will have you clearly envisioning the Coney Island side-shows! Enchanting love story as Jane lusts after Leo. Nice touch of mystery as Jane uncovers clues about her mom's youth. This is a book that is hard to fit in one particular genre but ...DO NOT LET THE COVER STOP YOU FROM READING! I really wish Dutton Books had done this story more courtesy with a better cover. It is entirely too busy and dark - neither which reflect this story. The only cover element that is worthy is the mermaid in the corner. But also know that this is not a mermaid story - unless you remember that "mermaids" was the title of for the women charged with swimming in ornamental tanks while others dined!Overall a very worthwhile read. Very different teen book.
    • 5/5
      The story begins with Jane, Marcus and their father riding in a taxi to their new house, the house they inherited from Jane and Marcus' grandfather, Preemie. As they enter the dusty dirty house, they discover an old carousel horse chained with a triple length of chain to the radiator and locked with a padlock. No one can guess the reason why. Just that Preemie was known to be eccentric. Jane discovers other oddities in the house as she finds old treasures about Coney Island, it's history, the one her mom knew. It's very different and run down now. Jane's first impression is that it should be torn down and something new should be put up. That's why they are there. Her father has been down on his luck and is hoping to design a roller coaster for the boardwalk, the new one that's being designed. It's his ticket back up. Jane couldn't agree more.But then Jane gets to know Coney Island as it is and the people that love it as it is. She gets to know the history of it from old books and memorabilia in the attic of the house that she and Marcus have inherited and she starts to remember her mother through the games she used to play with them realizing she was mimicking the games that were on Coney Island when she grew up as a girl.I'll focus on Jane's character in my review, but there are numerous other characters in the story. She's sixteen and very confused about her identity, her place in the world, what she stands for and who she represents. She wears all gray, washed out of all color, signifying her life is neither black nor white, but somewhere in the middle. She envies the people that others gawk at, the little person Babette, who is her friend. H.T. Astaire, who when he doesn't use his prosthetic legs gets around on a skateboard. And Legs, the seven and a half foot tall non basket ball playing giant. They all know who they are and are comfortable with themselves. She looks at them from a distance and wonders, "What's it like to be you? And not me."Throughout the book Jane is searching for her mother's secrets, friends that can give her a clue to what she was like. Conveniently, the boy she likes, The Tattoo Boy, Leo is the son of her mother's best friend. Leo and Jane have some late night escapades doing some of the things their mothers did at their age after Jane finds a set of keys in a mermaid doll in the top of her closet. But they are marked cryptically and the last one has them stumped.Political themes run throughout the book as well with the idea of knocking down the old Coney island and building a totally new one. Jane's dad has roller coaster plans for this new place and it would be good for them, but she'd be a traitor to her friends and Coney Island to support it. The tug of war puts a wedge between her and Leo.But all of it takes a back seat to the character of Coney Island itself. To the people that live and work there. To the people that visit. To the people that have spent their whole lives doing nothing but living the carnival life. It's incredible that there is this permanent place that is like no other place in the world. It can't compare to Disney World or Universal Studios, it's Coney Island.The family motto is "It's only for one year," but Jane wants to put down roots this time even though it would be easier to run away. She has this recurring nightmare about being a mermaid and a seahorse coming to rescue to bring her to the surface but it's just plastic and she realizes no one is going to save her, she'll have to save herself. So she faces her friends despite her father's seeming betrayal of Coney Island. And she searches for answers to questions like "Do you think you can feel nostalgia for things you've never experienced?" and "Was there any way to measure physical pain against emotional pain?" Jane continues to search for answers but slowly finds herself, and I do mean slowly in the novel. But that's not to say the novel is slow. I couldn't put it down! From the moment I picked up to the second I closed the cover wanting more, it was great realistic fiction. I know I put Stay at the top of my list and it remains there. But this is a very different type of realistic fiction. It's character driven and fast paced and really makes you think. I'm still thinking of some of the questions and quotes in it and how I would answer them. I'll leave you with some more gems, and remember if you don't like the cover and the name, get past all that, they really are pertinent to the story. "Love has to exist in the present tense, flaws and all." p. 209 What's your earliest memory? What sound makes you happy? What was the last dream you had that you remember? Name one thing you want to do before you die. Why is a raven like a writing desk? What's the best thing about being you? (all on page 212) "She didn't have a nose, Mom." She stops at the corner and looks at me, sort of disappointed, and says, "Did you happen to notice that her eyes were the most remarkable green?" (p328) "....She thought there were worse things in life than being funny-looking and maybe worse things in life than not having a nose or not having limbs at all. Like not being loved. Not being able to feel. Not having anything to lose or give away." ( p. 329)Those are just some of the memorable parts that stuck with me. I'm telling you this one is a diamond in the rough. It's easy to read and Jane is a character that is so likable, I saw bits and pieces of myself in her, that lack of confidence, the need for acceptance and a little bit of defiance. The love story takes a back seat in this, though it's there, it's not the central theme. The story is told in third person, but I really felt like it was first person as I read. Sometimes though I would have like to gotten into Leo's head and known what he really thought. Oh, and their first period teacher was so hip! That is the only word you can use to describe him. So get your Nathan's, an ice cold coke or beer and sit down for an unforgettable read!
    • 4/5
      I’ve always had a soft spot for carnies, I’ll admit it. I don’t know if it was that X-Files episode featuring actual geeks from the Jim Rose Circus that I saw when I was 9 or 10, but they’ve always fascinated me. Even while reading biographies on Cheng and Eng and other famous geeks, I’ll admit that I still don’t have a great sense of actual carny life. But thanks to this book, I think that I might have a little bit of a better understanding of what it means to be different.I love how Altebrando has spun the traditional teenage story line: girl transfers/moves to a new town/city, tries to fit in when she’s most definitely not even near the definition of “normal”, only to be accepted in the end by at least one person. Here, ‘normal’ is the abnormal, and Jane’s loss at what to do (including the small shock of being descended from carny folk) was absolutely delicious to behold. Her floundering in what would usually be a reverse situation (where society-dictated ‘normal’ would be on top, with the geeks at the bottom of the food chain) was wonderful and it was nice to watch her grow through her experiences with trying to find friendship and herself in what is known to be a very tight-knit and wary-of-outsiders community of people.This book charts the usual teenage experience of trying to find oneself that is so often the main theme of normal (and by normal, I mean otherwise non-sub genre literature) YA lit but does it in a way that’s not only tolerable to people like me who get sick of that usual experience quite quickly, but does it with such charm that you can’t help but to love every single character in that book and not want to let them go. Even the usual idea of carny geeks is still pushed further to the edge – the bearded lady is a teenage girl, the dwarf is a goth, tattoo boy has intimate ties to the protagonist that both discover together through his tattoos.And the mermaid for a mom angle was lovely, too. My heart ached along with Jane’s for her lost mother as she slowly grew to embrace her carny heritage from being a ‘usual’ (if not otherwise boring, as so many characters along the way pointed out) teen girl.There’s also the issue of politics, but it’s woven in so deftly by Altebrando that you don’t really realize that it becomes a major part of the plot until after you’re about halfway done with the book. I won’t spoil that angle, but you do get the sense of community that wraps around you as you read that’s so powerful it really is as if you’re there with everyone else on the boardwalk, fighting to live your way of life.As Peter Bishop said in “Fringe” this past season, ” ‘Reality’ is only a matter of perception”, and this book is yet another piece to back up that statement. But one should add – which reality would you choose? Would you choose to be with a traditionally outcast community? Or would you stay with the status quo? Would you deny your heritage for how society deems you should live your life? These are all essential questions that come up for the first time during one’s teenage years, and Altebrando really challenges the audience’s views the entire time, forcing you to think about what’s important to you versus what is “supposed” to be important to you.Otherwise, a wonderful, masterful read. I can’t wait to read more of Altebrando’s work.(crossposted to goodreads, shelfari, and witchoftheatregoing.wordpress.com)
    • 4/5
      This book really surprised me on how good it was. Going in I thought it was going to be more of a paranormal book since the summary talks about mermaids and other mythological creatures. It really wasn't like that and that is what I liked the most about it. It definitely is a little strange with all the different kids. There is a girl with a beard, dwarfs, a guy with no legs, and many more. The romance in the book kept me going the entire time wondering if Leo and Jane would end up together in the end. The beginning is a little but slow going but a couple chapters in I was hooked and couldn't wait to find out how the book ended. This is a definite read for lovers of YA books with a great plot and romance.