Finding Serendipity (Tuesday McGillycuddy Adventures) Paperback – February 2, 2016

From the very first page this wonderful book is one of the most vividly imagined children's books you'll ever find. Tuesday McGillycuddy is full of curiousity and fun. When her mother very famous mother, Serendipity, disappears while writing her novel Tuesday goes in search of her and tumbles into the world of writers and their stories. But this book will surprise in how beautifully fantasy is created. There are delightful characters - Vivienne Small (small in stature, gigantic in bravery), the vile Carsten Mothwood and his band of pirates, the fascinating Librarian, and the hilarious Blake Luckhurst. But enduring for all time is the relationship between Tuesday and her dog Baxterr, and the relationship she shares with both her father, Denis McGillycuddy, and her mother. Serendipity. This book is full of laughter, adventure, wisdom and most importantly heart. An elegant and unforgettable work about the everyday magic of storytelling.

When teachers try to teach writing to children we repeat almost endlessly that the author needs to include a beginning, a middle and an end. It is the magic of searching for an end through character and adventure that brings excitement to both the writer and the reader. That is what this story is all about. We also try to teach that they need to write for their audience. This book has everything their audience ,a 10 to 12 year old student, would want. It is brimming with adventure,courage,and risk taking in order to succeed. "Finding Serendipity" has elements of Dorthy and Toto in the "Wizard of OZ", mixed with "Alice in Wonderland" and a bit of "Peter Pan." The authors' message is clear that story writing is a wonderful journey not to be missed.

Tuesday realizes her mother is missing. Her mother, Serendipity, is the greatest author in the world. Accidentally, Tuesday presses the keys of her mother's typewriter and goes off into the world of stories where she meets her mother's book's characters such as Vivienne Small, the hero, and Mothwood, the villain. She has to find the right ending to go home. Will she be with the story characters forever and get caught in Mothwood's resurrection? Read the book to find out! SPOILER ALERTWhen Vivienne Small and Baxter (Tuesday's dog) get captured while boarding Mothwood's ship, Mothwood figures out that Baxter is the winged dog which had long disappeared to another world where winged dogs live peacefully. But then Tuesday gets a ball of thread that grows when she creates the story. If she throws it, it would float and bring her back home. But Mothwood gets the ball of thread and they make a deal. If Tuesday wins in the rhyming couplets, he lets Vivienne and Baxter go. But if Mothwood wins, he gets to keep Baxter and kill Vivienne. Finally, Tuesday wins but Mothwood throws the ball of thread at the ocean. Instead of sinking into the ocean though, the ball of thread floats in the air and takes Tuesday and Baxter home.

So, here's the thing. There are many books out there that trumpet the thrill of reading, and of books, and of writing. They are all well intentioned and their goal, to instill a love of reading and of books, is laudable. But boy, they can be heavy-handed and preachy and just so unrelentingly insistent. The message is there, but no real story, and they often generate little interest from a young reader. It can all be just too eat-your-broccoli-ish.And then you find a book like this. Blurbs refer to Dorothy and Toto and to Alice in Wonderland and to Peter Pan. And that actually hits the mark; there are echoes of all of them in this book. I got a sort of "Phantom Tollbooth" vibe. However you cast it, this book takes our heroine on a great adventure that just happens to keep circling around the idea that everyone has a story to write and that writing that story is magical and exciting.But put the message aside for a bit. Our heroine, Tuesday McGillycuddy, is smart, resourceful, spirited, and happy. Her family is loving and supportive. When her famous writer Mom disappears, well Tuesday just has to follow a living thread of silver words to find her up in a magical world in the sky. It is Wendy flying out of the window and Dorothy and Toto, (Tuesday's dog joins her), following the road, and Alice meeting unusual characters. It's exciting and fantastic.This is complemented by the fact that the writing style is clear and direct for a young reader, but often richer and more expressive and more fully imagined than one usually expects. There are some gentle and lyrical descriptions and some sweetly framed conversations between mother and daughter that are just way beyond what you usually get in fantasy/adventure. And even the simple line drawing illustrations are charming.This is a ripping yarn, a touching family story, a tribute to writers, and an inspirational piece all wrapped together. Gosh, now I want to eat my broccoli.Please note that I found this book on my own. I have no connection at all to either the authors or the publisher of this book.

I passed it along to a friend and her daughter to enjoy during the Winter break. It was a wonderful read. I started the second book in the series.

An interesting book about stories from an author's point of view. It examines a story as the author, Tuesday, stumbles through the writing process and how hard it can be for any writer to get to The End. My daughter (9yrs old) was definitely engrossed in the story and how it would conclude for Tuesday, Baxterr, and Vivienne. I like that this story has the kid (Tuesday) confront issues on her own with little to no help from adults (and sometimes the adults do more harm than good when they do try to help). Tuesday has agency and represents a good role model for young readers and aspiring writers.

First chapter book my 8 year old was super interested in and loved reading together each night 😍 we have books 2 and 3 and are currently working our way through

Opened the box and the jacket it torn badly.

Amazing book for reluctant readers. My daughter refused to read anything and I was recommended this book. We spent the summer reading it and now she can't wait to see what other adventures she will find when she opens a book.

A wonderful plethora of figurative language such as similes, metaphors, alliterations, onomatopoeias, etc. whilst unravelling an exciting fantasy plot with a female protagonist. Love it!

Wow!'Finding Serendipity' is without a doubt one of the best reads this year for me!It had me crouching over with laughter, tears of sadness and beams of joyfulness.Tuesday McGillycuddy created the tears and petals of laughter for me in days that I finished this book. I recommend this novel to all ages and it is a promise that you'll immediately be transformed into Finding Serendipity.