I liked it, but the ending is really abrupt.

Coolly stylized book, that treats its readers with utmost respect for their intelligence - almost to the point of confusion. At times, there were so many puzzles that I lost track of the plot, but it comes together sharply and satisfyingly in the end. I kind of think I should read it again, to catch some of the things I missed. I'd recommend it to fans of Coraline, quasi-dystopia for the middle grade crowd.

This story had me hooked from the beginning-enough so to stay up late and finish it. I definitely felt anxiety over the time factor in the book, but felt like the ending was rushed. Wondering if there will be a sequel-I felt like there were many unanswered questions.

"Three siblings - India, Finn, and Mouse - have less than forty-eight hours to pack up all their belongings and fly, without Mom, to their uncle Red's in Colorado, after they lose their house to foreclosure. But when they land, a mysterious driver meets them at the airport, and he's never heard of Uncle Red. Like Dorothy in Oz, they find themselves in a place they've never heard of, with no idea of how to get home, and time is running out."

Mouse, India and Finn had normal lives, until everything suddenly changes. In 48 hours, their house is foreclosed on, and they have to pack up their bags and board a plane without their mother to go live with their uncle in Colorado. But when the plane touches down, a mysterious driver in a strange car picks them up, and it soon becomes clear that they're not in Colorado. This place seems fantastic and wonderful, but there's something darker below the surface, and the siblings must decide what really matters to them, and how much they're willing to sacrifice to get it.

Fans of The Wizard of Oz or A Wrinkle in Time will love this book. Some of the more fanciful elements of it almost reminded me of a Miyazaki film. It's definitely a page-turner. The ending was a little odd, but then there isn't a good realistic explanation to what happens anyhow. I loved this book and will definitely recommend it to readers who love it when reality and fantasy blend together.

Read my review at Gator Book Chomp.

Read it with Liam. :)

No Passengers Beyond This Point is an exciting combination of science fiction/fantasy and a family tale of love and struggle. One of the strengths of the story is that it is told in turns from the point of view of the three children in the Tompkins family: India, 14; Finn, 12; and Mouse, 5. The children take turns narrating the chapters with three very distinct voices.

The children have lost their father to a car accident when the youngest child, Mouse, was born. Their mother is a school teacher and at the opening of the story they have lost their house to the bank. The children are told they will moving to Colorado to live with their Uncle Red. Mom will join them after the end of the school year.

India is frustrated by her mother’s rules and her own desire to have fun and be free of family obligations and expectations. Finn suffers from extreme anxiety and constantly worries about things that have or might happen. Mouse is an exceptionally bright child who is passionately interested in science–especially the solar system–and has an imaginary friend named Bing.

The three children (and Bing) board the plane for Colorado consumed by anger, hurt, fear and confusion. They irritate and embarrass each other as only family members can. Mid-flight the plane encounters turbulence and it is then that the children are thrown into another Place altogether. Their journey is one of confronting their individual fears and discovering the incredible strength of family.

In order to do this they must navigate obstacles such as a bird attack, a dishonest shopkeeper, border guards, bartering information for time, the temptation of what each thought was his or her ideal life, as well as time itself in a race for death or life. They learn to put their trust in each other and to face the truths they have each been avoiding.

It is a book about love, second chances and the courage to live your life as yourself. This book is a huge departure from most of Choldenko’s previous work–which has been primarily contemporary realistic fiction. It is just as successful. It is both a fun and a moving read. If you like Gennifer Choldenko you will enjoy No Passenger Beyond This Point.

I was surprised in how much I did remember from when we listened to this book but there was also I lot I forgot. It was a really simple read which was nice.

India, Finn and Mouse are told they have 24 hours to pack. They are moving to their Uncle's house because the their house has been foreclosed on. They are to fly alone, because mom needs to stay behind for her job. The plane takes off for Colorado, but it definitely does NOT land there!