The 13th Reality: Journal of Curious Letters by James Dashner
![cover image](https://www.readplus.com.au/covers/13threality.jpg)
Scholastic, 2018 (First published by Simon and Schuster, 2008). ISBN
9781742994789
(Age: 11+) Highly recommended. Themes: Fantasy, Science Fiction,
Truth and Reality, Courage, Quantum Physics, Adventure, STEM.
Atticus Higginbottom (nicknamed 'Tick') is not a super-hero type. In
fact he is more the kind of 13 year old student who is likely to
spend time in his own locker at the 'suggestion' of the school bully
and who has a passion for the local library, the pursuit of science
and understanding quantum physics. He is also the recipient of a
series of strange letters that are both extremely puzzling and also
life-altering. These letters demand great intelligence and
problem-solving skills and ultimately bravery as they lead Tick into
dangerous new territory, alternate realities and, as a side-note,
into new friendships. His courage is tested and the world he knows
is challenged, twisted and tipped upside-down in amazing ways.
Reality itself is tested by technology, new knowledge, new
possibilities and possibly even forces of good and evil. Quirky
characters abound. Fortunately he has a supportive family to fall
back on! (This is in itself a pleasant change from the
ultra-independence of many teen YA characters.)
The author James Dashner is perhaps better known for his dystopian
speculative fiction, "The Maze Runner", written for a slightly older
YA audience. "The Journal of Curious Letters" is infused with humour
and a little bit of science and technology, but it is mostly an
enthralling, fantasy-quest, adventure written for capable and
intelligent young readers. This book was originally released in
2008, before "The Maze Runner", but this Scholastic release should
capture a new readership that enjoys reading about young
protagonists who are pushed to their limits and overcome adversity
using their brainpower. (Readers that have enjoyed Trenton Lee
Stewarts' "The Mysterious Benedict Society" series will enjoy this
book too.) I will also look forward to reading more in this series
and will even enjoy grappling with the concepts of Quantum physics
that underpin the idea of alternative realities!
(Note: James Dashner has been embroiled in the #Metoo controversy.
Read his and other comments online to inform your own opinion on
this issue. Young readers may or may not be aware of the issues, but
the book publishing industry is not immune.)
Carolyn Hull