The Anybodies

Written in a similar style to the Lemony Snicket Series of Unfortunate Events books, The Anybodies is the story of a most unusual girl named Fern. Early in the book Fern learns that her parents, the Drudgers, who are "ridiculously dull" (after all, they are both accountants for the firm Beige & Beige), are not indeed her real parents. Her real--somewhat magical--family is much more interesting, and somewhat more dangerous.

There are lots of delightful details in this book (the Drudgers themselves had both been "exceptionally boring children who enjoyed putting their toys in rows and keeping their pencils sharp. When feeling wild, they might have hummed, but that was about it") and it is packed with literary references (Alice, Oz, Narnia, show more Charlotte's Web, Roald Dahl). It also has fabulous illustrations by Peter Ferguson (who according to the back cover, "lurks in a dusty corner of the hamlet Montreal, not far from the Arctic Circle"). Further, there was a strong female protagonist who, it is very clear, can take care of herself. I loved all the details, but put together, it was all a bit frantic for me. However, I am not the target audience. My 13 year old thought it was great.

Recommended for: This book would appeal equally to boys and girls. It has humour and action, and literary references that reward the book lover. However, most of the books referred to have been made into popular movies, so the non-reader would not feel left out. show less

A feminist fairy(ish) tale for younger readers, The Anybodies is also a book about books with lots of references to children's books. Readers and the imagination are valued, family is as important to Fern as it would be to any young reader who is looking for a place that feels like home. There are twists and specifically feminist twists, all and all an enjoyable read for the pre-early teen set. My only problem was with the portrayal of the Drudgers who are so dull they hum or sharpen pencils for enjoyment. As one who enjoys both humming and a nicely sharpened pencil I felt a little slighted. To compensate, she more than once emphasized that nursing was a profession that employs science, so I guess I'll just go quietly sharpen my pencils show more while no one is looking. show less

The Anybodies tells the story of an unusual girl by the name of Fern, who feels like she's never fit in. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Drudger, embody the definition of dull, working as accountants for the firm Beige & Beige while collecting toasters, sponges, and refrigerator magnets as a hobby. On the other hand, Fern is a lively, bubbly child, whose wildness and intellect are rejected by her parents. However, that all changes when Fern discovers she was switched at birth, and is presented the chance to live with her biological father over the summer. Her father, the Bone, and her have much more in common than she ever could've imagined, and he tells her he's an Anybody: someone who can be anybody or anything. However, he's slowly losing show more his powers as an Anybody, and to get them back, they need Fern's mother's book, The Art of Being Anybody. Thus, Fern and the Bone start their journey together, searching for the book with all the answers. Fern has such a strong, unique personality which really sets her apart from other young protagonists. One of her most notable characteristics is her passion for reading; she has a wall of books in her room. This particular detail can really inspire readers to follow in her footsteps, as it is certainly an admirable trait. A classic fantasy novel, The Anybodies is sure to captivate an audience and leave behind a story to remember. show less

The Anybodies was slow starting for me and I almost abandoned the book, I'm glad I hung in there until the end. This is a fantasticically illustrated novel with Lemony Snicket-esque overtones. Fern finds out that she was swapped at birth and that her dull parents the Drudgers aren't actually her parents at all. This information is relayed to Fern when her father the Bone shows up at the door with the Drudgers true son, Howard. The families decide to swap kids for the summer and this is where the adventure begins. Fern goes undercover with her birth father to locate a lost manuscript and encounters magical creatures and plenty of adventure. This book is pefect for reading aloud as a family or enjoying alone. 4 stars, recommended to fans show more of Lemony Snicket or the fantasy genre show less

This book is about two kids (one bland and one adventurous) who are separated at birth and live their first twelve years with the wrong family and never understand why they do not fit in. This book follows the story of Fern who finds out that she has been living with the wrong family for twelve years and that her real family is very different. Her father and mother are anybody's which means that they can transform themselves into anything and that Fern is the only one who can translate her late mother's diary and figure out where the lost book "The art of being anybody" is being hidden. She and her father travel to her grandmother's house which is made of books and houses characters from those books that Fern and her grandmother can show more shake out of books.She and her father work to get the book before the Miser does and succeed while Fern comes to know her new and exciting family and finds her own strength in being who she has always wanted to be. She finds out that everything is not what it seems and that is what makes life interesting. This fantasy novel is written for middle school grades and is witty and funny and uses a lot of literary references. The illustrations are done in sketches in what seems like pencil or pen. show less

I haven't really slowed down to read a book like this before. Kid's books just bring me so much happiness. I love the idea of being able to shake up a book and something come out of it. I hope she gets to spend time with Howard, her switched partner. Really lovely read.

Fern's world is turned upside down when she find out that she was switched at birth and has been living with the wrong parents for the past 11 years. When her biological father (the Bone) shows up with the nurse to trade children, Fern feels she is going to where she will fit in. But the Bone has a job for Fern to do, and the warning Fern received from Howard (the boy she was switched with is hard to follow where the Bone is taking her. Fern learns about herself as she lives her adventure and finds out just how special she is.