Furthermore

Author: Tahereh Mafi 

Pages: 406
Genre: Children Middle-Grade Fantasy
Book description (from Good Reads): Alice Alexis Queensmeadow 12 rates three things most important: Mother, who wouldn’t miss her; magic and color, which seem to elude her; and Father, who always loved her. Father disappeared from Ferenwood with only a ruler, almost three years ago. But she will have to travel through the mythical, dangerous land of Furthermore, where down can be up, paper is alive, and left can be both right and very, very wrong. Her only companion is Oliver whose own magic is based in lies and deceit. Alice must first find herself—and hold fast to the magic of love in the face of loss.

Things to consider:

• Characters 9.0
• Alice is a very insecure and lonely girl at the beginning of the story. She comes off as a bit self-centered and selfish when interacting with other people. She goes through a big change in her life and grows up accordingly. She learns to trust others, realizes that people actually care about her and accept herself the way she is.
• Oliver is a joyful kid, but only externally. He hides loneliness as well. The boy grows a lot as well, learns to accept others might actually like him without the need to lie and use persuasion. 
• Plot 8.5
• It is a slow moving story. Most of it the kids seem to be going blindly learning the way of the world as they go. Initially, Alice is annoying because she and Oliver can't seem to be able, to be honest with one another and their lack of communication results in trouble they could have maybe avoided. Oh well, the lack of planning and the lack of communication make the adventures grow for the couple of kids.  
• The story has a lot of holes in the world but it seems like there is really is no choice, the kids are discovering the unknown world as they go. They are, after all, exploring another world that was supposedly only a legend.
• Logic 7.5
• Alice is a bit self-centered to the point that in several occasions she takes decisions that are not very good, some that even are contrary to survival skills. It is annoying that sometimes they keep fighting and they do not trust each other and make more problems than what they should have faced. 
• Intrigue: 8.0
• The beginning of the story is already starting with the mystery of where Alice's father is missing. The mystery is really not a big part of the story, even if they spend the whole time looking for Alice's father but the whole thing is more focused on surviving and exploring the Furthermore.
• Enjoyment 9.5 It is a very good read, it captures immediately and even if the attitude of the children is a bit lacking of survival skills but the adventure is catching. You end up reading the story and enjoying the ride. 
• Writing Style: 9.5
• The way the story is told is capturing. The way it is told grips your attention and it simply makes you fall in love with the characters. 
• Intention: 8.0
• Your family cares about you even if they do not know how you show it. Parents are not perfect, they also make mistakes when they feel down and depressed. But it is not your fault. 
• Accept yourself. There is nothing wrong with looking different than most of the people. 

Total Score: 60.0

Average: 8.5

Star rating: 4.5

Used to accomplish challenges:

• Lalathon. 
• Mythothon. Hebe goddess of the eternal youth. Read children or YA book.