*may contain spoilers*

This is one of my all-time favorite books.... I first read it in 4th grade, when I found it in the "big kid's" section of the school library. I was totally hooked; I can't even count how often I checked this book out that year, I read it over and over because it was just so dang good!!

I have been looking for that same edition for years (the other, more recent, covers just kind of break that childhood spell), and I finally found one a few weeks ago. Sitting down to read it, I literally had tears in my eyes that I had finally found the correct edition of such a beloved book again. It is still just as wonderful as I'd remembered it. I love the plot, love the mystery, love the characters, but to me those things are secondary to the way the book is written. The little clues the author sprinkles throughout the book, the confusing and strange twists that seem to make no sense, the abrupt and intense chapter endings and cliffhangers, making me gasp and quickly turn to the next chapter even though I know the plot by heart now... These quailties, to me, are the makings of a wonderful book. Yes, it's a "kids" book, and I'm not a kid anymore. Who cares? This is a fabulous read, and I don't think I'll ever get tired of it. ( )

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