Kepler's Dream [Hardcover]

Juliet Bell (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 10, 2012 | Age Range: 10 and up | Lexile Measure: 820L (What's this?)

A young girl makes her fractured family whole again with the help of a very special book

When eleven-year-old Ella's mother has to be hospitalized to undergo a dangerous cancer treatment, Ella spends the summer at "Broken Family Camp" with her eccentric grandmother, whom she's never met. The situation is hardly ideal for either of them. Ella is scared her mother may die, but her grandmother seems to care more about her library full of books than she does about her very own granddaughter.

But when a rare and beloved book, Kepler's Dream of the Moon, is stolen from her grandmother's amazing library, Ella and her new friend Rosie make up their minds to find it. Finding the beautiful book her grandmother loves so much could even be the key to healing Ella's broken family.

An affecting and beautifully written story of family, forgiveness and the wonder of the stars, Kepler's Dream is a sparkling and memorable debut.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Utterly captivating, idiosyncratic, rich and memorable . . . not only an entertaining book but an absorbing and artful one.”—New York Times Book Review

“An impressive debut.”—Booklist, starred review

“Smart and thoughtful, the story sparkles.” —School Library Journal

"Every detail is relevant in this tightly plotted debut peopled with an unforgettable cast of characters. More family drama than mystery, the story is told in Ella’s voice—compassionate, clever, preadolescent-snarky—allowing Bell to treat weighty issues with a light touch. "--Kirkus Reviews, starred review --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Juliet Bell lives in Berkeley, California.

Product Details

• Age Range: 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (May 10, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399256458
• ISBN-13: 978-0399256455
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.1 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #652,204 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful story! October 8, 2012

By Harriet Chessman

Format:Hardcover

I so love this story about a courageous girl -- Ella -- facing both her mother's cancer AND the necessity of a summer under the hawk-eye of her formidable grandmother, who comes surrounded with dozens of peacocks at a quirky ranch in the Southwest. Fanciful, humorous, and wholly engaging, this story of Ella's efforts to find her footing in this new situation carries you along wonderfully, as you cheer Ella on and hope for what at first seems impossible: the discovery of who stole a famous and priceless book, and the knitting up of certain important relationships, including Ella's at first prickly relationship with her Grandmother. I recommend this to all children who love to read a really well-told mystery story, where part of the fun is figuring out the mystery of people you thought you knew. This story peels away layer after layer, until you are surprised, moved, and very satisfied.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful story filled with humor and heart! June 20, 2012

By Cinco Paul

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I found this book completely enchanting. Bell captures the voice of Ella, the eleven-year-old protagonist, perfectly. She is sent to spend the summer with her stern grandmother while her mother undergoes treatment for leukemia, and while there gets involved in a mystery involving an extremely valuable book and a tragedy in her family's past. This book reminded me of Holes by Louis Sachar and the Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. Intelligent, funny, charming, with a compelling plot and an ending that got me teary-eyed. I'd recommend this for kids and parents alike.

5.0 out of 5 stars Kepler's Dream February 21, 2013

By Melissa A. Palmer VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Book #19 Read in 2013
Kepler's Dream by Juliet Bell (YA)

Ella's mother is undergoing chemotherapy. Due to this, Ella is sent to spend the summer with the grandmother she has never met. GM (Grandmother or more aptly, General Major) is a stern woman who upholds grammatical rules, the importance of books and maintaining a healthy emotional distance. Then GM's most treasured piece of her library is stolen and Ella and her friend Rose begin to investigate the robbery.

This book was a good read. Ella is a great character--she has a sense of human and a sense of strength about her that readers will respond to. GM will win readers over in spite of herself. The secondary cast of characters are quirky and interesting. This book had a good mystery plot to it to keep readers engaged. I enjoyed it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read January 31, 2013

By Rw

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

A well written story with real 'stuff' in it. Lots of references to historical cheap a characters and events beyond a young reader's experience or likely education. The novel should encourage curiosity about and searches for related subjects.

5.0 out of 5 stars Gift for Granddaughter January 31, 2013

By Barbara J. Rhode

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I ordered this book for my granddaughter who lives in another state and thought it would be fun for her to read.

5.0 out of 5 stars Kepler's Dream by Juliet Bell January 15, 2013

By William Ruddick

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

The characters, language, pace, and plot are perfectly pitched for the intended audience of young novel readers, but remarkably are just as engaging for older readers, especially those who enjoy recapturing their early reading experiences. I very much hope that the author will take time from her other writing to chime again soon.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Just Okay January 3, 2013

By Mama Maestra

Format:Hardcover

I am an middle school English teacher who is always looking to add great books to my library. Many of my students love to read and will read just about anything I recommend. The other segment of the student population are reluctant readers and need books to be "sold" to them. I can't really recommend this book to either groups with a whole lot of enthusiasm. This is because the main character is never really believable. She is likeable enough, but her voice is so overly wise and mature that it's hard to connect to her. The story is interesting and I really like the idea of intertwining Kepler into it, but ultimately this is not a book that I can get excited about.