Find out what Mumsnetters thought of A Place Called Perfect by Helena Duggan

this book I would say is a mystery story and some kids could find it a little scary other reviews call it unsettling but I would say its not the book that nightmares are made off and ones kids are not going wake in the middle of the night screaming the house down its ideal for a child with a little imagination, love the fact its about wearing glasses which children can be really put off by having too wear them but with a book like this am sure children would want give glasses a go if they could have a adventure like this as the new girl in town she soon thinks she as becomes the local outcast but then see meets Boy and the magical world opens up in front of her

My granddaughter Amy aged 9 loved this book. She felt for Violet moving with her parents to this town called 'Perfect' Straightaway Violet feels something weird is going on, everywhere is neat and tidy and everyone is well behaved all the time. There is a curfew every night (so that everyone gets a good nights sleep) and everyone has to wear glasses to stop them going blind. More and more strange events happen and when her father disappears Boy helps her investigate. Amy is naturally inquisitive but it made her question characters and events and always follow your instincts.

Thank you for choosing us. This is the review given by my 10 year old son;

'The book is mysterious, strange and fun. I really liked it and I think it was quite amazing. I would recommend it to my friends'.

Thanks for the book. I gave it to my granddaughter who is 8 years old. This is her review.
"This book is about a girl called Violet who moves to a new town and everything is different. Some people think it is perfect, but Violet is suspicious and doesn't believe all is as it looks. When Violet finds some wooden glasses under her bed, she sees a boy. When she takes these glasses off and puts on the glasses that the town's opticians gave her (they give them to everyone in the town to stop people going blind, or so they say), she cannot see the boy. She puts the wooden glasses back on, and the Boy and her find out what the the opticians (William's brothers) are doing......can they save the town?

I really enjoyed this book because I liked the way Violet and the Boy don't give up. I liked finding out how they overpower William's brothers."

Thank you for our copy of this book. I gave this to my just turned 12 year old and it was a big hit! He stayed up until 10.30pm reading it on Saturday night, a real page turner. He says he really liked it, it had some good twists and it was an interesting mystery altogether (his words). I'll be looking out for more books by this author. Thanks again.

DN and I also found this book a little darker than first expected. Maybe too much for the targeted audience and the ending was almost too happy in contrast to the rest of the book. I did enjoy it myself however and will likely read on in the series!

My 10 year old found this an interesting read but also unsettling. He explained that Violet with her normal family move to a place called Perfect. From the perfect streets to the enforced glasses that make everything seem just that bit more attractive, Violet, unlike her parents, knows something's not right. When Violet' s father disappears she enlists the help of her only friend 'Boy' to help find him. There begins a race against time and tea to set things right and reunite families with their children and reality. He really enjoyed it and found the storyline fast paced and interesting. Thanks for the copy Mumsnet!

I think this book would appeal more to Philip Pullman fans than those of Roald Dahl. It is so much more scary than funny. Violet finds herself moved to a town where she definitely does not feel at home. Her mother becomes very unmotherly, her father disappears and pupils at school are much too well behaved. All is explained when she meets up with Boy and they find out whats going on on the Ghost Estate. Between them they manage to galvanise the 'orphans' and other inhabitants of No Mans Land to help them put things right resulting in a happy ending where families are reunited and life returns to normal. I enjoyed it - my grand-daughter can read it over halfterm so there may be more feedback to follow!

Dd1 was really pleased to get this but has already said she doesn't like it and it's not her kind of book. She read couple of chapters. She loves Harry Potter and secret 7 for comparison. I've not known her to reject a book like this before.

thanks for the update think the publishers were really quick off the mark sending the winners there copy's out

Same here. My copy just arrived today. Thought I might have ordered it and forgotten! Looking forward to reading.

I take it I won a copy of the book as a copy arrived in my letterbox this morning, Thank You, review to follow

Done!