Amy Ephron has quite the imagination in The Other Side of the Wall as she transports us back and forth through the past and present. Main characters and siblings, Max and Tess, have such a sweet relationship which is nice to see as that is rare in today’s media. Ephron’s writing style is similar to Cressida Cowell in that both authors don’t always follow the rules and mechanics of writing. For example, there are run-on and incomplete sentences, making the writing feel disconnected at times. If you’re an English teacher, this might make you feel like you need to whip out your red pen. However, if you like rebels, rule-breakers, or just enjoy that type of writing, then this is definitely for you. Ephron is meticulous in her details, making it easy to see what she is describing. There are a few instances when her descriptions were contradictory (i.e. when describing the weather at the beginning) but overall, her depictions were excellent. If you’re looking for a quick, adventurous read, check out The Other Side of the Wall. 

Review of an Advanced Reader’s Copy

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Philomel

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None

Violence/Gore:  Few (2) brief incidents including a character wants to slap another; characters’ lives are threatened when they get in an iced-over pond.

Sex/Nudity:  None

Mature Subject Matter:

None

Alcohol / Drug Use:

None