The Anybodies

The Anybodies follows Fern, a girl raised by the painfully boring Drudger family who discovers she was switched at birth. Her true father appears to reclaim her for the summer, revealing himself as an Anybody - a person with the power to transform into other people and things. Fern learns she comes from a line of Anybodies and that her deceased mother left behind a powerful book called "The Art of Being Anybody." The search for this mysterious book becomes urgent when it's revealed that a dangerous figure known as the Miser is also hunting for it. Through disguises and deception, Fern and her father navigate their way through boarding houses and encounters with strange characters. The story centers on their race to find the book before it falls into the wrong hands. The novel explores themes of identity, belonging, and the tension between ordinary life and extraordinary possibilities. It raises questions about what makes a family and how people discover their true selves.

Readers describe The Anybodies as a creative take on identity and family, with many comparing it to Roald Dahl's writing style. The quirky footnotes and meta-commentary about storytelling appeal to both children and adults. Readers appreciated: - The imaginative plot twists - Humorous asides and footnotes - References to classic children's literature - The main character Fern's growth and development Common criticisms: - Plot can feel scattered and unfocused - Some found the footnotes distracting - Several readers wanted more character development - Middle section drags according to some reviews Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (89 reviews) Common Sense Media: 4/5 "Like Lemony Snicket meets Matilda" appears in multiple reader reviews. One Goodreads reviewer noted: "The footnotes add personality but sometimes interrupt the flow." Amazon reviewers frequently mention the book works well as a read-aloud with children.

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🔮 Julianna Baggott published the book under the pen name N.E. Bode after being told that her adult fiction reputation might affect the book's reception as children's literature. 📚 The novel pays homage to several classic children's books, including "James and the Giant Peach" and "Mary Poppins," with subtle references woven throughout the story. 🎭 The concept of "Anybodying" was inspired by the author's childhood fascination with transformation stories and her own experiences feeling like different people in different situations. ✍️ The book is part of a trilogy, followed by "The Nobodies" and "The Somebodies," each expanding on the magical world of shape-shifting and identity. 🏆 "The Anybodies" received multiple state book award nominations and was selected for Al Roker's Book Club for Kids on the Today Show.