Posted by Literary Titan
Jimmy McGellan is known as Jimmy Crikey, a name he loathes and only serves to remind him of the bullying he has endured from children in his school. His aunt is raising him and caring for him the best way she knows how, but Jimmy needs a change–he wants to be rid of the hurt and begin again somewhere far from this place that doesn’t ever really feel like home. He has no way of knowing exactly how much his young life will change when he chooses to venture away from his aunt and out on his own. A new world awaits him–a world he could never have imagined.
The Amazing Adventures of Jimmy Crikey: Worlds Beneath And Above The Stars, by Wallace E. Briggs, is a fantasy/science fiction adventure based on the main character Jimmy Crikey. Young Jimmy is relatable, lovable, and heroic. As his journey begins, he is clearly bullied, singled out for some glaring physical differences, and belittled to the point of despair. Young readers will find themselves identifying with his struggle and rooting for him from the very first chapter.
Briggs has created a beautiful world that meshes fantasy and science fiction for young readers. When Jimmy finds himself meeting one fantastic being after the other in Roombelow, readers will get an Alice-in-Wonderland-meets-The-Wizard-of-Oz feeling. However, Briggs’s work is original and departs from both story lines enough to make it into its own category. As the story began, I wasn’t taken with the science fiction aspect of Jimmy’s tale, but it grew on me, and soon I was engrossed in his mission and the plight of the unique characters.
Briggs’s lengthy list of secondary characters can at some points grow a little confusing, but many of them stand out in their own right. Gemma, for one, is a well-drawn character who provides important plot points and is just the right fit for a boy like Jimmy coming from a world of pain above. I was impressed with the vast array of characters and the unique traits given each.
Two notable elements of Briggs’s story deal with the obvious departure from violence and the rise of an otherwise weak character. As a teacher and mother of teens, I found it refreshing that characters in a book meant for school-age readers took a pointed turn from violence. The book does have some later scenes in which pain is inflicted, but the author is careful at the outset of the story to veer away from violent acts between groups of beings.
I found the heroism and the building up of a character’s self-esteem to be a refreshing and much-needed read right now. Young readers who look for science fiction elements in their chapter books will appreciate Jimmy’s discovery about himself and will find themselves lost in his world. I highly recommend Briggs’s work to any teacher looking for a long-lasting read aloud for students from ages 9 to 11.
Pages: 302 | ASIN: B08B34V4TNNew paragraph
Simarie awarded a 5* on Amazon :
A beautiful tale of self-discovery stimulating heart-led harmony
Stimulates creativity into imagination while encouraging children to read magical stories that inspire.
After leaving his hometown for not feeling accepted by his looks, it is Jimmy’s perceived strange appearances that precisely served to usher his new beginning of harmonious community which he sets off to find for himself. This children’s book provides young readers with a fantastical voyage of a sweet boy who decides to leave home in search of new friends and social acceptance all whilst learning emotional intelligence over action-filled adventures in a magical realm trodden with elves, witches, anthropomorphic animals, galactic beings, mystical creatures in wondrous landscapes, and the like.
Abounded in values and positive reinforcement such as prayer, respect for elders, trust over fear, self-discovery and self-inquiry, standing up for inner-feelings and sentiments, service and caring for others, along with courageous acts, kindness, and cooperation,
The Amazing Adventures of Jimmy Crikey is exactly the sort of children’s book I would recommend to any parent wanting to both entertain and stimulate child-like creativity while supporting a healthy cultivation of self-image, perception, and self-love.
The author, Wallace Briggs, employs clear language in his descriptive writing style and on occasion includes some higher-level verbiage that I find serves to encourage young readers to practice reading along with a dictionary for enriching vocabulary, a process that greatly served me as a child growing up as I began reading more literature on my own accord. Briggs also includes sketch illustrations scattered over several chapters in between, capturing the vision of Jimmy’s adventuresome settings. Briggs offers children a tale rooted in positivity that provides readers with moments of reflection on our origins and how to live in harmony with all the unique beings that surround us.
The Amazing Adventures of Jimmy Crikey - 4* review
Reviewed by Soumya Sreehari for Readers' Favorite
Imagine a young boy shunned by his schoolmates finding new adventures in underground worlds and faraway planets! That is exactly what happens to Jimmy in Wallace E Briggs’ brilliant book, The Amazing Adventures of Jimmy Crikey. Jimmy is a young boy with unusual features – bright red hair, a snub nose, and enormous feet. He lives with his loving aunt since his parents died when he was a baby. He is bullied at school and has no friends. One night he decides to run away and find a place that will accept him. A host of exciting adventures await him. He finds love, acceptance, and adventures in 3 different worlds – one underground, another in a group of caves, and the final one in a faraway planet in outer space.
The Amazing Adventures of Jimmy Crikey is splendidly written with generous doses of action, humor, and love. Wallace Briggs takes us on a journey as Jimmy discovers his sense of self and finds appreciation. Jimmy travels to worlds that are treats of a fertile imagination. He thrives in a sense of adventure and finds the value of human connections. As I followed Jimmy’s journey through the worlds, I was enamored by his experiences. The kind people and friendly witches of Roombelow, the fair-trading Diamites, and the technologically advanced Attalia – I experienced them all. The beautiful illustrations were a bonus treat. It is a heart-warming story of a young boy who goes in search of belonging and finds so much more. The warmth and spirit of the story can be enjoyed by children and grownups alike.
Extracts from my very first Editor’s critique of Jimmy Crikey
First let me tell you how much I enjoyed this edit, not just because the story and characters are so compelling, but because your writing, grammar and punctuation are so strong…... Being presented with a book this well written is immensely refreshing and a real pleasure.
Your imagination is truly impressive, as is your ability to transfer those images and characters in your head so effectively onto paper. This is going to be a captivating read for lots of children, and you are to be commended for the effort involved with such a contribution...
Finally, you need to add another chapter to finish telling what happened…
One that is done you will have a book with huge potential – and a writing talent that should garner attention if you approach the right publisher in the right manner …… I’ll keep my eyes open for your name.
Henry's book club
What a fantastic story!
The author certainly has an incredible imagination. Without giving away the story too much - Jimmy is the underdog, picked on at school for his unusual looks. He runs away and stumbles down a hole into another world called "Roombelow". A world that has wonderful characters such as a witch who needs to learn to laugh again and a tiny lady who lives down the bottom of a well and doesn’t remember how she got there, a weather man who falls asleep leaving his weather machine to malfunction and create disastrous weather, not to mention so many other fascinating characters.
Jimmy embarks on several magical adventures throughout the story, saving the day and becoming the local hero – no longer the underdog. I have to say it’s a real page turner and as an adult, I loved it and couldn’t put the book down, so I know children will love it just as much, if not more!
This author is certainly very talented and I can’t wait to read more of his stories!
I am giving The Magical Adventures of Jimmy Crikey a well-deserved 5 star!
Buy it! Read it! You won’t be disappointed!
New paragraphWhat Audible listeners say about:
Jimmy Crikey's Adventures in the Sky Islands
Average customer ratings Overall 5 out of 5 stars Story 5 Stars x 24 4 Stars x 1
Audible.com reviews Bottom of Form
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
· Performance 5 out of 5 stars
· Story 5 out of 5 stars, One 4 out of 5 stars
John Marks 12-09-22 I enjoyed listening very much.
This audiobook is really very good with its storyline. The narrator did a great job.
· Overall5 out of 5
Shawn Bruce 11-09-22 Fabolous!
This audiobook tells the story of a young boy named Jimmy Crickey. Along the way, Jimmy encounters a colorful cast of characters and stumbles into one unexpected adventure after another. My son loves this book
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Robert Herrick 11-09-22 I fully satisfied.
This is an excellent Young Adult book. Ultimately, it conveys a message of self-love and acceptance which is significantly important at this age group level. It includes a little lady who lives at the bottom of a well, little people, and trolls helping Jimmy learn the greatest lessons of his changing life. Highly recommend.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Victor Bell 09-09-22 Fantastic book!
I love this audiobook with this amazing story. It has everything I needed to listen to. It inspired me a lot.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Basil 09-09-22 Exceptional Story book!
I like this story of Jimmy Crikey very much. It is full of adventure. The performance is great and really brings all the characters alive with their distinctive Southern voices. The story, however, and I feel churlish in admitting this, had me a little bored at times.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Maria Castillo 08-09-22 Easy to listen!
My friend listened to this audiobook twice and request me to listen. I listened and fell in love with Jimmy. The story culminates with beseeching higher powers to intervene and forces of nature that underpin human belief.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
S Davis 08-09-22 Adventure time!
I grabbed this audiobook for my teens. My son always loves to listen to adventure stories. He said this book is as good as Harry Potter.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Ava Laves 06-09-22 One of the best books.
My son enjoyed listening to this book again. He loves the story of Jimmy Crikey. It inspired him and helped him how to be a good leader or fighter.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Elina Gomes 05-09-22 Jimmy encounters a colorful cast of characters.
Jimmy encounters a colorful cast of characters and stumbles into one unexpected adventure after another. I enjoyed listening very much.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Amelie Elenore 04-09-22 Nice story on adventure!
Research has shown over the years that fantasy or magical stories like this excellent story help children think outside the box, and increase their creativity. For that, I grab this for my son. He loves this story.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Isabella Peron 03-09-22 Conveys a Timeless Message!
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to “Jimmy Crikey’s Adventures In the Sky Islands (And Beyond)” by Wallace E Briggs,” who in my opinion has written a fast-paced fantasy adventure exceptionally suitable for children and young adults.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Alvin 02-09-22 Definitely a good listen!
This is the sweetest of books. Jimmy Crikey is all about promoting good moral values. I would recommend this book to fans of novels like the Percy Jackson series and fantasy fiction.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Ambrose 02-09-22 I want the third book of this series.
I always enjoy listening to adventure stories. My friend grab this audiobook and we listened to it together. An excellent listen! I want the third book of this series.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Algernon M. Nishan 31-08-22 I Enjoyed Storytime.
The Adventures Of Jimmy Crikey in the Sky Islands is amazing! It's just a wonderful escape of funny, dark, and addictive. What an utterly beautiful book, quite easily listen to it back to back, again miss this classic at your peril.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Jonathon Parker 31-08-22 This is the adventures audiobook.
My cousin suggests that I listened to this book. It takes me through his journey while jimmy meets many interesting characters. A sweet adventure and magic story!
Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Emmett Shear 31-08-22 Fascinating and Interesting!
I love this audiobook. Brigg’s story was apparently born out of a collection of ever-evolving short stories, and in that regard, ‘Jimmy Crikey lays ample groundwork for a continuing adventure. I love it.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Maria R. Clark 31-08-22 I fully impressed!
Jimmy thrives on a sense of adventure and finds the value of human connections. As I followed Jimmy’s journey in the Sky Islands, I was enamored by his experiences. I recommend it to all.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Donald J. Fred 29-08-22 Epic adventures in worlds!
Great book with an inspiring story. Jimmy Crikeys incredible courage allows him to free up his abilities to shine and rise above every challenge in his path. A very good listen for my family.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
S. J. Watson 29-08-22 An exaggerated authenticity!
This is entertaining, unusual, and controversial; the language and narration are novel with a current of humor. The adventures of Jimmy Crikey are fully interesting.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Natasha M. Davis 29-08-22 An absorbing classic tale!
It is an absolute joy to add this to my library as a book to listen to again. Thoroughly enjoyed this story. I had no idea it was so funny.
Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Jeremy Nazario 27-08-22 A entertaining fantasy adventure tale .
A wonderfully entertaining fantasy adventure tale for kids and young adults alike. My kids love this book and they want more from Wallace Briggs. Thanks.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Cornelius S. Marsh 27-08-22 Adventurous story!
I love to listen to the adventure story. This book has the amazing story of Jimmy Crikey who saved the underground world. I like it.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
· Clinton B. Shelly 26-08-22 Nice one!
I enjoyed listening to this story. The author raises topics such as self-love and acceptance in the book - things we don't discuss a lot these days!
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Clifford 26-08-22 I love the story.
This is an audiobook for young mainly, however I think it is suitable for every age. The story would persuade you to believe in magic and to open your eye for the miracles around you. The author raises topics as self-love and acceptance in the book - things we don't discuss a lot these days!
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Clement 26-08-22 Very interesting!
Fascinating story about a young boy in search of new friends and acceptance. The book is all about valuable moral lessons and on the other hand - the prejudice around us when we are different from others. Lovely story!
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
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