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Off the Page

Review

Off the Page

written by Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer, illustrated by Yvonne Gilbert

Readers, before we delve into the sheer brilliance that is OFF THE PAGE, let me just state the obvious: talent runs deep within Jodi Picoult’s family. I've always been a huge fan of this bestselling author, so when I saw that her newest book, co-written with daughter Samantha Van Leer, was up for review, I jumped at it.

OFF THE PAGE, the companion novel to BETWEEN THE LINES, reunites audiences with Delilah and Oliver, a charming couple whose love story defies the physics of our world. Oliver, a fictional prince from a storybook, is wished into existence by Delilah after switching places with the storybook author’s son, Edgar. Initially, everything flows swimmingly: Oliver assimilates into Delilah’s world and wins the favor of the drama club and the popular kids. Concurrently, Edgar embraces his role within the pages of his rewritten space-age odyssey storybook featuring all the hallmark characters of a typical fairytale: beautiful princess, loyal sidekick, evil villain and the ever cliché histrionic horse.

"Accompanied by beautiful drawings, this story marries the quick wit and pacing of Picoult’s bestsellers with a youthful sheen that is all Van Leer. "

However, cracks soon began to surface through Delilah and Oliver’s self-created storybook life. The storybook begins to break down, and messages proclaiming “I NEED YOU” and “COME HOME” appear in Delilah’s room. With the help of the characters, Delilah and Oliver figure out that the book is rejecting Edgar’s new plotline and Oliver’s disappearance from the storybook.

At the same time, Edgar’s mother, Jessamyn, begins to have serious health complications, and it becomes apparent that Edgar is going to have to return to the real world. However, since the storybook needs a male hero, that means that Delilah and Oliver will have to split for good. Can the two worlds come up with a solution that will give everyone their happily ever after?

Aside from the intricate storyline and creative characterization, Picoult and Van Leer manage to capture the beauty of a storybook within the pages of a teen romance novel. Accompanied by beautiful drawings, this story marries the quick wit and pacing of Picoult’s bestsellers with a youthful sheen that is all Van Leer.  For those seeking an escape into the Disney Princess fairytales of their youth, OFF THE PAGES is the perfect respite.

Reviewed by Christi Sheehan on May 22, 2015

Off the Page
written by Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer, illustrated by Yvonne Gilbert