The Anybodies facts for kids
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| Author | Julianna Baggott |
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| Illustrator | Peter Ferguson |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Anybodies Series |
| Genre | Children's fantasy novel |
| Publisher | HarperCollins |
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Publication date
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June 2004 |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
| Pages | 288 pp (first edition, hardback) |
| ISBN | 978-0-06-055735-5 (first edition, hardback) |
| OCLC | 53145448 |
| LC Class | PZ7.B14027 An 2004 |
| Followed by | The Nobodies |
The Anybodies is an exciting fantasy novel written by Julianna Baggott. She used the pen name N.E. Bode for this book. It's the first book in a series, followed by The Nobodies and The Somebodies. This book was so good, it was even nominated for the 2006 Nene Award!
Contents
Discovering the Truth: Fern's Big Surprise
Fern Drudger lived a very ordinary life. Her parents, the Drudgers, were super dull. They worked at a company called Beige & Beige. One day, the company owners, the Beige family, visited. Mrs. Drudger hoped Fern would marry their son, Milton, someday.
Soon after, three more visitors arrived. They were the Bone family and Mary Curtain, the nurse who helped deliver the Drudger's baby. Mary confessed something shocking: she had accidentally swapped the babies! Fern actually belonged to the Bone family, and their son, Howard, was really a Drudger. After the Beige family left, the two families decided to try swapping the kids back for the summer to see how it went.
Meeting the Anybodies: A World of Magic
As the Bone drove Fern and Mary Curtain home, Fern learned a huge secret. "Mary Curtain" was actually a man named Marty! He and the Bone told Fern they were "Anybodies." Anybodies are special people who can change into anyone or anything they want. The Bone and Marty used to be very powerful Anybodies, but they were slowly losing their skills.
The only thing that could help them get their powers back was a secret book. It was called The Art of Being Anybody, written by Fern's real mother, Eliza. Eliza was a very powerful Anybody, but she died before she could tell anyone where her book was hidden. Now, Fern and the Anybodies must find this lost book.
The Search Begins: Danger and Discovery
Fern thought the book might be hidden at her grandmother's house. So, they set off on their adventure. The Bone disguised himself as Mr. Bibb, an encyclopedia seller who spoke with a lisp. Fern pretended to be his daughter, Ida Bibb.
At the boarding house, Fern found out that the Bone's enemy, the Miser, was also looking for The Art of Being Anybody. The Miser was a dangerous person who might use the book for bad things. Fern and the Bone had to find the book before he did!
At Mrs. Appleplum's house (that's the name Fern gave her grandmother), Fern discovered something amazing about herself. She had magical powers too! She could shake things right out of books. Fern's grandmother, Mrs. Appleplum, was actually the Great Realdo, a super fantastic Anybody!
Main Characters: Who's Who in the Story
- Fern Drudger: A very smart girl who was accidentally swapped at birth. When Mr. Drudger was at the hospital, a plastic fern touched him, so he named his "daughter" Fern. Strange things often happened to her. Once, crickets hopped out of her picture book! Another time, snow she caught turned into a paper that read: Things aren't always what they seem, are they?
- Mr. and Mrs. Drudger: Fern's very dull parents. They love collecting toasters, sponges, and refrigerator magnets. They work as accountants for the Beige & Beige company.
- The Bone: Fern's real father. His mother, a trapeze artist, named him because she thought he had an extra sweet bone. He grew up in a circus with his best friend, the Miser. They both met Eliza, Fern's mother, and fell in love with her. Eliza trained the Bone to become an Anybody.
- The Miser: A mysterious and unfriendly man. He used to be the Bone's friend. He also loved Eliza, Fern's mother, and would write her sad love notes. He grew to hate the Bone because Eliza chose the Bone instead of him.
Awards and Possible Movie
Book Awards
The Anybodies was nominated for the Nene Award in 2006. This award celebrates books chosen by children in Hawaii.
Movie Plans
On December 8, 2004, news came out that Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies bought the rights to make a movie from The Anybodies book series. It was planned to be released in 2006. However, the movie has not been made yet. It is unknown if it will ever be released.
