Extends the brand, though in a patchwork way, without giving the spirit of Christmas much beyond lip service.
In a tale that harks back some 2,000 years, a young Christian refugee, future preserver of the Christmas Spirit, helps save a land of arctic elves and ice gnomes from a deadly threat.
Wedging in commentary from Fisbee, the original Elf on the Shelf, and borrowing from both Christian and Norse mythologies, Bell ships her newly orphaned 12-year-old and his beloved dog, Barry (who, anachronistically, is a Saint Bernard), from Anatolia to the northern Mountains of Enchantment. After the failure of an ice wall that kept out the evil one-eyed Gangleri and his bird companions, Huginn and Munnin (variously referred to as both ravens and crows), Nicholas and his dog play instrumental roles in guarding the Lumistella Stone. This rechargeable sacred object is a fallen fragment of the Christmas Star, which has the ability to heal the Christmas Spirit—and two mighty foes are desperate to use its powers for ill: the greedy Gangleri and the treacherous, enigmatic Mother Earth, former lovers who were torn apart by their “selfish desires.” In this work, even the countering forces on the side of “truth and love” are militarized—“We fight for Christmas! ATTACK!”—leading to plenty of combat scenes. Some readers will spot the parallels between Gangleri and Odin. This rather flat commercial tie-in may hold appeal for ardent fans of the franchise.
Extends the brand, though in a patchwork way, without giving the spirit of Christmas much beyond lip service. (map) (Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 16, 2025
ISBN: 9780063327467
Page Count: 320
Publisher: HarperPop/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Aug. 2, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2025
A thoughtful, humorous, community-centered exploration of identity and Buddhism.
Stories of Buddha’s past lives help a young boy “find [himself] in the moment.”
Binh and his siblings, who are of Vietnamese descent, can’t believe they’re spending the weekend at a silent meditation retreat. Binh would rather play his Game Boy so he doesn’t have to meditate and inevitably think about the bullies at school. It is only when Sister Peace tells stories about the Buddha and his past life that Binh is able to imagine himself entering a video game–inspired world and thus process his feelings of shame, isolation, and anger. With each Jataka tale, Binh’s awareness expands, and so, too, does his ability to be present for and helpful to those around him. A welcome addition to the handful of middle-grade stories featuring Buddhist protagonists, this exploration of identity and Buddhist principles will find an audience with young readers who love Raina Telgemeier but aren’t quite ready to level up to the complexity and nuance of Gene Luen Yang’s epic American Born Chinese (2006). The video game elements are compelling, although they understandably diminish as the story progresses and the protagonist’s inner life grows. Warm fall colors and luscious black lines anchor the story as it transitions among flashbacks, stories, and the present day. Filled with talking animals, the parables can be a little heavy-handed, but the witty banter between Binh and the narrator during fantasy sequences provides levity. (This review was updated for accuracy.)
A thoughtful, humorous, community-centered exploration of identity and Buddhism. (bibliography) (Graphic fiction. 9-12)Pub Date: Sept. 19, 2023
ISBN: 9780759555488
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Little, Brown Ink
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2023
PERSPECTIVES
An action-packed, evocative portrayal of courage, friendship, and belonging.
Indian folklore meets fantasy adventure in this captivating novel.
Eleven-year-old Kritika “Kiki” Kallira lives in London with her Mum, an immigrant from the state of Karnataka in the south of India; she’s never met her father, who died before she was born. Kiki’s mother is an animator, and Kiki, who struggles with anxiety and spiraling, obsessive thoughts, finds solace in sketching in her notebooks and imagining stories, especially ones inspired by the Hindu mythology they’ve shared. Now, though, Kiki has unleashed the Asura king Mahishasura from his exile through the drawings in her sketchbook. As she travels and travails between London and Mysore, the heroes and demons she’s sketched come to life, and she is faced with seemingly insurmountable tasks and complex obstacles. In her quest to save the world, Kiki shows readers the power of asking for help, believing in oneself, and overcoming fear. The worldbuilding is full of vibrant images and detailed descriptions about Mahishasura’s kingdom and palace, Lalith Mahal. The novel draws inspiration primarily from the story of Mahishasura—who wanted to be immortal—and how he was defeated by the goddess Chamundeshwari. Anxiety and mental health are also explored with honesty and finesse; many young readers will resonate with her struggle to quiet demons both internal and external.
An action-packed, evocative portrayal of courage, friendship, and belonging. (Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: July 6, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-20697-3
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: July 7, 2021
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