Readers should gladly follow this tale’s young hero, whether he’s facing evil spells or a typical childhood.
In this debut YA fantasy, a 10-year-old boy learns that the secret of his new hometown lies with the strange disappearances of two families centuries ago.
When George Mutton’s expectant mom decides she needs more bedrooms to accommodate her twin babies, the family moves to Mount Dusk. With a 50-person population, the town doesn’t afford much opportunity for George to make friends, but he finds a confidant in Charlie Redwin. George is fascinated by Mount Dusk’s enigmatic history, which entails a couple of families vanishing back in 1795. Even more intriguing is the fact that the Muttons reside in the home of one of those clans, the affluent Regales, while George later learns the other family, comprising circus/magic performers, was the Redwins. Turns out Charlie’s not-very-nice Uncle Hubert may have used a spell to imprison Regale souls somewhere on the mountain. In order to free the souls, George and Charlie will need a Redwin spell book, with incantations that only work when recited by a Redwin descendant. The two reluctantly team up with George’s intermittently whiny little sister, Maggie, who can hopefully earn the trust of Charlie’s twin, Yvonne, who has seemingly sided with her nefarious uncle. If the kids can find a way around Hubert’s ghostly Redwin Guards, they may have a chance at saving the Regales. The story thrives entirely on George’s perspective: in his eyes, his carpenter father’s a klutz and 7-year-old Maggie’s clearly “a spoilt brat.” Thankfully, George is a smashing protagonist, sympathetic to Maggie post-tantrum and, though initially seeking adventure, ultimately risking his safety to help the trapped Regales. Taylor retains genuine mystery by shrouding Mount Dusk in ambiguity, its specific location unrevealed. There are likewise a couple of bombshells regarding links between characters as well as a surprising villain and an ally or two. Hubert, the unquestionable baddie, remains spiteful and eerily furtive (going who knows where every night) but manages to be creepier still when he’s a perfect gentleman in front of Mrs. Mutton. The ending promises more Mount Dusk secrets to come—and sequels.
Readers should gladly follow this tale’s young hero, whether he’s facing evil spells or a typical childhood.Pub Date: Sept. 25, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-9965595-1-5
Page Count: 175
Publisher: Neverland Publishing
Review Posted Online: July 22, 2016
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A book that will make young dog-owners smile in recognition and confirm dogless readers' worst suspicions about the mayhem caused by pets, even winsome ones. Sam, who bears passing resemblance to an affable golden retriever, is praised for fetching the family newspaper, and goes on to fetch every other newspaper on the block. In the next story, only the children love Sam's swimming; he is yelled at by lifeguards and fishermen alike when he splashes through every watering hole he can find. Finally, there is woe to the entire family when Sam is bored and lonely for one long night. Boland has an essential message, captured in both both story and illustrations of this Easy-to-Read: Kids and dogs belong together, especially when it's a fun-loving canine like Sam. An appealing tale. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: April 1, 1996
ISBN: 0-8037-1530-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1996
This should send Dark Knight fans flying to the Batcave—or the bedroom.
Holy bedtime, Batman!
In a sleepy-looking neighborhood under a dusky cerulean sky, a young, brown-haired, white boy goes through the motions of getting ready for bed: he brushes his teeth, takes a bath, picks up his toys, and feeds his fish. In a parallel visual narrative, beckoned by the cat's-eye–yellow bat-signal, Batman keeps Gotham safe for another night by catching crooks, locking them away, and avenging those who have been wronged. Though the two characters are quite different, through a carefully flexible narrative, Dahl and Beavers weave a convincing tale of just how similar they might be. “It’s time to take care of business” describes the child’s trip to the potty and Batman’s dive down a manhole equally well, for instance. Beavers' art is visually striking and vibrantly hued, perfect for keeping young eyes glued to each page. Dahl's economical text is cadenced with a gentle lilt, just right for a bedtime read-aloud. Young fans of the caped crusader will delight in spying their favorite characters. In the already-overstuffed bedtime-book market, this is certainly a niche read, but it hits its mark well, delivering fun without darkness. A “bedtime checklist” at the end aptly includes “story time.”
This should send Dark Knight fans flying to the Batcave—or the bedroom. (Picture book. 3-8)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-62370-732-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
