Worthy of every magical ounce.
New Year’s Eve has finally arrived on Emblem Island, and for 12-year-old Tor Luna, it means an opportunity to wish away the leadership emblem he so deeply loathes.
Amid the annual festivities, Tor casts his wish to the wish-gods in hopes of a new emblem—a marker on one’s skin—that will grant him the power to become a water-breather, forsaking the leadership path forged by his Chieftess mother. Alas, his wish backfires when he awakens the next day cursed with a shorter lifeline instead. It’s the Night Witch’s mark, a black eye marked upon his skin. Now the young boy must travel across Emblem Island to confront the wicked Night Witch and reverse the curse. With two companions—Engle, his comically brave best friend, and Melda, an intelligent, cunning girl—Tor embarks on an adventure charted in The Book of Cuentos, a collection of folklore based on the various enchanting, cruel inhabitants—Emblemite and beast alike—of Emblem Island. Aster’s debut includes the fruitful elements of a riveting tale: lovable characters, thrilling heroics, and villainous fiends. What sets this series opener apart is the author’s exquisite use of real Latin American folktales to broaden her fiction, bolstering the particulars of the world she creates here. Pages from The Book of Cuentos fill the gaps between each chapter, providing island lore for flavor and context. Tightly paced, Tor’s adventure concludes with a promise of more to come.
Worthy of every magical ounce. (Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: June 9, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-4926-9720-6
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Sourcebooks Young Readers
Review Posted Online: March 24, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2020
PERSPECTIVES
PERSPECTIVES
PERSPECTIVES
Minor perils and likable characters make for a cozy and enjoyable read.
McCullough, who was a Morris YA Debut Award finalist for Blood Water Paint (2018), draws inspiration from her hometown of Seattle in her middle-grade debut.
On the surface, Sutton and Luis could not be more different. Sutton is a logic-ruled robot coder with a passion for hard science while Luis is a fantasy writer who uses his pen to go on adventures that his allergies prevent him from undertaking in real life. Both are from single-parent homes, and when their parents’ nascent romance grows serious, they are thrust together. Their first encounter is a bit of a bust as Sutton and Luis struggle to build rapport, but determined to give one another a second chance, the families decide on a hike. When the children are accidentally separated from the adults, they must learn to work together despite their differences in order to make it to their rendezvous point safely, in the process learning to confront problems and think with empathy and creativity. With chapters switching narrative focus between the two protagonists, their inner turmoil is handled with sensitivity, creating a character-driven tale that doesn’t skimp on plot. While Luis’ issues with severe allergies are explicit, Sutton’s struggles with emotional expression and sensory overload are never given a name, though they are likely to resonate with readers on the autism spectrum. Luis is mixed-race Latinx and white, Sutton is white, and the supporting cast includes Asian and LGBTQ friends and neighbors. The notable representation of female characters in diverse STEM fields is heartening.
Minor perils and likable characters make for a cozy and enjoyable read. (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: April 14, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5344-3849-1
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Atheneum
Review Posted Online: Dec. 17, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2020
A vividly told narrative.
Award winner Brosgol’s latest is a wish-fulfillment tale that follows Oliver Bakh, a long-haired fifth grade boy whose life is upended.
After Oliver’s father, a cook who emigrated from the country of Georgia, passes away, Oliver and his mom, who presents white, bounce around among relatives’ homes. Financially strained and emotionally overwhelmed, Oliver’s mother falls into a deep depression, leaving him to take on responsibilities far beyond his years. Just when things seem hopeless, their luck takes an unexpected turn: Oliver’s 96-year-old great-aunt Barb dies, leaving them her Manhattan apartment. Oliver and his father dreamed of opening a restaurant together, one built around their love of traditional Georgian food. Now Oliver has cherished memories, his dad’s recipe book, and a small, frozen batch of his special khinkali, or dumplings. Their new home comes with a magical mail slot that communicates via typewritten notes and grants wishes, but each wish comes with unpredictable consequences. Oliver’s wishes are small at first, but as he navigates the competitive environment of his new private school and befriends Colette, a spirited fourth grader who’s eager for adventure, his wishes grow bolder. With each one, the consequences spiral further out of control. The story’s playful yet darkly humorous tone is enhanced by black-and-white illustrations that add depth and meaning to the fantastical elements. The absurd situations, unexpected twists, and colorful, exaggerated villain add to the tale’s appeal.
A vividly told narrative. (Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: May 6, 2025
ISBN: 9781250292186
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Review Posted Online: Feb. 1, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2025
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