A refreshingly imaginative, emotionally satisfying quest for all ages.
A funny, engaging YA adventure with an important lesson at its core.
Brody Boondoggle, an intrepid 12-year-old, is out with his hilariously verbose (and hard-of-hearing) Grammy walking in the woods when they spot a strange creature across the pond. Brody’s curiosity leads to a bite on his eyebrow, but the interaction awakens a special power inside him that Grammy heartily encourages but his older, more rational brother, Jake, refuses to believe. Brody’s new fantastical, animal trait–based skill set—he need only concentrate on, say, a locust or a flying squirrel to adopt its particular physical qualities—also alienates his best friend, Rudy, which leads to a rivalry that threatens not only their friendship but an entire magical world that includes talking crabs and elusive fish. When the magical creature that bit Brody—an Akaway, whom Jake can’t see at first—begins to weaken, it’s up to Brody to confront an epidemic of indifference to magic, which has been brought about by a particularly addictive video game. What follows is a spirited journey of self-discovery and a celebration of childish imagination, as well as an exploration of kids’ resourcefulness and inherent goodness. Important, though far from didactic, teaching moments abound, wrapped in exciting descriptions and incorporated easily and naturally into the story. Author Karton has an ear finely tuned to the rhythms and sweet absurdities of childhood patter, and his tale has enough fabulous twists and turns to keep even the most grown-up young adults intrigued. While the writing falls in the well-plumbed tradition of adventure tales—readers will recognize a number of fondly made references—the villain and resolution are wonderfully original. Adults reading to children will also delight in the wholesomely irreverent tone and moments of linguistic fancy.
A refreshingly imaginative, emotionally satisfying quest for all ages.Pub Date: Feb. 14, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-9854295-0-8
Page Count: 183
Publisher: Dog Ear Publisher
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2013
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A hymn to the intrinsic loveliness of the wild and the possibility of sharing it.
What happens when a robot washes up alone on an island?
“Everything was just right on the island.” Brown beautifully re-creates the first days of Roz, the protagonist of his Wild Robot novels, as she adapts to living in the natural world. A storm-tossed ship, seen in the opening just before the title page, and a packing crate are the only other human-made objects to appear in this close-up look at the robot and her new home. Roz emerges from the crate, and her first thought as she sets off up a grassy hill—”This must be where I belong”—is sweetly glorious, a note of recognition rather than conquest. Roz learns to move, hide, and communicate like the creatures she meets. When she discovers an orphaned egg—and the gosling Brightbill, who eventually hatches—her decision to be his mother seems a natural extension of her adaptation. Once he flies south for the winter, her quiet wait across seasons for his return is a poignant portrayal of separation and change. Brown’s clean, precise lines and deep, light-filled colors offer a sense of what Roz might be seeing, suggesting a place that is alive yet deeply serene and radiant. Though the book stands alone, it adds an immensely appealing dimension to Roz’s world. Round thumbnails offer charming peeks into the island world, depicting Roz’s animal neighbors and Brightbill’s maturation.
A hymn to the intrinsic loveliness of the wild and the possibility of sharing it. (author’s note) (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: June 24, 2025
ISBN: 9780316669467
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025
A pleasing premise for book lovers.
A fantasy-loving bookworm makes a wonderful, terrible bargain.
When sixth grader Poppy Woodlock’s historic preservationist parents move the family to the Oregon coast to work on the titular stately home, Poppy’s sure she’ll find magic. Indeed, the exiled water nymph in the manor’s ruined swimming pool grants a wish, but: “Magic isn’t free. It cosssts.” The price? Poppy’s favorite book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In return she receives Sampson, a winged lion cub who is everything Poppy could have hoped for. But she soon learns that the nymph didn’t take just her own physical book—she erased Narnia from Poppy’s world. And it’s just the first loss: Soon, Poppy’s grandmother’s journal’s gone, then The Odyssey, and more. The loss is heartbreaking, but Sampson’s a wonderful companion, particularly as Poppy’s finding middle school a tough adjustment. Hartman’s premise is beguiling—plenty of readers will identify with Poppy, both as a fellow bibliophile and as a kid struggling to adapt. Poppy’s repeatedly expressed faith that unveiling Sampson will bring some sort of vindication wears thin, but that does not detract from the central drama. It’s a pity that the named real-world books Poppy reads are notably lacking in diversity; a story about the power of literature so limited in imagination lets both itself and readers down. Main characters are cued White; there is racial diversity in the supporting cast. Chapters open with atmospheric spot art. (This review has been updated to reflect the final illustrations.)
A pleasing premise for book lovers. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: May 2, 2023
ISBN: 9780316448222
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
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