THE SECRET HISTORY OF TOM TRUEHEART

Though long, predictable and open-ended, Beck’s fantasy may still find a willing audience. Fairytale fans have had plenty of opportunities recently to revisit their favorite stories in a variety of full-length retellings. None, however, have taken quite the same path as Beck’s meandering tale of the youthful but plucky Tom Trueheart. In this once-upon-a-time world, there is a Story Bureau from whence all tales issue. Stories are then acted out by a combination of stock characters and adventurers, the latter being the six eldest Trueheart boys. Tom’s opportunity for adventure arises when a devious member of the Story Bureau decides to rewrite the traditional tales and captures all of Tom’s brothers. As Tom ventures through the Land of Story, readers will easily recognize the tales through which he travels and likely predict just how he’ll succeed in his quest. Beck’s fluid writing keeps the plot from dragging and some readers may look forward to a second installment. For most readers, however, this is likely too much talk and not enough action. (Fiction. 9-12)