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HORN SLAYER

From the Pacey Packer, Unicorn Tracker series , Vol. 2

A refreshing change of pace for unicorn devotees a bit weary of the sugary, mild-mannered sort.

A unicorn’s horn continues to be a bone of contention as Pacey Packer returns to the magical realm of Rundalyn on a rescue mission.

Hoping to restore the children from the Human Realm who had been turned to stone by evil unicorn Arkane—and chasing after an overstimulated dog she’s supposed to be minding—Pacey hurries over a rainbow bridge back to the land of the unicorns for a whirl of chases, captures, sudden reverses, and ad hoc schemes with a strong tendency to go wrong or, in the end, just barely right enough. And, as if Arkane, who will stop at nothing to get his broken horn back, isn’t threat enough, it seems that the horn itself, which can bring the stone children back at a touch, also turns to the bad anyone who even holds it for more than a few moments. Fortunately Pacey has allies, notably Slasher, a surly unicorn plushy, and its former owner, Carlos de la Cruz, to help out. Unfortunately the horn ultimately falls into the hands of…well, that’s a tale for the next episode. Nonstop action, expressive artwork, and witty asides give this strong reader appeal. Except for Carlos and some other human figures in the purple duotone comic art, who are tinted a pale mauve, the cast presents White. Phillipps includes a mini–drawing lesson at the end.

A refreshing change of pace for unicorn devotees a bit weary of the sugary, mild-mannered sort. (Graphic fantasy. 7-10)

Pub Date: June 1, 2021

ISBN: 978-1-984850-57-7

Page Count: 224

Publisher: Random House

Review Posted Online: March 30, 2021

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2021

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THE MYSTERIOUS MESSENGER

An effort as insubstantial as any spirit.

Eleven-year-old Maria Russo helps her charlatan mother hoodwink customers, but Maria has a spirited secret.

Maria’s mother, the psychic Madame Destine, cons widows out of their valuables with the assistance of their apartment building’s super, Mr. Fox. Madame Destine home-schools Maria, and because Destine is afraid of unwanted attention, she forbids Maria from talking to others. Maria is allowed to go to the library, where new librarian Ms. Madigan takes an interest in Maria that may cause her trouble. Meanwhile, Sebastian, Maria’s new upstairs neighbor, would like to be friends. All this interaction makes it hard for Maria to keep her secret: that she is visited by Edward, a spirit who tells her the actual secrets of Madame Destine’s clients via spirit writing. When Edward urges Maria to help Mrs. Fisher, Madame Destine’s most recent mark, Maria must overcome her shyness and her fear of her mother—helping Mrs. Fisher may be the key to the mysterious past Maria uncovers and a brighter future. Alas, picture-book–creator Ford’s middle-grade debut is a muddled, melodramatic mystery with something of an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink feel: In addition to the premise, there’s a tragically dead father, a mysterious family tree, and the Beat poets. Sluggish pacing; stilted, unrealistic dialogue; cartoonishly stock characters; and unattractive, flat illustrations make this one to miss. Maria and Sebastian are both depicted with brown skin, hers lighter than his; the other principals appear to be white.

An effort as insubstantial as any spirit. (author’s note) (Paranormal mystery. 7-10)

Pub Date: July 21, 2020

ISBN: 978-1-250-20567-4

Page Count: 320

Publisher: Christy Ottaviano/Henry Holt

Review Posted Online: March 28, 2020

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2020

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MEET THE BIGFEET

From the Yeti Files series , Vol. 1

Good-hearted fun—great for fans of Kit Feeny and Babymouse.

It’s a Bigfeet family reunion!

Everyone’s favorite frosty, furry cryptid, the yeti, actually has a name: Blizz Richards. From his supersecret HQ in Nepal he keeps in touch with his fellow cryptids, all of whom have sworn an oath to keep themselves hidden. That’s not always easy, especially when there are cryptozoologists, like the nasty (but bumbling) George Vanquist, who are always trying to expose the secretive creatures. Vanquist got a picture of Blizz’s cousin Brian near his home in British Columbia, causing the mortified Brian to disappear entirely. When Blizz receives an invitation to a Bigfeet family reunion in Canada, he calls his buddies Alexander (one of Santa’s elves), Gunthar (a goblin) and Frank the Arctic fox to help him get ready. When they arrive in Canada, Brian is still nowhere to be seen. Can Blizz and his skunk ape and other sasquatch cousins find Brian, have the reunion and evade Vanquist? If anyone can, the Bigfeet clan can. Illustrator Sherry’s first volume in the Yeti Files is a fast and funny graphic-prose tale full of labeled pictures and comic-style panels. Those just starting chapter books may have some trouble with a few big words, but they’ll enjoy the big friendly monsters and immediately ask for the next tale—which looks to be about the Loch Ness monster.

Good-hearted fun—great for fans of Kit Feeny and Babymouse. (Graphic/fantasy hybrid. 7-10)

Pub Date: Sept. 30, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-545-55617-0

Page Count: 128

Publisher: Scholastic

Review Posted Online: May 27, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2014

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