CLOUDSCAPE: MATILDA'S STORY

An intuitive young heroine visits the world of Cloudscape in this middle-grade prequel.

Matilda, a girl from Vietnam adopted by an American family, has a special gift. Whenever there is danger lurking, she is alerted in the form of a stomachache. These premonitions can be extremely valuable, as when she saves a friend from a venomous snake. But sometimes the aches seem to have no source, as when Matilda is practicing jumps with her beloved horse, Merry. When her family visits Oregon’s Rose Festival, Matilda ignores her misgiving about riding the Ferris wheel—a decision that turns into a calamity after her seat belt snaps at the top of the ride. The next thing Matilda knows, she has awakened in an unfamiliar world. A kindly woman named Mrs. O’Carolan explains that she was rescued from her fall by the residents of Cloudscape, a fantastical community floating more than 6,000 feet above the ground. During her first day, Matilda is introduced to a young girl named Kiara, who was rescued from the same carnival ride. The two begin the assimilation process and soon settle into a routine on Cloudscape, where rescued individuals from all over the globe study weather patterns, collect useful items from passing airplanes, and craft cloud formations for the people below. But unlike the residents who appear resigned to remaining in the clouds, Matilda and Kiara harbor a desire to return to their families and lives on Earth. In this prequel to Cloudscape: Charlie’s Story (2016), Courtney’s choice of language is simple yet effective in her illustration of the world, which is imaginative and full of whimsical details. Unfortunately, the lack of clarity concerning certain elements tests suspension of disbelief. For instance, it is never quite clear why Cloudscape’s incredible technologies stop short of being able to return people home. Additionally, the lack of urgency surrounding the central conflict causes the narrative to rely on episodic, quickly resolved dangers for excitement. On the other hand, the authenticity of Matilda’s feelings (dutifully recorded in her journal) is a winning quality.

A creative, if somewhat underdeveloped, adventure.