An enchanting fairy tale.
No granted wish comes without strings attached.
Left alone when her mother died, wild-maned moppet Olga, who knows nothing about her father, now runs with the nefarious Mr. Bulgakov and bighearted older-brother figure Pavel. For years, the three have kept moving, swindling villagers for food and profit, often using a form of magic possessed by Olga to create illusions. Olga does not feel good about this lifestyle, but years of being taught to look out for herself have inured her to it. That is, until an escape from law enforcement lands them in the Kamen Mountains, where legend tells of the Scarlet Heart, a jewel that could change their lives. Escaping from Mr. Bulgakov to search for it, Olga and Pavel find themselves in the lavish Sokolov Palace, complete with a swan-filled aviary and extravagant balls hosted by the enigmatic Baron Sokolov. Of course, it’s all too good to be true, and Olga soon must try to unlock a “distorted, infected” magic, unaware that her own fate is inextricably linked to it. Segments of the story are cleverly previewed by an omniscient spider storyteller who addresses readers and asks them thoughtful questions. The characters are interesting, and the story, lovingly inspired by the ballets Giselle and Swan Lake, is well developed and moves briskly. Engaging illustrations, reminiscent of woodcut prints, add interest and context as the tale unfolds. In this Eastern European–influenced world, characters read white.
An enchanting fairy tale. (author’s note) (Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: Oct. 24, 2023
ISBN: 9780593121696
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Aug. 26, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant.
Robot Roz undertakes an unusual ocean journey to save her adopted island home in this third series entry.
When a poison tide flowing across the ocean threatens their island, Roz works with the resident creatures to ensure that they will have clean water, but the destruction of vegetation and crowding of habitats jeopardize everyone’s survival. Brown’s tale of environmental depredation and turmoil is by turns poignant, graceful, endearing, and inspiring, with his (mostly) gentle robot protagonist at its heart. Though Roz is different from the creatures she lives with or encounters—including her son, Brightbill the goose, and his new mate, Glimmerwing—she makes connections through her versatile communication abilities and her desire to understand and help others. When Roz accidentally discovers that the replacement body given to her by Dr. Molovo is waterproof, she sets out to seek help and discovers the human-engineered source of the toxic tide. Brown’s rich descriptions of undersea landscapes, entertaining conversations between Roz and wild creatures, and concise yet powerful explanations of the effect of the poison tide on the ecology of the island are superb. Simple, spare illustrations offer just enough glimpses of Roz and her surroundings to spark the imagination. The climactic confrontation pits oceangoing mammals, seabirds, fish, and even zooplankton against hardware and technology in a nicely choreographed battle. But it is Roz’s heroism and peacemaking that save the day.
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant. (author’s note) (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2023
ISBN: 9780316669412
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Aug. 26, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A page-turner with striking characters and a satisfying puzzle at its heart.
A boy who visits a little free library gets more than he bargained for when he becomes a sleuth caught up in the middle of his town’s most enduring mystery.
Ever since a tragic fire destroyed the Martinville Library, the town has been left without a place to borrow books. That is, until a little free library suddenly pops up, guarded by a fluffy orange cat named Mortimer. Fifth grader Evan McClelland selects two books from its shelves. Inside them he finds puzzling clues that lead him to chase down the real story behind the library fire. The book is told from multiple perspectives, including those of Evan, Mortimer, and ghost librarian Al, who perished in the blaze and is responsible for the upkeep of the little free library. Evan’s tenacious and curious character is relatable. His relationship with likable best friend Rafe, a brave, kind boy with overprotective parents, is easily one of the most endearing parts of the story. The puzzle over the library fire, a secret involving Evan’s family, a popular writer’s connection to Martinville, and the supernatural elements are presented in ways that are just right for middle-grade readers. The pacing is strong, and the twists and turns are satisfying even if perceptive readers may catch hints of the ultimate truth along the way. Physical descriptions of the human characters are largely absent.
A page-turner with striking characters and a satisfying puzzle at its heart. (Mystery. 8-12)Pub Date: Aug. 29, 2023
ISBN: 9781250838810
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Review Posted Online: June 8, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2023
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