An appealing, imaginative adventure tale with classic fantasy elements.
A girl has many questions sparked by an inherited magical stone.
Twelve-year-old Lily McKinley lives with her mom, a hardworking nurse, and often takes responsibility for helping to care for her grandmother. Her life changes dramatically after she spots a dragon in the kitchen, eating chili out of the slow cooker. Soon after, Lily finds her recently deceased father’s precious stone, a pendant hanging from a silver chain, tucked away in her beloved copy of a book about King Arthur. She decides to wear it. More strange things begin to happen: Lily is cornered by school bully Adam and, without meaning to, summons Sir Lancelot, a knight in shining armor. The dragon, whose name is Cedric, reappears and whisks Lily off to the Realm, explaining that she is desperately needed. Through an unfortunate miscommunication, Adam is also transported into the Realm. Along their journey, they encounter wild terrain, ogres, and a regal unicorn along with many other creatures. While Lily despises Adam, she learns that they have a lot more in common than she knew, and the two eventually develop a friendship. Unexpected twists make Lily question what really happened to her dad and cause her to seek the truth about who he actually was. Main characters read as White; names indicate diversity in the supporting cast.
An appealing, imaginative adventure tale with classic fantasy elements. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: May 10, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-4335-7947-9
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Crossway
Review Posted Online: March 1, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
Reflective children will revel in this thought-provoking world.
The journey to find a child becomes an existential quest for an abandoned teddy bear.
Buddy is not just any stuffed bear, but a blue Furrington Teddy with a Real Silk Heart. So why did he wake up in a landfill with other Furringtons of varying hues? A more pressing matter, however, is escaping Trashland and its murderous gulls and bulldozers. Yearning to connect with a child and achieve a state of peaceful Forever Sleep, Buddy and his new friends of differing temperaments and gifts set out on a harrowing journey through the city to find children who will want them. As they encounter other Furringtons in disarray, this opener in The Teddies Saga series becomes a mystery about why these teddies are being harmed in the first place. While the visceral narrative follows the teddy troupe’s adventurous challenges and survival, its focus is on Buddy’s inner struggles as he ponders identity, leadership, and other existential dilemmas. Kraus doesn’t shy away from anger, fear, death, and other dark subjects; instead they become opportunities for growth in difficult environments. Cai’s intense, slightly nightmarish grayscale illustrations add immeasurably to the text. Reminiscent of Watership Down in theme and structure, the novel’s intermittent teddy creation stories also become parables of a moral code and extend the epic story arc. A cliffhanger ending sets the scene for the next installment.
Reflective children will revel in this thought-provoking world. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-250-22440-8
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: June 29, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2020
An intriguing, fast-paced fantasy adventure.
A Korean American tween unlocks hidden magical powers to fulfill her destiny and save her family from a vengeful ancient spirit.
Twelve-year-old Lia Park aspires to one day work at the International Magic Agency, fighting monsters and protecting the world. But Lia’s unsure about her future because, unlike best friend Joon, she hasn’t yet manifested any magical abilities. Before she can take the annual entrance exam for the IMA school, her skills are unexpectedly tested when she discovers her California home ransacked and her parents missing. A message to bring Gaya the missing jewel in exchange for her parents leaves her confused and bewildered: She has no idea who Gaya is or what jewel the kidnapper is talking about. Following clues left by her parents, Lia travels with Joon to Korea to find the jewel that will save her family. While motivated to solve the mystery, Lia also becomes frustrated that her parents’ overprotectiveness kept her from knowing the truth about her powers and the threat Gaya poses. Tense scenes set up the high stakes involved in her quest. This contemporary tale incorporates Korean history, national landmarks, and mythology in an engaging way. Korean words and phrases are also woven throughout the text, reinforcing Lia’s connection to her culture and its integral role in the story.
An intriguing, fast-paced fantasy adventure. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: May 3, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5344-8793-2
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Aladdin
Review Posted Online: April 12, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
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