LEVEN THUMPS AND THE GATEWAY TO FOO

A fizzy blend of high and low fantasy with a distinctly American sensibility, this series kickoff pits a seemingly ordinary Oklahoma teen against a deranged dream master bent on conquering both Earth and the unfortunately named realm of Foo—the metaphysical stage upon which our day and night dreams all play. Having already corrupted much of Foo with his evil shadows and intentions, Sabine is bent both on finding the hidden gateway to Earth, and on killing Lev, who as sole descendant of the gate’s creator, is the only one who can destroy it. Lev has no idea of any of this, of course, until brought up to speed by a decidedly offbeat trio of Foovians led by an ancient, supernally wise spirit currently inhabiting a far-from-fresh toothpick. Displaying a knack for deliciously menacing monsters, equally delicious turns of phrase, and sly riffs on everything from pop music to Harry Potter, the author sends Lev and company on a long, strange trip, culminating in a literally explosive climax and the beginning of another journey. Good enough to survive a truly dreadful cover illustration, this recalls Michael Chabon’s Summerland (2002) for its mix of humor and terror, its splendidly unpredictable plot twists, and its intriguing vision of a reality that is wider than most of us suspect. (Fantasy. 11-13)