A thrilling tale about the power of dreams.
A young girl must harness a strange ability to save her brother in this debut children’s novel.
Like many older sisters, Isla loves her brother, Ethan, but is frustrated by his constant need for attention. When he falls off a swing in their backyard and hits his head, Isla and her father, who is a doctor, must watch over him at the Monadnock Sleep Disorder Center. The center was founded by her father, who specializes in sleep disorders, and his friend Dr. Amit Prasad, both of whom have unique talents about which Isla knows nothing. While sleeping at the center, Isla and Ethan, who is still comatose, find themselves wandering through odd, dark dreams—a new sensation. They never dreamed much in the past. After telling her father about her remarkable experience, Isla learns that she is a “theta” with an ability that allows her to view others’ dreams. She feels as if she’s right there with the dreamers. She soon unearths key information about her parents’ odd, sleep-related powers and her mother’s dying wish that Isla and Ethan be kept out of Somnium, the world of dreams, so they can remain safe from those who would want to use them and cause them harm. But being kept in the dark didn’t stop Ethan from drifting into a coma, and learning the truth may be the only way to save him. This imaginative novel weaves the real world seamlessly into the vivid dreamscape. In addition, Sterling’s detailed descriptions of the bizarre dreams are evocative (“Above the bed was a mural with animals. Isla looked closer. The animals appeared to be moving. What is going on? She watched as a sheep, two cows, a few pigs, and some chickens moved about their penned in area outside a farmhouse, eating their dinner”). Perhaps because this is a series opener, there are some aspects of the characterizations and pacing that feel rushed. But overall, the author delivers an exciting, inventive story that will spark anticipation for the next installation. This is a superb read for clever kids who like a little bit of darkness in their magical adventure stories.
A thrilling tale about the power of dreams.Pub Date: April 29, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-952678-00-4
Page Count: 231
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: Nov. 5, 2020
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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
A pleasing premise for book lovers.
A fantasy-loving bookworm makes a wonderful, terrible bargain.
When sixth grader Poppy Woodlock’s historic preservationist parents move the family to the Oregon coast to work on the titular stately home, Poppy’s sure she’ll find magic. Indeed, the exiled water nymph in the manor’s ruined swimming pool grants a wish, but: “Magic isn’t free. It cosssts.” The price? Poppy’s favorite book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In return she receives Sampson, a winged lion cub who is everything Poppy could have hoped for. But she soon learns that the nymph didn’t take just her own physical book—she erased Narnia from Poppy’s world. And it’s just the first loss: Soon, Poppy’s grandmother’s journal’s gone, then The Odyssey, and more. The loss is heartbreaking, but Sampson’s a wonderful companion, particularly as Poppy’s finding middle school a tough adjustment. Hartman’s premise is beguiling—plenty of readers will identify with Poppy, both as a fellow bibliophile and as a kid struggling to adapt. Poppy’s repeatedly expressed faith that unveiling Sampson will bring some sort of vindication wears thin, but that does not detract from the central drama. It’s a pity that the named real-world books Poppy reads are notably lacking in diversity; a story about the power of literature so limited in imagination lets both itself and readers down. Main characters are cued White; there is racial diversity in the supporting cast. Chapters open with atmospheric spot art. (This review has been updated to reflect the final illustrations.)
A pleasing premise for book lovers. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: May 2, 2023
ISBN: 9780316448222
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
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