BERNARD AND THE BLACKGUARD

A fearless young gopher sets out on a quest to find his missing grandfather only to find a battle brewing in Young’s children’s chapter book.

The second book in the Eastside series finds Chester, an elderly gopher, searching underground for a burlap sack with sentimental value. He’s spotted and taken prisoner by the blackguard owls, a fierce unit specifically trained to protect their colony from trespassers. When Chester fails to return home, his young grandson Bernard sets off to find him, despite the protests of Bernard’s overprotective grandmother. Alongside his best friend Flory, Bernard encounters various obstacles that threatens his mission. From swooping hawks to a terrifying encounter with a deadly snake known as Old Bulky, Bernard and Flory must face their fears in order to succeed. Luckily, they get help along the way from newfound friends like Lester, a hare whose aim with a slingshot is impeccable, and Oliver, an underappreciated owl who wants to join the blackguard someday. As the conflict between the gophers and owls ramps up, Bernard and his special dream of a land called North Country, where all animals live in harmony, may hold the key to getting his grandfather back…and to finding peace. Monk’s cartoonish black-and-white drawings open each chapter. Bernard’s exploits move at a brisk pace but never feel rushed. Young has crafted a largely upbeat tale with themes of resilience, love, and harmony, though younger readers may find the flashback to a fatal flood a bit disturbing: “Chester and Bernard clung to that tree for two days, watching the swirling water below and hoping their family had somehow gotten out safely. [Bernard’s father] never returned. Nor did Bernard’s mother or his brothers and sisters.” Even so, a universe in which owls hold rapiers and hares wear moss hats can never stay sad for long, and early readers will likely find Young’s vision as thrilling as it is sweet.

A charming tale of adventure and friendship.