Young readers will be mesmerized by the magical elements that Sukey encounters in this supernatural adventure.
A young girl’s otherworldly quest to find her grandmother continues in this middle-grade novel by Agauas, one in a series.
This novel begins with a quick recap of Grandma’s Sock Drawer(2020), the previous volume in this series: Sukey Durand’s grandmother disappears, having left a note asking Sukey to come and find her. Sukey’s grandmother also left her a key to a bureau drawer, which held three pairs of socks, each of which took her on different adventures (transporting her to different worlds) when she put them on. The action picks up with Sukey returning to find her father prepping her grandmother’s belongings for an estate sale. Sukey has a conversation with two talking leaves from a tree who vow to help her rescue her grandmother and complete her unfinished mission. Moments later, the trio is swept up in a windstorm that sets the new story into motion. Sukey and her traveling companions encounter talking animals, a mysterious water wall, and many other mystical entities. Her quest unearths a family secret: a rift between mother and son that must be repaired for her grandmother to return. Though the text contains no illustrations, the author does a wonderful job of creating vivid imagery with her words (“Her eyes darted to the crystal waterfall crashing onto the rocks, pouring its clear water into the pool of ink that formed the dark lake”), particularly in the moments when Sukey is being transported to other worlds. The story can get convoluted, particularly near the end, but the action moves quickly enough to keep things from ever getting dull. (This book has obvious references to the first one, but a knowledge of it is not required to enjoy Sukey’s new adventures.) Agauas knows her young audience, so nothing gets too scary. The narrative reaches a satisfying conclusion, but it’s pretty clear this isn’t the last readers will see of Sukey.
Young readers will be mesmerized by the magical elements that Sukey encounters in this supernatural adventure.Pub Date: June 22, 2023
ISBN: 9781732271128
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Why Not Now? Children's Books
Review Posted Online: Oct. 11, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
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
File under “laugh riot.”
A rogue spell-check program’s bid to transform all life-forms into that eminently useful office item, the paper clip, touches off a fresh round of lunar lunacy.
Predicated on the entirely reasonable premise that eliminating all spelling and grammar errors everywhere would logically lead to the necessity of exterminating carbon-based life in the universe, this third series entry combines high stakes with daffy banter and daring exploits. CheckMate—a chipper, jumped-up editing program—has invented the Transmogratron, a giant laser that will fulfill its ultimate goals in both the cyber world and “meatspace.” Facing challenges as random as prankster lunar unicorns and a disarmingly motherly Motherboard, scowling First Cat joins a motley crew of diversely carbon- and silicon-based allies, led by the pearlescent Queen of the Moon. They’re in a race to the finish—diverted occasionally by, for instance, a relentlessly punny comic-book interlude featuring a pair of literal and figurative Pool Sharks. They ultimately triumph thanks to teamwork and moxie. Following a celebratory party and toasts to “new friends…and steadfast comrades” (and, of course, “MEOW”), the story’s energetic, brightly colored panels close with a reveal of the next volume. (“I always hate it when comics end by announcing a sequel. SO CRINGE!” declares an authorial stand-in.) It can’t come too soon.
File under “laugh riot.” (Graphic science fiction. 8-11)Pub Date: Nov. 5, 2024
ISBN: 9780063315280
Page Count: 272
Publisher: HarperAlley
Review Posted Online: Sept. 14, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2024
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