THE WARLORD’S FISH

The young artist’s apprentice of Warlord’s Puzzle (2000) and Warlord’s Beads (2001) brings a third ancient invention to the world. Kidnapped by traders and carried far into the desert, Chuan and his master reclaim their lives and freedom by leading their captors’ beleaguered caravan back to the last oasis. How? With the help of a bowl of water and a small magnetized fish Chuan had found in his master’s workshop. Debon gives this fanciful “origins” tale an equally fanciful Far East setting, placing blocky, doll-like people and camels into windblown desert scenes. The plot line is more perfunctory than in previous episodes, and aside from a line about heating “loadstone,” the author is vague about how compasses were made. Still, what better way to introduce them to young readers than with an adventure story—plus instructions at the end for a simple modern instrument made with Styrofoam and a paperclip? (Picture book. 6-8)