Everyone loves a little unexpected magic, whether it's manifested as a parallel world or in finding a mermaid's comb. Readers will love contrasting the base trappings of normal life with the exhilarating discovery of magical people and objects--and all the possibilities these things bring. Just out, but not yet seen, you may want to add Ingrid Law's Scumble (Dial, 2010) to this list, which follows up on her deliciously magical debut title, Savvy.
HARLEY, Bill. The Amazing Flight of Darius Frobisher. Peachtree. 2009. Tr. $14.95. ISBN: 978-1-56145-494-5; pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-494-5.
Gr 4-7-Flying bicycles, a good mystery, and melodrama are all part of the appeal of this title, with recently orphaned 11- year-old Darius at the center. Removed from his caretaker, Miss Hastings, and sent to live with crabby and remote Aunt Inga, Darius is miserable until he meets neighborhood tinkerer and eccentric Daedalus, who seems to be able to work magic on old bicycles. A quick read with short chapters, this is a good choice for older reluctant readers.
LAFAYE, A. Water Steps. Milkweed. 2009. Tr. $16.95. ISBN 978-1-57131-687-5; PLB $15.95. ISBN
978-1-4487-2893-0. Pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-1-57131-686-8.
Gr 4-7-Kyna has a very valid fear of water-her entire family drowned in a boating accident-and its very substance is threatening. Her adoptive parents, however, can't get enough of it, and decide to help Kyna get past her phobia by spending the summer at a lake house. There she makes a friend and begins to discover the Irish legends about selkies, magical creatures that live in the water. Soon Kyna tries to solve a mystery about the lake-and herself. A delightful blend of suspense and fantasy.
SHINN, Sharon. Gateway. Viking. 2009. Tr. $17.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01178-0.
Gr 6- up-When Chinese adoptee Daiyu walks under the St. Louis Arch, she's transported to an alternate world where nearly everyone is Chinese, like her! This story touches on race relations, politics and culture clashes, and there's a little bit of romance woven in, too. Fans of Robin McKinley and Ursula K. Le Guin will find much to like here.
SHULMAN, Polly. The Grimm Legacy. Putnam. 2010. Tr. $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25096-5.
Gr 6-9-Okay, cheating a bit here-this book has more than a little bit of magic! And there's a library of sorts, too-the New-York Circulating Material Repository, which houses the Grimm Collection, including items from those famous fairy tales such as Snow White's mirror. Shortly after teenaged Elizabeth takes a job there, objects start disappearing, and she's determined to find the thief. A terrific fairy tale in a contemporary setting with enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing until the very end.
RSS
