Mooncussers

Gr 6 Up–This follow-up to Oddity finds Clover back in Salamander Lake where she has found comfort in the home of Widow Henshaw. The war between the Unified States and Napoléon Bonaparte’s army continues, but Clover and her friends have so far remained unscathed. Everything changes when a noisy caravan rolls down the street, and the mysterious Miss Yamada whisks them away to join the Women’s Service League. With help from oddities like a pistol that never misses and a magical quilt, as well as new friends Hazel and Penelope, the group faces off against Vermin across the countryside. They become aware of an even bigger threat: The Underking. As the Underking gains power and his army grows, the Women’s Service League seeks help from allies while struggling to confront this new villain. Will they have what it takes to defeat the Underking in this battle of good vs. evil? Fans of the first book will be pleased to see familiar faces and a number of new, strong female characters supporting Clover. The magically detailed text paired with Rytter’s swirling black-and-white linocut illustrations brings the enchanted world of oddities to life. Readers will have no trouble visualizing this dark, alternate history and the fantastical creatures that inhabit it. Main characters read as white, with some diversity in the supporting cast.