Two exciting new initial titles in projected trilogies will have kids and teens anticipating the continuation of the stories.
The Secrets of the Pied Piper: The Peddler’s Road by Matthew Cody (New York, Knopf) $21
Cody’s revisionist tale about the Pied Piper is an engrossing fantasy adventure. In the original legend, 130 children were led away from Hamelin by an evil ratcatcher as payment of a debt. They were never seen again. Their fate is the topic of this story which begins in the present time. Max and her little brother, Carter, have just arrived in Hamelin with their father who is doing research on an old legend. When their rental home is overwhelmed by a terrifying infestation of rats, a ratcatcher is hired. He spirits the two children away to The Summer Isle, a world that contains medieval Hamelin’s lost children. In this nightmarish place, the arrival of Carter and Max just might be the key to allowing all of the children to be restored to their homes.
Powerful characterization, and lots of scary adventures set in an eerie and strange world. The story continues in The Magician’s Key. Aimed at readers in grades 4 to 7.
The Great Library: Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine (New York, New American Library) $24
Ink and Bone is a stunning debut and bibliophiles will appreciate the fact that it features the fabled Library of Alexandria, which was lost to scholars eons ago. However, in this story set in 2025, the Great Library has not only survived, it rules the masses with an iron hand. Content of books is readily available to all, but ownership of actual books is expressly forbidden.
Jess Brightwell is the son of a family involved in the black market whose job is delivering real books to avid collectors. When his father gets him a placement in the library, Jess is incredulous until his father explains that he would be a spy in their midst. Jess is accepted into the training program and discovers that the library is not only powerful but also a terribly dangerous place. Its bureaucracy will stop at nothing, including murder, as it strives to maintain control of the population.
A truly original plot and an endorsement of the power of the written word. For teens in Grade 8 and up.
Fran Ashdown was the children’s librarian at the Capilano branch of the North Vancouver District Public Library. She thinks of books as nicely wrapped presents with amazing surprises inside. For more information check your local libraries.
