Children's Book Reviews

Beyond the Deep Woods (The Edge Chronicles: Book 1) by Paul Stewart, Illustrated by Chris Riddell

David Fickling Books, June, 2004
Hardcover, 278 pages
ISBN: 0385750684
Ages Young Adult
Ordering information:
Amazon.com


Beyond the Deep Woods (The Edge Chronicles: Book 1)
 by Paul Stewart, Illustrated by Chris Riddell This British bestseller is sure to be a hit with American audiences, as well. The Edge Chronicles begins with Beyond the Deep Woods and the story of a human boy named Twig (well, he certainly looks human -- as long as you don't notice his pointed ears). Twig doesn't fit in with the village of Woodtrolls with whom he lives, although his mother Spelda loves him dearly. But if there is one thing the woodtrolls drill into their children, it is to never, never, never stray off the path when traveling in the incredibly dangerous deep woods. When sky pirates land nearby, Twig's mother admits that he was found abandoned as a baby and that he is adopted. She also tells him that it's time for him to go visit some distant relatives. Armed with a comfort cloth and a knife, Twig sets out on a momentous journey to find himself. The mysterious caterbird tells him that his destiny lies beyond the Deepwoods. Of course, Twig strays from the path almost immediately (as 13 year-old boys are wont to do) and trouble immediately ensues. Unfamiliar with the off-path denizens of the Deepwoods, Twig finds himself in a new deadly peril every couple of hours or so. But he does meet a couple of friends along the way, as well.

Beyond the Deepwoods is truly one of the oddest, most inventive and entertaining children's books to come along in quite a while. Bound in an attractive hardcover format, the story is immensely enriched by the wild and wonderful illustrations of Chris Riddell. The dangers that Twig meets are truly terrifying (at least to an adult, anyway) but one does get the sense that Twig will manage to extricate himself from any nasty situation. From the red-faced Slaughterers (very nice people, actually) to the truly awful wig-wigs, the characters in Beyond the Deep Woods are memorable, to say the least. And the moral for children is quite clear: straying from the right path is bound to cause trouble. Don't miss this one.


Pendragon: Black Water (Book 5) by D.J. MacHale

Aladdin, August, 2004
Trade paperback, 320 pages
ISBN: 0689869118
Ages Young Adult
Ordering information:
Amazon.com


Pendragon: Black Water (Book 5)
 by D.J. MacHale Bobby Pendragon is no ordinary teenager. He is a Traveler, the representative of New Earth, and can travel to other worlds. In this fifth adventure, Bobby goes to the jungle planet of Eelong, a place where the intelligent large cats rule and the humans are the slaves. When a plague threatens to wipe out Eelong, Bobby and the Travelers -- his best friends Mark and Courtney and another Traveler named Book -- dive into danger in order to save the doomed world from the machinations of the evil St. Dane. But it soon becomes apparent that St. Dane's triumph over them on the world of Veelox has caused a change in the rules; for one thing, only Travelers are supposed to be able to use the flumes, yet Courtney and Mark can now Travel as well. With the rules changing, and barriers between worlds dissolving, St. Dane's interference could mean the end of all of Halla and the the known worlds.

D. J. MacHale knows how to tell a fantastic story that will keep readers of all ages riveted until the very last page. As Bobby grows into maturity, he begins to realize how much responsibility has been placed on his shoulders, and how lucky he is to have friends to help share the burden. MacHale, a veteran of television and film work, knows how to write exciting action scenes and dialogue that rings true. The theme in Black Water is the choices we make when we're on our own, with no one to guide us. Bobby has to decide whether to follow the rules as laid down by his beloved Uncle Press, or break them for a greater good. The author doesn't take the easy way out; challenging moral dilemmas are presented, wrapped up in a rip-roaring adventure on an exotic world. The world of Eelong is a fascinating one where the the young teens get a real change of perspective. But that's all a part of growing up, isn't it?

--Claire E. White


Stormchaser (The Edge Chronicles: Book 2) by Paul Stewart, Illustrated by Chris Riddell

David Fickling Books, June, 2004
Hardcover, 400 pages
ISBN: 0385750706
Ages Young Adult
Ordering information:
Amazon.com


Stormchaser (The Edge Chronicles: Book 2)
 by Paul Stewart, Illustrated by Chris Riddell When we last saw Twig in Beyond the Deepwoods, he had just found out that his father is the sky pirate named Cloud Wolf and they are joyfully reunited. Twig is trying to learn the ways of being a sky pirate by serving aboard his father's skyship called the Stormchaser. But trouble is never far away from the irrespressible Twig, and in Undertown danger and intrigue are always close companions. Twig learns that his father wasn't always an outlaw. Once he was known as Qunitinius Verginix, "the finest Knight Academic in a hundred generations." The Professors of Light and Darkness, who live on the floating city of Santaphrax, held Qunitinius in high regard. But a betrayal led to Qunitinius' leaving the sacred city to become a pirate. Now, the corruption in Santaphrax has placed that city and Undertown in grave peril. Cloud Wolf must undertake a dangerous mission to find the valuable Stormphrax which keeps the city from floating away and purifies the water of Undertown. But intrigue and treachery are afoot and the mission is in grave peril.

Twig has grown up a bit from the first book in the series, but his judgment still leaves much to be desired. The addition of the sky pirates and the floating city of Santaphrax add another layer of complexity and interest to this very entertaining story. It appears that this will be a multi-volume series, and that Twig will feature in at least one more tale. And that's good news for readers.


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