Review by Booklist Review
In her middle-grade debut, best-seller Jones introduces us to Annie Nobody and her endearing, if strange, friends: Jamie Hephastion Alexander (a sweet almost-13-year-old terrified he is about to become a troll); Bloom (the last remaining elf); Mr. Nate (the town librarian, who magically travels between Maine and the mystical village of Aurora); and Eva (the dwarf who rescues both Annie and Jamie from being eaten by trolls). Dear Miss Cornelia, an elderly Time Stopper whose powers are waning, has revealed to Annie who has always been told she is a nothing that she too is a Time Stopper and must save Aurora and its townspeople. Amid the magic, spells, adventure, and weirdness of this fantasy are embedded not-so-subtle life lessons about kindness, friendship, and cooperation. This group of early adolescents will need all these positive traits and more, for just when they think all is safe, a more horrible fate awaits them and the people of Aurora but we'll have to wait for the sequel for that.--Bradburn, Frances Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Jamie Alexander knows that his grandmother is cruel, but he has only recently learned that she's also a troll. To avoid being eaten on his 13th birthday, Jamie is rescued and whisked to the magical safe haven of Aurora, along with newfound friend Annie Nobody, a foster care reject with hidden powers. A magical gnome that protected Aurora has gone missing, and it's up to the two newcomers, a dwarf, and an elf to set things right. The scenes in Aurora are enchanting and whimsical, with talking books that literally beg to be read, flying desserts, and fairy tale creatures around every corner. Though plenty of magic is afoot, the children draw their real power from kindness, empathy, and friendship, exchanging witty banter along the way. With a wink and a nod, Jones (the Need series) also suggests that books themselves are a source of much power. Starkly scary scenes are countered by the enduring message that actions determine character, not genetics or upbringing, and a chilling ending sets the stage for the series' next installment. Ages 8-12. Agent: Edward Necarsulmer IV, Dunow, Carlson & Lerner. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-7-When Annie Nobody arrives at her new foster home in the town of Mount Desert, ME, she is dismayed to find that it is even worse than the previous 11 that she's had. The Wiegles, a mother and son who have agreed to take her, are clearly interested only in the money they get from the state. Meanwhile, in another house in the same town, a boy named Jamie sees his grandmother turn into a monster. He flees to the local library, where the librarian tells him that his grandmother and father are trolls and that his life is in grave danger. Soon, Annie and Jamie are both fleeing from rampaging trolls and are rescued by a hovercraft snowmobile driven by a girl named Eva, who tells them she is a dwarf. She explains that she lives in Aurora, a community of magical creatures protected by a woman named Miss Cornelia. Eva takes Jamie and Annie there, and Annie is astounded to discover that all of Aurora's magical inhabitants know her name and expect her to save them from a mysterious enemy called the Raiff. Just as Jamie and Annie are beginning to feel safe in Aurora, the town is attacked by a gigantic bird creature, who freezes Miss Cornelia and most of the town. With the help of Eva, an elf named Canin, and some unpredictable flying skis, Annie and Jamie set out on a dangerous journey to retrieve a gnome statue that was stolen by Jamie's grandmother and save Aurora and the magical creatures who live there. The first in what is clearly intended to be a new middle grade series, Jones's novel offers an imaginative blend of fantasy, whimsy, and suspense, with a charming cast of underdog characters. The book ends on a major cliff-hanger and leaves many questions unanswered. Like the "Harry Potter" and "Percy Jackson" books, this title operates on the premise that there are secret magical communities that exist alongside and within the real world, although the characters and tone of this novel may appeal more to slightly younger middle grade readers. VERDICT This new fantasy series will entice younger fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson.-Ashley Larsen, Pacifica Libraries, CA © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Two neglected kids find a sparkly, magical community and great evil in small-town Maine. Annie's in her 12th foster home, having infuriated previous families with her pallor and her tendency to attract animals. This current family locks her in a frozen backyard with bloodthirsty wolf/dog hybrids. Jamie's always lived in the same home, but after seeing his grandmother summon green-skinned monsters from the woodsand become onehe realizes his family's lifelong threats to eat him weren't jokes. Just as the supposedly-his-family trolls are about to chomp him, Jamie's rescued by a dwarf on a snowmobile. Annie's on the snowmobile too. Jones employs a Roald Dahl-esque sensibility, with evil-adult caricatures, abused yet gentle-hearted kids, and such snacks as "opposite gum" (tastes the opposite of how you feel). Annie goes from "not special"her name is literally Annie Nobodyto the person whose magic "is our future, our promise, and our salvation." The glittering elements here are kindness, animals, and the invisible magical town right next to Mount Desert, Maine. Exposition about the bad guy drags. Still to come in future volumes: a battle against evil; Jamie waiting out the year in which he might become a troll; and probably, eventually, parents for Annie and Jamie. Given that Jamie's almost the only brown-skinned character, more would be welcome. Longer than necessary but effervescent, funny, and genuine. (Fantasy. 8-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
