Sunday, January 26, 2014

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee -- ADVISABLE

Foxlee, Karen Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy, 240 pgs. Knopf Books for Young Readers, January 28, 2014. $16.99. Language: G; Sexual Content: G; Violence: PG.

In this reimagining of the "Snow Queen" fairy tale, eleven-year-old Ophelia moves to a mysterious new town with her father and sister. While her father spends each snowy day working on a sword exhibit for the local museum, Ophelia wanders the museum's halls, becoming lost in the seemingly random collections. But when she discovers a mysterious boy locked away in a tiny room, she is sent on a journey that will test everything she ever believed about magic, love, and, most of all, herself.

The rich details, strong heroine, and sense of adventure on every page lend this book the feel of a classic adventure story in the vein of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe or A Wrinkle in Time. Although many elements of the overall plot are fairly predictable, there are plenty of twists to make the journey feel interesting and new. Should appeal to both boys and girls, especially those who love to become lost in intricately-built fantasy worlds.

EL, MS -- ADVISABLE

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