Sunday, January 8, 2017

Maggie and the Flying Horse by E.D. Baker -- OPTIONAL

Baker, E.D. Maggie and the Flying Horse (Magic Animal Rescue #1), illustrated by Lisa Manuzak. Bloomsbury, April 2017. $16.99. Content: G.

Eight-year-old Maggie is the only one in her family who notices the magical creatures in the woods and meadows near their home. So when she rescues a flying horse who has a hurt wing, Maggie knows she must go elsewhere to find help. If the legends are true, Bob the Stableman would be the perfect person. But can she find him in time?

It's pretty hard to call something the first book in a brand new series when it doesn't stand on its own at all. In fact, this one seems to serve solely as a bridge between earlier Bob the Stableman stories and whatever books will come next. The plot is thin, and there is very little tension -- other than the copious use of exclamation marks after many sentences. In addition, the absurdly mean stepmother and stepbrother are more like caricatures than characters. I've enjoyed other E.D. Baker books in the past, but this one feels rushed and unsatisfying. Not a promising start to a supposedly new series.

EL (K-3) -- OPTIONAL. Reviewed by Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist

No comments: