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ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Stone-in-the-Glen used to be a beautiful town, once. The people were kindly, travellers were welcome, the streets were lined with flowering trees and the Library was one of the wonders of the country. But when the Library burnt down, and its books were lost, something changed in the community; it became suspicious, uncaring and insular, and starts to forget its civic duties. To the orphanage particularly... The Mayor, who once killed a dragon (so he claims) is a charming and charismatic person who has the townsfolks' best interest at heart (so he says). So when an Ogress, who has spent a lot of time (easy when you're so long-lived) in a lot of places moves into a dilapidated farmhouse on the outskirts, she is an easy target for prejudice, even though she is the unknown benefactress of everyone in town and has no ill will towards anyone at all. The orphans have their own theories, and the crows - well they know things too! Told by an omniscient narrator whose identity is gradually revealed, this is a story of community, kindness, bravery of all sorts, deception - and just a little bit of magic. A wonderful read! Lindy
Stone-in-the-Glen, once a lovely town, has fallen on hard times. Fires, floods, and other calamities have caused the townsfolk to lose their library, their school, their park, and all sense of what it means to be generous, and kind. The people put their faith in the Mayor, a dazzling fellow who promises he alone can help. After all, he is a famous dragon slayer. (At least, no one has seen a dragon in his presence.) Only the clever orphans of the Orphan House and the kindly Ogress at the edge of town can see how dire the town's problems are.
Kelly Barnhill lives in Minnesota with her husband and three children. She is the author of four novels, most recently The Girl Who Drank the Moon, winner of the Newbery Medal. The Witch's Boy received four starred reviews and was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Awards.
ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Stone-in-the-Glen used to be a beautiful town, once. The people were kindly, travellers were welcome, the streets were lined with flowering trees and the Library was one of the wonders of the country. But when the Library burnt down, and its books were lost, something changed in the community; it became suspicious, uncaring and insular, and starts to forget its civic duties. To the orphanage particularly... The Mayor, who once killed a dragon (so he claims) is a charming and charismatic person who has the townsfolks' best interest at heart (so he says). So when an Ogress, who has spent a lot of time (easy when you're so long-lived) in a lot of places moves into a dilapidated farmhouse on the outskirts, she is an easy target for prejudice, even though she is the unknown benefactress of everyone in town and has no ill will towards anyone at all. The orphans have their own theories, and the crows - well they know things too! Told by an omniscient narrator whose identity is gradually revealed, this is a story of community, kindness, bravery of all sorts, deception - and just a little bit of magic. A wonderful read! Lindy
"""The story's told from a broadly omniscient perspective through slow, thoughtful pacing. Readers will make connections before the characters do-especially regarding the true nature of the villain-and they are given narrative assurance of a happy ending. This offers young audiences security as they grapple with nuanced, realistic portrayals of people who are neither all good nor all bad. It also gives them space to form their own opinions on the book's philosophical and thematic questions, including the refrain: 'The more you give, the more you have.' . . . Combines realistic empathy with fantastical elements; as exquisite as it is moving."" Kirkus, starred review ""The reader is immediately tossed into this fantasy, relying on the narrator to explain how life used to be in the town to counter the grim description of how it is now. The Mayor is a fantastic (though loathsome) villain, oozing charisma and evil in equal measures, and in direct contrast is the ogress, who asks permission of the bees to take their honey and secretly shares her baking gifts with the town. . . the good versus evil purity of the story is effective in highlighting key points about the value of generosity and the perils of division. In a thoughtful and vulnerable author's note, Barnhill mentions she was so disheartened by the past handful of years she was uncertain if she would ever publish a book again. It is fortunate that her tinkering with fairy tales and fables helped open a path to this novel that champions kindness in a very dark world."" Bulletin, starred review ""Barnhill's gift for storytelling immediately draws readers into this character-driven tale where dragons lurk, crows prove great friends, and an unusual narrator relays events with a unique perspective. These fairy-tale trappings cloak modern lessons and timeless ideals that readers will do well to take to heart, no matter their age."" Booklist, starred review"
