The Chime Seekers by Ross Montgomery

Today's read is the first in a series, which hit the shelves for the first time in 2021. Somehow, I missed it completely, at that time. Luckily, it's getting a re-release this next month, and I'm not letting slip through my cracks this time around. 

I'm expecting a rich, fantasy world with tons of adventure. I believe it steps into the realm of the fae, and I'm getting a bit of Labyrinth vibes (think 1986 movie with David Bowie) from the plot. But just a bit. 

Grab iron and remember not to eat anything while on this journey because the fae can be a tricky folk in many tales.

THE CHIME SEEKERS

by Ross Montgomery

Candlewick Press

Middle Grade Fantasy

368 pages

ages 9 to 12

COMING JULY 7th!!!

From the #1 New York Times best-selling and critically acclaimed author of I Am Rebel comes a middle-grade fantasy adventure about siblings, courage, and the magic that hides in the cracks.

Step into a world of fairy tricks and hidden danger . . .

When an evil fairy steals Yanni’s baby sister and swaps her for a changeling, Yanni is swept into a dangerous race against time to get her back. After all, fairies delight in tricks, and rescuing her won’t be easy. With the help of his cousin, Amy, and the reluctant changeling, Yanni must travel to goblin palaces and battle-swept oceans, discovering ancient treasures and secrets along the way.

Yanni will need every drop of courage and even a few tricks of his own if he’s to outwit the fairy and save his sister . . .

GOODREADS     /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

The world of fae and goblins takes a darker twist in this quick-paced adventure, where sibling love runs deeper than first appears.

Yanni is sick of his baby sister. Not only does she never seem to stop crying, but her birth meant the end to his cozy life with his mother and father in their town apartment. Now, they've purchased a house in the country, and it's immediately clear that this 'improvement' doesn't mean he finally gains a little more attention. When his parents leave him and some weird cousin of his left babysitting on Halloween, his life has hit a new time low. But things can get worse, and they do when a strange man appears in his sister's bedroom and steals her away to the realm of the fae. Luckily, his cousin is a little more informed than he is, and between the two of them, he's praying he'll find a way to get his sister back. The fae, however, are not creatures to be trifled with.

This read immediately had me thinking back to the movie Labyrinth with David Bowie, and there are several strong threads throughout the book, which dance along a similar line. So, I suspect that the author took quite a bit of inspiration from this original tale. That said, there are also enough unique twists to guide this book into its own direction. 

The author lets the reader sink into the world and gain a good handle on Yanni's situation before jumping into the fantasy realm. Yanni's beginning attitude toward his baby sister is understandable, but he's let the negative thoughts sink in so deep that it's obvious he needs a little realigning. Especially his attitude toward his cousin will have readers wondering. So, when he enters the land of the fae, it's easy to root for him as he's determined to save his sister no matter what. His cousin takes an assistant role, and while quirky in her own right, is someone to truly like. The other characters hold distinct personalities to make the imagination shine. While this is a world packed with imagination, it's not a happy one. It carries sinister secrets and danger, making it more suitable for ages 10 and up, and/or for those readers, who like a slightly darker twist.

As to the tale, it's quick paced and keeps the reader wondering what will happen next and how the two main characters will make it through. The world building isn't deep but holds just enough to bring the scenes to life. The dialogue adds a touch of humor but this is light so that the tension remains high the entire time. It's a grabbing read and will delight fantasy fans who don't like a gothic hint.

Today's read... The Thing at 52 by Ross Montgomery

I'm squeezing my Joker Read in today! While my calendar is always booked months ahead...my family's eyes always go wide when they see my scribbled-full mess...the publishing world's constant movement has me shoving things around, at least, once a week. Releases get delayed, mail heads off on side-trips to China (at least, that's my explanation for delayed postal delivery), or...and this is rarer...a book isn't what I expected. (If you haven't noticed, I'm always publishing positive reviews. That's because I don't see any reason to use my time for books I don't enjoy...or yours.) These scheduling-hiccups allow for 'other' books to slip in through the cracks (yay!) And that's where my Joker Reads come in.

Anyway, the second I saw this book, I wanted to read it. And I'm betting I'll want a 'Thing' (monster), too! Let's see if this one is worth having.

(Note: This one is going on my possible favorites of 2023 list)

THE THING AT 52

by Ross Montgomery

Illustrated by Richard Johnson

Frances Lincoln Children Books

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING...

JULY 18th!!!

Spark meaningful discussions about loneliness, friendship, community, and coping with loss with this enchantingly illustrated story about a girl who befriends a monster.

There’s a Thing on my street.
He lives at number 52.
I see him sitting in his front yard when I walk to school.

He was big and lumbering and a wore a tiny top hat perched on top of his rather large head. She didn’t think he had any friends, so she brought him a flower.
 
It wasn’t long before their friendship bloomed… the Thing was gentle and kind and the adventures they went on were the best she could ever imagine.

The girl soon discovered that there were many Things , living all over the place…which gave her an idea. She invited them all to a party, and the Things danced till midnight. Thing had never felt so happy.

But one day the Thing had to go and their adventures came to an end.
All Things have to go sometime …

In this poignant story, discover how small acts of kindness can grow into great friendships , and how the community you build from those friendships can provide comfort and companionship when you need it most.

Written by the beloved children’s author Ross Montgomery , and illustrated by the incredible Richard Johnson, The Thing at 52 offers a comfortable starting point for discussing difficult topics with children. The book’s magic will draw you back again and again.

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/85158842-the-thing-at-52 

MY TIDBITS

After finishing this one, a peek through the window will carry the wish to discover a Thing living next door.

A little girl sees the 'Thing' living next door every day on her way to school. It's always alone and seems lonely. So, she decides to bring it a flower. Soon, a friendship forms, and the two have wonderful times together.

I picked this one up simply because of the cover. The Thing and girl together on the roof promises tons of warmth and adventure...and after reading the blurb, I hoped it wouldn't head into too much melancholy. Luckily, these pages held a story better than I even expected.

Thing is large and fuzzy and clumsy and oh-so-friendly. There's no sense of fear as the girl and it become wonderful friends. Instead, it reminds of an older, lonely, and very friendly neighbor next door, who simply isn't able to make contacts on their own. The small adventures the two have remain in reality but are kept entertaining and whimsical enough to keep young readers/listeners invested in the tale. There is a more serious message about dealing with loss, but it is not nearly as heavy as many books with similar intentions. It does offer food for thought but in the most lovely way (quite clever) and ends with a lightness and the same fun a monster book should have.

The illustrations bring across each scene wonderfully. It's hard not to wish that Thing could step right out of the pages and plop down at the listener's side. Warmth, fun, and friendship radiate from each moment and do invite to flipping through after the story's been read.

 

This tale is appropriate not only for story times in groups but also for bedtime reads. The author and illustrator have understood their audience, and not only given warmth and thought, but let children's fantasies fly.