August 1, 2024
Three young people set out on a quest through enchanted woods. In 1750 Norway there are a lot of superstitions about the Northern Lights: Grown-ups say that standing under them will burn your hair off or that they'll "grab you and drag you right up into the sky." A year ago Madsi's older sister, Lisbet, went to see the Lights and never returned. Madsi, who's desperately missing her and feeling guilt-ridden about the argument they had the night she left, sneaks out to ask the Lights to give Lisbet back. But the Lights respond by sending another girl down from the sky instead. Torin has glowing hair the same brilliant green as the Lights, and she very much wants to return to them. So, joined by Espen, the annoying boy who lives next door to Madsi, the girls set off to ask the witch of Innerdalst�rnet mountain for help. Along the way, they encounter monsters and enchanted creatures including giants, trolls, a gnomelike nisse, the undead gjenganger, and a beautiful huldra. They also befriend a nomadic, reindeer-herding brother and sister, D�nel and Ruvs�, who are Indigenous S�mi people. The book brings 18th-century Norway to life, immersing readers in the folkloric setting. Over the course of the journey, each character learns to reframe stories they've long believed about themselves, gaining strength and letting go of guilt along the way. The bittersweet ending leaves room for hope. A warmhearted historical adventure embedded in Nordic folklore.(Adventure. 8-12)
COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
September 1, 2024
Grades 3-6 Having been raised with stories of how dangerous the northern lights are, Madsi is convinced the lights are to blame for her sister Lisbet's disappearance. When a mysterious girl, Torin, falls from the sky, Madsi, along with her annoying neighbor Espen, embarks on a quest to return Torin to the lights and find Lisbet. In this tale that's steeped in Norwegian folklore, Madsi and her companions encounter a multitude of monsters in the woods. Together, they must plumb their knowledge of local folklore to outsmart the monsters and discover which stories hold elements of truth and which got facts wrong. Each chapter begins with a truth Madsi has gleaned from her journey, and the action-packed plot and cliff-hanger moments make the story compulsively readable. Madsi's adventure helps her uncover forgotten aspects of her world and encourages readers to tell stories and find the courage to speak their truth. With a strong-willed main character, sisterly bonds, and fantastical elements, this is a great pick for fans of Hilda and Frozen.
COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.