August 1, 2009
Gr 5-7-In this sequel to "Changeling" (Viking, 2006), Neef is sent to Miss Van Loon's School for Mortal Changelings. She had known there were other mortals in New York Between, a magical New York City filled with the Folk (elves, sprites, nymphs, ogres, and every other kind of otherworldly creature), but she hasn't met many. Suddenly she must go to schooland get alongwith 200 of them, from all the rival Neighborhoodssnooty East Siders, hipster Village types, techie geeks from Columbia. If learning hundreds of new rules isn't bad enough, Neef must go on a quest to find the Magic Magnifying Mirror of the Mermaid Queen before its loss leads to inter-Neighborhood warfare that could destroy Central Park. Although the focus is on Neef's new mortal friends and enemies, the Folk of New York play a big part in her adventures. Whether benign or sinister, they are usually tricky and always fascinating; a guide in the back explains who and what they are. Plenty of humor, a brave and likable heroine, and a nice balance between lunchroom chat and wild adventure combine to make this that rare beasta cheerful urban fantasy. Spiced with just enough background information, it works just fine on its own, but it will create immediate desire to read "Changeling" as well."Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library"
Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
July 1, 2009
Neef undertakes another quest: to return the mirror of the Mermaid Queen, which she won in Changeling. Along the way, Neef learns from her fellow misfits (though her fairy counterpart is disappointingly absent) that friendship is an effective weapon against darkness. Like the first book, this adventure reimagines and integrates folklore from many cultures to build a fascinating alternate New York.
(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)