By Mira Bartok (author)
Paperback Not Available
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October 2017 Debut of the Month
In a Nutshell: Half-human, half-fox foundling seeks true destiny
Sparkling with the wit and wonder of a children’s classic, this exuberant quest-driven debut is a treat for readers of ten and over.
Wonderling Arthur is a quiet kind of soul, but desperate to find his place in the world, which isn’t easy when you live in Miss Carbunkle’s Home for Wayward and Misbegotten Creatures. The part-human, part-animal ‘groundlings’ in her charge are denied the usual joys of childhood, and must toil, toil, toil.
But when Arthur befriends bird groundling, Trinket, the new companions find a way to escape, though Arthur must summon all his courage to do so. The language dances and sings as Arthur and Trinket set off on their adventure beyond the cruel confines of the Home. Their story is a chorus of charm and wonderment, of friendship and hope, and comes highly recommended as a tale to share aloud as autumn draws in.
Special mention must be made of the book’s physical gloriousness. It’s a satisfyingly weighty tome, with evocatively intricate illustrations by the author. This is truly a book to treasure, and will be adored by readers who love the middle grade magic of the likes of Cornelia Funke and Michael Ende . ~ Joanne Owen
"Arthur's Dickensian steampunk world is richly imagined and gorgeously described. . . . This story of friendship, hope, and heroics will delight adventure seekers." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)
Read the full description
Welcome to Miss Carbunkle's Home for Wayward and Misbegotten Creatures, an orphanage for young groundlings (part human, part animal) run by a cunning villainess. For lonely Number Thirteen, a shy, one-eared, foxlike creature, it is the only home he has ever known. When he meets a bird groundling named Trinket, Number Thirteen gains two things: a real name (Arthur, like the good king in the old stories) and a best friend.
Trinket and Arthur escape over the high walls of the orphanage and embark on an adventure that will take them out into the wider world and to Arthur's true destiny: to become the Wonderling and save music for everyone. Rife with steampunk inventions, magical plot twists, and finely detailed illustrations, the paperback edition of Mira Bartók's debut novel is sure to enchant.
Full of hope and heart, The Wonderling is one of those stories that feels as familiar - yet unique - as a friend. A triumphant debut. Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of Girl of Ink and Stars
[...] a richly imaging fantasy adventure. The Bookseller
Mira Bartok is a writer and artist whose New York Times best-selling memoir, The Memory Palace: A Memoir, won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Autobiography. The Wonderling is her first novel for young readers. She lives in Western Massachusetts.
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"Arthur's Dickensian steampunk world is richly imagined and gorgeously described. . . . This story of friendship, hope, and heroics will delight adventure seekers." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)Welcome to Miss Carbunkle's Home for Wayward and Misbegotten Creatures, an orphanage for young groundlings (part human, part animal) run by a cunning villainess.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Wonderling and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
The Wonderling features in the following genres: Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Featured Books for 9+ readers, Fantasy / Magical, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Recommended Children's eBooks, Featured Books for 11+ readers
Paperback, Hardback. Not Available.
The Wonderling was written by Mira Bartok and published by Candlewick Press
The Wonderling has 464 pages
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