Girls are forbidden to practice story magic. Only bad things happen when they do. Everyone knows this, but that doesnt stop twelve-year-old Kaya ADor from learning the basics from her older brother Hob. The trick is to sense a listener, one of the magical beings that inhabit the world, and tell it a story. If the listener is pleased and likes the story, they will allow the storyteller to work magic. Although Kaya knows the risks, she attempts a little story magic to impress Hob. When Hob is taken prisoner in Prima, the faraway capital city, Kaya is convinced its her fault, either because someone discovered what she was doing or because the bad luck has found her. Desperate to save her brother, Kaya will do anything to make it to Prima, including story magic. With each story she tells her ability to wield story magic grows and she soon begins to wonder if her brothers imprisonment was really her fault or something else entirely. Each story brings her one step closer to finding Hob and leaving everything shes ever known behind.
Fans of Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book will embrace this darkly funny novel that's perfect for Halloween! Crow isn't like the other kids. He stinks. He's got maggots. His body parts fall off at inopportune moments. (His mom always sews them back on, though.) And he hasn't been able to sleep in years. Not since waking up from death. But worse than the maggots is how lonely Crow feels. When Melody Plympton moves in next door, Crow can't resist the chance to finally make a friend. With Melody around he may even have a shot at getting his life back from the mysterious wish-granting creature living in the park. But first there are tests to pass. And it will mean risking the only friend he's had in years. Debut author Laurel Gale's story about friendship fulfilled may be the most moving and most macabre yet. Praise for Dead Boy A stinky, creepy tale for anyone who's ever felt like an outsider. Kirkus Reviews Gale takes readers on a dark and surprisingly funny journey. . . . A great recommendation to middle grade fans of dark humor. School Library Journal From the Hardcover edition.
