William Alexander's GOBLIN SECRETS wasn't what I was expecting. When I read in the description that goblins were the only ones allowed to perform in plays, my brain conjured an oppressive society where humans were subservient to goblins, and while that would have been interesting, it would have made the goblin characters in this story quite impossible. I don't want to say why. Rownie doesn't know what to think of the goblins, so it's probably best if readers go in not knowing what to expect.
In GOBLIN SECRETS, the citizens are forbidden to wear masks or even pretend to be anyone else. The penalty for acting in a play is the removal of the offender's heart, which turns him into a kind of zombie slave. This isn't a zombie story though. It's a story about identity, about a boy looking for his older brother and falling in with the same group that taught his brother to wear masks, about the dangers of not forgiving. It's about heartlessness. It's about the magic of choosing to become someone you weren't before. The story and writing are beautiful. I love the little details, like the older brother teaching Rownie to throw pebbles into the river where their mother's barge went under. "We drop the stones to say hello. It's like leaving a small pile of stones on a grave. The dead speak in stones. Pebbles are the proper way to tell them hello."
And when Rownie finds his brother . . . oh, I cried (Les Mis ugly cried). I don't think that's even a spoiler. You know Rownie will find him; he has to; you just don't know how.
Trust me: you want to read this book.
If you're interested in more Marvelous Middle Grade recommendations, Shannon Messenger has the links!
What are you loving right now?
In GOBLIN SECRETS, the citizens are forbidden to wear masks or even pretend to be anyone else. The penalty for acting in a play is the removal of the offender's heart, which turns him into a kind of zombie slave. This isn't a zombie story though. It's a story about identity, about a boy looking for his older brother and falling in with the same group that taught his brother to wear masks, about the dangers of not forgiving. It's about heartlessness. It's about the magic of choosing to become someone you weren't before. The story and writing are beautiful. I love the little details, like the older brother teaching Rownie to throw pebbles into the river where their mother's barge went under. "We drop the stones to say hello. It's like leaving a small pile of stones on a grave. The dead speak in stones. Pebbles are the proper way to tell them hello."
And when Rownie finds his brother . . . oh, I cried (Les Mis ugly cried). I don't think that's even a spoiler. You know Rownie will find him; he has to; you just don't know how.
Trust me: you want to read this book.
If you're interested in more Marvelous Middle Grade recommendations, Shannon Messenger has the links!
What are you loving right now?
Thanks for the recommendation. This is definitely on my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! :o)
DeleteWow! I haven't heard of this one. It sounds so different and unique.
ReplyDeleteI hope you pick it up! Based on the books you recommend, I really think you'd love it.
DeleteSounds intriguing. Thanks!
ReplyDelete=)
You're welcome!
Deletei trust you and do want to read this one. Love the cover, too!
ReplyDeleteRight now am reading Geeks, Girls, and Secret Identities and kinda LOVIN' it!
Thanks for sharing Goblin Secrets with us.
I haven't heard of that one, Deb. Thanks for the recommendation!
DeleteWow, Myrna! This sounds amazing. Thank you for the great review and recommendation.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! It really is amazing.
DeleteYou are the second person in as many days--Tara Dairman being the other--who gave this book a glowing recommendation. Sounds like I need to read it...
ReplyDeleteYou do, especially since you write MG! :o)
DeleteWow, I really do want to read this book. It sounds so intriguing! Heading over to goodreads right now to put it on my list. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's in our library system, though you may have to order it from one of the other libraries. I hope you love it!
DeleteEven though this is an award winning book, I've heard mixed things about it. But enough good, and your review, too, to make me add it to my list.
ReplyDeleteI noticed it had some bad reviews, but I didn't read them. Whenever something gets singled out for recognition it attracts haters, and reading that kind of review just upsets me. I understand that different types of writing appeal to different people. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but I don't appreciate reviewers who deliberately read things they've decided they won't like just so they can give a poor review. And for some reason, award winning children's literature tends to attract reviewers who want to establish themselves as literary snobs (ironic, considering the literary caliber of most award winning children's novels).
DeleteI hadn't heard of this book. Sounds very intriguing! There are just so many good books out there waiting to be read . . . if you can only find them. Thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Janet! :o)
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