A new fantasy classic from the Newbery Medal winning and New York Times bestselling author of THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON.
"The story's told from a broadly omniscient perspective through slow, thoughtful pacing. Readers will make connections before the characters do-especially regarding the true nature of the villain-and they are given narrative assurance of a happy ending.
This offers young audiences security as they grapple with nuanced, realistic portrayals of people who are neither all good nor all bad. It also gives them space to form their own opinions on the book's philosophical and thematic questions, including the refrain: 'The more you give, the more you have.' . . . Combines realistic empathy with fantastical elements; as exquisite as it is moving." Kirkus, starred review
Stone-in-the-Glen, once a lovely town, has fallen on hard times. Fires, floods, and other calamities have caused the townsfolk to lose their library, their school, their park, and all sense of what it means to be generous, and kind. The people put their faith in the Mayor, a dazzling fellow who promises he alone can help. After all, he is a famous dragon slayer. (At least, no one has seen a dragon in his presence.) Only the clever orphans of the Orphan House and the kindly Ogress at the edge of town can see how dire the town's problems are.
When one of the orphans goes missing from the Orphan House, all eyes turn to the Ogress. The orphans, though, know this can't be: the Ogress, along with a flock of excellent crows, secretly delivers gifts to the people of Stone-in-the-Glen. But how can the orphans tell the story of the Ogress's goodness to people who refuse to listen? And how can they make their deluded neighbours see the real villain in their midst?
The orphans have heard a whisper that they will 'save the day', but just how, they will have to find out ...
Paperback
Kelly Barnhill
400 pages
H: 198mm W: 129mm Spine: 23mm
Weight: 303 grams