The Nordlings

Many young children fantasize about imaginary friends and imaginary worlds, fictionalizing heroes and villains from their real-life experiences and turning them into make-believe. Fifteen-year-old Peggy is far too old for the imaginary world of her past, but when she discovers that the world she created in her imagination as a child still exists, and is populated by fantastic creatures who depend upon her for survival, she is faced with a unique dilemma. On the one hand, she feels little connection to this old world of her early childhood, and is skeptical of its physical existence even after she has been pulled out of the real world and away to Notherland by the very characters she created. On the other, she remembers everything around her--the pirate-doll Molly, the talking loon Gavi, and the Nordlings, creatures of light whose singing is beautiful to behold. And they're all depending on her to stay and help them defeat the evil Nobodaddy, another creature of Peggy's creation, who lives at the Hole in the Pole and has been tracking down and kidnapping the childlike Nordlings for their light and song. Peggy must struggle with her conscience to decide whether she should stay and help out in this world she created as a child, or return to the world in which she must live as an adult. The characters in this story are much like those that you would expect a young child to dream up as companions to get her through an unsatisfying childhood. Likewise, the world of Notherland has all the coherence of a child's daydream--there are loons and dolls who talk, boys who are transformed into trees, ships marooned in the middle of seas of ice, and a hole where the North Pole should be. But instead of making the world seem scattered, these details add to the sense of childish whimsy that overtakes the reader during the passages that occur in Notherland. You can't help but remember what it was like when the world was younger and simpler, and to sympathize with Peggy's desire to keep this childhood world pure. And in the meantime, she learns about herself and perhaps begins to understand what it means to grow up without becoming old. Reviewed by: Candace Cunard

This a charming, fantasy of a young girl's experiences with a group of magical peoples set in North America. If your bookstore is out of the latest Potter escapades, or even if it has it if you want a book that will speak to your daughter's (as contrasted with your son's) passion for fantasy and a mature account of growing up, ask for The Nordlings.

This is a wonderful work of imaginative fantasy fiction, full of mystery and participation for young women. If your book store is out of the latest Harry Potter, or even if it isn't, ask for this enchanting story about a young girl who finds herself entwined with fantasy and magical event, at least as relevant to North American girls (and boys) as Potter fils.