A close family member – sorry, I can’t reveal the name because even The Name of This Book Is Secret – just got a rave review in Publisher’s Weekly:
The Name of This Book Is Secret
Pseudonymous Bosch, illus. by Gilbert Ford. Little, Brown, $16.99 (362p)
ISBN 978-0-316-11366-3
Blending the offbeat humor of Lemony Snicket and insight into the
preadolescent psyche à la Jerry Spinelli with the captivating conundrums of
Blue Balliett, the debut novel from a pseudonymous author is equal parts
supernatural whodunit, suspense-filled adventure and evocative coming-of-age
tale. When an unlikely pair of 11-year-old outsiders–survivalist Cassandra
and aspiring stand-up comedian Max-Ernest–team up to solve a mystery
surrounding the alleged death of an old magician and the strange and
wondrous possessions he left behind, they unwittingly cross paths with the
villainous Dr. L and his ageless accomplice Ms. Mauvais, who are obsessed
with finding the magician’s notebook. After the diabolical duo shows up at
Cass and Max-Ernest’s school, one of their classmates (a gifted artist named
Benjamin) goes missing. Convinced that Benjamin has been kidnapped and faces
mortal danger, Cass and Max-Ernest track the doctor and his glove-wearing
sidekick to an exclusive and remote “sensorium” cum spa, where they uncover
an arcane, alchemical, potentially apocalyptic bombshell. Relayed by an
often witty, sometimes arch narrator, and loaded with brainteasers–anagrams,
coded messages, palindromes and more–as well as such bounty as a brief and
idiosyncratic history of Benito Mussolini, the definition of synesthesia and
how Earl Grey tea got its name, Bosch’s deliberately eccentric offering is
likely to acquire a cult following. Ages 8-12. (Oct.)
If you have an intelligent young person in your family – or indeed if you are an intelligent young person yourself – or feel like one – you might want to buy/gift this book at the Amazon link above.
You can guess the identity of Pseudonymous Bosch in the comments, but, sorry, I’m not tellin’.
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