Starfell

September 15, 2019
A girl with the ability to find lost things is tasked with finding a lost day. Not everyone in Starfell "is lucky enough to have a bit of magic up their sleeves," but Willow Moss deems her power to find lost things lackluster compared with the flashier powers her mother and sisters brandish. Willow's therefore stunned when Moreg Vaine, the "most feared witch" in Starfell, seeks her help to find the missing last Tuesday and prevent the world from unraveling. The least likely candidate for saving the day, Willow's afraid to refuse Moreg and secretly longs for adventure. Stuffing her only friend, Oswin (a savvy monster living under her bed), into her carpetbag, Willow departs with Moreg to search for the lost Tuesday. Arriving in witch-phobic Beady Hill, Moreg's arrested and imprisoned, dispatching clueless Willow with cryptic instructions. Willow's subsequent convoluted quest leads her to a floating village, suspended Cloud Mountains, a magical blue tree, and into Troll Country. Aided by eccentric helpers (a dragon, a seer of the past, and a female troll), as well as by Cockney-accented Oswin's comic relief, Willow discovers she may just have the right moxie to save the day without flashy magic. Valente's cozy worldbuilding and familiar characterizations make for a sweet, comfortable read. The human cast is a mostly white one. What a difference a day makes in this intriguing fantasy. (Fantasy. 8-12)

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November 1, 2019

Gr 3-6-Magic has long been outlawed in the Kingdom of Starfell, but some magic has started to seep back in, and certain families have particular magical abilities. Willow Moss, the youngest in the Moss family, seems to have the least magical power in her family-the ability to find lost things. While this ability helps Willow earn a few spurgles here and there finding lost keys and wooden teeth, it certainly isn't as glitzy as her sisters' talents, like Camille who can lift things with her mind. However, when last Tuesday goes missing, the most feared witch in the land, Moreg Vaine, enlists the help of Willow to locate it. Willow reluctantly follows Moreg, bringing with her Oswin, the "monster" who lives under her bed. Monster is a bit of a stretch, as Oswin is a cat-like creature called a kobold, whose lime-green fur changes color when he's outraged. He has a unique ability to spot magic and lies, and can possibly explode if he gets upset enough, all while muttering from inside Willow's hairy bag. When Moreg Vaine is captured, it is up to Willow, Oswin, a giant Dragon named Feathering, and a forgotten teller named Nolin Sometimes (who faints every time he has a vision) to rescue Moreg and find Tuesday. Dark forces abound as the Brothers of Wol have been killing witches and wizards in an attempt to rid the world of magic, which gives this fantastical adventure all the elements readers looking for a new fantasy series would want. VERDICT With whimsy, humor, danger, and surprising twists, Valente's new series will be a surefire hit, leaving readers clamoring for the next in the series.-Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA

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