Escape from Mercy Hall

Gr 4–6—Children are treated very poorly at the Mercy Hall orphanage located in the Victorian British countryside. They might fare even worse, though, in the magical kingdom that is on the other side of the thorny hedge behind the school as Milly, George, and Sam discover the night the hedge opens up and strange figures in orange cloaks try to kidnap Milly. The other world in which they find themselves contains small people called the Minlings, animals that can talk, and a river that runs through a cave where those who enter may be transformed and given a special power. There are also many sinister elements including the orange-robed figures, the Dome City, and-most importantly-sheep with razor-sharp teeth. The three children have to navigate their way through this world with the help of a talking dog. While the adventure is high and the ideas are creative, the plot bogs down with too many elements. Some of the language is also clunky: "The sun announced the start of a new day, like a light being switched on." Black-and-white spot art adds a bit to the eerie tone. Strictly additional.—Kathleen Meulen Ellison, Sakai Intermediate School, Bainbridge Island, WA