The Eye of the North

Gr 4–6—Emmeline Widget has been raised to be suspicious of everyone, including her own parents. But when her mom and dad are kidnapped and she is sent off on a cruise liner to Paris, she must decide whom to trust. Will it be the wily stow-away known only as Thing? The covert operatives of the Order of the White Flower? Or must she rely solely on her own wits? When Emmeline is then abducted by the villainous Dr. Siegfried Bauer, those wits will be put to the test. Dr. Bauer has plans for young Emmeline, which involve a plot to free a mythical Terror of the Deep from the ice fields of Greenland. The evil Northwitch and Bauer's snubbed partner in crime also want in on the action, and it's up to Emmeline to stop them. Readers who love Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events" and Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" will enjoy this blend of fantasy, mystery, and steampunk adventure. Emmeline is intriguing from the get-go, with her overly suspicious nature and her satchel of tricks straight out of a James Bond novel. Thing is endearing, and his vulnerability and nuanced characterization lend a realistic perspective to the fantastical tale. Underlying Emmeline's journey to save her parents are themes about friendship and trust. While there are some overly labored sentences, overall the text is accessible for middle graders and will keep fantasy fans turning pages.