The Peculiars

Gr 9 Up—Set in an alternative version of the late 1800s, The Peculiars successfully weaves fact, fiction, and fantasy into a riveting adventure tale. Lena Mattacascar is a particularly sympathetic protagonist struggling to find a sense of self under difficult circumstances. On her 18th birthday she's given a letter and a small legacy from the father who's been absent most of her life. Since hearing about his "goblinish" ways her entire adolescence and wondering if she takes after him, Lena sets off to Scree, a wild land on the edges of civilization where "peculiars" are thought to gather. The action starts on the train ride there when a prisoner being transported to Scree is kidnapped and Lena meets a scientific-minded young gentleman who is intrigued, but not repulsed by her unusually large hands and feet. A well-paced plot and compelling characters that develop throughout the book make this easy to read and hard to put down. Themes of acceptance, character, and self-determination are explored without superseding the beautifully crafted story. A wonderful read, recommended for all collections.Sunnie Sette, New Haven Public Library, CT