July 22, 2024
Romero (Death’s Country) mixes fairy tale, Jewish lore, and homage to German poet Rainer Maria Rilke in this family-driven fantasy about 11-year-old Anne Applebaum, who’s lonely following her mother’s death. Losing herself in The World to Come, a fictional fairy tale collection that her mother shared with her, Anne—who has always felt that something was missing from her life—is receptive when a talking raven reveals that Rainer, her dream twin brother her mother used to tell her about, exists, albeit “in three different pieces,” in the dangerous region of the east. She soon sets out to find Rainer’s parts, make him whole, and bring him home. Quotations from Rilke and Jewish prayers and blessings are sprinkled throughout, and sections from The World to Come accompany Anne’s encounters with characters from her book, including the Birch Witch, a magical baker turned
villain, whom Anne must battle to rescue Rainer and save her own village. An
omniscient third-person narrator directly addresses the reader, creating an ambiance of intimate storytelling as faithful and persevering Anne undergoes the traditional travails of a hero’s quest, spun with both a feminist and Judaic twist. Final
art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12.
August 1, 2024
Gr 3-5-After her mother dies, 11-year-old Anne Applebaum spends her childhood daydreaming in her favorite book The World to Come, a collection of fairy tales about a fictional flying forest called Bei Ilai. But what if it wasn't pretend? What if the seven witches and the Prophetesses, and even her twin that her mother used to dream of were all real? Following her encounter with a talking raven, Anne sets off to discover the real Bei Ilai and when she comes face-to-face with her brother Rainer, she knows she has to save him despite the evil they will have to fight to keep all the worlds safe. This story is based on traditional Jewish stories and seamlessly integrates quotes from the Torah and prayers throughout the text. It also references many traditional German fairy tales and includes lines from well-known classics, making it fun for readers to guess the reference. The main arc of Anne rescuing Rainer and saving the Flying Forest is interspersed with created tales from old Bei Ilai. That, in conjunction with the narrator breaking the fourth wall, makes the novel read like a fairy tale itself. The dialogue occasionally feels stilted and, without enough worldbuilding and character development, it's not an immersive reading experience. Most characters are cued as white, which is reflected in the detailed illustrations throughout the text. VERDICT Tales within tales create a modern Jewish-based fairy tale, to be purchased where reimaginings and fractured fairy tales are popular.-Clare A. Dombrowski
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
September 1, 2024
Eleven-year-old Anne Applebaum lives in Silverthorne, adjoining the mystical flying forest of Bei Ilai. Anne and her mom share a love for the tales of the Bei Ilai queens, witches and prophetesses contained in a special book, The World To Come. Mom tells Anne of a dream she used to have in which she was expecting twins--Anne and a boy she called Rainer. But Anne was born alone. When Mom dies soon after Anne's 11th birthday, she's left grieving with an undemonstrative father and a deep desire to solve the mystery of her brother's possible existence. She sets out on a quest--one filled with adventure, danger, terror, new friends, and one terrible enemy--that takes her into Bei Ilai, where she encounters some of the characters from the book. A narrator tells "our heroine's" story in great detail, addressing the "gentle reader" directly and offering interludes, backstories, insights, warnings, and assurances. The narrator also displays sympathy, compassion, and admiration for Anne and her companions. The enemy is a true monster, one who cruelly uses others for his own gain. References to Jewish traditions, prayers, and symbolism are integral to the storytelling. Although some readers may find the text dense and difficult to follow, the novel is ultimately well worth the effort. Final art not seen. An exciting, tender, and appealing adventure. (map, author's note)(Fantasy. 9-13)
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October 18, 2024
Grades 4-7 After Anne's mother passes away, her father retreats into his work and beloved poetry books, leaving Anne isolated and bereft. Though she consoles herself with inspiring tales from her favorite book, The World to Come, a piece of her heart is still missing. It takes a talking raven to reveal the shocking truth: she has a twin brother, Rainer, whose soul was intercepted by a traitorous witch before he was born. Sensing that Rainer is in trouble, Anne screws up her courage to track down her separated sibling and along the way encounters extraordinary characters from her beloved book. The splendid story draws inspiration from Jewish traditions and German folklore, blending them beautifully into its truly unique, and at times unsettling, fairy-tale form. Italicized chapters regale readers with tales from The World to Come and provide a foundation for Anne's absorbing adventures, while the narrator often directly cautions or reassures the audience, making for an immersive experience. An incredibly creative and compassionate case for holding on to hope and light while facing the darkest parts of the world.
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