Oddmire, Book 1: Changeling, The (The Oddmire) - Hardcover

Ritter, William

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1616208392 ISBN 13: 9781616208394

Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers, 2019

Synopsis

Magic is fading from the Wild Wood. To renew it, goblins must perform an ancient ritual involving the rarest of their kind - a newborn changeling. But when the fateful night arrives to trade a human baby for a goblin one, something goes terribly wrong. After laying the changeling in a human infant's crib, the goblin Kull is briefly distracted from his task. By the time he turns back, the changeling has already perfectly mimicked the human child. Too perfectly: Kull cannot tell them apart. Not knowing which to bring back, he leaves both babies behind. Tinn and Cole are raised as human twins, neither knowing what secrets may be buried deep inside one of them. Then when they are twelve years old, a mysterious message arrives, calling the brothers to be heroes and protectors of magic. The boys must leave behind their sleepy town of Endsborough and risk their lives in the Wild Wood, crossing the perilous Oddmire swamp and journeying through the Deep Dark to reach the goblin horde and discover who they truly are. In The Oddmire 1: Changeling, the New York Times bestselling author of the Jackaby series brings to life a bold new adventure, the first in a series about monsters, magic, and mayhem.

About this title

Review:

"William Ritter draws readers ages 8-12 into an enchanted forest prowled by all manner of sinister and peculiar beings . . . Suspenseful and sometimes droll, 'Changeling' is a promising start to a planned series."
--The Wall Street Journal

"One of my favorite new middle grade books of any genre. The writing is superb, with all of the wit, whimsy, and wonder of Tolkien's The Hobbit."
--The B&N Kids Blog

"Ritter crafts a well-paced adventure filled with whimsy and peril, in which the bonds of family and love prove stronger than any spell or curse. With memorable characters--especially the irrepressible protagonists, who make a delightful team--and an atmospheric setting, this is a strong series opener."
--Publishers Weekly

"Set in a magical world filled with incredible creatures from folklore, this fast-paced fantasy will keep readers turning the pages as they follow the twins through the dark and mysterious woods. Unique characters with complex personalities will give readers insight into the feelings and actions of not only Tinn and Cole and their mother, but the creatures--both good and evil--they encounter on their journey. A captivating series opener."
--Booklist, starred review

"William Ritter takes familiar pieces of lore and infuses rich new life and magic into them. The characters of Changeling, both human and magical, are complex and multi-faceted: wildly brave single mothers, rowdy sensitive boys, goblins yearning for forgiveness and redemption and a Thing whose power is limited by its own insecurities. Wonderfully written, with powerful messages of love and the importance of family, Changeling is a bold start to a promising series."
--Shelf Awareness, starred review

"Fans of Michael Buckley's 'Sisters Grimm' novels will delight in this fast-paced, page-turning fantasy . . . A must-buy for any collection and a title that will lead readers to other classic titles used as source -material."
--School Library Journal

"A delightful series opener."
--Kirkus Reviews

"Ritter invests the novel's questions about biological identity and birthright with equally powerful affirmations of bonds forged by familial love . . . The snappy, humorous dialogue and shifting perspectives keep the pace lively, and readers can look forward to learning more about Fable in the next installment."
--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Having established major monster cred with the wry young-adult 'Jackaby' trilogy, about a 19th-century New England detective who specializes in paranormal crimes, Oregon author William Ritter has launched a similarly otherworldly, and similarly witty, middle-grade series."
--The Oregonian

"This is the delightful beginning to a new series about goblins who seek to restore magic to the Wild Wood."
--Book Riot

"Ritter's brand of magic here is a gift for all readers of the fantastical--young and old alike."
--The Mountain Times

"Ritter writes with humor and offers a vivid storybook setting in a time not so long ago . . . He does a masterful job crafting his tale, conjuring up the terrors lurking in the Wild Wood and the Oddmire swamp and the nature of the evil Thing that awaits."
--The Buffalo News

"A great adventure that keeps you guessing!"
--Imagination Soup

About the Author:

William Ritter is an Oregon educator and New York Times best-selling author. He is the proud father of the two bravest boys in the Wild Wood, and husband to the indomitable Queen of the Deep Dark. The Oddmire is his first series for middle-grade readers. Visit William Ritter online at rwillritter.wordpress.com and find him on Twitter: @Willothewords.

About this edition

• Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1616208392
• ISBN 13: 9781616208394
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 272