The Remarkable & Very True Story of Lucy & Snowcap
Grade 5–8—On the island of Tatenland, in 1787, all of the men have mysteriously been turned to stone, and male babies are taken to the statue garden when they are born to meet their fate. When Lucy's brother is born, she is determined to save him, and after meeting with a local wise woman, she sets out for another island where he will be kept safe. Along the way she meets Snowcap, the orphaned daughter of the governor, who is herself on the run from the regent and steward who are intent on killing her. At first the 12-year-old girls don't get along, but they eventually band together to save themselves and solve the mystery of how the native men came to be turned to stone. While an interesting premise, the story seems to meander from one minor adventure to the next, and the climactic battle between the girls and the evil steward is snuffed out before it can fully flame. Lucy and Snowcap are nicely developed, but the villains and other minor characters lack substance. This is a serviceable story, with interesting characters and some adventure that will hold the interest of fantasy fans.—Necia Blundy, Marlborough Public Library, MACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.