The Grimm Legacy

June 28, 2010
Shulman (Enthusiasm) intermingles classic fairy tale elements and modern-day conflicts in this clever novel set in New York City. The story begins when teenager Elizabeth Rew lands a plum part-time job, working as a page in the "New-York Circulating Material Repository," an institution housing rare objects to be lent to an exclusive circle of patrons. The most secret and by far most interesting section of the building is the basement, where magic objects mentioned in the Grimm Brothers' tales are stored. Much to the librarians' dismay, however, some of these valuable items go missing. With the help of her fellow pages, Elizabeth gets to the bottom of the mystery, but catching the thief poses enormous danger and necessitates the aid of some powerful equipment, including Snow White's mirror, a pair of winged sandals, and a magical golden key. Mixing tongue-in-cheek humor (like the magic mirror's blunt appraisal of Elizabeth's beauty: "Bitsy Rew is brave and true./ A pity she's not pretty too") with suspense, Shulman conjures an enticing slice of magic realism that fairy tale buffs should relish. Ages 10–up.

Elizabeth's first after-school job is at the New York Circulating Material Repository. The Repository loans out rare items like Marie Antoinette's wig, Japanese tea sets, and even magical objects from the Grimm collection. Narrator Julia Whelan conveys a delicate sense of wonder as Elizabeth realizes magic mirrors and flying carpets really exist. The Repository's rules and regulations make for a detailed narration, but Whelan gives listeners a clear picture of Shulman's world. Whelan also shares Elizabeth's humor as she suffers from unrequited love and a lost sense of direction. Whelan's voices for the young children in the story sound adorable and add to its appeal. Elizabeth's adventures at this enchanted library and Whelan's charming performance make this a worthy listen. C.A. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine