The Theft & the Miracle

February 12, 2007
Wade's first novel—part mystery, part fantasy—centers on 12-year-old Hannah Price, who "noticed things other people didn't and... knew how to draw them." One afternoon, she gives her raincoat to a fellow classmate just as a sudden thunderstorm erupts. Hannah seeks shelter in a cathedral famous for its 14th-century wooden carving of the Virgin and Child. As she begins to sketch the sculpture, Hannah's fingers tingle and her pencil "traveled with complete assurance." When she leaves the church, Hannah begins to sense an unexplained presence watching over her. Soon thereafter the infant is stolen out of the arms of the Virgin. Hannah learns that a witches' coven plans to burn the sculpture on Dec. 24th, the statue's anniversary, and she falls for a trap set by the thief. The story moves quickly and Hannah's personal challenges (she's overweight and suffers from acne) make her an accessible heroine, but the reason for Hannah being chosen as the statue's protector remains unclear. This is a more sophisticated mystery due to its references to witchcraft and strong historical and religious overtones (the Black Death, the angel Gabriel). Readers with a keen key for clues will discover them throughout the story. Ages 9-up.

January 1, 2007
Gr 5-9-Heavyset, plain Hannah Price lives an unremarkable life in southern England until she is caught up in circumstances surrounding the theft of a statue from the ancient cathedral that towers over the city. A teenager who struggles academically, Hannah only feels completely comfortable when she can lose herself in her artwork. The day of the theft, she ducks into the cathedral to escape a rainstorm and finds herself gripped by an unearthly talent as she draws an exact likeness of the Madonna and Child sculptures that have graced the cathedral for centuries. When the statue of the Christ Child is stolen that very day, the constable and others see much to suspect in her unusual behavior. As she and her friend Sam struggle to come up with answers, they quickly realize that they are up against a force darker than an ordinary thief. Wade skillfully blends the Black Death of the 14th century and other historical elements into a fascinating and well-paced story. Fully developed characters give the mystery an added depth, and the ways that Hannah and her parents deal with the grief of her brother's death when she was much younger provide intriguing undercurrents. A solid purchase for readers who enjoy intrigue with a dash of the supernatural."Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2006
On a stormy day, Hannah Price takes refuge in Gloucester Cathedral, where she feels compelled to use her considerable artistic talents to draw a picture of the church's famous carving of Mary and baby Jesus. Soon after, the small statue is stolen, and Hannah plunges into the question of who has taken it and why. Mixed with the mystery are fantastical elements in which Hannah finds herself pushing aside the veil that separates time and space. Wade has a terrific talent for characterization and description. Hannah and her friend Sam, who is by her side through turmoil and danger, are creditable modern-day kids caught up in a situation that has taken shape in the Middle Ages. Moreover, whether Wade brings readers inside hallowed church grounds or into the home of a contemporary witch, her vivid detailing makes these places come alive. The plotting, on the other hand, is bloated, and a final explanation of events is garbled. But once she gets a handle on balancing the elements of storytelling, Wade will be a formidable writer.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)