Midnight Snack of Shadows

August 1, 2019
Following his eponymous debut (2018), Thundercluck and his Valkyrie friend team up again to solve a mystery and save the day. It's a lovely day for a picnic, until giant fire-breathing ants come to ruin the meal. Thundercluck and Brunhilde defeat them with some sweet moves but soon learn that another problem is plaguing Asgard: lost library books. As in the first installment, these ridiculous problems are treated with grave sincerity, a mood aided by prophecies delivered in perfect scansion. The menacing trio of Gorman the angry skull, Medda the shape-shifting trickstress, and War-Tog the lovable man-pig do their best to thwart the girl and chicken while a cast of Norse deities watches from afar. There are some slightly more serious ideas tackled here as well, as Brunhilde reunites with the mother she thought had abandoned her, and she and Thundercluck learn how to work through conflict and apologize for hurting each other. The plot rushes from adventure to adventure, barely held together by ludicrous problems involving a stolen library card and a Book Wyrm who just needs some help turning pages. A large font, generous leading, and amusing spot illustrations throughout help keep the pages turning, continuing the sure success this is to find among reluctant readers eager for something with Percy Jackson appeal and Wimpy Kid readability. Well-done fluff. (Animal fantasy. 8-11)

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