The Night Tourist

Starred review from October 8, 2007
Marsh, a New Republic
editor making her children's book debut, reworks the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in a supernatural tale about a 14-year-old boy's quest through an underworld in New York City, in search of his late mother's spirit. After introverted ninth-grade prodigy Jack Perdu is involved in a near-fatal accident, he is sent to see a specialist in Manhattan. There he meets Euri, a self-proclaimed “urban explorer” who reveals herself to be a ghost—part of a vast and complex community of people who have died in NYC. (Euri tells Jack that he might be able to find his mother if she has not completed her unfinished business in the world and “moved on” to Elysium, which is “somewhere in the Hamptons,” by her best guess.) Euri becomes his personal tour guide as they explore the city by night, when ghosts can leave the underworld to roam unseen. The pair tries to avoid capture by underworld authorities as they seek Jack's mother, in the process unraveling mysteries surrounding his parents' relationship and Jack's ability to infiltrate the spirit world. Mixing numerous references to mythology and classical literature with deft touches of humor and extensive historical details (former mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, Dylan Thomas and corrupt police captain “Clubber” Williams, among others, make cameo appearances), this intelligent and self-assured debut will compel readers from its outset, and leave them satisfied as it explores universal themes of love, loss and closure. Ages 10-up.

Jack Perdue, a precocious ninth-grade classics scholar, is catapulted into an adventure in the land of the dead. This genre-crossing novel is somewhat awkward in the way its blends mythical characters with realistic settings. The character Cerberus, for example, enters the afterworld through New York's Grand Central terminal. Happily, the audio is anchored by the skillful reading of Andrew Rannels, who portrays Jack with various appropriate emotions. Jack enters the afterworld with a golden bough in the form of a subway token, but soon his time there begins to run out. Rannels's narrative pace quickens with Jack's desperation to find his dead mother and to release Euri, his deceased companion and guide, from the world of death. S.W. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

December 1, 2007
Gr 4-7-Fans of Patrick Carmans Land of Elyon trilogy will be delighted to learn about Roland and Thomas Warvolds unusual and dangerous childhoods in this prequel (Scholastic, 2007) to the series. Their story begins in an orphanage where the brothers are forced to perform manual labor along with the other maltreated children. Thomas dreams of escaping, and when an opportunity arises, both brothers flee. The long journey is wrought with danger and mysterious magic, but the boys move from obstacle to obstacle with courage and determination. Narrator Ron McLartys skillful, well-paced reading adds excitement, suspense, and thoughtful introspection when needed. He successfully conveys the personalities and emotions of the brothers. In addition to providing background information for fans of the trilogy, this book is also a fine stand-alone, action-packed fantasy.Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.