The Hatmakers

December 15, 2020
Grades 4-7 Cordelia whiles away her days in the handsome Hatmaker house, a building that hosts both her close-knit family and their magical millinery creations. Hers is a London that, while mostly familiar, contains a bit of magic here and there, woven into the handiwork of guild craftsmen: gloves, hats, boots. Their mostly peaceful and pleasant coexistence is upended when Cordelia's father mysteriously goes missing, and a series of sinister events tips the magical world into chaos while bringing England to the brink of war. Only Cordelia and some unexpected friends can restore peace, and the determined trio find themselves in a race to save their families--and the kingdom. Merchant's inventive world is beautifully built through vivid imagery and detailed descriptions, whether of a cozily curated workshop or a derelict guild hall, and though much of the story feels pleasingly predictable, occasional twists will keep readers on their toes. An engaging ode to the bonds of family and friendship, the power of teamwork, and the magic that we all have inside ourselves.

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December 15, 2020
In her debut novel, British actor Merchant creates an elaborate fantasy world around a family of magical milliners. Cordelia Hatmaker, almost 12, is smitten with grief at the apparent loss at sea of her beloved father. Despite the tragedy, Cordelia's extended family members continue to fulfill their duties as Hatmakers to the Crown. Their hats are works of art, custom-made using rare ingredients to magically influence the moods and intentions of their wearers. The family's present task is to create a Concentration Hat for the king, who turns out to be none other than England's King George in full insanity mode. Cordelia's compassion for others leads to friendship with a member of the archrival Bootmaker family as well as a street urchin named Sam. The friends work together to overthrow a complicated plot to wage war on France spearheaded by the dastardly Lord Witloof, who stands to profit from war by manufacturing cannons. This is an action-packed story with an appealing role model in feisty, determined Cordelia, who acquires confidence in fighting evil and protecting family and friends. Magical elements, complicated plot twists, and colorful characters will appeal to Philip Pullman and Harry Potter fans, although the subject matter is on the younger side for the reading level. A cliffhanger ending implies a sequel. All characters present White. Illustrations not seen. A swashbuckling romp for lovers of history and magic. (glossary, note about ingredients) (Fantasy. 9-12)

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February 1, 2021

Gr 3-6-A challenging but innocent fantasy. Cordelia Hatmaker comes from a long line of magical Hatmakers, who create hats that encourage the wearer to adopt a specific mood or take a certain action. There are love hats, confidence hats, and more. When Cordelia's father is lost at sea as he attempts to return with a vital ingredient for a hat for the king, and the other "makers" in town are burgled, Cordelia must save the kingdom. This whimsical story is full of fun nonsense, but the vocabulary is surprisingly complex. The simple mystery and uncomplicated emotional elements seem at odds with the length of the book. This novel would be ideal for younger elementary students who are reading at a high level. However, most students will grow out their desire for whimsy and innocence before they are ready for the complex vocabulary and length. VERDICT An additional purchase.-Jeri Murphy, C.F. Simmons M.S., Aurora, IL

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