The Secret History of Tom Trueheart

The Trueheart clan has seven sons, six of whom are often called on to enter the Land of Stories and bring stories to an exciting conclusion. Tom, the youngest, and the only one not named Jack, worries that he lacks the bravery to carry on the family's tradition of bringing exciting exploits and happily-ever-after endings to the Land of Stories. Ian Beck has woven several well-known fairy tales into this novel, putting a new spin on some of our best-loved stories. John Curless narrates with flair, humor, and excitement. His smooth transitions from adventure to adventure and his facility with accents will keep listeners engaged in identifying the source tales. N.E.M. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

Starred review from January 15, 2007
British picture-book author/artist Beck appropriately opens his first novel with "Once upon a time." Not only does he weave into his book the plots of many well-known fairy tales, he also assumes a narrative voice and creates an atmosphere that fits squarely in the genre. Tom Trueheart is a timid boy, living in the shadow of his six brothers—all named Jack: "It was... these same six fabled, heroic Jacks who had carried out all of the toughest, scariest, and most romantic and exciting adventures so far to have happened in the Land of Stories." The "Story Bureau" gives each of the same-named lads a "beginning" and sends them off to complete the tales through their adventures. When the brothers fail to return home, the Bureau sends Tom a letter on the morning of his 12th birthday, summoning him to find his siblings. Through the third-person narrative that follows the various brothers (and a hint from Cinderella), readers learn that the Jacks have been kidnapped by Julius Ormestone, the writer whose task it is to create the Bureau's story openings and who is tired of the adventurers getting all the credit. Beck's casting of the Truehearts in the starring roles lends a fresh, often humorous air to Snow White and the seven dwarfs, the frog-prince and Rapunzel; the episodes culminate in a final showdown at the giant's palace atop a beanstalk. Beck's story is a quick read that at once pays homage to its chosen milieu and also serves as a worthy addition to it. Ages 8-12.

Starred review from February 12, 2007
From his opening utterance of "Once upon a time..." British actor Curless's polished yet friendly voice prepares listeners to be whisked away to the Land of Stories, where the bulk of Beck's inventive fantasy-adventure unfolds. The Trueheart family is known in those parts for starring in some of the world's best known tales. Tom Trueheart's six older brothers—all named Jack—and their father Jack before them, routinely received letters of assignment, or story starters, from the Story Bureau. The missives sent them off to the Land of Stories to rescue princesses or battle knights or giants. With each adventure finished, the Truehearts reported back to the Bureau, who committed the events to paper. But on the eve of Tom's 12th birthday, all his brothers go missing in the Land of Stories at once. The Bureau decides that Tom, with some help from a sprite guide, is the only hope of saving his family—and the stories. Tom accepts the mission and soon learns that the Jacks have been kidnapped by a rogue (and jealous) story deviser named Ormestone. Listeners follow Tom through familiar territory such as "Snow White," "Cinderella," "The Frog Prince," "Rapunzel" and, ultimately, "Jack and the Beanstalk," all given an exciting freshness by Curless's energy and enthusiasm, and Beck's thoroughly entertaining device. Happily the ending leaves room for a sequel. Ages 8-12.