The Improbable Wonders of Moojie
Littleman
By Robin Gregory
Paperback: 294 pages
Publisher: Mad Mystical Journey (November 1,
2015)
ISBN-10: 1942545002
ISBN-13: 978-1942545002
Approximate
Lexile: 820
Publisher’s Blurb:
2015 Gelett Burgess Children's Book Award
Finalist Foreword Reviews Indiefab Best Book of the Year Award (2016)
Finalist Wishing Shelf Book Award (2016)
Set in the early 1900s, THE IMPROBABLE WONDERS OF MOOJIE LITTLEMAN is a heartrending, coming-of-age story, with a dose of humor and magical realism. After his mother dies, disabled Moojie is sent from the mythical American village of San Miguel de las Gaviotas to live with his grandfather at St. Isidore's Fainting Goat Dairy, where he discovers a clan from an alternate universe. Moojie shares more than supernatural powers in common with the ones who call themselves Light-Eaters. Anxious to re-create a family of his own, he undergoes life-changing trials, trials complicated by the girl he falls for, a bully-magician, a cantankerous, war-hero grandfather, and a meddlesome, Irish aunt. Moojie must decide who he belongs with. An earthquake forces him to make a harrowing rescue to save what family he has. A surprising destiny awaits him if he can survive one last terrifying trial.
Finalist Foreword Reviews Indiefab Best Book of the Year Award (2016)
Finalist Wishing Shelf Book Award (2016)
Set in the early 1900s, THE IMPROBABLE WONDERS OF MOOJIE LITTLEMAN is a heartrending, coming-of-age story, with a dose of humor and magical realism. After his mother dies, disabled Moojie is sent from the mythical American village of San Miguel de las Gaviotas to live with his grandfather at St. Isidore's Fainting Goat Dairy, where he discovers a clan from an alternate universe. Moojie shares more than supernatural powers in common with the ones who call themselves Light-Eaters. Anxious to re-create a family of his own, he undergoes life-changing trials, trials complicated by the girl he falls for, a bully-magician, a cantankerous, war-hero grandfather, and a meddlesome, Irish aunt. Moojie must decide who he belongs with. An earthquake forces him to make a harrowing rescue to save what family he has. A surprising destiny awaits him if he can survive one last terrifying trial.
My Thoughts:
Overall, I enjoy magical realism, and this book definitely fits into
that genre. It has the same “taste” as The
Silence of Bonaventure Arrow, but I enjoyed that book more than this one.
Moojie, as the protagonist, develops nicely, becoming a more
well-rounded, compassionate human being as the plot unfolds. It is the
qualities he develops in order to leave with the Light-Eaters (his wish) that
enables him to make the crucial choice at the climax of the story. His life is
not easy, but it is rewarding.
The cryptic conversations of the Light-Eaters drive Moojie—and me—nuts.
I don’t know if the author was just trying to be clever and not give anything
away, but they were a little too incomprehensible at times.
Secondary characters, like Pappy, are microcosms of both the fictitious
setting and the world in which we presently live.
Narrative is well done, nice figurative language, and the text is well
edited. There are times at which the pace is a little slow, and this, combined
with the occasionally puzzling elements, make this a book that is not for
everyone. I will probably not feel compelled to read it again.
Possible Objectionable Material:
Ridicule of handicapped or disadvantaged people. Lying. Some violence,
including the shooting of an animal and an abusive relationship. Minor cursing.
Who Might Like This Book:
Fans of magical realism. Those who like coming of age. Strong readers
in the target group of middle grades to young adults. I think this book will
appeal to both genders equally.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC.
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