Magical Realism and Coming of Age Get Together

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.

 

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.