The Shadowed Unicorn - Hardcover

Welch, Sheila Kelly

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0812628950 ISBN 13: 9780812628951

Publisher: Cricket Books, 2000

Synopsis

Twelve-year-old Brendan Rodrick, his irrepressible twin, Nick, and their older sister, Ami, are struggling to cope with the sudden death of their father and their family's recent move to an isolated farm in Pennsylvania. Being city kids in the country is one problem, but Brendan listens with growing concern as Ami begins to talk about a unicorn hoofprint she sees in the woods. When Ami assumes the role of Maid Amelia and obsessively fantasizes about capturing the mythical beast, Brendan finds himself drawn into her imaginary world, almost against his will. Brendan knows that for his sister the unicorn quest helps fill the emptiness left by their father's death. But the fantasy is also serving as a refuge for him as he tries to define himself as something more than Nick's twin. The search for the unicorn comes to a head when Nick, Brendan, and Ami embark on a secret nighttime journey up a nearby mountain to spy on an elderly neighbor whom they call the Ogre. Will Ami, with Brendan's help, be able to capture the unicorn before the night is over?

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Grade 5-7-The search for a unicorn is used in this adventure story as a solution to a girl's grief over the recent death of her father. While 12-year-old Brendan and Nick are coping with their loss, 14-year-old Ami is not doing well. She has many outbursts of anger, is rude to everyone, and is uncooperative. The family has recently moved from New York City to an old, dilapidated family farm in Pennsylvania where Ami secludes herself in her room, studying unicorn lore and laying plans to capture the one she is sure she has seen in their woods. When her mother goes out of town on business, Ami decides it is time to go after the unicorn and she convinces her twin brothers to go with her. Their search leads them to the property of a neighbor who has a reputation for shooting at trespassers. He captures Ami and Nick, but Brendan is able to sneak into the house and sweet talk him into letting them all go. (Conveniently, the beast glimpsed in the woods turns out to be the lonely man's horse, which he gives to Ami.) The excitement of their search and capture shocks Ami out of her grief. Character development is inconsistent, and the implausible deus ex machina solution to the serious problem of childhood grief trivializes the issue. An interesting unicorn hunt is not sufficient compensation for most readers.
Virginia Golodetz, Children's Literature New England, Burlington, VT
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review:

"... a suspenseful story ... The protagonist is male, but the story should appeal to both girls and boys. Recommended." -- The Book Report, September/October, 2000

"... moves along nicely ... interactions between the siblings are true to life ... the pain of the fatherless children is real." -- VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates), June, 2000

"...maps out a complex web of interrelationships ... perceptive exploration of character is deepened by a haunting suggestion of fantasy." -- Booklist, April 15, 2000

"...writing is rich with detail,including Ami's trancelike obessioin with capturing a unicorn to deal with her father's death..." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, October, 2000

"Youngsters ages 10 to 14 will be enthralled by this novel about a mystical beast... A delightful and suprising ending." -- Today's Librarian, May, 2000

About this edition

• Publisher: Cricket Books
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0812628950
• ISBN 13: 9780812628951
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192