Gertie Milk and the Keeper of Lost Things - Hardcover

Van Booy, Simon

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0448494582 ISBN 13: 9780448494586

Publisher: Razorbill, 2017

Synopsis

Award-winning author Simon Van Booy introduces readers to a magical, whimsical world, perfect for fans of Circus Mirandus and Serafina and the Black Cloak.

When twelve-year-old Gertie Milk washes up on the island of Skuldark, she finds that all of her memories are gone. Home to helpful Slug Lamps, delicious moonberries, and a ferocious Guard Worm, the island is full of oddities, including a cozy cottage containing artifacts from every corner of history.
 
It is there that Gertie discovers she has been chosen as the next Keeper of Lost Things, tasked with the mission of returning objects to history’s most important figures right when they need them most. With the help of a time machine disguised as a vintage sports car and the guidance of her fellow Keeper, Kolt, Gertie dodges an elephant army in ancient Alexandria, crashes a 1920s flapper party, and battles a ruthless Zhou Dynasty king.
 
But soon, Gertie encounters an enemy that threatens everything the Keepers stand for: The Losers, villains who don't want to keep order but destroy it. Now, Gertie must uncover the truth of her own past if she wants to stop the Losers and set history back in place.

About this title

About the Author:

Simon Van Booy is the best-selling author of seven books of fiction, and three anthologies of philosophy. He has written for the New York Times, the Financial Times, NPR, and the BBC. He enjoys building robots, model airplanes, and off-road vehicles—which he likes to crash. He has an impressive umbrella collection, a Bowler hat, and carries a green thermos of tea everywhere. His books have been translated into many languages. In 2013, he founded Writers for Children, a project which helps young people build confidence in their literary abilities through annual awards.Raised in rural Wales and England, Simon currently lives between Brooklyn and Miami with his wife, daughter, Robot Rabbit Boy, and a fully-grown sheep.

From School Library Journal:

Gr 4–6—Gertie has suddenly washed up on shore and doesn't know where or who she is. The only reason she knows her name is because it's sewn onto her shirt...if it is indeed her shirt. Soon after she meets Kolt, the only other human on the island. Kolt tells Gertie that she is on the island of lost things, and they are both caretakers of those lost things. Kolt begins teaching Gertie the ways of a Keeper when things take a turn for the worst. The enemy of the Keepers shows up and it's up to Gertie to choose which side is the right one. Booy offers a story that explores good, evil, and those gray areas. Readers learn along with Gertie about this new world, which drives the pacing and suspense. VERDICT This appealing and accessible adventure story is a supplemental purchase for larger collections.—Rena Gibson, Ralph Ellison Library, Oklahoma City

About this edition

• Publisher: Razorbill
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 0448494582
• ISBN 13: 9780448494586
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256