Woundabout - Hardcover

Rosen, Lev

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0316370789 ISBN 13: 9780316370783

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2015

Synopsis

Welcome to Woundabout, where routine rules and change is feared. But transformation is in the wind....
In the wake of tragedy, siblings Connor and Cordelia and their pet capybara are sent to the precariously perched town of Woundabout to live with their eccentric aunt. Woundabout is a place where the mayor has declared that routine rules above all, and no one is allowed to as questions--because they should already know the answers.
But Connor and Cordelia can't help their curiosity when they discover a mysterious crank that fits into certain parts of the town, and by winding the crank, places are transformed into something beautiful. When the townspeople see this transformation, they don't see beauty--they only see change. And change, the mayor says, is something to fear. With the mayor hot on their trail, can Connor and Cordelia find a way to wind Woundabout back to life?

About this title

About the Author:

Lev Rosen is the elder brother and the author of two books for older readers: All Men of Genius and Depth. All Men of Genius was an Amazon best of the month and on several best of year lists.
Ellis Rosen is the younger brother and a contributor to the Eisner-nominated graphic anthology Yiddishkeit: Jewish Vernacular and the New Land. His work can also be seen in the film Diving Normal and on various websites including The Millions, The Progressive, and TruthOut.

From School Library Journal:

Gr 3–6—After their parents' recent death, siblings Connor and Cordelia as well as Kip, their pet capybara, must leave their home to live with their Aunt Marigold. They know little about their aunt because she always lived so far away in a strange town called Woundabout. The children soon discover that Woundabout is a place ruled by the Mayor, a man who rejects questions, values routine above all else, and detests change. Connor and Cordelia are the only children in town, and though some people are happy to see them, many are distraught by their presence. They soon stumble upon a boy, not from the town, who informs them that he stole something of the Mayor's but has now lost it and needs their help. Connor and Cordelia find this missing item and discover that it does amazing things—whether the Mayor and Woundabout are ready for it or not. The setting takes some getting used to, as do the characters, who lack individual personalities apart from having unique interests and hobbies. Some secondary characters seem thrown in and do little to enrich the narrative. The story itself is original, and though the pacing starts out slowly, once invested, readers will speed through to the end. Black-and-white interior illustrations enhance the tale and add overall appeal. A generous font size and ample images may make this an option for some reluctant readers. VERDICT This is a touching story about the importance of change despite the hardships of life.—Kristyn Dorfman, The Packer Collegiate Institute, Brooklyn, NY

About this edition

• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0316370789
• ISBN 13: 9780316370783
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 288
• Illustrator: Rosen Ellis