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Interviews | July 4, 2009

Jill Owens: IMG Powells.com Interview: Luis Alberto Urrea

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luisalbertourreaLuis Alberto Urrea is a poet, novelist, journalist, and essayist who has been writing about the relationship between the United States and Mexico,... Continue »
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Horns & Wrinkles

by Joseph Helgerson

Horns & Wrinkles Cover

ISBN13: 9780618616794
ISBN10: 0618616799
Condition: Standard
Dustjacket: Standard
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

How can you tell if a river's under a spell? River trolls, rock trolls, blue-wing fairies — the usual suspects — the stretch of the Mississippi where Claire lives has rumors of them all, not that she's ever spotted any. But then Claire's cousin Duke takes a swim and sprouts a horn — a long, pointy, handsome thing. After that, Claire doesn't have much choice but to believe that something rivery is going on, especially since she's the only one who can help Duke lose his new addition.

In the tradition of grand river adventures, Joseph Helgerson's tale is as twisty and unpredictable as the Mississippi River itself, while an unusual cast of characters adds pepper to the pot. Readers of all ages will enjoy getting in — and out of — trouble with Claire and Duke in this nimble, sharp, and funny fantasy.

Review:

"Tongue-in-cheek humor brings a delightful zing to the playfully inventive storytelling and fast-paced plot. Enchanting sketches foreshadow each chapter, adding to the wonder. A new Mississippi River fable has been born." School Library Journal (Starred Review)

Review:

"Helgerson's debut is a confusing, nonsensical mish-mash. The character quirks are forced, the narration is overly chatty and much of the humor is lame....There's plenty of imagination here, but little logic or thought." Kirkus Reviews
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About the Author

Joseph Helgerson lives in Minneapolis with his wife, daughter, and son. He grew up in a small town on the Mississippi River, where his parents often took him and his brothers sandbar camping. Today he carries on that tradition with his own family.

Nicoletta Ceccoli is the illustrator of many wonderful books for children. She studied at the Institute of Art in Urbino and now lives in San Marino, Italy, near the sea.

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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 2 comments:
Ayako-tan, April 24, 2008 (view all comments by Ayako-tan)
A very nice book indeed. There are many unsuspected moments in this book, which are very uncommon in books. I greatly enjoyed reading this book, it has a perfect mixture of fantasy and adventure.
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crowyhead, January 18, 2007 (view all comments by crowyhead)
When Claire's bully of a counsin, Duke, sprouts a rhino horn where his nose should be, it's a pretty sure bet that there's "something rivery" going on. The problem grows exponentially (along with Duke's nose) when Duke's parents are turned to stone and Duke runs off with some river trolls. Claire follows, because she needs the trolls to turn her aunt and uncle back, and besides, the rest of the family probably doesn't want Duke going all trollish, anyway...

This is a hilarious and original YA fantasy -- one of the most unique I've read in quite some time. In a world where young British wizards are a dime a dozen, there's something fantastic about finding this novel, which is set firmly on the Minnesota bluffs hedging the Misssissippi River.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780618616794
Author:
Helgerson, Joseph
Publisher:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH)
Illustrator:
Ceccoli, Nicoletta
Author:
Ceccoli, Nicoletta
Author:
Helgerson, Joe
Location:
Boston
Subject:
Family - General
Subject:
Action & Adventure
Subject:
Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic
Subject:
Humorous Stories
Subject:
Magic
Subject:
Bullies
Subject:
Action & Adventure - General
Subject:
Fantasy & Magic
Subject:
Nature & the Natural World
Subject:
Trolls
Copyright:
2006
Edition Description:
HARDCOVER
Publication Date:
September 2006
Binding:
Hardcover
Grade Level:
Children/juvenile
Language:
English
Illustrations:
YES
Pages:
357
Dimensions:
7.34x5.84x1.20 in. 1.04 lbs.
Age Level:
09-11
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