Synopses & Reviews
and#160; Renowned literary great Eva Ibbotson delivers a final novel in her classic, much-loved style. A previously unpublished work from this favorite author,
The Abominables follows a family of yetis who are forced, by tourism, to leave their home in the Himalayas and make their way across Europe to a possible new home. Siblings Con and Ellen shepherd the yetis along their eventful journey, with the help of Perry, a good-natured truck driver. Through a mountain rescue in the Alps and a bullfight in Spain, the yetis at last find their way to an ancestral estate in Englandand#151;only to come upon a club of voracious hunters who have set their sights on the most exotic prey of all: the Abominable Snowmen.
Briskly funny and full of incident, The Abominables is vintage Ibbotson. With unforgettable characters and thoughtful messages about the environment and advocacy, itand#8217;s a generous last gift to her many devoted fans.
Praise for The Abominables
STARRED REVIEWS
"A satiric farewell from a favorite author."
--Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"A memorable finale to a treasured body of work."
--Publishers Weekly, starred review
"The novel is full of whimsy, charm, and sly humor. The yetis will tug at readersand#8217; heartstrings and make them laugh. The writing is lean, witty, and subtle. Ibbotson manages to touch on ethical messages of human rights, advocacy, and environmentalism without being obvious."
--School Library Journal
"The writing is skillful, precise, and frequently funny, and it offers an effective counterbalance to some of the storyand#8217;s more serious social criticism..."
--Bulletin of The Center for Childrenand#8217;s Books
"Readers will enjoy Ibbotson's final book."
--Library Media Connection
Review
"Children will enjoy Odd's quiet heroism and the simple adventure; adults will love the squabbling gods and the strong women (and the Frost Giant's response to feisty Freya!). All in all, another winner." Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Review
"[D]eft humor, lively prose, and agile imagination....Yet more proof that there isn't much Gaiman can't write well, be it comics, picture books, or novels for any age." Booklist
Review
"Swift-moving yet thoughtful, a book to share aloud — and then again. Helquist's eight full-page drawings, distinguished by their sturdy characterizations and angular drafting, deftly evoke Gaiman's wintry Norse world." Horn Book Magazine
Review
"[A] thoughtful and quietly humorous fantasy that younger Percy Jackson fans will enjoy....Readers will...enjoy Odd's interaction with the animals, Gaiman's simple and graceful writing, and the satisfying conclusion." School Library Journal
Review
"A fun, quick read. Kids will love the story, while adult readers of Gaiman's earlier works will enjoy the return of some familiar mythological characters." SFSignal.com
Synopsis
Newbery Medalist Gaiman and illustrator Helquist team up for a new fantasy novella in which a young boy must free Asgard — the city of the gods — from the evil Frost Giants. Illustrations.
Synopsis
The thrilling, wintry Nordic tale by Neil Gaiman, who weaves a magical story of legend and adventure that will enchant readers from beginning to end.
Odd, a young Viking boy, is left fatherless following a raid. In his icy, ancient world there is no mercy for an unlucky soul with a crushed foot and no one to protect him. Fleeing to the woods, Odd stumbles upon and releases a trapped bear...and then Odd's destiny begins to change.
The eagle, bear, and fox Odd encounters are Norse gods, trapped in animal form by the evil frost giant who has conquered Asgard, the city of the gods. Now our hero must reclaim Thor's hammer, outwit the frost giants and release the gods...
Synopsis
In this inventive, short, yet perfectly formed novel inspired by traditional Norse mythology, Neil Gaiman takes readers on a wild and magical trip to the land of giants and gods and back.
In a village in ancient Norway lives a boy named Odd, and he's had some very bad luck: His father perished in a Viking expedition; a tree fell on and shattered his leg; the endless freezing winter is making villagers dangerously grumpy.
Out in the forest Odd encounters a bear, a fox, and an eagle — three creatures with a strange story to tell.
Now Odd is forced on a stranger journey than he had imagined — a journey to save Asgard, city of the gods, from the Frost Giants who have invaded it.
It's going to take a very special kind of twelve-year-old boy to outwit the Frost Giants, restore peace to the city of gods, and end the long winter.
Someone cheerful and infuriating and clever...
Someone just like Odd.
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About the Author
Neil Gaiman is the author of many highly acclaimed and award-winning books for children and adults, including the New York Times bestsellers Coraline and The Graveyard Book. He is also the author of the picture books The Wolves in the Walls and The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish, both illustrated by Dave McKean; Blueberry Girl, illustrated by Charles Vess; and The Dangerous Alphabet, illustrated by Gris Grimly. Among his many awards are the World Fantasy Award, the Hugo Award, the Nebula Award, and the Bram Stoker Award. Originally from England, Gaiman now lives in the United States.