![]() A stranger with justice on his mind has just arrived in town, and Hurricane Amy is on its way. ![]() ![]() Turnage introduces readers to the homey yet exotic world of Tupelo Landing, N.C., well-populated with one-of-a-kind characters. ![]() What do you get when you combine Because of Winn-Dixie’s heart with the mystery and action of Holes? You get an engaging, spirit-lifting and unforgettable debut for young readers. Unfortunately, the first-person narration varies from stilted to overly adult and never quite brings Talibah to life, a flaw that the busy plot just can’t overcome. The author’s interests in Egyptian history and in exploring the impact of the loss of a parent is made clear in a concluding note. With her brother Adom’s help she solves the mystery, provoking a deadly attack and reconciling with her grieving father. Convinced that a long-dead (female) pharaoh seeks help in locating her lost love, Talibah follows physical clues and vague hints to determine what became of the ancient architect Senenmut. Immediately odd visions plague her and mysterious figures press unusual gifts into her hands. Talibah, 14, is visiting Egypt with her widowed father and younger brother. ![]() Moss, author/illustrator of the highly graphic Amelia series, mixes historical intrigue, family issues and a brief episode of time travel, but the disparate elements never quite jell in this full-length, lightly illustrated novel. This time, however, the experiment doesn’t pay off. There’s no reason an author can’t step away from a successful formula to try something new. ![]()
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