Wander Lost

Readers will never look at family game night the same way again.

White-cued 12-year-old twins Rhett and Nash have always chafed at their mother's board game prohibition. It's only after she vanishes that they finally learn the truth. They're picked up by their estranged, taciturn grandfather, who takes them to stay at his home in remote Indiana woods, where he informs the siblings that members of their family can enter the worlds within board games by exchanging places with the game's inhabitants. But their mother did not go willingly. They discover that she's been kidnapped and stashed in one of myriad game worlds by pirate captain Ogden, a former enemy who escaped into the real world years ago. With their grandfather's mentorship and assistance from 13-year-old Cress, a brown-skinned board game character capable of bounding between worlds, the twins must hone their powers, search the games, and thwart Ogden's nefarious revenge plans, all to rescue their mother. Combining the mechanics of Jumanji with the interconnectedness of Wreck-It Ralph, Martin (Vanishing Act) spins a humorous and heartfelt homage to classic board games via fictional creations as real and evocative as any childhood favorite. Idiosyncratic characters, thoughtful worldbuilding, and a palpable sense of possibility permeate this fanciful adventure. Ages 8-12. Agent: Jodi Reamer, Writers House. (June)

Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 3-7--Twin brothers Nash and Rhett have always been forbidden by their mom to play board games. They never knew why--until the day their grandfather, Ace, picks them up from school after receiving a frantic voicemail from the twins' mom. They learn that their family are bounders--people who can go in and out of board games. Now their mother is trapped in a game, and it's up to the twins to bring her home. The pacing at the novel's beginning is bogged down by all the exposition readers need to understand how the world works. For those who make it through the setup, the second half is a nonstop adventure through many worlds. It's fun to explore the variety of original board games. Though readers may get confused keeping up with the different roles (bounder, Wanderer, and Wander Lost), the heart of the story lies in the twins' relationship. The siblings share a deep bond, and Rhett has a satisfying individual character arc as well. Snow White brings something comfortable and familiar to a setting where all the worlds are unfamiliar; she also provides some comic relief and a surprisingly essential assist to the twins. The story has a good resolution and a satisfying, though slightly abrupt, ending. The book itself reads like a board game: it may take some time to understand the rules, but once you get into it, it's a lot of fun. VERDICT Hand this fun-filled adventure to patient readers who love puzzles and board games.--Florence Simmons

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.