Aster and the Accidental Magic (Aster #1)

Gr 4-7--A move to the mountains results in adventure beyond a young girl's wildest dreams. A strange species of gigantic birds that reproduce on a 15-year cycle is gearing up for a migration--always a destructive event. To help guide the birds, Aster's scientist mother is building a robot. Her work takes the family to the mountains, and young Aster is initially distraught when her life is uprooted. But as she explores the countryside, she finds magic and mischief, befriends a seasonal deity, acquires a pet dog, outwits a trickster, and has the adventure of a lifetime. Aster learns to cope with the unexpected and finds solidarity with her family and new friends. The conclusion hints that more fun awaits in future volumes. Featuring simple lines and appealingly bizarre creatures, the art will entice readers. The Alps-inspired landscapes and characters are colored with muted Photoshopped blocks of color, with panels that let the busy narrative flow. At times the style turns anime-like to convey extreme moments. VERDICT Those who love Luke Pearson's "Hilda" series will eagerly jump on board the Aster bandwagon.--Nancy McKay, Byron Public Library, IL

"Full of sardonic asides and general whimsy, this will make readers eager to snag the promised sequel and begin rural adventures of their own." — The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books