Spark and the League of Ursus (League of Ursus #1)

Repino pits an indomitable squad of teddy bears...against a child-stealing monster...the climactic battle, when it finally arrives, becomes a breathless, close-run thing replete with rousing exploits and tests of courage.

A thrilling adventure.

A secret world of sentient toys comes to life in this gently creepy, Toy Story-tinged adventure. Spark is sworn to protect 11-year-old Loretta; the girl is getting a little old for stuffed animals, but she and her 12-year-old brother, Matthew, both movie buffs, use their toys to star in homemade films. When a mysterious monster, "half man, half scorpion," emerges from a portal in their home, Spark vows to confront her foe and rescue the children it has been kidnapping for its own sinister purposes. Spark recruits a ragtag crew, including Sir Reginald, her mentor and Matthew's own devoted bear; a cowardly sock monkey named Zed; and Rana, an Amazon Princess doll. Striving to live up to the ideals of the legendary League of Ursus--the secret society of teddy bears that guard humankind--Spark must turn this ragtag band of toys into a true team, one capable of tracking evil back to its home and dealing with it once and for all. Repino's (Mort(e), for adults) middle grade debut is engaging, balancing whimsy with menace as he focuses on the emotional lives of the toys and their human companions. With its exploration of themes such as family, loyalty, bravery, and the power of imagination, this story is both entertaining and uplifting. Ages 9-12. Agent: Jennifer Weltz, Jean V. Naggar Literary. (Apr.)

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 4-6--Spark is a teddy bear. She is soft and cuddly, but she's also a tough warrior in charge of protecting children everywhere--especially her child, Loretta. Able to see monsters, children are particularly vulnerable. When Loretta's brother, Matthew, and other children start going missing, it's up to Spark to rally the troops. Calling upon the ancient secret League of Ursus to help her, Spark and the band of teddy bears seek out clues to find the monster's location. Can they save the children of the world? Will the teddy bears find the monster before Loretta also gets taken? The characters are delightfully engaging, and the plot moves at a good pace and is well written. Chapters are a reasonable length, and several feature cliff-hangers. VERDICT Fans of fantasy, adventure, and mystery will enjoy reading this book. Recommended for libraries where such fiction is popular.--Kira Moody, Salt Lake County Library Services

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"I liked this book because it had an engaging storyline. It was just the right amount of suspenseful without being too scary. The story was exciting to follow, so I could read it quickly. I would recommend this book to other people because it was fun and easy to read."—Shreya, age 9, reviewer for Kids' Book Buzz

"Beautiful and a bit emotional...A fantastic read for all ages.—Fangirlish

"A heroic teddy bear, an Amazon Princess doll, and a fellowship of stuffed animals must save their beloved children from some truly scary monsters. I loved the imaginative world building and likable characters (toy and human alike) of this fast-paced tale. A blast from start to finish!"—J.A. White, award-winning author of Nightbooks and the Thickety

"Spark and the League of Ursus will fire the imagination and spur the adventures of any kid with a teddy bear. Also, any adult with a teddy bear."—J. W. Ocker, Edgar Award-winning author of Death and Douglas

"If Toy Story had teeth, you'd have Spark and the League of Ursus. A thrilling and heartwarming tale that will make you look twice under your bed and never take your teddy bear for granted again."—Tania del Rio, author of the Warren the 13th series

"Enchanting, zippy-paced, and just scary enough to make me want to dig deeper under the covers in the dark of night (and pull my old teddy bear out of the closet), I dearly adored Spark and her human."—Natalie Lloyd, New York Times bestselling author of A Snicker of Magic