Goblins on the Prowl

Gr 3-6--A sequel 23 years in the making! William, from 1992's Goblins in the Castle (Aladdin), is back, and is now revered as "The William," because he freed the goblins from an imprisonment spell. He and his friend, Fauna, a girl who lives alone in the woods to hide her own terrible secret, have been invited to a party at Toad-in-a-Cage Castle to celebrate the anniversary of this momentous event. Unfortunately, the stone toad, (for whom the aforementioned castle is named) turns out to have a spell on it, too. When the pair unwittingly releases the magical toad from the spell, it springs to life and captures William, taking him deep into the forest. An unlikely crew sets out to help Fauna save him, including a ghost, an Igor (no one is quite sure what he is), and Bwoonhiwda, the Queen's strong-arm with an unfortunate speech impediment. This wildly imaginative tale stands alone, but will likely send many new fans on the hunt for the first book. With a fast pace and so many fun characters, it absolutely begs to be read aloud in an upper elementary classroom. VERDICT Fauna is a heroine with heart; fantasy-adventure fans will be biting their nails and chuckling out loud with every twist and turn.--Mandy Laferriere, Fowler Middle School, Frisco, TX

More than 20 years after Coville introduced readers to the enchanted realm of Nilbog in Goblins in the Castle (1992), he returns with the story of Fauna, who lives in the forest near Toad-in-a-Cage castle and who has a big secret. When her cabin is invaded by goblins looking for a magical object, Fauna is thrust into a decades-old battle between good and evil that threatens the life of her friend William and sends her and a motley band of heroes on a wild adventure to save him. Coville's imagination runs brilliantly amok, with memorable characters like the lovable, speech-impeded Bwoonhiwda ("I just have a w pwobwem.... This has caused many pwobwems in my wife") and Bonecracker John ("With ears as big as mine, I can hear a cricket fart"). The pages are filled with lively and unpredictable escapades, wondrously magical settings, and heroes who, despite their otherworldly abilities, are flawed and relatable. If Coville plans to revisit Nilbog in the future, readers can only hope they don't have to wait another two decades. Ages 8-12. Agent: Barry Goldblatt, Barry Goldblatt Literary. (June)