April 15, 2018
Grades 6-8 Odd, unruly Gwendolyn Gray has grown up with her imagination stifled by The City. When her daydreams come to life, she's chased by the Faceless Gentlemen, who will do whatever it takes to preserve The City's order. Soon, she's whisked away into another world alongside two explorers, where she has to go up against airship pirates and dangerous shadows to find her way home. Gwendolyn has a spunky and bright personality that brings the story to life, and her imagination offsets her quirky adventures and zany exploits. The tone stays relatively light, but Williamson weaves serious themes throughout, with a large focus on bullying; the writing style is such that it often feels as if a narrator is sharing a personal story. This reads as something of a cautionary tale?not only to hold onto the imagination, but to embrace it. Williamson skillfully blends a dystopian society with a steampunk adventure and a coming-of-age journey. Fans of classic adventures like Alice in Wonderland and Wizard of Oz will adore Gwendolyn.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)