“CHARLIE AND THE GRANDMOTHERS,” by Katy Towell, Knopf Books for Young Readers, Aug. 4, 2015, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)
Charlie is a worrier. He’s been one since his father died. He worries about everything, so much so that he doesn’t sleep much at night. This summer has been even harder for him because children have gone missing, and no one seems to have noticed. These children were all sent to visit their grandmothers and never came back.
Charlie finds the whole thing highly suspicious.
So when Charlie and his sister, Georgie, are sent to visit their Grandmother Pearl, Charlie is on high alert, especially since the siblings don’t have a Grandmother Pearl.
Charlie’s doubts are confirmed upon arrival. Grandmother Pearl’s “farm” isn’t so much a farm as frozen tundra. Her house seems to shift sizes, growing and shrinking according to the whims of its owner. And then Charlie finds a set of stairs leading straight into a world of stolen nightmares.
This creepy underworld is the home to enslaved children whose memories and dreams are being sapped away by an evil queen. Georgie quickly forgets her home, her mother and even her own name. Now it’s up to Charlie to transform from worrier to the warrior, defeat the queen and save his sister.
“Charlie and the Grandmothers” has a Roald Dahl-esque feel to it — it’s a bit dark and lined with a bleak, smirking humor. And it’s easy to see the world Katy Towell has created through the eyes of her young protagonist. The creepy illustrations also help on this front.
“Charlie and the Grandmothers” isn’t all ominous, though. There’s a hopefulness that’s weaved throughout, creating a strong counter-balance to more menacing moments. Katy’s prose is smooth and easily accessible, and her characters, Charlie in particular, are well thought out and believable. Strong pacing and an enticing storyline make this a good choice for young readers who are looking for something beyond the stereotypical series offered for this age group.
