Jerry is used to moving around. Ever since her dad died and they lost their home, she and her mom have been bumping from motel to motel as her mom picks up temporary cleaning work. Jerry stopped going to school after she was attacked by a bully, and she's all alone except for her imaginary friend, a mini dragon with the voice of her Jewish uncle.
When they arrive at the Slumbering Giants motel, Jerry thinks things will go on as they always have. She'll stay in the motel room, maybe explore a little in the parking lot, until they move again. People will look at her, at her wheelchair, and make up their minds about who she is before they even talk to her. They'll move on soon and it will start all over again.
But this is different. The motel is old and run-down, surrounded by creepy woods. Her mom doesn't get a uniform and starts disappearing at odd hours. Paul, her dragon, won't leave her alone about trying to make friends, especially with the chatty and odd girl she's seen hanging around. Although she's wary about trusting or even talking to other people, Jerry is also determined to solve the mysteries and maybe even consider the possibility that she's found a new home. But when she and Chapel, the girl she's met, find themselves in the scary and dangerous woods searching for Jerry's missing mom, they aren't sure if they'll survive long enough to become friends.
The story moves quickly, roughly setting the scene and characters, gradually bringing in creepy occurrences and phenomena, and then plunging the two girls into the frightening woods where they make rapid discoveries about the menace. The story isn't really long enough to fully develop the plot and characters, but with the need for shorter books (this is 200 pages) that's acceptable and leaves lots of room for kids to mull over the story and draw their own conclusions. Netz notes that he consulted sensitivity readers when forming his characters (Chapel is Black and Jerry uses a wheelchair) but also speaks from his own experience as a wheelchair user and specifically wrote this to center a disabled kid in a fantasy adventure. The practical challenges and uses of Jerry's chair are smoothly woven into the story and clearly realistic. Adult readers might find the quick friendship of Jerry and Chapel and the happy resolution a little too pat, but this is perfect for middle grade readers, especially towards the younger end of the spectrum.
Verdict: This debut is a good length with a creepy and interesting story, intriguing characters, and a satisfying ending. It's a strong choice for libraries looking for more diversity, especially picturing kids with disabilities, as well as books that will capture the attention of young readers.
ISBN: 9780063266537; Hardcover at $10.63 on Baker & Taylor
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