Publishers Weekly
02/14/2022
In this ecologically oriented standalone fantasy set in the same world as The Time Fetch, Herrick transfers her protagonists’ focus from the collapse of time and space to the threat of climate change. When nature gets out of hand around the vernal equinox—winter refuses to give way to spring, a tornado threatens Brooklyn residents—it’s up to four middle schoolers plagued by memory lapses and capricious entities to set things right. Soft-spoken but observant Brigit, who is Black; aspiring baker Danton and science-minded Edward, both white; and artist Feenix, cued by surname as of Latinx descent individually and collectively encounter mysterious green-haired Jack, who enlists them in his search for a missing Lady whom, he claims, is essential for spring’s arrival. While their science teacher is certain that global warming is to blame for the ongoing cold, the arrival of Jack, plus manipulative, tiny-footed school superintendent Tiltersmith, leads the quartet to suspect the cause may be rooted in the supernatural. Herrick combines vivid descriptions of climate events, school-set science lessons, and weather-related stories from various cultures around the globe in a meandering novel that both resonates with current events and fits tonally alongside children’s fantasy classics. Ages 8–12. Agent: Victoria Wells Arms, Wells Arms Literary/HG Literary. (Apr.)
From the Publisher
"Thrilling coming-of-age fantasy skillfully weaving elements of ancient folklore with the frightening contemporary realities of climate change."—Buffalo News "Herrick combines vivid descriptions of climate events, school-set science lessons, and weather-related stories from various cultures around the globe . . . resonates with current events and fits tonally alongside children’s fantasy classics."—Publishers Weekly “Vacillating between scientific reasoning and lore from worldwide cultures, the descriptions of beautiful legends of seasons and the sobering study of climate change are so rich.”— Kirkus Reviews "Despite the contemporary setting, a diversified cast, and topical themes, events take on ritualistic elements that readers up on their Greek mythology will recognize. American fans of Susan Cooper’s The Dark Is Rising sequence will find themselves on familiar footing, albeit a bit closer to home."—Booklist “The author proves to have a keen eye for developing wonderfully dastardly villains. Tiltersmith is a fantastic bad guy who oozes disarming charm while also being deeply unsettling … cleverly handled … a compelling tale.”— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “It’s a great combination of the mystical and the scientific! A bit of gentle romance shouldn’t deter younger readers . . . The writing style is craftily literary, with warm incisive forays into each character’s inner life.”— Youth Services Book Review PRAISE FOR THE TIME FETCH: “The Time Fetch is a remarkable testament to the power of true friendship and a thrilling fantasy adventure about the unseen world all around us.” —R. J. Palacio, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wonder “Charming and clever . . . Readers will enjoy this adventure featuring a team of unlikely friends with an array of talents—each essential to their mission to restore the Fetch to its proper place.” —Shelf Awareness, starred review “A transcendent middle-grade debut . . . The plot is suspenseful, moves at a rapid pace, and is heavily sprinkled with fascinating characters . . . This book screams for a sequel.” —School Library Journal, starred review “Herrick weaves a fast-paced fantasy with great twists and turns that will grab readers from the start.” —Booklist “Take one part quantum physics, one part metaphysical nihilism, one part pagan mysticism, add a handful of truly fantastic fourteen-year-olds, and BAM! You have yourself an amazingly fun book.” —Shelver’s Anonymous
School Library Journal
04/22/2022
Gr 3–7—Herrick's middle grade novel is set in New York in what is turning out to be a very long winter. The main characters, four friends and their teacher, disagree on what is causing the freakish weather. Is it climate change or magic? If spring is to begin, the friends must use their diverse talents to free the Lady of Spring and keep a mysterious set of tools away from their enemy, the creepy Tiltersmith. It won't be easy, though, as the friends are dealing with instances of forgetfulness and unexplained memories. Details about a developing romance, and the different home lives and backgrounds of the characters add interest to the main story. The descriptions are rich in vocabulary and make readers feel immersed in the weather and outdoor scenes. Tweens interested in ecology, science, weather, or fantasy stories with the same setting as the author's previous book, The Time Fetch, will enjoy this book. The cast includes white, Black, and Latinx characters. VERDICT This thrilling standalone fantasy will appeal to a wide variety of ages.—Tanya Boudreau
Kirkus Reviews
2022-01-26
Four friends combat climate change in this follow-up to The Time Fetch (2013) that is laden with a history of weather-related lore.
Edward, Feenix, Danton, and Brigit were Brooklyn eighth graders preventing the unraveling of time when last readers met them. Their save-the-world challenge this round is a winter that won’t end. When a snowstorm marks the first day of spring, science enthusiast Edward finds an odd cocoon that he swipes for research. Much like the Time Fetch stone in Herrick’s earlier volume, each of the four friends happens upon a mysterious talisman, all while trying to understand why the slimy new school superintendent is so darn creepy (those tiny feet of his), where the flocks of robins are coming from, and what haze is keeping them all from remembering just what they’re supposed to be doing. Vacillating between scientific reasoning and lore from worldwide cultures, the descriptions of beautiful legends of seasons and the sobering study of climate change are so rich they nearly overshadow the central characters. Chapters present the rotating third-person perspectives of the quartet, giving each equal airtime. The structure gives readers the pieces to complete thoughts on their own without spoon-feeding them answers. The rich and creepy fantasy element offsets the familiarity of forgetfulness caused by a thick shroud of archaic magic. The protagonists are cued as White, Black, and Latinx.
A chosen-ones fantasy for readers befuddled by climate change. (Fantasy. 11-14)
