Posted in Award Winners, MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Splendors and Glooms

splendors.jpgLooking for something spooky or creepy? Then read Splendors and Glooms (Candlewick, 2012) by Laura Amy Schlitz which won a 2013 Newbery Honor.
The book told in multiple viewpoints features:

12-year-old Clara, child of wealthy parents, who wants the puppet master to perform at her birthday party. She wants something to be different from her other birthdays, where she has to open presents from her dead siblings.

Lizzie Rose and Parsefall work for the puppet master Grisini. They’re always hungry and neglected. When Clara is found missing, Lizzie Rose suspects their master has something to do with it.

We also have viewpoints of a witch.

I love how this historical story is mixed with magic. It definitely deserved the honor it has received. Laura is a 2008 Newbery winner for Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village.

You can read about Laura here. And here’s an interesting video.