Middle Grade Monday: Fenris and Mott by Greg Van Eekhout

Image: HarperCollins Publishers 

Fenris and Mott by Greg Van Eekhout. 202 p. Harper/ HarperCollins Publishers, August 2, 2022. 9780062970633. (Review of finished copy courtesy of Blue Slip Media.)

Middle Grade Monday features Fenris and Mott by Greg Van Eekhout. All twelve-year-old Mott (short for Martha) wants to do is successfully film an episode of the "Mott and Amanda Root Beer Show . That's proving difficult thanks to her BFF Amanda being on vacation in Germany and, oh, she and her mom have relocated to Culver City, California. The only quiet place she can find is an alley, but it's just not the same without Amanda. 

When Mott hears scuttling and scratching in a nearby dumpster, she assumes it's a rat, but it's a fluffly, white ball of fur. She makes a promise to help the pup and brings him to a nearby animal shelter where she learns that he isn't a dog. He's a wolf-pup, so she couldn't keep him even if her landlord allowed dogs. No worries, the animal shelter will contact a wolf sanctuary and hold the pup until they arrive. However, he is not having that and bolts once he sees the leash he's about to be tethered to! He crashes through a plate glass window and disappears.

Mott finds him a few blocks later. Unfortunately, the pup is wriggling in the hands of a giant who claims he's Gorm the Viscious and Fenris, the pup, is prophesied to eat the moon, slay Odin and end the world. Say what?

A promise is a promise and Mott promised to keep Fenris safe. How can she do that and also save the world from ending? 

If you love a fast-paced adventure with lots of humor, this is the book for you. Though plot-driven and quite cinematic, the characters hum with life. Mott is achingly endearing and Thrudie, the Valkyrie is the perfect sidekick. Then, of course, there's Fenris, the puff ball of destruction doing what puppies do best. I swallowed this in one big giddy gulp. Happy reading!

Teen Tuesday: Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman. Unabridged audiobook on 6 compact discs; 6.5 hours. Read by the author. HarperAudio, 2017. 9780062663634. (Review from finished audiobook borrowed from the public library. Hardcover copy purchased.)

Teen readers who enjoyed Rick Riordan's Magnus Chase books might consider reading Gaiman's retellings to learn a bit more about those rascally Norse gods. Gaiman does a marvelous job of explaining the relationships between them and most of the stories are entertaining if not downright funny. Most students are readily familiar with the gods of Greek mythology; but other cultural mythologies are well worth reading. Personally, I've been trying to expand my own horizons. 

I read the book with my ears but the hardcover book is a thing of beauty, sporting a gorgeous embossed cover. The physical book also has a glossary I might have found useful for consulting were I reading with my eyes. Gaiman is a wonderful narrator though. Most of the stories are short but they are all interconnected and don't lend themselves to skipping around if you're reading with your eyes. 

The Norse gods were as harsh and brutal as the climate in the Nordic countries. There's plenty of deception, betrayal and gore as they hurtle their way, seemingly uncaring, to Ragnorok. Good stuff. Hand this to your readers who love mythology. Challenge your students to read beyond Greek mythology. Offer it to students who enjoy Gaiman's other work and his quirky sense of humor.

Odin's Ravens by K.L. Armstrong and M.A. Marr

Odin's Ravens by K.L. Armstrong and M.A. Marr. (The Blackwell Pages #2) 342 p. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, May 13, 2014. 9780316204989. (Review from arc courtesy of the publisher)

Book 2 picks up right where, Loki's Wolves, left off. Matt, Laurie and Fen have traveled to Hel to rescue Baldwin. The action begins immediately as the trio, who are descendants of the Norse gods, must confront a two-headed giant. The road through Hel is not paved with good intentions (sorry, couldn't resist) but fraught with menacing guard dogs, zombie warriors and Fen and Laurie's Aunt Helen. Will she allow Baldwin to leave with them? Will she help them stand against the giant serpent and prevent Ragnarok, an apocalypse that will destroy mankind and plunge the world into perpetual winter? And, what's with those creepy black birds that seem to follow them everywhere?

The story hurdles along apace, answering some questions and raising others. Intermittent black and white art highlight monsters, human characters, and some key scenes. Of course, the cliffhanger-of-sorts ending will leave readers panting for the third and final volume, Thor's Serpent due in spring of 2015. I also love the cover art. It promises action and suspense and pairs well with Loki's Wolves.

I love, love, love having this series to hand to kids who ask for another book like the Rick Riordan juggernaut. Students that I've given Loki's Wolves to are eagerly awaiting Odin's Ravens. In fact, one eagle-eyed sixth grader spotted my arc and begged me for it. There's enough backstory woven into this installment for readers to skip book one, but why would you want to miss the set-up? 

You can read chapter one of Odin's Ravens at the Blackwell Pages website. And teachers, there's a curriculum guide for Loki's Wolves there as well.