BOOK NOOK REVIEWS: Jane Yolen

Title: A Plague of Unicorns

Author: Jane Yolen

Illustrators: Jody Langley, John Rowe, Tom McGrath, Matthew Van Zomeren

Publisher: Zonderkidz

Ages: 9-11

Synopsis: Monks, unicorns, and a duke's son come together in an epic battle over delicious apples. James, who is almost nine years old, has more questions than his family can handle so he is shipped off to the local Abby. Abbot Aelian has more unicorns in his golden apple orchards that he would like, and needs help to save the Abby from ruin. Will the Abby fall or will a local hero come to save the day?

Why you should read it: Jane Yolen has been called the Hans Christian Anderson by Newsweek or the Aesop of the Twentieth Century by the New York Times. After I read this book I could understand why. It's not so much that Ms. Yolen tells a great story appealing to readers young and old. More the way she weaves an enchanting web of sights and sounds to draw her readers back in time to a simpler place where unicorns still exist. It's this suspension of disbelief which allows me to entertain the possibility unicorns are real and heroes can come in all shapes and sizes.

Like-o-meter Rating: 5 out of 5...grab it!

(Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers http://booklookbloggers.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx 03/16cfr255 03.html ("Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")