Nurk

August 1, 2008
Gr 1-4-When Nurk opens a letter addressed to his grandmother, Surka, his first concern is that he has committed mail fraud. After discovering his adventurous grandmother's journal, in which she vowed to take risks, his second thought is that he should return the missive. He builds a boat out of a snail shell and heads down the river. He discovers that the letter was sent by the Princess of the Dragonflies, soliciting Surka's help. The king informs Nurk that the prince needs rescuing from Grizzlemole, an oversize blind mole and a generally terrible creature. Nurk bravely takes on the quest and, with help from passages in the journal, succeeds fairly easily. Each chapter includes an undistinguished heavy-line black-and-white ink drawing. Vernon's writing shows some flair, but overall the story's effectiveness is hampered by some slow parts and a plot that relies on predictable contrivance and coincidence."Tim Wadham, St. Louis County Library, MO"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2008
Nurk is a meek, homebody shrew. After reading a letter meant for his warrior grandmother and taking courage from her old journal, he becomes caught up in a quest to save a dragonfly prince. Nurk's small-scale adventure is an approachable, accessible coming-of-age tale for animal-fantasy lovers. Thick-lined black-and-white illustrations help set the scene.

(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)