Read this because it was the National Book Award for Young People's Literature in 2012. Totally didn't get it. About a boy who is searching for his brother and gets hooked up with a troupe of theatrical goblins and attempts to save his city from a flood. The whole way through, I felt I was missing something. And I found myself not wanting to read which is an absurdly foreign feeling for me. I have no idea why this would be considered the best book of 2012 by any stretch of the imagination. 2 stars is generous. Probably should have given it 1, but a whole panel of elite readers can't be that off, can they? Rownie, one of the few owned by graba the witch in the future town of Zombay, and his older brother were taken in by graba after a few unfortunate events happened to their parents. After they were taken in graba, she used them to do her bidding. They ran her errands, cleaned the house, and helped feed and assist everyone else in grabas household. After his older brother goes missing, He soon realizes that staying with graba is a bad decision on his part. But graba has grown quite fond of rownie as did she to his older brother. So just like She had when Rowan went missing, she sent all of her other children to find Rownie. Little did they know rownie had gone on to join a band of goblin actors, because in the town of Zombay you were only permitted to act if you were not a real resident of the town, and since the goblins aren't human they are not considered part of the town. Anyone caught breaking that rule would be taken. After graba learns where Rownie has gone off hiding she starts doing everything in her power to bring him back, because the floods are coming, and they are something sh knows row I can stop but she also knows it's something she does not want to prevent. I would rate this book a solid 4/5 stars for all ages, a crazy and adventurous tale of nonstop suspense and comic relief. It will leave you wondering, how far will graba go, and is it even beyond her limits?...
What do You think about Goblin Secrets (2012)?
"Goblin Secrets" is a well crafted, unique, novel featuring goblins, acting, and masks.
—jeni93
Read the second one first and actually liked it better. Still, it's a fun story.
—mel
