An interesting premise and setting (a future that I hope never happens, but feels all too near sometimes). I wanted it to be creepier, but considering that it's aimed at middle-grade readers, the creepiness level was probably appropriate. My only complaint is that I wanted more--the resolution happened too fast after much build-up. But I enjoyed the characters, and the segment from "The Bestiary" that's included is very cool. Overall, a fun middle-grade fantasy. My fourth grade son and I both loved the wit of The Wikkeling. The Addition at times began to resemble our own suburb. The author was so spot-on in satirizing how our over-protective, big brother society feels about children and risk taking. We loved when the crosswalks flashed from scared pedestrian face hurrying to dead pedestrian. As a teacher, all of the parallels to public schools and standardized tests were both hilarious and also dead-on. As for electronically checking you onto and off of school buses using your cell phone, I don't think we're far from that now.
What do You think about The Wikkeling (2011)?
Clever and cute, but a bit thin for adult readers and not entirely satisfactory.
—Jal
Started out strong but lost ooomph with each passing chapter. Too bad!
—Veronica
The pacing is a little awkward, but it kept my interest.
—Megan
