Hermit Hill

Gr 3-7–Sleeves is lonely at home and school, but a swarm of magical sprites lets him feel like a king for a day. His big sister, Jenna, is building a go-kart with friends, but she tends to dismiss him. With both parents out of the house all day, the runny-nosed Sleeves attaches to glowing, hoarding “hivers” that enjoy his company and make him feel wanted. A subplot involving a mysterious hermit character could leave readers pondering, but everything comes together in a thrilling, joyous conclusion. Deas’s expressive artwork includes the colorful landscapes and flora of Sueño Bay’s forests, from bright greens and yellows in the daytime to subdued blues and grays at night and in the rain. Atmospheric, wordless pages pack a huge punch in this book’s emotional communication.