How to Make a Golem and Terrify People

Gr 4–7—Edda, or Mouse to her family, loves her new home, but she doesn't love being the new girl at school. She is small and shy, and frequently bullied by Euan, a boy in her class. The night of her 13th birthday dinner, her house is burglarized, and her presents unwrapped and stolen. She suspects Euan, but can't be sure, and timid Edda is suddenly afraid of everything. Then mysterious Michael Scot comes into her life. He's odd. He sounds much older than he looks, and he lives in a tower with a basement full of strange objects. He speaks to a dead toad he keeps in a jar. But he says he can help her make a golem, a man out of mud that will protect her and her belongings, and thus overcome her fears. She agrees, but when everything goes terribly wrong, Edda discovers who her true friends are and that she doesn't need a golem to feel strong. Her uncertainties about her own strength of character, and her journey of self-discovery, will resonate with readers. Powerful messages come through, such as choosing your friends wisely and learning to stand up for yourself. Willis skillfully avoids revealing too much about the golem until the end, and readers will race through the pages to find out whether the creature is real, or only in Edda's imagination.—Mandy Laferriere, Fowler Middle School, Frisco, TX