FICTION

Into the Woods

by J. TORRES
Bk. 1. illus. by Faith Erin Hicks. 100p. (Bigfoot Boy Series). Kids Can. 2012. RTE $17.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-711-2.
COPY ISBN
Gr 4–7—Into the Woods mixes fantasy and a touch of suspense. Ten-year-old Rufus is off to stay with his grandma for a few days. Since her house backs up to a massive forest, he decides to explore and comes across an unfriendly neighbor, Penny, and a magical wooden necklace that allows him to morph into a Sasquatch. A pack of wolves, fearing a shift in the woodland balance of power, is determined to get the necklace back, and use Penny as bait. But Rufus uses his Sasquatch power to save the day-and his necklace-setting the stage for more adventures to come. The plot is easy to follow, but also fairly predictable and doesn't offer much in the way of surprises. The rich, expressive full-color artwork shines, adding humor and ably carrying the story. The book might not leave a lasting impression on every reader, but it will have its fans.—Travis Jonker, Wayland Union Schools, MI
This story sympathetically portrays Rufus’s attempts to adjust to an amazing new power while also dealing with more quotidian concerns including a new crush, new friends, and a visit to an unfamiliar place. The bold, colorful illustrations vividly convey a sense of place. Both Rufus’s grandmother’s quaint house and the deep woods that grow behind it are rendered memorably. Rufus’s burgeoning friendship with Penny is a particular strength of this tale. At first hesitant, the two warm to each other, until Penny becomes jealous that Rufus found a totem near her home. When she disappears looking for another totem, Rufus is the one who must save her.

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