Invisible Order, Book 1

Gr 5—8—Twelve-year-old Emily and her younger brother William are orphans. Emily supports William by selling watercress on the streets of London. In a hurry to get to her supplier before the best watercress is taken, she cuts through an alley where she stumbles onto a battling group of invisible faerie folks. Blessed with the sight to see these magical creatures, she ends up rescuing a wounded piskie. She learns that the contentious faerie clans of Seelie and Unseelie are embroiled in an ancient war that tests the very existence of mankind. When her brother is kidnapped, Emily sets out on a journey faced with riddles and a quest to find a magic stone. A third group emerges, a secret organization of humans called the Invisible Order. Emily doesn't know who to trust. Listeners will empathize with Emily's peril, the decisions she must make, and what she learns about herself. This multi-layered fantasy by Paul Crilley (EgmontUSA, 2010) is read by Katherine Kellgren whose nicely paced performance brings life to each character. Listeners will eagerly await the next installment.—Robyn Gioia, Bolles School, Ponte Vedra, FL