Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes

Gr 5–8—Jonathan Auxier's energetic story (Amulet Bks., 2011) is tailor-made for listening! It is reminiscent of classic fairy tales like Pinocchio, with a dash of Oliver Twist thrown in for good measure. Listeners are transported to the magical world of Peter Nimble who, as an infant, was set adrift, blinded by ravens, rescued by drunken sailors, and forced into a life of crime. The blind boy survives by becoming skilled in the art of thievery and picking locks. When Peter steals a box filled with three sets of magical eyes, he tries the first pair and suddenly is transported to a foreign land where an evil king rules, and his mission is to set things right. Listeners uncover the mystery along with Peter as the truth unfolds layer by fantastical layer. Michael Page's narration is exceptional. He portrays a variety of characters with myriad accents and dialects. His gravelly-voiced thieves, raspy ravens, and flighty sparrows are all credible and entertaining. This action-packed fantasy adventure with a fair amount of violence is a first-purchase choice.—Patty McClune, Conestoga Valley High School, Lancaster, PA