The Undrowned Child

Gr 5—8—Fantasy and historical fiction blend meticulously in this richly imaginative novel. Set in 1899, it's an intricately woven tale about rescuing Venice from impending demise. Teodora Gasperin, 11, miraculously survived a drowning accident that left her an orphan. She was adopted by two scientists who are attending a conference in Venice to find a way to save the city from sinking into the sea. While there, Teo is accidentally hit on the head by an extraordinary book, The Key to the Secret City for the Children of Venice, when it topples from a bookstore shelf, thus beginning her adventures. The book speaks to her, leading her on a quest to rescue the city from evil Bajamonte Tiepolo. After the accident, Teo is visible only to children, and she has extraordinary powers. As she tries to unlock the mystery to save the city, she deals with clever mermaids, some of whom add humor to the adventure. After a bumpy start, Renzo, a chauvinistic young Venetian, becomes her good friend and joins in her search. Lovric has included intriguing twists and turns on almost every page, with vampire eels and villains galore. Teo is a wonderful but unassuming heroine, and Venice itself is a thrilling character. The combination of imagination, thorough research, and evocative prose renders this an exceptional read that will not relinquish readers from its grasp. Happily, a sequel is already planned. This is Lovric's first contribution to literature for the young, and it is a gem.—Renee Steinberg, formerly at Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ