Toby Alone Toby and the Secrets of the Trees

Gr 4—8—Toby Lolness, 1.5 millimeters in height and 13 years old, is on the run in these two volumes (2009, 2010, Candlewick) of an eco-fantasy filled with political commentary and satire by Timothee de Fombelle. Toby lives in a world miniscule in scale, an entire civilization making its home on a single oak tree—and everyone is out to get Toby. The details of why Toby is running are parsed out in looping narrative, with scenes from his memory nested within expository dialogue that is itself a memory. We learn of the high society in the upper branches and the environmental research of Toby's scientist father. We are there when his parents fall in love. We meet farmers, thugs, city dwellers, and a grotesque real estate developer, while Toby runs, hides, faces betrayal, and finds love. This fractal storytelling style, abetted by very descriptive, filigreed writing, makes the action sometimes difficult to follow in the audio version. And while Peter Berkrot does a fine job of conveying Toby's emotions without going overboard, many members of the extremely large cast of characters are written with an abundance of over-the-top physical features and verbal mannerisms, and come off as caricatures. The good guys are determined to defend the environment and the bad guys are intent on destroying it, as these novels are relentless in reminding us.—Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, MD