Basil & Dahlia: A Tragical Tale of Sinister Sweetness

Gr 5 Up–A cross between “A Series of Unfortunate Events” and "Hansel and Gretel," this is a whimsical and suspenseful story about two formerly homeschooled orphans. Basil is a bookworm with a terrible secret; Dahlia is brilliantly quick-thinking (and can’t read because her brain works differently). With their combined powers they can make it through anything, they hope; but New York City, germs, and a wicked witch are going to be a challenge, even for them. Although set in the modern day, the narrator is mid-19th-century British. This leads to some humorous misunderstandings over items, such as phones and cars, but the period narration is not always consistent with historical technologies or perspectives. There are a handful of illustrations sprinkled throughout, all black and white. The major characters are illustrated with white skin or described as pale, while a few minor characters are left ambiguous. There are some intense scenes in this dark comedy, although none likely to induce nightmares. Even though it doesn’t have an exactly happy ending, the resolution will still be satisfying for most readers.